Although it’s been open for 25 years, Little Smith still pops up in conversions about the top bars in Ginza. But you wouldn’t guess its age based on the contemporary interior design, which boasts an unusually high four-metre ceiling. The sleek island bar made of wood and wrapped around an imposing column remains a much-loved aspect of Little Smith. It is the work of the late renowned architect Takahiko Yanagisawa, who was also responsible for some of Tokyo’s most iconic landmarks such as the Yurakucho Mullion and the Opera City Tower...
Cocktail culture in Tokyo is a serious business, and at times it can almost feel like a tea ceremony. The bars are solemn, conversations are spoken in hushed tones, while the well-suited bartenders craft their drinks in measured and masterful movements. The drinks are elevated into an art form – made with the utmost precision, boasting the freshest seasonal produce and chilled with impossibly clear ice that’s chipped by hand.
Cocktail-making in Tokyo is often approached with the same perfectionist philosophy that drives the city’s food culture, and you can experience all that at these exceptional cocktail bars. Just try not to look like you’re having too much fun.
Also see: Looking for a fun, casual night out? Go to these bars instead.
