TOKYOVOID: BARS

Showing posts with label BARS. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

SISHA: Be overcome by smoke in the center of Tokyo

I don't often see relaxed and quiet cafe/bars to chill in around shibuya, but BOHEMIAN, which is

in Shibuya near Tokyu Hands, is a peaceful getaway where you can hangout and smoke sisha. Some of the staff can take orders in English and the service is excellent. Their prices are also very reasonable. This place is more like a cafe/bar with sisha as an additional option. It's open from 12 pm until 5 am. At lunch time and even after dark, you can relax outside on the terrace if you prefer some fresh air while you enjoy a smoke. Oh, and definitely try the NY cheesecake--it hit the spot when I naturally got the munchies.

36-22 udagawa cho shibuya-ku Tokyo

TEL:03-6861-9170

http://cafe-bohemia.jp/

text by kenvoid

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Bancho - Caipirinhas and Brazilian meat in Sangenjaya

I stumbled across Bancho one evening whilst wandering around the warren of alleys that run between the 246 and Setagaya dori close to Sangenjaya station. I was lured to Bancho by the delicious aromas of grilling meat filling the air. At the front of the shop I was greeted by the magnificent sight of huge chunks do meat being spit roasted over red hot coals. That was enough. I needed to try this immediately. However it was not to be. Most of the many bars, izakaya and noodle shops in this area are tiny, seating no more than 20 people and Bancho is no exception. It consists of one long counter and one table seating 8 at the back and this time it was full. It took several attempts to actually be able to get in but the wait only built up anticipation and I was not disappointed. The menu isn't huge with a few salads, some pastels ( a bit like a samosa), feijoada, the obligatory pizza and most importantly about 10 different kinds of churrasco. I had never tried churrasco before and was hooked instantly. The manager Fuji-San cooks huge chunks of various cuts of meat on his specially imported churrasco machine. There's spicy steak, garlic steak, delicious sausages, chicken, hearts, pork and more. All of it completely delicious. Simply place your order and Fuji San will bring the huge skewer of meat to you and slice of a thick piece of meat onto your wooden plate before returning it to the grill. The various cuts of meat range from 250 yen for a very generous slice of meaty goodness. There are however two dilemmas when coming to Bancho, firstly knowing when to stop ordering and knowing what to drink. Fuji San mixes a mean caipirinha along with some other delicious Brazilian cocktails, the beer is cold and the wine extremely quaffable. That first visit and every other time since I have left stuffed to the gunnels and quite drunk. Bancho has become a firm favorite and I often go back for a meat fix. They do a great all you can eat and all you drink deal for ¥4500. I'd recommend meat lovers to get over to Bancho and feast on the delicious Churasco.

They must be doing something right as there is now a Bancho 2 just around the corner from the original and a recently opened Bancho 3 in maruyamacho in Shibuya.

P.S. Ordered the barbecued pineapple with cinnamon, it's a revelation.

text by simon void

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

OMOIDE YOKOCHO (Piss Alley) SHINJUKU

OMOIDE YOKOCHO

In this big chaos that is Tokyo city there are a lot of small bars, shops and restaurantsd due to small limited land and space .OMOIDE YOKOCHO, affectionately known as piss alley, is a couple of alleys packed with over 40 tiny shops, bars and restaurants mostly sitting only a handful of people.

Piss Alley is a short 3～5min hop from Shinjuku West exit popular with various biz people who stop by after work for a few drinks and some yakitori. The alley has a great atmosphere with the smell of yakitori and the sound of drunk salaryman filling the air.

My favorite bar is "ALBATROSS" which is a sort of european medieval and a bit Japanese style mix bar and has small 2 floors plus a secret small roof top. You will find it when you go there and will see super

"Shinjuku like" view (not like spectacular night view but you will understand in a good way "this is a roof top in Shinjuku city",kind of feeling.) and this soba restaurant is open 24hours so some

people also go there after a night of drinking at other bars to eat Soba before heading home. During the main dinner and lunch times Albatross is always busy and there's often a short queue.
Omoide Yokucho may not be the most glamorous of areas but you wont be bored stopping by a few of the many bars for a few drinks and some random chats.