Chilling In Tokyo: Nihonbashi/ Kyobashi

"Chilling in Tokyo" bar and cafe listings for the Nihonbashi/ Kyobashi area.

Nihonbashi

!Mandarin Bar (Nihonbashi - Bar). 3270-8188
Sumptuous is the word for the Mandarin Bar at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Nihonbashi. The interior by Ryu Kosaka, with richly tactile accents by textile designer Reiko Sudo, is chic and inviting, dominated by seductive earth tones. A live jazz band performs nightly for the relaxed and casual crowd, a mix of locals and visitors. No cover charge. [Show more]
viewdecorSunmapNihonbashi Muromachi 2-1-1, Mandarin Oriental Tokyo 37F. Open 11:30am-midnight daily.
Cafe Aimee Vibert (Nihonbashi - French). 6225-2552
This cafe venture from the Michelin-starred Aimee Vibert in Nibancho offers above-average bistro fare in a casual setting. The decor is classic French cafe style - tile floors, dark wood and mirrors, a zinc bar and lots of tiny tables and chairs facing the sidewalk. [Show more]
SunmapNihonbashi Muromachi 2-2-1, Coredo Muromachi 1F. Open 10am-10pm daily.
Liege-Guillemins (Nihonbashi - Belgian rest/beer bar). 3281-2300
An outlet of a popular chain of European-style cafe-bars specializing in Belgian beers, Liege serves four beers on draft and several dozen more by the bottle. In addition to the usual mussels and frites, the menu offers grilled meats and a few game dishes. The bar is open until 3am Friday and Saturday nights.
mapYaesu 1-4-16, Yaechika Dining B1F. Open 11am-3, 5-10pm. Closed Sundays.
Zero (Nihonbashi - Izakaya). 5203-0900
The atmosphere is relaxed and the staff are friendly at this small, well-hidden drinking spot. They specialize in shochu and appropriate snacks - Kyoto-style pickles, Korean chijimi pancakes and uni toast - and there's also a well-chosen selection of five premium sake brands. (No English.)
mapYaesu 1-4-3. Open 7-11:30pm (LO). 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.
mapNihonbashi 3-7-7, 5F. (on the side street one block south of Takashimaya) Open 5-11pm. Closed weekends.
Maru (Hatchobori - Wine bar). 3552-4477
A liquor shop, a standing bar, and a casual sit-down grill, Bar Maru is many things to many people. Browse the shelves, and if you find something you like you can crack it open on the spot for a modest Y500 corkage fee. Pop into the tachinomiya next door for a quick drink, or head to the second floor for a more comfortable scene. [Show more]
mapHatchobori 3-22-10. Open 5-11pm. Closed weekends.
!Gustavo (Ningyocho - Wine bar). 3249-3237
A joint venture by ham importer Principe and wine producer Zonin, this casual wine bar specializes in top quality cured meats from San Daniele del Fruili and Italian wines. The interior resembles a stylish Roman cafe, with shiny red acrylic surfaces, a gleaming metal bar, and shelves stocked with books and magazines about Italy. Italian radio plays in the background, and the friendly chef chats easily in Japanese and Italian. [Show more]
mapNihonbashi Ningyocho 2-3-2, Tamaeido Bldg 2F. Open 5-11:30pm. Closed Sundays.

Tokyo station

BarBAR Tokyo (Yaesu - Beer bar). 3216-0581
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.
SunmapMarunouchi 1-9-1, Kurobei Yokocho (B1F). Open 11am-11pm daily.
!Joshu Tokoton Club (Yaesu - Izakaya). 6267-2904
This funky little retro-themed snack bar serves tasty grilled Gunma-raised pork on skewers, beef tongue and motsu nikomi (organ-meat stews) along with beer and a selection of premium sake in one-cup sizes. You can stand around the oil-drum tables up front or sit at a handful of tables in back as you enjoy the old jazz and early Showa-era posters on the walls. Skewers are priced Y160-200.
SunmapMarunouchi 1-9-1, Kitchen Street (1F). Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Kyobashi

!Ekki Bar and Grill (Kyobashi - International). 5222-7222
Located in the Four Seasons Marunouchi Hotel, Ekki Bar and Grill serves contemporary international cuisine and a nice selection of New World wines in a sophisticated setting. Weekend brunch menus from 11:30am-2pm start at Y3900. Live music Wednesday to Saturday from 9-11pm.
SunmapMarunouchi 1-11-1, Pacific Century Place. Open 6:30-10:30am, 11:30-2:30, 5:30-10pm daily.
100% Chocolate Cafe (Kyobashi - Cafe). 3273-3184
This dessert cafe offers a big selection of chocolate-themed dishes - eight kinds of chocolate cake, frozen fresh chocolates, and hot chocolate drinks. Located in the headquarters building of the Meiji chocolate company, the cafe sports a stylish brown-and-gold color scheme that's reminiscent of an expensive box of chocolates.
SunmapKyobashi 2-4-16, Meiji Seika Honsha Bldg 1F. Open 9am-8pm (11am-7pm weekends) daily.