Japanese microbrews
Konne (Nishi-Shinjuku - Kyushu). 5333-7764
This is a retail shop selling souvenirs from Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu; there's also a small counter area where you can try Miyazaki microbrew beers along with very tasty charcoal-grilled free-range Kyushu chicken (Y900-Y1,000 for beer and yakitori).
Yoyogi 2-2-1, Southern Terrace. Open 11am-9pm daily.
Good craft beers from Baird Brewery in Shizuoka, plus decent yakitori and similar light fare. The bar is popular with a foreign crowd and the atmosphere can be quite lively.
Jingumae 1-20-13, No Surrender Bldg 2F. Open 5pm-midnight daily.
More than twenty Japanese microbrew beers are served on tap at this late-night beer specialist. The food menu is limited to fish and chips and similar bar fare.
Craft Beer Market offers thirty different brews on draft, including a good number of seasonal specials. Prices are noticeably less expensive than the average Tokyo microbrew bar, with pints priced at just Y780 and glasses at Y480. (There's also a Y300 table charge.) Craft Beer Market offers thirty different brews on draft, including a good number of seasonal specials. Prices are noticeably less expensive than the average Tokyo microbrew bar, with pints priced at just Y780 and glasses at Y480. (There's also a Y300 table charge.)
The food is top-notch pub fare - we can recommend the shrimps sauteed in garlic (Y900 with bread) and the delightfully spiced lamb kebabs (Y900). The music ranges from Britpop to R&B, and the customers veer toward a very local after-work crowd from nearby office buildings. [Show more] [Show less] 
Nishi-Shimbashi 1-23-3, SA Grace 1F. Open 11:30am-2, 5-11:30pm. Closed weekends.
Swan Lake is one of Japan's best microbreweries, and their Tokyo outpost serves most of their beers (varying with the season) along with excellent regional cuisine and sakes from Niigata. Prix-fixe menus are Y6,000-12,000, plus a big a la carte menu.
Ginza 7-16-21, Kumo Bldg B1F. Open 11:30am-1:30, 5-11pm (LO). Closed weekends.
Takara (Marunouchi - Japanese). 5223-9888
A joint venture between Mushu sake pub and several sake companies, Takara serves both Japanese food and Spanish tapas, plus sake, awamori, shochu, excellent Japanese microbrew beer (Baird's), and Spanish wines. [See
FULL REVIEW.]
Marunouchi 3-5-1, Tokyo International Forum B1F. Open 11:30am-11pm daily.
The food menu here is billed as "homemade deli" - grilled octopus, yakisoba, hot dogs, prosciutto - with most items priced at Y500. But you're really here for the beer - an impressive selection of Japanese microbrews by the bottle (Y800/Y900), a few microbrews on tap (Y500), and imported beers like Pilsner Urquell and Anchor Steam. There are a few stools but it's mostly stand-up, with small shelves on the side wall and an unusual zigzaggy central table.
Marunouchi 1-9-1, Kurobei Yokocho (B1F). Open 11am-11pm daily.
Towers (Kyobashi - Beer bar). 3272-8488
This tiny standup bar always has a number of good Japanese microbrews and international beers on tap. Food is limited to snacks.
Yaesu 2-8-10. Open 5:30-11pm. Closed weekends.
Bacchus (Nihonbashi - Beer bar). 3231-4666
Bacchus offers a good selection of Japanese craft beers, with rotating guest beers and one hand pump for real ales. They also stock around 25 bottled beers, again mostly Japanese. The small space can get smoky at times.
Yaesu 1-7-7, Dai-ni Yamamoto Bldg B1F. Open 5pm-midnight (-3am Fridays). Closed Sundays.
Marumugi (Yotsuya 3-chome - Beer bar). 6380-4745
A tiny (14-seat) second-floor bar specializing in craft beers from around Japan. The atmosphere is laid-back (there's a muted TV set along with loungey background music), and the crowd is very local. The selection of beers seems to change by the week, and often the five taps will feature several different beers from the same brewery. All beers are Y1000 a pint, and there's a limited menu of bar snacks (sausages, cheese) to go along.
Arakicho 1, Ichibankan Bldg 2F. Open 5pm-1:30am (LO). Closed Tuesdays.
Maltan (Kanda - Beer bar). 6659-5884
A funky, art-filled basement bar serving Japanese craft beers, single-malt whiskies and an inexpensive food menu. There are five regular beers on draft (including Shiga-Kogen pale ale) plus a couple of guest taps and several more by the bottle.
Uchi-Kanda 3-13-10, Green Bldg B1F. Open 6pm-1am (Fri -4am) daily.
The off-the shelf snack-bar decor here is perked up by a cozy counter bar with five seats and twelve taps dispensing some of Japan's best microbrew beers. The small menu includes a few good chicken dishes, including raw chicken with pungent wasabi, plus the usual sausages, potatoes, etc. One of the oldest Japanese microbrew bars, Kura Kura was located in Shimo-Kitazawa for ten years before their move to Kanda. No smoking.
Kajicho 1-4-6, Tokyo Kanda Bldg. 3F. Open 5-11:30pm. Closed Sundays.
Excellent Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is served here, and the fifteen taps in the cozy ground-floor bar area dispense a good selection of craft beers from Japan and the US. Excellent Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is served here, and the fifteen taps in the cozy ground-floor bar area dispense a good selection of craft beers from Japan and the US.
