The 10 Best Tokyo Cocktail Bars

With artisanal precision, seasonal sensitivity, and pursued with the single-minded devotion to work renowned in Japanese craftsmanship, Tokyo’s cocktail scene provides a delightful assortment of spots to explore.

These selections, aside from being featured in the comprehensive cocktail book “進化するBAR” by Drink Planet, a Japanese-language guide aimed at sommeliers, gourmands, and cocktail fanatics (very much not a viral trending tourist compilation), have also achieved rave reviews and cult-cocktail status on culinary review sites like Tabelog, ensuring authenticity and a gimmick-free drinking experience.

Focusing on innovation, these lauded locations are some of the best Tokyo cocktail bars currently shaking and stirring things up in the bar scene, and well worth a visit whether you’re traveling Japan or living here as a local.

Note: these iconic locations are very much on the upper end of spending for a night of drinking (think minimum of 1500 JPY a drink and up, with 3000JPY likely being the norm). What they are is innovative, high-quality, and best suited for drinkers with a truly discerning taste.

Best Tokyo Cocktail Bars

Bar TRENCH:

• Address: 〒150-0021 Tokyo, Shibuya, Ebisunishi, 1 Chome−5−8-102

• Sauve, full of classical charm, and buoyed by the charisma of the head bartender, Bar Trench is located in the upscale streets of Ebisu-a skip and a hop away from busy Shibuya. intimate counter seating provides amble chance to interact with bartenders, and features a wide selection of herbal liquers and absinthe from around the world.

• Things to note: Unlike most bars, Bar TRENCH allows for reservations, ideal for travelers who don’t have the luxury to head back another week if the bar is too busy on the day.

  
  

Star Bar Ginza

• Address: 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 1 Chome−5−13 MODERNS GINZA B1F

• Deemed one of Asia’s best bars, dark wood, ornate ceiling decorations, a fleet of expertly-trained bartenders are a defining feature of Star Bar. Fresh fruit cocktails is one of the features of the menu, along with highalls featuring a meticulous selections of whiskey.

• Things to note: Travelers to Kyoto, fear note—there’s also a branch in Japan’s capital of culture.

  
  

Bar Ishi no hana:

• Address: 〒150-0002 Tokyo, Shibuya, 3 Chome−6−2 Yagi Bldg.2, B1

• Inventive, ingenituive, and tucked just minutes away from Shibuya’s nonstop hustle in a hidden basement setting, Bar Ishinohana dishes out delicious drinks with blends of fruit and herbs, offering fresh twists on time-old classics. A premium level of quality made approachable thanks to the bartenders welcoming personality.

• Things to note: A better fit for more laid-back imbibers outside of Ginza’s at-times stifling sanctity.

Bar BenFiddich:

• Address: 〒160-0023 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Nishishinjuku, 1 Chome−13−7 9F

• Often described as nothing short of transformative, Bar BenFiddich is operated by bartender Kayama-san, who crafts his cocktails with all the cult-of-personality charisma as a rockstar. Farm-to-table ingredients and a commitment to the spirit of omakase, where drinks are whipped up not by menu options, but customized to your tastes and preferences, make BenFiddich a must for any cocktail lovers lucky enough to snag a spot.

• Things to note: Reservations are required. Don’t make the mistake of strolling in last-minute thinking you might sneak a seat.

Bar High Five:

• Address: 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 5 Chome−4−15 Efflore Ginza5 Bldg, B1F

• Much like BenFiddich, Bar High Five features sans-menu serving, with every drink crafted bespoke based on customer requests. Tell the bartenders what you’re searching for and watch in awe as it’s crafted right before your eyes by a fleet of professional, precise staff.

• Things to note: Expect a cover charge and premium pricing per drink. Walk-ins are possible, but seating is limited—arrive early or be prepared to wait. Quiet, respectful bar etiquette is expected.

