a BAR Sleeping Tales — Restaurant in Tokyo

"a BAR Sleeping Tales" is truly a bespoke & comforting speakeasy in the Shinjuku area. Toshi, the owner, is a master at his craft & an amazing host. If you're wondering why this place only has five-star reviews... I implore you to come and see for yourself :^)

My partner had found this place via Instagram & we had a spare night while we were still in Shinjuku to visit and relax with some drinks before our long transit to Hakone the next day. If you've gotten your fill of the crazy/hectic drinking & bar-scene in the area, this place is a great switch-up from that.

Drinks: I am a slow-sipper that enjoys whiskeys and fernet & my partner is an avid cocktail-girlie. I asked for something simple on-the-rocks and Toshi had brought out an amazing bottle of a single-malt aged in sake-casks. My partner's gin cocktail was so good, I had to ask Toshi to whip me up something with fernet/amaro. He followed up with an amazing amaro-sour made with a japanese small-batch peach amaro. I am not much of a cocktail guy, but it knocked my socks off. My partner never had absinthe, but Toshi had indulged her curisoity & made her an amazing absinthe cocktail with blended japanese pear - it really put her on. From our own experience and from reading others', I don't think there's anything that Toshi can't amaze you with.

Ambiance: Toshi is a man with taste & an affinity for antiques. The bar is dimly-lit and allows for smoking, while it's quite quaint, there is space for you and a few friends to kick-back & unwind. This speakeasy almost feels as if you're visiting an old-friend's awesome man-cave :^)

We will...

There are very few hidden gems left in Tokyo (particularly in central areas like Shinjuku/Shibuya) but this bar is certainly one of them!

The bar is located in the basement of a fairly unassuming building, so it would be easy to miss if you weren’t actively searching for it - in fact, the only way I found out about this place was via the recommendation of the owner of another fantastic bar in the vicinity (check out 3rd Avenue Bar if you get a chance)! It’s only about a 15-20 minute walk from Shinjuku station, though, or literally a 15-20 seconds from Shinjuku Gyoen-mae station, so it’s very accessible.

The owner, Hiei-san, combines the quaint, cozy atmosphere of his bar with a fantastic knowledge of mixology and excellent service to boot. He regularly concocts homemade liqueurs, spirits and syrups, so it’s worth asking him what his specials are as whatever it is, I’m sure you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise! Many of his original cocktails have utilise Japanese ingredients that would likely be hard to come by in one’s own country, making for a truly unique experience. Needless to say, he can serve up all the classics more than capably, too!

If you’re visiting Tokyo (particularly if you’re staying in the Shinjuku area) be sure to stop by for at least a couple of drinks at this fabulous spot, as although it’s relatively unknown now, I imagine it won’t be long before it’s packed every night due to the fantastic quality of drinks and conversation...

My buddy and I were in search of a late night drinking spot and were so glad to stumble upon this gem! Toshi, the owner and sole bartender of this establishment was extremely knowledgeable and it shows with his skill and craftsmanship.

He doesn’t have a menu, which seems daunting at first, but that’s only because he cares about his customers experience and makes drinks tailor made to their liking. Not only did he make such excellent drinks, he had a charismatic personality that matched the charm of the bars atmosphere. Every piece of his decor was an antique, and he had the selection of alcohol to accompany the vibe.

So if you’re ever looking for a quiet place to drink after a late night dinner, I highly recommend taking the time to visit and enjoy this...