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[Tokyo ] Don't worry even if it's your first time! 5 recommended solo drinkers in Tokyo area

[Tokyo ] Don't worry even if it's your first time! 5 recommended solo drinkers in Tokyo area

2023-11-24

Nowadays, people who can have a good time alone are the ones who are happy. Many people would like to enjoy drinking alone as much as they enjoy hobbies or going out. However, going out for a drink alone for the first time requires some courage. Bars, for example, may seem somewhat intimidating, and you may not know what kind of place to choose. In this issue, we have selected five recommended izakaya (Japanese style pubs) and bars in the Tokyo area that are perfect for drinking alone. Please refer to them when choosing a place to drink.

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Ginza Marugin



Ginza Corridor Street is located between JR Shimbashi and Yurakucho stations. It is now called the best pick-up spot in Japan and is famous as a place to meet people. In particular, "Ginza Marugin ", with its retro-looking interior and exterior and distinctive logo, is always busy, especially on weekdays. It is definitely recommended for both those seeking to meet people and those who are not, and is a perfect place to have a drink alone.

Highball izakaya for a quick drink



Conveniently located a 3-minute walk from Exit C2 of Ginza Station, Ginza Marugin mainly serves Kaku highballs, as indicated by the sign out front. The atmosphere is casual, standing-style, and easy to enter, even if you are alone. A budget of about 1,500 yen is enough to enjoy the drinks, and considering the location, it can be said to be very cost-effective.

A variety of cosy menus including skewers



The a la carte dishes that go well with highballs and sake are very tasty and each is reasonably priced, making them very popular. Some examples are the hearty "thick ham cutlet "and the juicy "handmade menchikatsu ", which are perfect for the first order. Also, "the superb liver "and "the melt-in-your-mouth liver "are so popular that some fans say they can only be found here. There are many other attractive menu items, so why don't you try them first to find the one you like best?

<店舗情報>
Store name:Marugin
Address: 105 Corridor Street, 7-1 Ginza 7-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
"Access: Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line "Ginza "station 2 min walk from exit C1, JR Lines "Yurakucho "station 5 min walk from Ginza exit, Shimbashi "station 5 min walk from Ginza exit
Business hours: 11:30 - 14:00, 17:00 - 6:00 (last order: 5:00)
Closed: Sunday
Phone number: 03-3571-8989

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In Shinjuku 3-chome, there exists a long-established izakaya "that is a hideout for those in the know: "Dondosoko. The exterior of the restaurant, covered with ivy leaves, creates a rather unique atmosphere, but in fact, it has a long history of being visited by numerous celebrities since its establishment in 1951. Tetsuko Kuroyanagi and Akihiro Miwa are said to be deep-rooted fans of Donsoko. Donsoko has watched over the streets of Shinjuku over time, and warmly welcomes all people, including single customers.

A space reminiscent of a secret base for adults



Although the building looks small from the outside, it is actually a relatively large izakaya with a total of about 100 seats from the first basement floor to the third floor. Each floor has a different interior and atmosphere, and although the truth is not known, there is a rumor that the floor to which customers are taken changes depending on who comes to the restaurant. In fact, a customer who was on a floor with a calm atmosphere was surprised to find another floor very lively when he happened to see it. It seems that this historic restaurant, which has been a favorite in the middle of the city for many years, has the openness to accommodate all kinds of people who want to enjoy drinking.

A must-try specialty when you visit "dongkak "



Each floor has its own bartender who will make you a cocktail to your liking. When you come here, don't forget to order the cocktails commonly known as "Donkaku "and "Dondoko Cocktail ". This refreshing drink, which has long been a favorite along with the restaurant, is a shochu-based drink with lemon and other citrus flavors.

"Check out "for this week's gem!



In addition to standard snacks, many stylish Western-style a la carte dishes incorporating Spanish cooking techniques seem to be available. The extensive menu answers to a variety of drinking styles, from those who want to enjoy their drinks in moderation to those who want to eat well. In addition, the official website has a blog at "and a new menu is constantly updated in the "This Week's Best of "" section. It is a great place to refer to when you visit.

<店舗情報>
Store Name:Donzoko
Address: 3-10-2 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022
Access: Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line & Fukutoshin Line "Shinjuku Sanchome "Station Exit B2, 2 min. from Toei Shinjuku Line "Shinjuku Sanchome "Station Exit C5
Phone number: 03-3354-7749
Official website: http://www.donzoko.co.jp/

Mikkeller Tokyo



A particularly good place for beer lovers is "Mikkeller Tokyo ", located across the street from Chiyoda Inari Shrine in Shibuya. As a craft beer specialty restaurant by Danish brewer "MIKKELLER ", their commitment to beer is a strong identity that many other izakaya do not have. People who are interested in beer but are not comfortable with it, for example, may find new discoveries and encounters when they visit.

Wide selection of brands



Although the bar is operated by MIKKELLER, that is not the only beer on tap. At any given time, there are as many as 20 brands selected from all over the world, and the store is lined with many pours. With so many options to choose from at any given time, you can enjoy the fun of finding the beer that you like best. The staff will guide you based on your mood and preferences, so if you don't know how to choose a beer, don't worry. Feel free to ask them.



