A Guide To The Best Cocktail Bars in Tokyo
A taste of Tokyo's illustrious wine and spirits scene.
Tokyo, an established global hub for fashion and fine dining is also known for its exquisite selection of alcohol and spirits. Sake and Shochu are famously sought after during a visit to Tokyo, but beyond the common beverages served with meals — there's more to discover at the best cocktail bars in Tokyo. The city has several talented mixologists who craft cocktails with the utmost precision and care. Down to the tiniest molecular detail of a drink, these cocktail lounges are the base points to the finest cocktail bars in Tokyo. And of course, a true traveler never neglects a country's wine scene, and the list below includes a taste of Tokyo's wine.
Below, allow L'OFFICIEL to be your guide to the best cocktail bars in Tokyo
This club's 19th-century wooded interiors define a luxury cocktail lounge experience. Ambiance aside, the cocktails served here promise an uncompromised level of precision. The bar is led by one of Asia's leading figures in bartending, Shingo Gokan. Gokan's experience with traveling the world has allowed him to infuse international influences into his cocktails. Drinks such as the New York Lemonade bring a Western influence into the establishment's premiere cocktail and dining experience. Other drinks are a fuse of Eastern Asian and Western palates with the MA-rgarita being an example as the intriguing drink is made with tequila, mezcal, Sichuan peppercorns and mikan.
1-7-8 Jinan, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
Bar Landscape, one of the best cocktail bars in Tokyo, features a close-cornered and intimate atmosphere that a husband and wife run with a passion for cocktail creation. While their selection is small — just seven drinks on the menu — it includes five classic cocktails and a rotating selection of fresh fruit cocktails. You'll be sure to experience quality over quantity at Bar Landscape.
Sanwa Ginza Bldg, B1, 6-4-9 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Gen Yamamoto allows the mixologist to take control of you're cocktail experience with it's omakase cocktail tasting menu. Omakase translates to "I'll leave it up to you," which means that this cocktail bar in Tokyo lets the head barman take charge of the ingredients in your drinks, so with every sip comes a surprise. The idea of an Omakase experience originates in dining, here, the bartender will be sure to apply the same attention to detail with his drinks as a chef does with a meal.
Anniversary Building 1F, 1-6-4 Azabu-Juban, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Coming from another husband and-wife duo is Apéro, a wine bar that promises patrons a comprehensive taste of Japan's wine scene. French couple Guillaume and Chloe Duperier decided to make a home for their love of wine with this little intimate lounge in Tokyo. Their wine selection includes bottles from all over the world including the Hirosaki Barbera and Nora Rouge which feature grapes grown and picked in Japan.
Aoyama 346 3F, 3-4-6 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Memento Mori, one of Japan's best and arguably niche cocktail bars, specializes in cocktails made from cacao. The chocoholic within you will be satisfied as bartender Shuzo Nagumo infuses drinks with many forms of cacao, from cacao syrup to cacao pulp kombucha. Served with the drinks are sweet treats made from fresh seasonal fruit and chocolate.
1-17-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
The Bellwood truly honors Japan's history with dining and spirits. Named one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2023, this premiere cocktail bar in Tokyo features drinks and tonics made from ingredients true to Japanese cocktail making. The Kome Tonic, made with rice-based shochu serves as a good example. The snazzy cocktail lounge also includes a comprehensive menu of Japanese plates and snacks.
41-31 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo