BAR LIEN — Restaurant in Tokyo

I came across this cinematic bar by chance. On a surprisingly warm February night in Tokyo, I saw an aged bonsai in the window and cautiously pulled the door open. I was greeted by the stoically handsome bartender Yousuke.

Yousuke, is making magic inside this warmly lit tiny space. It feels like I’ve been invited to his inner sanctum full of spirits that are unknown and intriguing. Madeira of all kinds. Glowing shelves and dark occult cupboards of whiskey, some you may know, but all that Yousuke knows like the back of his hand.

Yousuke makes drinks like it’s a tea ceremony. Every move is graceful and purposeful. Watching Yousuke is like watching cinema. I ask him if I can film him. Humbly he agrees but continues on about the process like I never asked at all.

I’m alone so I don’t like to impose on the bar tender but I’m invited to chat, in English, because I speak no Japanese. The accomodation of my ineptitude is kind but that is Yousuke’s nature.

We discuss Japanese film. He likes Takeshi Kitano and I like Akira Kurosawa. After one drink chosen from the menu, I willingly become a passenger and let The Master lead the way. No menu. Mesmerising libations ensue. It ended on his version of The Godfather. We both agreed season two is the best.

I was kindly escorted out of the bar after an hour or maybe it was two. Time in Bar Lien is impalpable it passes by without one noticing which makes it perfect just like Kitano or Kurosawa films.

Arigato Bar Lien. Domo arigato...

Bar Lien will forever hold a special place in my heart! I honestly cannot wait to go back to Tokyo just to visit this bar again. The owner Mr. Yousuke Sekikawa is both incredibly skilled at his craft, offering the finest drinks and expertly mixed cocktails, but also the warmest hospitality and company that one could ask for. My now fiancé (he proposed at this bar because the atmosphere was so perfect!) enjoyed incredibly innovative and luscious cocktails together with small Japanese snacks and marvellous chats with Yousuke whose smile and passion for his establishment, his work, excellence, and attention to detail bring joy and relaxation to his customers. I cannot speak highly enough of Mr. Yousuke Sekikawa who joined in the celebratory atmosphere after my engagement, together with a fellow patron, and was so incredibly kind to even congratulate us on our engagement with a beautiful gift and a taste of Madeira wine from the years we were born. He made our special night even more special and memorable and I will forever be grateful for having had the chance to meet him! All I can say is that if you don't go to this bar when you are in Tokyo, you are...

Bar Lien was truly one of the highlights (and my favorite bar) of my Tokyo trip. The barowner/bartender Sekikawa is incredibly kind and welcoming, and he is super knowledgeable about Madeira wine. The bar itself is beautifully designed, the service was outstanding, and the intimate space allowed us to have a great conversation with Sekikawa (who speaks English!) both times we stopped by.

Definitely try a Madeira tasting set while you're here - my boyfriend and I tried the 10 year tasting set and then had to come back on our final night in Tokyo to do the the Heisei period 20 year tasting. The cocktails are also very unique - my favorite was the Rikyu-Nezu but you really cannot go wrong with...