Fuglen Tokyo

• Address: 1 Chome-16-11 Tomigaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0063

• A staple of Tokyo’s coffee scene, Fuglen Tokyo daytime focused drinks swap at 6PM to impeccably crafted cocktails—such as the steaming Adult Mocha mixing rum, expresso, and savory chocolate balanced with orange bitters or the tea-based Paris Tokyo which combines Oolong, sake, and gin for a zesty and refreshing flavor.

• Things to Note: While the flagship store, opened in 2012, remains undeniably iconic, the brand has expanded to other locations, including Asakusa and Kyoto, making it an accessible spot to imbibe wherever you’re visiting in Japan.

BAR LOUNGE MASQ

• Address: 〒101-0047 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Uchikanda, 3 Chome−8−10 本郷ビル 5Ｆ

• Intimate, slightly mysterious, and with a focus on clean, well-balanced cocktails, the bartenders at MASQ approach their art with precision and —expect seasonal ingredients, subtle flavor combinations, and drinks that lean elegant rather than flashy. It’s the kind of place where you settle in for a slower night, letting each round build on the last.

• Things to note: Reservations are recommended and a cover charge is required.

White Label

• Address: 〒107-0052 Tokyo, Minato City, Akasaka, 3 Chome−15−4 赤坂バリ島ビル B１

• Subdued, subtle, and with all the intriguing smoky atmosphere of a film noir speakeasy, White Label leans into a whiskey-forward identity, pairing an extensive selection of rare and classic bottles with custom cocktails. Visitors who stumble upon White Label feel transported into a separate world of spirits.

• Things to note: White Label is the sister-store of exclusive, members-only Ne Plus Ultra, still offering the same level of detail and attention to quality.

Bar Orchard Ginza

• Address: 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 6 Chome−5−16 三楽ビル ７階

• Based on a system of fruit-based discovery, Bar Orchard crafts bespoke cocktails using fresh fruit selected by the bar. No menu, just expert bartenders ready to whip up a succulent custom drink. Operated by Takuo Miyanohara and often featured as one of Asia’s best bars. With an atmosphere edging into the terrain of the whimsical, leaving behind the strict, often oppressive atmosphere of other top level bars that some may say take themselves too seriously, grabbing drinks here provides both welcome respite and creative caprice.

• Things to note: Reservations are recommended but not always required. At time of last checking, reservations can be done by phone. Asking the concierge of your hotel to reserve for you is optimal, but taking a chance on walk-ins is also possible depending on the crowd level of the day.

Sakurai Japanese Tea Experience

• Address: 5F, 5 Chome-6-23 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062

• While not a standard cocktail bar, Sakurai offers a night time cocktail menu that provides a unique take on spirits that can’t be replicated in your neighborhood New York bar. Here, tea is the foundation of flavor, with all cocktail options utilizing Japanese tea fused with alcohol. Signature tea cocktails include the Matcha Martini or the Bancha Negroni, while seasonal options rotate to highlight topical trends and tastes. Elegant, refined, and an immersive dive into Japanese culinary arts.

• Things to note: Far more than just cocktail bar, Sakurai’s spotlight is on their daytime tea course experience, which ranges from Japanese tea offerings paired with wagashi sweets to chashu liquor-infused teas. Perfect for Japanese tea lovers and alcohol fans alike.

  
  

Tokyo may very well be the ultimate playground for liquor maniacs of all kinds, from sake bars to lively izakays, but Tokyo’s cocktail bars are truly a par above the rest. Far beyond the 10 best cocktail bars in Tokyo mentioned on this list are countless others, each with a similar obsession to detail, commitment to quality, and intimate settings, that ensure every sip feels special.

For making reservations, while some cocktail bars allow for reservations through booking platforms like Tablecheck, others may require a Japanese phone number. If you’re staying at a location with an accommodating concierge service, it’s always good practice to see if they can arrange a slot on your behalf prior to arriving.

Drink away and enjoy the delights of nights spent out at Tokyo’s most rewarding imbibing options!