**Editor’s note: HAVESPI has been revamped to include sake coolers and does not have nearly as many shochu and awamori brands as it did when this review was first posted nearly four years ago.
HAVESPI is perfect for anyone looking to start or extend their shochu and awamori journey. First and foremost, let’s start with a detail that is truly rare. This shochu bar is completely non-smoking! That has never happened before in Japan. So far it has been primarily craft beer bars that have booted the smokers outside, and we never thought that the shochu/awamori world would be quick to follow suit, but this place did!
Here are some other attractive features of this new sixth-floor space in Eastern Shinjuku:
- Value for money. If you arrive right at 5 PM, you can potentially stay until closing time at 11 PM and drink to your heart’s delight for just ￥3,300 (accurate as of October 1st, 2019). Yup, you read that right. All-you-can-drink shochu and awamori for about five dollars an hour.
- Bring your own food. This place doesn’t have a kitchen, which is one way that they keep costs down. Never fear, however, because they allow you to bring your own picnic. Or I guess you could have pizza delivered.
- Cocktail mixing counter. This looks like it could be a lot of fun. The counter and coolers are stocked with several types of flavored soda water, juice, and even garnishes. They even have some fruit liqueurs and umeshu on hand for your mixologist pleasure.
- Shochu variety. Of course they have plenty of sweet potato, barley, rice, and brown sugar shochu since those are some of the biggest categories. But there’s a lot more discovery in store if you ask for a little guidance. Try some buckwheat (soba) shochu or even some lettuce shochu!
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