The Best Bars in Minato, Tokyo

At 52 floors up, Rooftop Bar is the highest bar in Tokyo. It’s perched atop the Toranomon Hills multi-use building and is part of the luxury hotel Andaz Tokyo. If you can get a seat by the window, Rooftop Bar offers a truly bird’s eye view of the city. Reservations can be made ahead of time on their website.

Bar Radio is an Aoyama favorite, popular with both expats and locals. Run by an expert mixologist, expect perfectly executed classic cocktails and twists on old favorites. Unlike many bars in Tokyo, smoking is not allowed and there’s a 1,000 yen seating charge. Dress smart.

Kyu Yasui is a great little cocktail bar in Nishi-Azabu. Unpretentious, friendly, and passionate about his line of work, the cheerful owner and bartender will be more than happy to mix you up something special.

Stylized “so/ra/si/o”, this restaurant and bar combo offers impressive views of Tokyo Bay. The restaurant serves elevated French cuisine, while the bar has a full menu of liquors, wines and cocktails. Cozy up to the counter and take in the view from 46 floors up. Located inside the Caretta Shiodome in Shinbashi.

Dry-Dock is a nautical themed (but not tacky) bar in Shinbashi, complete with captain’s wheels for beer taps and portholes in the doors. You won’t find many cocktails here, but they claim their Asahi Super Dry is the tastiest in Tokyo due to their attentive serving process. Find this bar tucked underneath the track by Shinbashi Station under the Yamanote Line.

Hit up Sheyda Bar in Roppongi for drinks, music and high quality shisha. This bar and lounge is stylish and modern but welcoming with friendly service. It’s also open until the trains start running again, so it’s a great place to wind down after a long night. There’s a 1,500 yen minimum purchase per person.

Geronimo Shot Bar is a go-to place for drinking on a budget in Roppongi. If you can get past the decor, their extensive shot menu will have something for everyone’s taste. They stay open until 6.

Skylounge Stellar Garden may not be one of the tallest bars in Tokyo these days, but it offers a unique vantage point and views of Tokyo Tower up close and personal. This classic bar, upscale bar is part of the Prince Park Tower located in Shiba Park.

Code Name MIXOLOGY is a serious about cocktails. Taking an almost scientific approach to mixing, the expert bartenders create flavor combinations you’ve never seen anywhere else. A must-see in Akasaka.