Pizzas are on the hefty side, piled high with artfully assembled toppings. The impressive "Devil Works" pizza somehow incorporates mozzarella, provolone, parmesan, tomato sauce, fresh tomatoes, salami, sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, red onions, green pepper, spinach, and black and green olives. Other choices include seafood (with shrimp, squid, scallops and clams); Greek (featuring feta cheese and tzatziki sauce) and BBQ chicken. There are ten kinds of pizza in all, prepared in small and large sizes, priced from Y1000-2800.
Rounding out the menu are assorted salads (Greek, Caesar, and spinach-chicken), tortilla chips with spinach-artichoke dip, and tasty Buffalo chicken wings. If you want a break from US and Japanese microbrews, the drinks menu also features Belgians by the bottle and a few Washington State wines. In addition to the ground-floor standup bar there's table seating on the second and third floors; it's a good idea to call ahead to reserve. [Show more] [Show less] Nihonbashi-Muromachi 4-2-3. Open 5-11:30pm. Closed Sundays.
This casual cafe is run by Asahi Beer, on the grounds of their Philippe Starck-designed headquarters. Drinks include coffees, wine, and various Asahi and Asahi-imported beers, including three microbrews from the on-premises Sumidagawa Brewery. There's a fairly random cafe-style food menu - fried and grilled free-range chicken, Mexican pizza, chorizo sausages and keema curry. Dogs are welcome out on the wooden-deck terrace, where food and water are available.
Azumabashi 1-23-36, Annex Bldg 1F. Open 11:30am-11pm daily.
Run by Asahi Beer and adjacent to their Philippe Starck-designed world headquarters building, this brewpub serves a couple of seasonal microbrews from their Sumidagawa Brewery, plus some unusual Asahi-branded beers. The food menu is typical German-influenced fare - eisbein (Y3500), sausages, roast chicken, cheese fondue and various snacks.
Azumabashi 1-23-36, Annex Bldg 2F. Open 11:30am-2, 5-11pm daily.
Exciting, well-centered modern American cuisine - drawing on European and middle Eastern and Asian influences - from this bayside brewpub. The wine list is fantastic, with good values at every price level. This bayside brewpub features some of the most exciting food in town - well-centered modern American cuisine drawing from European, middle Eastern and Asian influences.
Service is attentive but also personal. The stylishly decorated dining room features an ever-changing art collection, and it's positively cavernous (by Tokyo standards) and mostly tobacco-free. There's also an outdoor terrace looking out over a picturesquely urban canal, with heating in winter.
The Y980 sampler of four microbrew beers is a fun way to start off, but don't neglect the excellent wine list, which offers very good values at every price level. Dinner with drinks ranges from Y4,000-Y8,000 per person. [Show more] [Show less] This neighborhood brewpub, located in a residential zone north of Koenji station, offers a limited but ever-changing selection of beers brewed on-premises, in styles like pale ale, weizen and red ale. (There's also Kirin on tap for when the home-made stuff runs out.) The small food menu includes fish and chips, grilled garlic chicken and a few salads. There's a small outdoor seating area for when tne weather permits.
Koenji-Kita 2-24-8. Open 4-10pm (LO). Closed Mondays.
Bicke (Kichijoji - Beer bar). 0422-21-8775
This specialty beer bar features craft beers from around the world along with a rotating selection of Japanese microbrews. The food is fancier-than-average bar fare - fried chicken, Caesar salads, spareribs, a risotto of the day. There are several tables and a large counter bar, and the room is dominated by a big-screen TV.
Kichijoji Honcho 2-13-7, Grandale Bldg 3F. Open 5pm-midnight (from 1pm weekends). Closed Wednesdays.
Holic (Kichijoji - Beer bar). 0422-49-6638
An unpretentious basement bar stocking an excellent selection of craft beers from Japan (particularly Baird and Hitachino Nest) and around the world.
Ushi-Tora (Shimo-Kitazawa - Beer bar). 3485-9090
Ushi-tora is a specialty beer bar that attracts Japanese connoisseurs from all over town with its collection of twenty beers on tap, most of them local microbrews. We recommend the Yona Yona Real Ale, one of three traditional cask-conditioned "real ales" that are hand-pumped. Ushi-tora is a specialty beer bar that attracts Japanese connoisseurs from all over town with its collection of twenty beers on tap, most of them local microbrews. We recommend the Yona Yona Real Ale, one of three traditional cask-conditioned "real ales" that are hand-pumped.
The small food menu is good and inexpensive, with tasty beer-friendly dishes like deep-fried octopus, fish and chips, spicy fried chicken and shepherd's pie. The atmosphere is quiet and low-key, and service (in Japanese) is friendly and helpful. Beers rotate frequently, so every visit can be a new experience. [Show more] [Show less] 
Hatos Bar (Naka-Meguro - Beer bar). 6452-4505
Excellent American-style barbecue and nice microbrew beers to go with them are the surprising finds at this charming neighborhood bar. Richly marbled pork belly was our favorite, but we also greatly enjoyed Hatos's baby-back ribs, pulled-pork sandwiches, and very flavorful barbecued chicken. An array of various hot sauces is available if you want to liven things up further. Excellent American-style barbecue and nice microbrew beers to go with them are the surprising finds at this charming neighborhood bar. Richly marbled pork belly was our favorite, but we also greatly enjoyed Hatos's baby-back ribs, pulled-pork sandwiches, and very flavorful barbecued chicken. An array of various hot sauces is available if you want to liven things up further.
