Job Discussion Forums

[thomthom]

This board is so slow I'm going to post a topic that's resolutely non-job-related.

I've lived in Tokyo for 18 months now and although I much prefer it to Seoul, I found it was considerably easier to socialise in Korea than Japan. It seems that Tokyo has plenty of great bars to go to if you're already with a group of friends, or if you want to have a chat with a genki bartender (or hostess), but for bars where you can mingle and rub shoulders easily, it's rather lacking. Of course there's Hub - but I'm talking about somewhere a little more interesting/cool/independent than that.

One recommendation I have: What the Dickens in Ebisu. A very nicely decorated British themed pub with free live music most nights of the week.

So what's your favourite bar?

[mitsui]

Don't really know.
I will go to Seoul next month. Tend to prefer it.

I want to go to the Aldgate sometime. It is in Shibuya.

[RM1983]

[Master Shake]

haha. I had the exact same experience as RM1983 at Goodbeer Faucets in Shibuya a few months ago. Definitely not a place to meet people. Good beer, though on the expensive side. Best to go during happy hour.

Tokyo, in general, is not an easy place to meet people in bars. The Japanese almost always go out in groups and don't often mix with other groups once they're out. The occasional loners you see are often in no mood for conversation. It doesn't help that many bars and izakayas hold a max of 10 people.

Still, as someone wrote, it's not THAT hard.

I like Speakeasy at Otsuka (1 stop away from Ikebukuro). It's a French-run bar. There are loads of people there on Friday and Sat. night. Average age is usually under 30 and not much seating, so definitely mingle-friendly.

[RM1983]

[mitsui]

The more Japanese you speak, the better it is.
I think in Seoul you can find more people who are willing to speak English, and frankly, are friendlier.

Maybe bars in Osaka or Kobe would be better.

[Didah]

Greetings,

I was in Tokyo a few months ago and I see What the Dickens in Ebisu is still going strong. It opened when I was living there years ago. They get a good crowd of expats and kolusaiteke -- those Japanese that are more internationally minded and speak better English. They also have live music. No, this is not a paid advertisement. Just something that came to mind. Of course, the Six Trees -- Roppongi is no place to hang out anymore. It used to be fun. Now it is just seems to be a mildly dangerous cesspool. Good luck in your search.

[mitsui]

Three years ago? No, that bar has been there for some time.
I hear good things about it.
It is not cheap, though.

Yes, some time ago I did stuff with a language group where you go to a cheap izakaya and talk to speak who want to speak English.
You can meet some smart people. Maybe doctors or people in business.

[mitsui]

Probably in the Shitamachi parts of town where the people are from Tokyo
and aren't stuck up.

Otherwise I guess I would say in Suginami.
Places on the Chuo Line like Koenji, Asagaya, Ogikubo, etc.

[TTTT]

Geronimo near roppongi crossing. Don't be afraid to hit the giant gong.

[Master Shake]

They're all soulless clones and the only thing British about them is the bad food, but the fact is that Hubs are often the only places in an area where you can meet westerners. Usually there are pretty good drink specials too.

Hobgoblins are similar, but definitely a step up.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Mother's Ruin and Mother in Shimokitazawa are really cool local watering holes with creatively decorated interiors. I don't know how good these bars are for mingling, though.

[Inflames]

[RM1983]