Because Who WOULDN’T Want A Cocktail Served In A Smoke-Filled Skull?

And that’s just the tip o’ the liquid nitrogen, flash-frozen iceberg at the Codename:Mixology bar! Because although no snozzberries were detected on the menu, this place definitely delivers the Willy Wonka of cocktails. One of the things I especially like about this bar is that most of the cocktails don’t knock you under the table, so you can try (or share) more than one. They’re prettyContinue reading “Because Who WOULDN’T Want A Cocktail Served In A Smoke-Filled Skull?”

Precision Drinking At The Science Bar

I must insist that you hoist a glass at the Science Bar Incubator, in the name of research! The bartender/owner has a degree in medical engineering, but his most successful experiments to date seem to be shots of tequila served with salt and lemon wedges in petri dishes, flights of wine measured out in test tubes, and beer chasers drafted into 500 ml beakers. •

Forever Alone: Japan Version

In The Land of Group Harmony, doing things by yourself is almost un-Japanese. But because Japan is also the country which offers a hot spring resort for dogs, a store that only sells big red underwear for people over sixty, wine matched to your blood type, a club for people who gather in the park everyContinue reading “Forever Alone: Japan Version”

The Jellyfish & Shark Bar

Now you don’t have to trek to the aquarium in Ikebukuro to see your favorite wiggly and bite-y creatures of the deep – right next to Ebisu station is Medusa, where you can sip the beverage of your choice while being mesmerized by the glow! Additional entertainment may be had by perusing the Standard LiqueursContinue reading “The Jellyfish & Shark Bar”

Live Music for Eight

Remember how I was talking about shoebox-sized businesses here in Tokyo? Well, around the corner from Eat A Peach in Shimokitazawa is the Apollo Jazz Bar. As you walk by on the narrow street outside, the sound of pro musicians jamming wafts up the steps from this basement grotto, calling you in like the Pied Piper.Continue reading “Live Music for Eight”

The Vinegar Cafe

Vinegar is not my favorite thing. Not even close. So I was kind of lukewarm on the idea of going to a café where the house specialty was drinks based on fruit vinegar. How could I have been so wrong? The drinks were so delicious, I’ve been back to Marusan several times since, just toContinue reading “The Vinegar Cafe”

Midnight Mess

Saturday night I went to the monthly Goth party at Club Marz and met up with famed author/journalist/TV host La Carmina, who was filming a segment for NHK Tokyo Kawaii TV. The fabulous outfits and makeup of everybody there – especially La Carmina and Yukiro – are always a visual treat. And the entertainment didContinue reading “Midnight Mess”