Hatos's side dishes live up to the high standards of the barbecue. They're generally simple, but each has a bit of a twist on the usual recipe - the macaroni and cheese (made with colby rather than cheddar) is tangier than average, and the cole slaw is pleasantly infused with coriander flavor. Around half a dozen microbrews are served on tap; the selection during a recent visit included brews from Shigakogen, Minoh and Coronado.
The layout comprises a small counter bar, a comfortable sofa area up front, and a bit of outdoor seating on the front terrace. The soundtrack is dubstep and reggae, and the atmosphere is generally laid back (although sometimes the small space can get crowded). Kids and dogs are welcome. [Show more] [Show less] Naka-Meguro 1-3-5. Open 1pm-midnight. Closed Sundays, Mondays.
While its office-building setting and generic wood-paneled-den decor aren't especially inviting, this branch of the Taproom attracts an audience of foreign and Japanese beer lovers with its excellent microbrews. There are usually around twenty varieties on tap from parent company's Baird Brewery in Shizuoka, along with two or three guest beers from US breweries. Open from noon on weekends.
This cozy little beer bar serves an impressive selection of Japanese craft beers and real ales from microbreweries, including hard-to-find brews like Shinano Brewery's Dragon Ale. The music is mostly thrash metal, and album covers decorate the walls.
Tsuruyacho 2-19-8, Paseri Bldg 2F. Open 6pm-2am. Closed Sundays.
Authentic American-style barbecue is the ambitious specialty at Bashamichi Taproom, along with a great selection of craft beers. The manager and pitmaster here has decades of experience cooking in the most barbecue-conscious areas of the American South, and his recipes capture the best of Texas, Carolina and Kansas City traditions. He slow-cooks his meats over a low-temperature cherrywood fire for several hours, to produce tender and very flavorful results. Authentic American-style barbecue is the ambitious specialty at Bashamichi Taproom, along with a great selection of craft beers. The manager and pitmaster here has decades of experience cooking in the most barbecue-conscious areas of the American South, and his recipes capture the best of Texas, Carolina and Kansas City traditions. He slow-cooks his meats over a low-temperature cherrywood fire for several hours, to produce tender and very flavorful results.
Taproom's BBQ menu features spareribs, "Fat-boy" ribs, chicken, brisket and pork shoulder, prepared using Australian grass-fed beef, American pork, and domestic pork and chicken. We enjoyed them all, but the ribs were by far our favorites, especially the Fat-boy ribs. They're sold by weight, and we were given a choice of a few different sizes with various levels of marbling. The end product was just fantastic - smoky, juicy and very richly flavored.
Meats other than the ribs are all served "dry" (with a rub of spices), the better to savor their natural meaty flavors, but there are also three home-made sauces with which to liven things up. Tasty side dishes - cole slaw, Texas beans, potato salad, mac and cheese - are also very authentic and based on Southern BBQ-joint recipes. Salads and hand-made pizzas round out the food menu, along with pecan pie and peach cobbler for dessert.
Drinks include more than twenty craft beers on tap - mostly from the excellent Baird Brewery in Numazu, but with a couple of guest taps dispensing well-chosen American microbrews. The setting is a charming three-story building with a roof garden on top and a comfortable bar area on the ground floor. The second floor is furnished with a dartboard and a big-screen tv, and often hosts performances of live music. Open noon-midnight on weekends. [Show more] [Show less] This elegant little bar, with room for sixteen people, is a destination for serious beer connoisseurs. You'll find several microbrews from both Minoh Aji brewery in Osaka and Baird Beer in Numazu, along with many other Japanese craft beers. There are also thirty single-malt Scotch whiskies, and a small sausage-oriented food menu.
Otacho 2-31-3, Copo Sunrise Otacho 1F. Open 4-11:30pm (noon-10pm weekends). Closed Mondays.
While it's not worth a special trip, Spring Valley is a pleasant place to drop in if you're in the neighborhood. If you get here before 5pm you can go on the tour of the huge Kirin brewery next door. The microbrews include "Spring Valley," a light lager virtually identical to Kirin Lager, an okay dunkel and a changing seasonal special. They offer the usual sausages and stews on the menu. There's also a large noisy restaurant called "Beer Port" right next door, where they offer many different varieties of Kirin on tap. (10-minute walk from Namamugi station on Keihin-Kyuko line. Brewery tour 10am-5pm, except Mondays; 045-503-8250 for info).
Yokohama-shi, Namamugi 1-17-1, Kirin Yokohama Beer Village. Open 11am-9:30pm (LO). Closed Mondays (Oct. - May).
A great brewpub in Kurohime, Nagano Prefecture, making some of the best craft beers in Japan; there's also a nice menu of local dishes like smoked char and homemade sausages. [See
FULL REVIEW.]
2121-2 Kamiyamakuwa, Nojiri. Open 11am-7pm daily.
World beers
This large late-night bar offers an excellent selection of beers from around the world, including some very nice US microbrews, at decent prices. The happy hour from 6-8pm is an especially good deal, with many drinks half-price. The extensive food menu offers varied international fare such as Buffalo chicken wings, tacos, pork chops, pizzas and pastas.
