Star Bar Ginza occupies a small basement room in Ginza and Hisashi Kishi has run it for decades. Kishi is widely recognised as one of the world's most accomplished bartenders. The room is intentional — leather banquettes, dim warm lighting, a long mahogany counter, fewer than 20 seats.
The cocktails are immaculate. Kishi's signature is the Negroni — built with house-infused vermouth, stirred for exactly 60 seconds, served in a chilled coupe. The Old Fashioned, the Manhattan, the Martini are all benchmark.
The crowd is mid-thirties to fifties Tokyo professionals and visiting cocktail tourists. Best for serious cocktail conversation. Pair with Bar High Five for the complete Tokyo Ginza cocktail evening.