Jazz Blues Soul Bar — Attraction in Tokyo

I have been wanting to come here for years, and finally made it this trip. I am so disappointed with my experience. I had shown up with four friends and we were originally turned away because we had "too many people" even though there was nobody in the bar. We left promptly, disappointed, but with no fuss. Three of my friends ended up saying they would go home, so myself and my wife decided to return to the bar. We were allowed in, and ordered a drink each - the owner was mumbling something as he was pouring the drinks and sounded upset, but I can't be sure what he was saying so I'm not sure.

We finished our drinks and I went up to order a second round, and tried to ask if he had seen a certain Japanese jazz record and went to show him the album cover on my phone - at this point he shouted at me "DO NOT SHOW ME, THIS IS MY HOME!" Several times, infront of the few other patrons that had just arrived. I'm no snowflake, but I had not read the reviews before coming, and had no idea of what to expect from the owner, and as a fellow record collector I had not expected to be berated for asking about a local record. I paid for my drink, but left it on the bar and promptly left the establishment. This is not a bar - this is a place to come, sit in silence, drink cheap drinks and enjoy the music - do not talk to the owner unless ordering a drink.

I was so excited to finally experience this venue, and the experience I've had has truly soured my trip.

I would love to tell everybody to steer clear of this bar, but I honestly can not give a one star review because the effort and time that has been taken to curate the musical experience can not be denied - but I can not overstate how disappointing my own experience was. Kobayashi-san is possibly the most rude and offensive bar tender I have ever had the displeasure of meeting - and it pains me to say that because I was hoping for...

Nah. Music brings us together; it doesn’t divide us. You enjoy the music, and the essence of that enjoyment is shared with others by discussing, learning, sharing feedback. I came in understanding that this is a place where one should appreciate and respect the owner’s rules- but I had no idea what the rules were. Out of curiosity, I asked if the currently being played record is of said artist, in which he abruptly burst into anger and shouted “everybody just asks asks.” I gave him his space, and I timed my interactions with him so that it wouldn’t interfere with the music. I honestly was quite fascinated by his collection, and I truly just wanted to engage with him out of respect and want to learn/understand the history behind the bar. He had around 3000 records (I counted them) and told him that I think it’s pretty awesome that he has such a great collection. He ended up shouting, again, about how everyone just asks him questions but never about the music. I kind of got confused, and realized that he is probably schizophrenic of some sort. Although I enjoyed the music and my drink; I hated the atmosphere. A pub, a bar, whatever you want to call it, a place where you grab a drink and enjoy music, should be one that is welcoming to all. This was, by far, my most confusing night and interaction in Tokyo. I did not expect to ponder this so much, but it’s such a weird thing that I genuinely don’t feel like it was okay in anyway to justify his behavior. I come to your house, you explain to me your rules. That said, Jazz has no f*cking...

We went out of our way because a friend was dead set to experience this place first hand. Our first night in Tokyo they closed early, second night our Japanese friends called and the owner said not to come because he's too busy, leaving the locals of the group speechless and embarrassed. Third night we showed up after hours and we're told 5 people was too many people, and that he'd only allow 3 people into his empty bar, literally screaming to leave. Our local friends would not have it and departed, and 3 of us stayed behind.

From the start you felt the looming uncomfortable vibe, the limited few patrons within the location were all looking down. The owner was incredibly hostile and rude throughout the entire experience. Two more friends showed up later, and he continued to scream he would not allow them to stay. We remained calm and polite but it was clear this was a discrepant and senile old man. He couldn't even pour beverages into glasses without spilling, nor ice into the glass, he looked drunk or out of it.

It was our first time, as well as our local Tokyo friends to experienced such terrible and hostile service. The owner was hostile to both locals and America's, and he did not mind telling us he didn't like Americans - pure irony considering he plays nothing but American tunes.

This is a sad excuse for a bar, it's nothing more than an old man's living past his retirement. He should be ashamed.

Looking past the bigotry the place has great...