Vivo (Ikebukuro - Beer bar). 3987-1588
The amply punctuated Vivo! Beer + Dining Bar serves interesting beers from around the world and foods. There are some twenty beers on tap, including local brews like Yona Yona real ale on draft and Baird Beers from Numazu; there are also plenty of Belgian and German beers by the bottle.
Higashi-Ikebukuro 1-20-5, B1F. Open 6pm-3am (LO) daily.
Serving relatively expensive German beers and decent pub grub in a cavelike basement, this branch of the Franziskaner group is worth knowing about for their late-night hours.
Beer Signal (Nishi-Shinjuku - Belgian rest/beer bar). 3348-5920
It's yet another Belgian beer specialty bar in Nishi-Shinjuku, this one with plenty of space (90 seats) and Maredsous and De Koninck beers on tap. There are inexpensive (from Y300), somewhat hit-or-miss Spanish tapas to nibble with your beer, along with tasty Belgian-style mussels steamed in either beer or white wine.
Nishi-Shinjuku 1-26-2, Shinjuku Nomura Bldg. B1F. Open 11:30am-2, 2-10pm (LO) daily.
This mini-branch of one of our favorite Belgian beer bars sits at the Yoyogi end of Southern Terrace; convenient to Shinjuku station but sufficiently removed from the bustling crowds. Despite the small size they boast an excellent beer list, with a rotating selection of ten on tap, plus a respectable food menu featuring roast Iberico pork, grilled horsemeat and of course mussels and frites. There's some outdoor seating.
Yoyogi 2-2-1, Shinjuku Southern Terrace. Open 11am-11pm daily.
Frigo (Nishi-Shinjuku - Belgian rest/beer bar). 5371-0666
Over 100 different beers by the bottle, mostly Belgian but with a strong German section as well. The food menu is limited, but includes mussels prepared in several different ways.
Yoyogi 2-11-20, B1F. Open 5:30pm-2am (Sundays 3-11pm). Closed 2nd Sunday.
This spacious, two-story bar from the Brussels chain serves very good Belgian food along with a wide assortment of beers.
Yoyogi 2-20-2. Open 5:30pm-2am (Sat. to 11pm). Closed Sundays.
Brussels (Harajuku - Belgian rest/beer bar). 3403-3972
Original pita sandwiches and an impressive assortment of Belgian beers. The big tables can accommodate larger groups than average (5-8 people), but you may have to share a table when they're crowded. There are also a few seats at the bar.
Jingumae 1-10-23. Open 5:30pm-2am (Sat-11pm). Closed Sundays.
Kua 'Aina (Omotesando - Sandwiches/burgers). 3407-8001
Hawaiian-style burgers and deli sandwiches, plus Kona microbrew beers from Hawaii.
Minami-Aoyama 5-10-21. (on the corner of Kotto-dori and Aoyama-dori, across from Max Mara) Open 11:30am-10pm (LO) daily.
This stylish basement bar has one of the best selections of US microbrews in Japan. You'll also find some good Japanese craft beers and an impressive selection of bourbon whisky. Nineteen beers are on draft, with many more by the bottle. The food menu is light and casual bar fare, but well above average. Background music is a bouncy mix of hiphop and R&B. (Open from 3pm weekends.)
Jinnan 1-13-10, B1F. Open 5pm-midnight. Closed Mondays.
Aldgate (Shibuya - Beer bar). 3462-2983
One of Shibuya's more serious microbrew bars, The Aldgate offers 21 very nice craft beers on tap, mostly from Japan, Britain and the US. The food is English pub fare - Toad in the Hole, Cornish pasties, Daal Masala, Fish and Chips. One of Shibuya's more serious microbrew bars, The Aldgate offers 21 very nice craft beers on tap, mostly from Japan, Britain and the US. The food is English pub fare - Toad in the Hole, Cornish pasties, Daal Masala, Fish and Chips.
English Premier League football is broadcast live on four screens (often showing different matches). The rock-focused musical soundtrack draws on the bar's collection of 6,000 vinyl records and CDs, with lots of prog-rock on football nights. [Show more] [Show less] One of the trio of serious craft beer bars in Shibuya (joining Craftheads and The Aldgate), Goodbeer Faucets offers more than forty beers on draft, focusing mainly on Japanese, American and Belgian brews.
Shoto 1-29-1. Open 5pm-midnight daily.
Hemel (Shibuya - Belgian rest/beer bar). 5918-6939
"Hemel Belgian Beer and Food" lives up to their name - this comfortable wood-paneled bar offers an attractive selection of Belgian and European food to go with their extensive list of over 100 beers.
A few good German beers at sensible prices, along with sausage-and-meat platters. [See
FULL REVIEW.]
Failte (Shibuya - Bar). 3476-7776
Run by a Belgian beer bar chain, Failty features beers imported directly from Ireland, plus twenty different wines and food prepared by a French chef.
Dogenzaka 1-5-2, Sede Bldg 5F. Open 5:30pm-1am daily.
A very unpretentious, comfortably scruffy bar that looks like it's been frozen in time from the late seventies. They have a smattering of interesting beers from England, Belgium, Germany and Czech, plus lots of mixed drinks and bar foods.
Belgo (Shibuya - Belgian rest/beer bar). 3409-4442
A comfortably cozy little hideaway bar with multi-level seating nooks. Pick your own bottle from the big selection of Belgian and German brews in the refrigerator case. The food menu is limited to light snacks.
