Looking for a hearty welcome and the opportunity to meet new people? Some bars in Tokyo are more foreigner-friendly than others.
Alcohol is the social lubricant that transcends cultures and it’s no different in Japan. Whether living in Tokyo or just passing through, finding a friendly bar where you can comfortably strike up a conversation with a stranger — and not feel like you’re interrupting an espionage meeting — scratches a much-needed social itch.
Still need one eye on the footie? Also check out our list of top sports bars in Tokyo.
Tip: One of the best ways to make friends is by going on a bar-hopping experience — tried and tested.
1. B-Flat Commune
B-Flat Commune is a European-style drinking spot with open-air communal seating areas and a selection of standing bars and food trucks. While it isn’t as easy to mingle as other spots on our list (mainly because people are less drunk, let’s be honest), it has a laid-back atmosphere that’s hard to find in the city. You can find vegan and international options and it draws a mix of creatives and younger patrons, both foreign and Japanese. (Psst. We sometimes hold our regular meetup, Downtown Drinks, here.)
2. Albatross
A small but warm bar hidden in Golden Gai (and with a second branch in Omoide Yokocho), Albatross is a chandelier-lit haven from the busy streets of Shinjuku. They offer unusual cocktails featuring local flavors like yuzu and ume (plum) as well as modern twists like Earl Grey. There is a seating charge, but it’s worth it if you’re staying for more than one drink.
3. Tasuichi
Loud, often showing sports, and usually the setting of a dramatic Tokyo drinking story, Tasuichi is a well-known watering hole in Shibuya. Attracting a good mix of English, Japanese, and Spanish speakers, there’s a reliably rowdy atmosphere. Plus, the standing aspect means it’s pretty easy to meet people over shared tables and awkward elbows. Drinks are cheap (from ¥500) and the location is hard to beat, but note that smoking is allowed inside.
Pro tip: Don’t like drinking alone? If you join this “snack bar” tour you won’t have to.
4. Two Dogs Taproom
Two Dogs has a decidedly American feel, featuring amazing pizza, English-speaking servers, and dozens of craft beers on tap. Since over half the beers are Japanese, you can get a taste of the Japanese scene. While the drinks aren’t cheap, the happy hour makes up for it. The clientele is largely Japanese during the week and skewed to foreigners on weekends.
5. 300 Bar
300 Bar offers almost everything on its menu for only ¥300 — all purchased through a ticketing system. The aim is to attract foreigners, and it succeeds, with many of the expats from local businesses dropping in from work alongside their Japanese colleagues. It’s a standing bar which certainly makes it easier to mix and the shared tables mean you can easily merge groups and get chatting. They have three locations in Ginza, with DJs at the 8-Chome branch if you want a livelier evening.
6. Geronimo Shot Bar
Shots, shots, and more shots. Geronimo is a long-standing Roppongi institution. And if you’re looking for a raucous night, then this is where to start. Offering free entry, decently priced drinks, and free shots whenever a drum is sounded (which is surprisingly often), it’s an easy place to get into the going-out mood. There’s a nice mix of regulars and newcomers, largely foreign and some of the funnest in the area.
7. Trunk Hotel
Trunk has managed to make a name for itself as a bar as well as a hotel. Located just off Cat Street and an easy stroll from Shibuya Station, it’s a spacious and chic spot with a large outdoor terrace for those summer nights. Offering fancy cocktails created by their trained mixologists, Trunk also a simple (and more affordable) menu. Thanks to the hotel, there are international staff and an ever-rotating clientele, so you never know who you’ll meet.
8. Good Heavens British Bar
A closer approximation to a British pub than Hub (see #10), Good Heavens is a busy community with a whole host of events to peruse. With regular comedy and trivia nights, there’s a great selection of entertainment to choose from. The menu is decent, the walls are lined with books, and you can get chips with actual vinegar — what’s not to love?
9. Miki’s Art Cafe
If you ever get lost in the streets of Hatagaya, you should head for the refuge of a warm and cozy bar called Miki’s. Miki — the owner and founder — opened the business as a vegan cafe. Now it has grown to be a hub for both the international community and locals. If you are living in Tokyo or visiting, and are looking for an inclusive, LGBTQ-friendly, English-speaking environment, the door to Miki’s is open.
