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Dec 15 2023 4 Comments

An old and grubby little Tokyo bar like no other

Old, small and decidedly less than meticulously cleaned Tokyo bars have featured on these pages before, but arguably none look quite as grubby as this one. With the wear, tear and grime of all its 30 years on display, it was packed full of details despite its almost cupboard-like dimensions.

Elements that were added to by the endearingly shy demeanour of the owner. A man who has run the little place on his own for the entirety of those 3 decades, and when not serving drinks or grilling food, he simply sits and reads or listens to his retro portable radio.

All of which really did make it a bar like no other.

An old and grubby little Tokyo no bar like no other

An old and grubby little Tokyo no bar like no other

An old and grubby little Tokyo no bar like no other

An old and grubby little Tokyo no bar like no other

An old and grubby little Tokyo no bar like no other

An old and grubby little Tokyo no bar like no other

An old and grubby little Tokyo no bar like no other

Categorized: Food and Drink, Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sean says

    12/15/2023 at 10:37 am

    Man that sure is something. What a find!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/16/2023 at 12:33 pm

      Yeah, a truly unique little place. Seen it several times before, but my first time to venture inside. Needless to say I was not disappointed.

      Reply
  2. john says

    12/16/2023 at 3:28 am

    That’s a place that messy customers might walk out of feeling better about their lives, although maybe not uplifted from having had a little upbeat conversation? I’m intrigued by the decaying wall art and that pile of books.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      12/16/2023 at 12:38 pm

      Haha, that’s so true. He was really nice to be honest, just quiet. Surprising sometimes how many shy bar and restaurant owners I’ve met.

      Yeah, so much to take in, especially for such a small space. A return visit is needed I think.

      Reply

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