Shibuya 3-18-7, Shibuya Ichigokan Bldg. B1F. Open 5:30pm-2am. Closed some Sundays.
At first glance this looks like an ordinary museum cafe, but Claire is worth knowing about for their surprising selection of Belgian beers, one of the best in Ebisu. The cafe is split into two sections on separate floors of the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography; the upstairs section is a bit nicer.
Meguro-ku, Mita 1-13-3, Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography. Open 10am-8pm. Closed Mondays.
A bit of Roppongi nightlife dropped into Ebisu - live bands, English beers (mostly bottled), and inexpensive, filling pub dishes like shepherd's pie.
Located very near Meguro Station, this world-beer bar is most notable for its late-night hours (until 7am every day). The 100-odd beers on offer seem almost randomly chosen, but there are a few very nice Belgians, microbrews and British ales among them, along with bar snacks like fish and chips. The basement dining area is reasonably large, with a big-screen TV showing an odd mix of sporting events (football, billiards).
Assorted British beers and food, including Cornish pasties, fish and chips, shepard's pie and steak-and-kidney pie.
Shimo-Meguro 1-3-28, Sunwood Meguro 2F. Open noon-1am daily.
(Formerly "Little Euro") A London-style pub that attracts an eclectic cross-section of the expat community. Assorted British beers and pub-style food.
Meguro 1-5-16. (take the west exit and follow Meguro-dori to where it forks, and turn right. The bar is a few steps down the hill, on the left) Open 5pm-midnight daily.
Kua 'Aina (Gotanda - Sandwiches/burgers). 5437-3800
Hawaiian-style hamburgers and sandwiches, plus microbrews from Kona Brewing Company.
Nishi-Gotanda 1-26-7. Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily.
A spacious bar serving meaty German fare and great beer. Four German brews from Spaten and Franziskaner are on draft (starting at Y600/glass) with several more by the bottle. The Y3500 prix-fixe menu consists of assorted German hams, sausages, pork cutlets, spaetzel dumplings in cheese sauce, and a pretzel. Unusual for this neighborhood, they're open till 4am Thursday and Friday nights.
Thirty beers are available, including a small but select group of Belgian brews. The food is a mix of European and Asian snacks - grilled steaks; lamb kebabs; skewers of grilled chicken, beef and duck; sausages; Thai-style curries. Budget around Y3000 at dinnertime for drinks and snacks.
Hamamatsucho 2-4-1, World Trade Center Bldg B1F. Open 11am-10pm daily.
Agoo (Hamamatsucho - Belgian rest/beer bar). 3432-1535
The vibe at this small neighborhood bar is friendly and laid back - comfortable enough to stop in for a drink by yourself or for a quiet conversation with friends. There's a decent selection of Belgians at average-for-Tokyo prices, plus a small snack menu.
Shiba Daimon 2-4-5. Open 5pm-1am (2am Fri/Sat). Closed Sundays.
Situated on Roppongi-dori right in front of Roppongi Hills, this branch of the popular chain offers good German beers, sausages and other snacks, and (relatively) late-night hours.
Roppongi 6-4-1, Metrohat/Hollywood Plaza 101. Open 11am-1am (LO) daily.
Belg Aube (Roppongi - Belgian rest/beer bar). 3403-1161
French-Belgian cuisine and a good selection of Belgian beers; three-course prix-fixe dinners are Y2800.
Roppongi 7-9-2. Open 6pm-2:30am (LO); 6pm-4:30am weekends. Closed Sundays.
Cerveza (Roppongi - Beer bar). 3478-0077
This friendly little bar serves around 100 beers on the regular menu, plus additional seasonal beers that aren't listed, so check the display case before you order. There's also a full food menu.
Roppongi 3-11-10. (on Roppongi-dori south side, at the corner of Gaien-Higashi-dori) Open 6-10:50pm (LO). Closed Sundays and holidays.
The biggest pub in Tokyo, Hobgoblin offers a large selection of draught beers including several British ales. There's pub-style food (with a late-night menu Friday and Saturday) and big-screen TVs showing sporting events.
Roppongi 3-16-33, Aoba Roppongi Bldg. 1F. Open 4pm-late (from noon weekends) daily.
Hearty, stick-to-your-ribs food and a friendly atmosphere. They feature several different German beers on tap.
Roppongi 5-18-1, 2F. Open 5-11pm (LO). Closed Sundays.
Brussels (Kamiyacho - Belgian rest/beer bar). 5405-1588
The Kamiyacho branch seems to be one of the liveliest of this chain of Belgian beer bars, attracting an international crowd in this office-building neighborhood. Belgian-style snacks and full meals to accompany your beer.
Toranomon 5-1-5, Toranomon MT Bldg. 1F. Open 11am-5pm, 6pm-2am. Closed Sundays.
It looks just like an ordinary coffee shop, but they serve German sausages, excellent bread and rolls, and many excellent German beers. (AKA "Die Wurst")
Biervana (Akasaka - Beer bar). 3502-6500
This spacious bar offers 99 kinds of bottled beer, with a rotating roster of nine varieties on tap. The evening menu features hearty dishes like bier-braised oxtail; loin of pork with cider; and lamb and feta cheese pie. Open until 4am on Friday nights. Weekend brunch is served from 11am-4pm.
Nagatacho 2-13-10, Prudential Tower 1F. Open 11am-1am daily.