10. Hub
Hub is the original “international bar” in Tokyo and tends to elicit a love/hate relationship with people who’ve been in Japan a while. Thanks largely to its “British” theme, this chain draws in plenty of locals seeking language practice, so it’s a surprisingly good place to approach people. A warning that Hub is frequented by gaijin-hunters (Japanese locals looking for an international love match). Be prepared to get firm with a “thanks, but no thanks” — if you’re not interested.
11. Not Suspicious
Believe them when they say it — this bar is not suspicious at all (except, maybe, the house shot). Run by cheerful Sakura and her English-speaking team, Not Suspicious has no table charge. Kanpai (cheers), play games, and chat with the bartender and fellow guests as you sip on diverse cocktails from the English-language menu. Drinks start from ¥800.
12. Eagle Tokyo
Eagle Tokyo has two bars in Shinjuku-nichōme (Tokyo’s LGBTQ+ district): Its original location, Eagle Tokyo, which has more of a chill vibe, and Eagle Tokyo Blue, which often hosts regular drag shows and ground-shaking parties. Eagle Tokyo is always buzzing with patrons and the staff can speak a multitude of languages. Cocktails start from ¥700, but go during Happy Hour for the best value.
13. Bar Moonwalk
Bar Moonwalk might be the cheapest on our list and even the website says “…foreigners who can’t speak Japanese can feel at ease”. There are more than 15 locations around Tokyo, including Shinjuku, Nakano, Shimokitazawa, and Shibuya. The draw? Drinks are only a ridiculous ¥250. The catch? There’s a table charge of ¥550 — but you’re making that back with the savings of two or more drinks. You can also order on your phone, which removes the language barrier. The bar claims the average customer spends around ¥1,500 — we can confirm this gets you quite tipsy… or so we’ve heard.
14. NinjaBar Asakusa
A cheesy gimmick that we can get behind. In a hidden spot beneath Asakusa, there’s a shining storefront with shelves stocked full of sake cups. As you enter NinjaBar Asakusa , you’ll meet a barman dressed to the nines in ninja garb. But that’s not where it ends. Blink once and you’ll find yourself in a sumo suit singing karaoke till your throat hurts.
Note that this is different from the Ninja Restaurant in Asakusa.
15. Mash Bros
Do you like your beer with a side of mashed potatoes? Then head to the comfort of Mash Bros near Õkubo. Not only are there spirits, beers on tap, and cider options, but the owner also serves delicious British-style pies and mash (vegan options available). Along with the food and drink, you can also try your hand at darts or the retro game machine in the corner.
FAQs
Are some bars in Tokyo “Japanese-only?”
Unfortunately, yes, although this is quite rare. You may see signs on the front of small bars that say “No English” or “Japanese only”. This is usually because the owner or their regular customers cannot speak English. The “Japanese only” refers to the language, not the people.
Is Golden Gai in Shinjuku foreigner-friendly?
Golden Gai has a multitude of bars that encourage non-Japanese-speaking patrons — we have a list of our favorites. But in some quiet corners you may find less hospitable establishments — made clear by signs written only in Japanese or even a clear “No English”. Instead, head for the doors that are a bit welcoming with notices like “English Ok!” and, even better, “No Charge!”.
Can you get around in Tokyo just speaking English?
Many locals in Tokyo can speak English, but not to the same extent as other capital cities. While speaking can be a barrier, Tokyoites tend to have a high level of comprehension and written English. Signs are usually translated and chain restaurants and bars have English menus. However, if you gravitate towards small, local establishments, you’ll have more of a challenge if you can’t speak Japanese — luckily, we have a beginners guide for the drinking lingo.
Can I meet locals at foreigner-friendly bars?
Heading to a place with a reputation for foreigners can seem like you’re walking into a trap or not experiencing the “real Japan”. While sometimes that’s true, it can actually be a great way to meet locals as well as fellow foreigners. The more outgoing, keen-to-speak-English locals frequent these places, so while hole-in-the-wall bars are a great experience, language barriers and occasional rejections can be tiring.
Where do foreigners hang out in Tokyo?
The main entertainment districts in Tokyo — Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Roppongi — are where most foreigners and locals hang out at night. English-friendly bars are also found in the main tourist areas like Asakusa.
