Quick Answer
- No Room for Squares.
- A10.
- Janai Coffee Shop, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Liquor Museum, Shibuya, Tokyo
What if I tell you there’s an amazing live jazz performance along with your favourite cocktails behind a Coco-Cola fridge door? Or that a coffee shop may turn into something completely unexpected only if you’re able to solve their riddles?
Hey there! If you’re visiting Japan anytime soon and love a good cocktail like me, this blog is for you. Tokyo, Japan is well-known by travellers throughout the world for its seamless blending of the modern with the traditional. Whether it’s their food or tourist attractions, you’re up for a treat wherever you’re going.
In this blog, I’ll tell you about some secret bars across the city that a first-time traveller may not find that easily. These hidden bars paying homage to the Prohibition Era have everything— from classics to new cocktails—for you to enjoy an amazing evening. So read along.
Also, if you’re up for a sneak peek of the hidden spots, do head over to my YouTube video.
1) Jazz Bar Inside a Coca-Cola Fridge
Name: No Room for Squares
Address: 2-1-7 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Housing Kitazawa Building II 4F
When it comes to this first one, you may not even know where you’re supposed to go unless you’ve heard about it before. It can be quite hard to find as it’s not on street level. What can be even more challenging is to exactly locate the spot, because the only indication of the bar is a little sign on the street. So, do check out the Google Maps location above.
Set in the neighbourhood of Setagaya, this secret bar is a spot for jazz lovers. Once you’ve found the correct spot and taken a ride up the elevator, you will meet a bright red Coca-Cola fridge that is actually a portal to the bar. If you haven’t guessed it already, the bar is named after an album by saxophonist Hank Mobley, and in keeping with its name, the venue regularly features live performances that are highly popular with the locals. (On the night I went, famous Japanese composer Otomo Yoshihide was performing onstage.)
When there aren’t any live performances, the venue is a jazz kissa, which means the bar plays from a minutely curated list of vinyl records.
This was one of the highlights of my trip. Especially after spending days struggling to communicate, you realise that music transcends all language barriers.
Now let’s see if you’re able to locate this next secret spot!
2) Cocktail Bar Behind Locker Room Doors?
I can guarantee you’ll walk straight past the door of this bar if you didn’t know about it. What looks like a normal wall of old lockers hides a flight of stairs behind it. Walk down the stairs and voilà! You’re inside one of the best secret bars in Tokyo.
A10 is in the popular neighbourhood of Ebisu, which is also the birthplace of the famous Yebisu beer. Unsurprisingly, the area is full of amazing restaurants and bars, including this one. The bar is named after the number of the locker handle you need to pull to open the secret door.
Just after entering, you’ll see the bar’s wall brimming with vinyl records, as well as a DJ spinning some 90s and 00s hits. The bar is well stocked with all your favourite standard drinks. However, if you want a truly unmatched experience, I highly recommend you try their cocktails. Let me tell you why.
The first drink I chose was ‘Feel Like a Cinema’ made from Don Julio, corn syrup, cream, and caramel, and it was honestly delicious! It almost tasted like liquid popcorn!
I thought of calling it a night, but I couldn’t resist ordering this next drink after its name caught my eye. The ‘Are You Depressed?’ cocktail is served with drops of CBD oil on top. While I’m not sure it cured my depression, it certainly was delicious.
A huge shoutout to the venue staff who were incredibly friendly. Their hospitality instantly made me comfortable going to the bar alone. If you too are a solo traveller, do check this place out!
This next spot will get your brain rattling and put your grey cells to work.
3) Coffee Shop with a Secret!
Name: Janai Coffee
Address: B1F Sanmen Building, 2-3-13 Ebisu Minami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
If you’re going here without a reservation, all you will end up with is a hot cup of coffee. Janai Coffee is a notoriously conspicuous hole-in-the-wall bar in Shibuya that asks its customers to comb its website to find the reservation page, solve a riddle, and then book their seats. How cool is that?!
Once you arrive, you’ll have to show your reservation proof to the barista at the coffee shop, who will ask you to push the adjoining shelf in order to gain access to the Janai Coffee bar (Magical stuff indeed!).
True to the shopfront’s theme, absolutely everything on the menu has coffee in it. I started my evening with a Coffee Lemon Sour with gin, fermented lemon, and coffee. It was exquisite, but while I was drinking, I noticed there were hints at an off-menu, secret drink that you can only get if you solve another riddle!
I won’t spoil the fun for you, but if you’re successful, you’ll be rewarded with a secret cocktail that is sure to make an impression. (I was served a flaming Tomatina with mezcal, jalapeño, and lemon and man! This was amazing.) But please note: The venue keeps changing its secret cocktails, so don’t be too surprised if you get something else on your visit.
Drinks aside, the staff, bartender, and even patrons were super friendly, and I ended up staying a lot longer than I intended because of the conversations I struck up with them. They even sent me off with a cup of coffee (How sweet!). If you’re up for riddles and an evening full of magical experiences, it is hands down one of the best spots to go in Tokyo, Japan and I would definitely recommend you visit on your next trip.
But if you’re looking for a budget-friendly adventure or just want to go easy on your pocket, no worries, friend, I’ve got your back.
4) Bar Inside Family Mart?
Name: Liquor Museum Shibuya – Osake no Bijutsukan Shibuya Meiji Dori
Address: 1F, 26-4 Udagawachō, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0042, Japan
This might be the last place you would come for cocktails and food, but that’s the idea, isn’t it? Family Mart is already a familiar name among Japanese locals because they go for everything, so why not drinks?
The perfect hideout for an evening with your favourite drinks within budget is what you get in this Liquor Museum in Shibuya. Just 10 minutes away from the Shibuya subway station is this surprise-filled museum.
Their menu is unexpectedly extensive, and you can get cocktails for just 700 Yen (around USD 4.50). Japanese whiskeys are around 500 Yen (USD 3), as is a glass of red or white wine, and Asahi beers come for 600 Yen (USD 3.50). What’s more, you can even get some food to go with your drink. Yes, it comes from the Family Mart, but they heat it up for you so that you’re all set for the evening. (I chose a lip-smacking Amaretto Ginger Cocktail for the night, which was only 700 Yen.)
All in all, if you’re looking for a wallet-friendly evening with your friends or just a solo night, I strongly recommend you check out the Liquor Museum in Shibuya.
Final Take
There you go — the best places in Tokyo Japan for you to try out your favourite drinks and discover some new cocktails on your next visit. These bars are sure to give you an added adventure while you’re trying to find them, so good luck with that!
Have you visited any of these secret bars before? Reach out to me on the below handles and let me know. You can also recommend other hidden spots I should check out on my next trip.
If you’re researching for your next trip to Tokyo Japan, don’t forget to check out my blog on Japan for first-time travellers where I’ve listed everything — from the passes you’ll need to how to navigate the subway system like a seasoned pro!
Lastly, I can get you a flat 10% discount on all your Japan activities shopping. Don’t believe me? Check out the Klook website and use the code PHATLIFEPROJECTKLOOK while buying. You can thank me later.
Sign up for my newsletters to get updates about more hidden treasures and secret spots around the world straight into your inbox!
Subscribe to my YouTube channel where you can accompany me on my PHAT Life journeys.