An excellent selection of Belgian beers and good Belgian cuisine. The dining space is large and has a European-style feel to it. Budget around Y4000 at dinnertime; there's a Y500 cover charge.
[Go to branch review] Ten Belgian beers are served on draft here, with 100 more by the bottle. The simple menu includes pastas, Flemish-style beef stew, and of course mussels. The big, shiny semi-circular bar is the focus of attention here, but there's also a cozy table section off to the side.
Akasaka 5-3-1, Akasaka Biz Tower 1F. Open 11am-midnight daily.
An impressive food menu and a decent selection of German beers, specializing in Spaten, Franziskaner and Flensburger.
Akasaka 5-5-11, 2F. (from Akasaka Sta. exit 7 turn right and walk about 2 min.; it's on the right) Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-11pm (LO). Closed Sundays.
Draught British beers and food, plus sports shown on big-screen TVs. Weekday lunch is Y999; no lunch on weekends.
Akasaka 2-13-19, Tamondo Bldg. B1F. Open 11am-3, 5pm-late (no lunch Sat). Closed Sundays.
A quiet Japanese bar serving an incredible selection of Belgian beers for serious beer connoisseurs, including many brands you won't find elsewhere in Japan. Prices average around Y1,200 a bottle. There's also a restaurant area serving Belgian food. Bar area open to midnight. [See
FULL REVIEW.]
Akasaka 2-13-21. Open 6-10pm (LO). Closed Sundays.
This specialty bar imports beers directly from Belgium, and serves an impressive selection of ten different varieties on draft, including varieties we haven't seen elsewhere around town. Open to 1:30am Wed, Thu, Fri nights.
Kasumigaseki 3-2-6, Tokyo Club Bldg, Kasumi Dining 1F. Open 11am-10:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays.
Dry Dock (Shimbashi - Beer bar). 5777-4755
Perhaps this isn't the narrowest bar in Tokyo, but it's certainly the narrowest bar offering such an impressive class of craft beers, both domestic and imported. Cleverly, the tiny space is fashioned to resemble a yacht, with porthole windows and nautical decor throughout. Three small tables fill the upper deck, while the lower deck is standing-room only, with space for maybe seven or eight along the port-side bar. Perhaps this isn't the narrowest bar in Tokyo, but it's certainly the narrowest bar offering such an impressive class of craft beers, both domestic and imported. Cleverly, the tiny space is fashioned to resemble a yacht, with porthole windows and nautical decor throughout. Three small tables fill the upper deck, while the lower deck is standing-room only, with space for maybe seven or eight along the port-side bar.
If you arrive when it's crowded (i.e. most of the time) you may be asked to stand on the companionway between decks, and if that space is taken you might be directed out the stern to one of the two dockside tables; these look out onto a very noisy road where unfortunately the nautical metaphor breaks down. The tight quarters are worth putting up with for the beers, which include some great US microbrews that you simply won't find anywhere else in town. [Show more] [Show less] Shimbashi 3-25-10. Open 5pm-12:30am. Closed Sundays.
Beer Garage (Shiodome - Belgian rest/beer bar). 3572-4681
Capturing two popular Tokyo bar trends at once, Beer Garage offers a wide range of tapas and Belgian beers. Beers on draft include Maredsous, De Koninck, Vedett and Poperings Hommel. Tapas items are priced at Y300, Y500 and Y650, and there are a handful of Belgian dishes as well.
Higashi-Shimbashi 1-8-2, Caretta Shiodome Canyon Terrace 1F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 2:30-10pm (LO) daily.
This unpretentious pub serves a big assortment of beers from around the world, including some unusual finds (Rugenbrau from Switzerland) and a few nice Belgians and popular US micros (Sam Adams, Anchor Steam). The food includes lots of fried items (chicken, potatoes) as well as nachos and quesadillas.
Higashi-Shimbashi 1-9-1, Pedi Shiodome 2F. Open 11am-11:30pm. Closed Sundays.
Nestled under the Yamanote train tracks, this venerable Tokyo establishment serves 15 different German beers along with German food.
Yurakucho 2-1-8. Open 4-9:30pm (LO) daily.
Right next to Baden Baden under the rumbling JR tracks, and even sharing the same address, they offer a similar selection of beers.
Yurakucho 2-1-8. Open 11:30am-2, 4-11pm. Open every day.
Favori (Ginza - Belgian rest/beer bar). 6226-6117
The 100-odd different beers in their serve-yourself refrigerator include several previously hard-to-find varieties. Mussels and other Belgian treats are on the food menu, and they're even open on Sundays.
Ginza 2-10-5. Open 5:30pm-2am. Closed Sundays.
Bulldog (Ginza - Beer bar). 3564-0996
Although it looks like an ordinary after-work salaryman hangout, Bulldog offers a nice selection of ten beers on tap, including three "guest taps" for local microbrews. US microbrews are also available (by the bottle). There's a wide assortment of bar snacks to go with your beer.
Ginza 3-1, Ginza INZ #1, 2F. Open 11:30am-2, 5-11:15pm daily.
Houblon (Ginza - Belgian rest/beer bar). 3564-1671
The multi-level complex comprises a Belgian restaurant on the top floor, a shot bar in the basement, and a Belgian beer specialist on the ground floor. They stock more than 300 beers by the bottle, plus five taps devoted to a rotating selection of guest beers.
