Leave Me Alone

Located at the edge of trendy Shimokitazawa, Leave Me Alone is a space of esoteric contradiction. The softly lit venue is sparsely yet tastefully decorated, with a custom smiling flower portrait from the iconic Takashi Murakami, plus dolls created by Mr., the noted Kaikai Kiki artist.

The venue is the latest venture from corporate-bigwig-turned-bar-owner Hirohisa Tamonoki. The forty-something former tech VIP from Akita prefecture opened the bar at the end of 2024, finally fulfilling ‘a dream he’d left behind’ after decades in the corporate world. A self-proclaimed introvert, Tamonoki aimed to create a space for people like himself who never quite fit in. He also wants to attract individuals with a passion for the music genre that reigns supreme at his bar: noise.

From the disorienting percussive sounds of Japanese noise legend Merzbow to the abrasive vocals of American experimental rock band Swans, you’ll get your fill of sonic brutality through track after track of harsh noise, industrial noise, noise rock and so on. The harshness of the bar’s soundtrack is in contrast to the intimate nature of the space, but somehow it works. ‘It’s not for everybody,’ says Tamonoki. ‘But if you get it, you get it.’

The bar’s drink options are less eclectic (but no less tasty), and feature various kinds of whiskey and gin – think classics like Hakushu, Hibiki, Sakurao and Kanomori. A speciality cocktail menu is in the works and currently features mezcal negronis and seasonal fruit gin and tonics.

Invitations to Leave Me Alone are strictly through DM only. If noise music is your thing and you’re thinking of stopping by, request the location by contacting the bar via Instagram @leave_me_alone_bar.