The beer is the star of the menu, and the snacks and nibbles on offer are all designed to complement the taste of the beer. Sausages, Danish-style hot dogs, pickles, and other gems are available.

Seats to choose from depending on your mood



The first floor has a sense of openness as if an entire wall has been knocked out, and depending on the weather, it can be turned into an open terrace. You can enjoy a drink while feeling the breeze and looking out at the street. If you want to enjoy your beer at a leisurely pace, we recommend going up to the second floor, which has a contrastingly calm atmosphere. Both of these spaces will surely add color to your time alone enjoying a beer.

<店舗情報>
店舗名:MIKKELLER TOKYO
Address: 2-19-11 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0043
Opening hours: Weekdays: 16:00-24:00, Sundays: 14:00-24:00
Closed: No holidays
Official website: https://mikkeller.jp/ja/

the BAR ACE



If you have been hesitant to enter a bar because of its high profile image, why not visit "the BAR ACE (The Bar Ace) ", located a 3-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station. The space, with its retro wood-grained interior and comfortable darkness, gives the impression of a higher grade of elegance, like a bar in a European hotel. While being an authentic bar, it also offers a friendly atmosphere and service that makes it a great place to stop by. It is one of the best places for people who have never been to a bar before or for beginners who want to drink alone.

Debut at the bar in a calm and relaxing environment



The most attractive thing about this bar is that it offers a relaxing atmosphere where you can take your time with your drinks, creating an elegant time for yourself, perfect for a reward at the end of the day. The essence of a real bar is to provide each and every customer with the best drinks they are looking for. Like many bars, the BAR ACE does not have a menu where you can see all the brands and types of drinks. If you want to order any drink, it is essential to consult with the bartender. It is a unique way to enjoy a bar where someone can think together with you about the taste sensation you really want. Feel free to consult with them including your budget.

Whisky from the barrel that continues to mature



The store has four 10-liter barrels and a miniature barrel, where homemade whiskey is still being aged at this very moment. In addition, there is a wide variety of homemade pickled liquors. When they are poured as cocktails in your glass, you can enjoy the fruits of the owner's trial and error. The owner's kindness to beginners can be seen in the system whereby 100 yen is discounted for each drink. It shows that the owner wants you to drink first.

The 1st and 21st of every month are ACE days

Bottles with ribbons on the back bar are half price twice a month on "ACE day ". Not only whisky, but rum, brandy and liqueurs are also sometimes eligible. The 1st and 21st of every month are your chance to enjoy great deals. Smoking is usually allowed in ACE, but on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the restaurant is non-smoking. The owner of ACE hopes that non-smokers will also enjoy the delicious drinks.

<店舗情報>
Store name:the BAR ACE
Address: Izumi Bldg. 2F, 3-29-11 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Business hours: 17:00 - 2:00 (last order 1:00)
Regular holiday: no holiday
Phone number: 03-6912-7823
Official website: https://www.bar-ace.net/

The Wave



Sake goes great with delicious seafood dishes. Although "Wave's "is famous for its high-quality seafood gourmet food, including salmon roe, which is its specialty, it is actually one of the highly recommended places for drinking alone. With fresh seafood and reasonably priced drinks, you are sure to be very satisfied. If you stop by Jiyugaoka, this is a great place to stop by either during the day or at night. There is also a store in the east Shibuya branch, but make no mistake, that shop is only available for lunch.

Fresh seafood to go with sake



Seafood, an essential part of Japanese food culture, goes well with sake. To meet this need, the restaurant's menu features a wide variety of sake brands. You can easily order a shot size or more at a reasonable price.



Although the main attraction of this restaurant is salmon roe, the appeal does not stop there. The most popular item is sea urchin, and a bowl of rice topped with a combination of salmon roe and sea urchin is simply superb. The kaisendon served at this restaurant, which takes pride in its ingredients, is uncompromising in every way. Since you can enjoy such quality food and sake at the same time, there is no reason why your heart and stomach will not be full by the time you leave the restaurant.

Atmosphere that is easy to enter even for a single woman



The restaurant is located in one of Tokyo's most prestigious residential areas and has a great atmosphere, yet it is also a casual place that is easy to stop by. It is not too difficult for a woman to enter the restaurant alone, so it is recommended as a place to have a drink alone for all kinds of people.

Before the Corona disaster, the very satisfying "Senbero Set "was very popular. As the name suggests, it is a set menu that allows you to drink well for 1,000 yen. Depending on what you order, you can order up to 4 to 7 drinks, which was too good a deal for the "non-beer" drinkers. I would love to see it come back when the Corona disaster is over.

<店舗情報>
Store Name:Nami no
Address: 1-3-22 Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-0035
Closed: No holidays
Phone number: 03-6421-1765
Official website: http://naminoikura.com

summary

The above is an introduction to izakaya and bars in the Tokyo area that are recommended for drinking alone. What is important is the ease of entry, the atmosphere inside the bar, and the quality of the menu and service. Thanks to the development of social networking services, it is now much easier to get an idea of the atmosphere of a restaurant. We encourage you to take a step inside the restaurant to find the sake that suits you best.

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