The place is owned by a girl called Kazuko and when she worked behind the counter, it was one of the most popular bars in Golden Gai which attracted a lot of music business people. Funnily enough, she is friendly with the girl who runs a bar round the corner which also featured on Tokyo Times before. Garden is a bit larger than most places in the area and Kazuko would often stay open until late morning making it a particularly dangerous place to settle into. Now a series of different bar staff work there and, although they are all nice enough, there aren’t many customers these days compared with a couple of years ago.
Many of the old music crowd now use a bar a short walk away on the other side of the ward office. Again, a photo of that place has also appeared here on Tokyo Times.
Good to get a bit of background info. With the outside of most Golden Gai bars giving very little away, it’s nice to have something of an idea of where (and where not) to go.
Just walk in and find out. If everyone goes quiet or they say “members only” then find somewhere else. There are around 25o bars altogether so there are plenty that will give you a decent welcome. These days, the people most likely to be hostile to you are white foreigners horrified at the thought that you’ve cracked their inner sanctum. Not me, I hope. If it’s your first time in a bar, it’s usually best to go in before 11:00pm since some owners might worry you are a drunk stumbling around. It can get expensive bar-hopping if you hit too many places with 1,000 yen cover charges.
GoT says
Doesn’t tempt me. Looks disguting.
Where is it?
Mike says
Kind of looks like it might be an entrance to haunted house or something!
asd says
probably the coolest club in wohle tokyo!
Nick says
Okay, Lee. I’m sure us readers will donate 600 yen so you can go inside and tell us what’s lurking behind the door… if you dare!
Lee says
The bar is in Shinjuku’s Golden Gai area, but when I took the photo it was late afternoon and the place was shut.
Next time I’m around there at night though I shall pop in.
Perhaps only briefly!
Albeit says
The place is owned by a girl called Kazuko and when she worked behind the counter, it was one of the most popular bars in Golden Gai which attracted a lot of music business people. Funnily enough, she is friendly with the girl who runs a bar round the corner which also featured on Tokyo Times before. Garden is a bit larger than most places in the area and Kazuko would often stay open until late morning making it a particularly dangerous place to settle into. Now a series of different bar staff work there and, although they are all nice enough, there aren’t many customers these days compared with a couple of years ago.
Many of the old music crowd now use a bar a short walk away on the other side of the ward office. Again, a photo of that place has also appeared here on Tokyo Times.
Lee says
Cheers for the info Albeit.
Good to get a bit of background info. With the outside of most Golden Gai bars giving very little away, it’s nice to have something of an idea of where (and where not) to go.
Albeit says
Just walk in and find out. If everyone goes quiet or they say “members only” then find somewhere else. There are around 25o bars altogether so there are plenty that will give you a decent welcome. These days, the people most likely to be hostile to you are white foreigners horrified at the thought that you’ve cracked their inner sanctum. Not me, I hope. If it’s your first time in a bar, it’s usually best to go in before 11:00pm since some owners might worry you are a drunk stumbling around. It can get expensive bar-hopping if you hit too many places with 1,000 yen cover charges.
Bunny says
I absolutely love Golden Gai! Fab bars and interesting people.
Towelito says
Now the door is changed. Please go inside and have a look.
by one of the staff in “Bar Garden”
Towlito says
Now the door is changed. Please go inside and have a look.
by one of the staff in “Bar Garden”