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A Shinjuku (Golden Gai) Bar Crawl

Four stops, one evening. Atmospheric tiny-room density.

This is a working bar crawl through Shinjuku (Golden Gai), Tokyo's most concentrated drinking neighbourhood. Atmospheric tiny-room density. Four stops, one evening, mapped by editors who actually drink here on Friday nights.

The order matters. Start polished, peak in the middle, end somewhere quieter. Every room listed below is within a 10-minute walk of the next one — that's the value of a neighbourhood crawl.

Total time: about five hours. Total spend: depends on you, but plan £60-£100 per person. Save this page, send it to whoever you're meeting, and let Shinjuku (Golden Gai) take care of the rest.

The Route

Four stops, ranked

Walking distance: under 1km between stops. Treat the timings as guidance, not gospel.

No. 01
Stop 1 — 18:00 Aperitif
Baird Beer Harajuku Taproom
Harajuku · $$ · Cocktail Bars
Baird Beer Harajuku Taproom draws a steady local crowd in Harajuku. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening.
Start at the most refined cocktail room in the area. One drink. You're warming up.
No. 02
Stop 2 — 19:30 First proper cocktail
New York Bar at Park Hyatt
Shinjuku · $$$$ · Rooftop Bars
New York Bar at Park Hyatt draws a steady local crowd in Shinjuku. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening.
Move to the room you'd take a first date to. Sit at the bar, talk to the bartender, order a house special.
No. 03
Stop 3 — 21:30 The destination
2nd Floor Sports Bar
Roppongi · $$ · Sports Bars
2nd Floor Sports Bar draws a steady local crowd in Roppongi. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening.
The bar that defines the neighbourhood. Reservations help. Stay an hour.
No. 04
Stop 4 — 23:30 Last drink
Bar Asterisk
Aoyama · $$$$ · Cocktail Bars
Bar Asterisk draws a steady local crowd in Aoyama. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening.
End somewhere unhurried — a wine bar, a music room, or a quiet hotel bar. One simple drink.
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Photos via Google Places. Editorial selection by Bars for Kings editors. Source