During the daytime it’s hard to know whether this little bar is a going concern or not; its different signs and decidedly rundown appearance making it seem arguably more defunct than actually functioning. But come 9 o’clock, the lights flicker on, the five or so seats are set ready, and the karaoke machine is ceremoniously fired up.
And fired up is what the owner is as well. His father started the business half a century ago, and as the exterior suggests, its initial focus has changed somewhat, with chicken on a stick making way for chitchat and a singsong. But 10 years ago the current master-san took over, ending a full career as a businessman to start a new one behind the bar. One he was clearly made for too, as despite being 70, he shows no signs of slowing down โ or indeed even sitting down.
Al says
Ha, that’s one lively 70 year old! ๐ But what’s with the store front?! I really don’t think he’s going to attract new customers. I wouldn’t go in! ๐
Lee says
He is. Not lacking energy at all.
Not sure what’s going on with the exterior. Well, nothing clearly! I got the impression that he has a decent regular crowd, so that’s probably enough to keep things ticking along.
Jamie says
What an incredible little place. Great find! I can only hope I have that amount of enthusiasm for life when I’m 70!
Lee says
It was. Much more fun than anticipated. You aren’t the only one. Enthusiasm is one thing, but he also has the energy to back it up. Good on him.
cdilla says
Lovely photographs. One capturing the external decay, the other the internal vigour. In such detail too. Reminds me of a pub I used to go to in Salford many years ago. It looked just like a terrace house outside and in (http://tinyurl.com/j3qfomu) . By the time I discovered it the sign over the door had gone, though I recall the Watneys Red Barrel plate (above the pram) was still there. Of course the patron was a surly old geezer with dodgy underworld connections rather than a smiling and animated karaoke fan, but the beer was good, and cheap.
It’s hard to see how such a small place as the one in your photograph can make enough to pay for itself. I have seen programs featuring a few handed down post war bars that look almost as if the son/daughter is carrying on the business solely out of a sense of obligation the long-time regulars. Which is really cool รขโฌโ I just hope they are well enough rewarded for the long hours and hard work.
Lee says
Thank you.
The local near my parents was the same deal. Slap bang in the middle of a row of terraced houses. Spent many an hour in there. Even had the cobbled back street at the rear too. But sadly like so many pubs these days, it has long gone…
Can’t say for certain about this place, but often the owners also own the building. And live in it. So there is no rent to pay. Just electricity and the like. So providing they don’t desire hugely expensive holidays or fancy cars, they probably don’t need huge numbers of customers every night to make enough money to get by.
LAObserver says
If the “chicken on a stick” (yakitori ??) was good, I could probably tolerate the singing. At least for a while. My experience is that the smaller places have the food worth eating at a good price. The entertainment . . . . well . . .
Lee says
The days when yakitori was on offer are sadly long gone. Presumably that was his dad’s thing. Now it’s just booze and the karaoke machine. Plus of course the master’s high spirits.
I’m no fan of karaoke at all. We usually avoid it if at all possible to be honest. But this place looked so intriguing that we had to give it a go.
Oh, and totally agree about the food in small bars and restaurants. Definitely the best places to eat.
David Lowe says
You are dead right, pass this haikyo-esque shopfront during the daytime and you would be forgiven for thinking it shut-up shop back in the Showa era. Sadly, near where I live in West Tokyo there is an assemblage of old shops whose windows shutters went down some years ago and remained so. In some cases, there are faded clues as to their previous wares but most you would have no idea. Anyway, good to see this old character soldiering on!
Lee says
Yeah, not just west Tokyo either, is it? So many places like that all over the country… And like you say, once the shutters come down, that’s it once and for all. Sadly a few of the places I’ve visited and enjoyed have already gone that way.
Peeking in through the window in the day time, I suspected there was a good chance it could still be going. Great to have that confirmed. And considering the energy of the old fella, I’m pretty sure it won’t be closing any time soon!