Roy G. Biv (Ginza - Belgian rest/beer bar). 3569-2380
A late-night hideaway bar in Ginza, with just twenty seats and a selection of around 25 Belgian beers. There's also a small snack menu. (They close at midnight on Saturdays.)
Ginza 5-6-14, Ginza Bldg 3F. Open 5pm-2am. Closed Sundays.
You'll find good Belgian food (including mussels and great frites), a nice selection of beers, and convenient late-night hours from this branch of the Belgian Beer Cafe chain (they also run Antwerp Central in Marunouchi).
[Go to branch review] AC's atmosphere and decor are very European in feel, and the large food menu includes surprisingly authentic Belgian specialties like "stoemp" - a hearty platter of mashed potatoes and root vegetables. The bar serves more than 30 Belgian beers, including Leffe Blond and three others on tap. Ample terrace seating is available. Bar open until 4am weeknights, midnight weekends. [See
FULL REVIEW.]
Part of the popular Franziskaner chain, Franz club offers a decent selection of German beers and nice roast meats, sausages, ham and similar fare, served well into the wee hours of the morning. Budget around Y4000 at dinnertime. There's also a deluxe weekend brunch priced at Y2980.
The simple, inexpensive bar menu includes salmon jerky, grilled mussels and lots of fried dishes. There are more than 50 world beers including Heineken on tap, Sam Adams and Budvar.
Otemachi 1-6-1, Otemachi Bldg 1F. Open 11am-11:30pm. Closed weekends.
Antwerpen (Nihonbashi - Belgian rest/beer bar). 3271-9598
A tiny, charming Belgian beer bar with a small selection of brews, including the city of Antwerp's own De Koninck on tap. There's not really a food menu, but you can order pizza (from Pizza LA) or Chinese food (from a shop downstairs) to be delivered to your table.
Nihonbashi 3-7-7, 5F. (on the side street one block south of Takashimaya) Open 5-11pm. Closed weekends.
Hard-to-find German beers, German wines, and assorted snacks are on offer at this branch of the small Franziskaner chain. The meat-heavy food menu is more interesting and diverse than might be expected.
Nihonbashi 3-8-16, Buyo Bldg B1F. (1 block S of Takashimaya) Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-11:30pm. Closed Sundays.
Brussels (Ushigome - Belgian rest/beer bar). 3235-1890
A relaxed after-work place serving lots of Belgian beers and good light food, including tasty pita sandwiches.
Yaraicho 75. Open 5:30-2am, Sat. 5:30-11pm. Closed Sundays.
Brusca (Kagurazaka - Beer bar). 6457-5788
A casual bruschetteria from Stefano Fastro, owner of the excellent Italian restaurant Stefano located one block down the road. Along with the various types of bruschetta, made with home-made bread, you'll find six beers on tap (including Japanese micro Hitachino Nest) and some fifty by the bottle. Live music on Thursdays.
Yaraicho 107, Hosoya Bldg 2F. Open noon-2, 6pm-midnight (LO). Closed Mondays.
Bitter (Kagurazaka - Belgian rest/beer bar). 5261-3087
Often hidden backstreet bars like this - quiet, sophisticated, with tasteful but understated decor - specialize in expensive Scotch whisky or cocktails, so it's nice to find a place like this with a serious Belgian beer menu. Food includes freshly shaved Parmesan, pork rillettes and shepherd's pie, and prices are a bit higher than average (around Y1200-1500 for a typical bottle of Belgian). Located upstairs in a residential-looking building, the bar can be very hard to find, but that's part of its charm.
Tsukudocho 1-14, Sun Heights Sakatabashi 203. (walk up Kagurazaka-dori and turn right at Gojuban Chinese steamed bun shop, it's on the right side after about 4 min.) Open 5pm-2am. Closed weekends.
Lots of beers from around the world. (Billy's is a franchise, with different management in each location.)
Kagurazaka 3-2-29. Open 6pm-4am. Closed Sundays.
Frigo Est (Suidobashi - Belgian rest/beer bar). 3262-1138
A comfortable and spacious Belgian specialty bar with nearly 100 beers by the bottle that you can select and serve yourself from the big glass refrigerators. They also have unusual beers on draft (Witkap Pater) and a modest food menu.
Brussels (Jimbocho - Belgian rest/beer bar). 3233-4247
This original branch of the pioneering Belgian beer bar chain is spread out over three very narrow floors, with cozy seating niches. There's a small food menu and a very good selection of beers.
Kanda Ogawamachi 3-16-1. Open 5:30pm-2am (5:30-11pm Sat.). Closed Sundays and holidays.
Kua 'Aina (Awajicho - Sandwiches/burgers). 3518-0050
Hawaiian-style hamburgers and sandwiches, plus Hawaiian microbrews from Kona Brewing Company (Y500/bottle). Deliveries to 9pm.
Kanda Surugadai 3-5. Open 11am-10:30pm daily.
Good imported German beers, sausages and other German fare, from the management of German Farm Grill (in Shibuya). The three-story bar is warm and comfortable, especially the spacious third-floor area.
Kanda Surugadai 3-1. (on Hongo-dori a couple blocks north of Yasukuni-dori) Open 10:30am-11:30pm. Closed Sundays.
Beers from around the world and convenient late-night hours.
Kanda Kajimachi 3-7-8. Open 6pm-1am (to 4am Fri, 12m Sat.). Closed Sundays.
