Woodrow's British Pub — Restaurant in Hakodate

I found Woodrow's just by a fluke. I was wandering back to my hotel from Hakodate mountain, and I decided to take a bit of an ambling route. So I have no idea where exactly this place is, and if it weren't for the photos, then I'd swear I made it up. I poked my head in, more out of curiosity than need, and the landlady smiled and agreed when I asked to take a few photos. Then I thought, hey, have a drink why don't ya. One drink became an "oh, let me try that one, oh and that one" so that when I did leave, I was very drunk.. But I enjoyed my time in the company or the proprietor very much!! I found her to be absolutely charming! She used to live in Blighty, and work in a pub here too, so she knows what she's about. A good selection of local and domestic beers, with a very authentic English pub feel, lord knows I've been in enough to know. The decor was charmingly authentic. It felt like more of a village pub, with local team regalia. The local drinkers were friendly and there was a game of baseball on in the corner on a large screen. I was served a portion of fish and chips that were homemade by her fair hands. I watched her mix up the batter from scratch, season it, batter my fish and fry it, along with my chips. And it was tasty as Fu...... I had a great night here. A wonderful end to my trip to Hakodate, a very welcome suprise find and an absolute must visit if you're in the city. Find this little gem of a place, you won't be disappointed. The cocktails were great too. I really did have a fair few...

So I made a promise to the bartender that I will write a review and here I am :) three weeks late but a promise is a promise. It was the first time I've been to Hakodate (Hokkaido in general for a short trip) and I was thirsty for a good drink and some food. The bartender had a lovely selection of good beer and she was a wonderful conversationalist; I learned some fun local stuff, her history working as a bartender in the UK (she was even featured in a book there!), and how the beer business and tourism was doing amidst the pandemic. I met wonderful new people, made new connections, and the only regret I had was that I wasn't able to fulfill my promise to go back before I had to leave D:

But nevertheless, I plan to be back in Hakodate, and when I do, I definitely plan on being back at this bar again :) The bar was cozy and homely and I immediately felt welcomed and happy there.

P.S. She makes AMAZING Fish and Chips (with a secret ingredient) and when you go there be sure to get it, you...

What an absolutely fabulous bar! I had such a great evening at Woodrow's that I wanted to stay longer in Hakodate to visit again. There is a good range of beer and spirits but the reason I will definitely return next time I'm in Hakodate is the company; both the master and the patrons made me feel at home from the moment I walked through the door. どうもありがとうございます またね Oh, すみません, I must add, this place is just fun; warm, friendly, welcoming (a mirror of its master). What most pubs strive to be but never achieve. And the food...