Shinjuku Golden-gai
(新宿ゴールデン街)
Neighborhood
新宿区
"Lots of quirky, tiny bars that fit no more than a handful of people."(4 Tips)
"You are better off venturing into some random bar anywhere in Tokyo."(2 Tips)
"... metal all night! The bartender is awesome and plays classic B-Horror..."(6 Tips)
"Still a nice place, especially if you love movies."(2 Tips)
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Kevin RickertOctober 24, 2015Golden Gai - Amazing experience with cozy bars. You will find that some places have an seat charge, it is usually minor and you'll have a wonderful time chatting with locals and drinking.
Valerie LeOctober 13, 2014Go to lonely bar, we had an incredible experience there with Ronny even though he doesn't speak a lot of English. He was super welcoming and showed us his life story through pictures and songs.
Upvoted Feb 24- Valerie LeOctober 18, 2014Second time at golden gai, Tachibana & plastic model bar were boring. Go to Sokai across from Tachibana. We had a great time with the owner; he also gave us a couple free rounds & offered us umbrellas
Chris R (thechristophe)October 20, 2018Gawp like all the other tourists or just dive right in. Ignore the moaners, the ambience resonance can be great - perfect for introvert travellers.- Tony XerriNovember 25, 2013Go to the bar with Robocop outside the door because they don't charge an entrance fee and the place plays heavy metal all night! The bartender is awesome and plays classic B-Horror flicks on the tv!!!
- Taylor McKnightJune 19, 2017Wander up and down the alleys and listen to your heart to decide which bar to go into. Buy a bottle if you'll be coming back. (Sched has a bottle of whiskey at one of these)
Lisa StarbucksMarch 27, 2017I get that it's a quirky area and a contrast to the rest of shiny trimmed Tokyo. However, all the other tourists think that too and the locals charging ridiculous prices for a student bar feeling 🙄
LadyJupiter.comJune 27, 2017Tiny alley with tiny bars! Best for small groups, four people or so. Most charge a seating fee, but several do not. The one with pink furry walls had nice cocktails and seated almost 20 people 😲
Paull YoungSeptember 30, 2017Hang out in a tiny bar & talk to locals. Find Bar Saru, with a logo of a monkey holding a vinyl record, and ask the owner to play the Rocky album.
Grazyna OMarch 6, 2017The correct way of arriving here is by invitation. You will be well treated otherwise as well. Would still definitely say to go for the original.- Diegoberto BellamyFebruary 20, 2023The cinema bar is cool. The staff was friendly, although they didn’t seem to know how to prepare some drinks in their menu. Still a nice place, especially if you love movies.
Nikki SnowhiteOctober 22, 2016One of my favorite spots in Tokyo. The small bars & old school streets are unique & fun. Read signs to find one that doesn't charge a cover and isn't locals only. Looked like most bars open after 6.
Tim HarrisonApril 11, 2017Super cool and absolutely worth a trip if you're in Tokyo. Find some new friends to drink with!
Tom SzekeresAugust 13, 2014Make sure you visit at least one of these 200+ shanty-style bars. We drank Rum with a chap who looked like an old Japanese Jonny Depp, yet he insisted looked like Tom Cruise. Good guy.
Janelle J.August 22, 2014If you're looking for the tourist bar-hopping experience, here you go. Hundreds of tiny 3-4 person bars, each with pretty eccentric owners. Try and haggle down the table charge, if they have one.
Mari PavliJuly 22, 2014We went to Nana bar and it was really cool, no cover charge and nice friendly people! Loved Golden Gai!
Jeffrey KaoJune 6, 2017A bit touristy, but still a very cool vibe. Pick a random bar and tell the bar owner about your woes.
Rita CJune 12, 2016Unique Tokyo drinking experience! Drinking with locals in small bars, everyone is friendly.
Olivia FungDecember 3, 2015Beware of traps as in, check if there is cover charge first. Most are displayed but we went to one which wasn't displayed and paid $10 per person! If you are a tourist/girl, you get free cover charge!
Arsie JiwajindaNovember 6, 2017Worth walking around just to see, but none of that allow foreigners is worth going into
Dan Mondragón SomeraDecember 10, 2016Some bars charge cover. There is one named "galaxy" which is beyond great in terms of service :)
Charlotte AnderssonJanuary 7, 2018A bit too many tourists, but if you dare to open the unwelcoming doors you will gain memories of a lifetime.
Mikko ManninenNovember 7, 2012Take a walk at the thin Golden Gai streets at the evening and visit at extremely small pubs where only few people can fit in at once.
Mariana Stuginski BarbosaOctober 12, 2016Interesting area full of small bars. Went to a rock and roll one, price was ok compared to the rest.
TammyOctober 15, 2017A lot of the bars have only maybe 4-5 seats and charge ¥1,000 ($10 USD) for a cover charge (per person). One said $20 for men and $10 for women. Lawl. No thank you. It’s still cool to walk through it.- BommyMay 30, 2017Lots of quirky, tiny bars that fit no more than a handful of people. But it's so touristy and bars have cover charges. Pass.
Betony KellyMarch 15, 2015Just keep bar hoping till you find your spot. If there are English signs, you'll be welcome in this maze of private bars.
Mikael WestmanSeptember 30, 2018"Go to Golden-gai at night. Get ready to drink. Pop between a few of the bars there" - Jaap Stam
Rachel BardenFebruary 18, 2018This is where all the microbars are! Basically the best place to go out for some drinks.
Melissa DuffyMay 25, 2016Fun alleyways that are loaded with tiny authentic Japanese bars. Be aware it is cash only
Eva SchiaveJanuary 10, 2015Awesome place to just go with no set itinerary . keep hopping about till you find your spot
- Atef ChaudhuryMarch 3, 2017Too touristy and cover charges are too high. You are better off venturing into some random bar anywhere in Tokyo.
Fuyuhiko TakayaApril 13, 2013ゴールデン街入口の辺りに「全店舗配置図」があるので目当ての店がある場合は見てから行くと道に迷わなくて良いと思います。リンクはその「全店舗配置図」 Read more
Paco PalaNovember 9, 2016Plusieurs ruelles composées à 90% de petits bar où l'on paye un ticket d'entrée puis à chaque boisson : rentable si on veut se mettre mal. Qualité variable selon les bars évidemment.
Kiyomi NaritaApril 23, 2016Mini bares📍 Es recomendable no ir con muchas personas ya que literalmente son muy pequeños y ademas hay malos olores 😅 pero no es problema si uno va a beber bien y barato👌🏼
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