There's a new non-smoking shochu bar in downtown shochu, and the CAST Shochu Meetup group is going to help break it in this Thursday. You have to join the group in order to RSVP, but we can promise that you won't get spammed or anything (as long as you turn off most notifications). ¥3,240 covers an all-you-can-drink session with no time limit. Well, that's not entirely … [Read more...]
HAVESPI
**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 … [Read more...]
New Shochu Bar, HAVESPI, Opens in Shinjuku
Liquor Innovation Co., Ltd. stepped into new territory when the company opened its first all-you-can-drink shochu bar, HAVESPI, on the edge of Shinjuku's lively 3-chome (pronounced san choh may). Just a two second walk from exit C6 of Shinjuku Sanchome subway station (Toei Shinjuku Line), this sixth floor bar has enough space for 60 shochu drinkers. There's also plenty of … [Read more...]
Koan TOKYO (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
Koan TOKYO is right in the middle of Shinjuku's lively 3-chome neighborhood, but it's more relaxed than most of the bars that are on street level. The bar boasts a modest selection of shochu with a focus on imo (potato). They also usually have a maewari available (Sekitoba the last few times we visited), and it's definitely worth your time if you have at least two people in … [Read more...]
Tokuri (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
Hiding on the western side of JR Shinjuku Station is a great shochu izakaya with a diverse bottle selection (150+!) and decent food. Bonus! There is an English menu for folks who are not comfortable with the Japanese language. Tokuri's cozy interior and knowledgeable staff make for a great shochu and awamori drinking spot on any day of the week. Tokuri always has at least … [Read more...]