French/Belgian bistro fare, with mussels and other seafood as well as frites. Ten Belgian beers averaging Y900-1,000.
Uchi-Kanda 1-10-6. Open 11:30am-2, 5-9pm (LO). Closed Sundays.
The menu is casual Italian-influenced izakaya fare, with some pleasant surprises (like their salmon mousse appetizers and the pate of the day). They offer a few interesting beers along with wine and cocktails. The multi-level space is comfortable and cozy, with a laid-back atmosphere and late-night hours.
Uchi-Kanda 2-12-2. Open 11:30am-4am. Closed Sundays, some Sat.
Harmonic (Asakusa - Belgian rest/beer bar). 5608-3833
This Asahi Beer-run restaurant features several Asahi-imported Belgian beers (Hoegaarden, Leffe, Stella Artois) plus a few microbrews from the on-premises Sumidagawa Brewery. Food includes various sausages and pates, mussels, frites, and other typical Belgian bar fare. Budget around Y3000 for food and a few drinks.
Azumabashi 1-23-36, Annex Bldg 3F. Open 11:30am-2, 4-10:30pm daily.
Belg Aube (Toyosu - Belgian rest/beer bar). 6910-1275
An indoor/outdoor cafe with a nice choice of Belgian beers and enticing food like Iberico ham, duck confit, and of course mussels. In the afternoons they serve chocolate fondue and waffles.
Toyosu 2-4-9, LaLaport Toyosu 1F. Open 11am-11pm daily.
Spibble (Tennozu Isle - Belgian rest/beer bar). 5783-4321
This oddly named "European Beer Terrace" is open only between April and October, and offers pleasant outdoor seating facing the canal at the edge of Tennozu Isle. Most of the beers are Belgian, plus a few German and English selections, with nine or so on tap and another fifty by the bottle. Meat and deli items and simple Belgian dishes like mussels accompany the beer.
Higashi-Shinagawa 2-2-4, Tennoz First Tower 1F. Open 5-10pm (LO). Closed Sundays.
Zinc (Nakano - Belgian rest/beer bar). 5343-2164
(Pronounced "Zanc") A friendly neighborhood bar with a good assortment of Belgian beers, an electronic dartboard, and simple Japanese/Korean snacks.
German beers and food are served in this small neighborhood bar.
Nakano-ku, Chuo 4-6-10. Open 11:30am-2:30, 6-11pm. Closed Sundays.
Cervoise (Sangenjaya - Belgian rest/beer bar). 5486-1777
A charming, cozy (ten-seat) bar serving some twenty Belgian beers by the bottle plus Hoegaarden on tap, along with a limited food menu.
Sangenjaya 2-46-1, Daiya Heights Sangenjaya 1F. Open 2pm-midnight. Closed Mondays, 3rd Sunday.
Looking to share a sociable drink before a departing flight at Haneda Airport, we didn't expect to find anything as fancy as Belgian beers, but this Italian-themed cafe in the Terminal 2 food court area surprised us. They offer three different brews - Orval, Duvel and Vedett - along with simple Italian cafe fare such as pastas and fried chicken. The best seats are outside the shop on the "dining terrace" overlooking the departures concourse.
Ota-ku, Haneda Kuko 3-4-2, Terminal 2, 3F. Open 6:30am-8:30pm (LO) daily.
Patrasche (Kawasaki - Belgian rest/beer bar). 044-874-8430
A Belgian brasserie serving a good assortment of Belgian beers and food. Dinner averages around Y3000; a five-course "beer hall" dinner with all you can drink is Y5500.
Horikawacho 72-1, Lazona Kawasaki Plaza 4F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.
Cheers (Yokohama Sta. - Belgian rest/beer bar). 045-311-7804
A quiet, out-of-the-way little bar with a good selection of Belgian and other beers. Draft beers include Baird (an excellent Japanese microbrew), Edelpils and Pedigree; there are also 30 beers by the bottle, mostly Belgian. Food is a mix of Belgian and British: mussels, frites, fish and chips, shepherd's pie. The basement space is pleasantly decorated, with several nooks and crannies at different levels.
Tsuruyacho 3-32-14, Shinko Bldg B1F. (from the underground Diamond mall, take exit 12 south, cross under the highway overpass, turn left at Jonathan's; it's on the right after 1/2 block) Open 4pm-midnight. Closed Sundays.
Le Temps Perdu (Yokohama Sakuragicho - Belgian rest/beer bar). 045-242-9777
Yokohama's original Belgian beer bar, it's remarkably decrepit and yet not without charm. The menu offers twenty Belgian beers at around Y1000-1200 per bottle.
Nogecho 2-78. Open 6-11:40pm. Closed Sundays.
Puca Puca (Fujisawa-shi - Beer bar). 0466-22-1154
Over 100 beers from around the world, including refreshing Belgian Hoegaarden white beer on tap, plus several varieties of Rogue Ales from Oregon. Unfortunately the food (billed as "world garlic cuisine") isn't as exciting as it sounds, and it can take awhile to arrive.
Kua 'Aina (Kamakura - Sandwiches/burgers). 0467-61-2400
The main drag from Kamakura station to the beach is lined with cafes, fast food and family restaurants. Kua-aina stands out by virtue of its terrace and its reliable mahi-mahi sandwiches.
Yuigahama 4-3-9. Open 11am-9pm. Closed Mondays.
