Tokyo Confidential is a refreshing addition to Tokyo’s cocktail scene. The stylish space doesn’t feel like a typical Japanese cocktail bar – not that there’s anything wrong with Tokyo’s more genteel drinking dens – as it offers a more casual and relaxed environment for you to just drop in without fussing over reservations and strict bar rules.
At times, the bar doesn’t even feel like Tokyo at all – until you take in the unobstructed view of Tokyo Tower from the open air-terrace. The bar has a cosy living room vibe, and coupled with its hospitality and welcoming atmosphere, it’s easy to lose your time here. Furthermore, the bar’s slogan of ‘pull up, fess up’ means you can drop in whenever you please to escape life’s pressures.
The folks behind Tokyo Confidential have some serious street cred. Founder Holly Graham, for instance, was ranked in the top 10 of Bar World 100, a list of the globe's most influential figures in the bar industry. Head bartender Wakana Murata, on the other hand, was on the opening team of Tokyo Edition’s much-loaded Gold Bar. Plus, the bar’s food menu is supervised by chef Daniel Calvert of the two Michelin-starred Sézanne.
Tokyo Confidential’s centrepiece is a gorgeous bar counter made from a 300-year-old piece of reclaimed wood from a shrine. On the drink menu, you’ll find a selection of signature cocktails including low- and no-ABV options for those skipping alcohol. Highlights include the Glass Slipper, a low-ABV concoction that goes down too easily, thanks to a lip-smacking mix of yuzu liqueur, pandan, fresh melon and soda. For something stronger, Destroy All Monsters is a deceptively dangerous martini-style cocktail made with miso brown butter-washed gin, manzanilla sherry, bianco vermouth and ponzu.
On to the bar bites, you can’t go wrong with the Everything Bagel featuring cream cheese and 30g of Kristal caviar, or the decadent chocolate madeleines served with rum cream. As a nice tribute to Graham and Calvert’s British roots, there's also a cheeky take on Coronation Chicken but served in a monaka wafer.
Champagne is also taken seriously at Tokyo Confidential, with an extensive range kept chilled in a dedicated fridge, which you’ll come across on your way to the bar’s rooftop. Open to all guests, the roof offers additional seating as well as a stunning view of Tokyo Tower. This outdoor area also serves as an event space and can, of course, be booked out for private events.