Destination: Tokyo 1.0
It’s no secret that Tokyo’s bars have always been a destination for the seasoned drinker. From the classic and restrained bars that define Ginza, to the dive bars of the Golden Gai, and the standing izakayas that hide in alleyways, Japan does bars differently.
On a night out in Tokyo, you can choose your own adventure by simply choosing where to drink. And then you surrender yourself to the night and let it take you.
On a recent trip, I decided to veer off-course and explore Tokyo’s hotel bar landscape. Having identified three luxurious hotels around the city, I found solace and seclusion in the plush confines of Tokyo’s hotel bars.
The Bar at The Ritz-Carlton (Asakasa, Minato City, Tokyo)
A 17 year old grand structure that towers over a sprawling park, The Ritz-Carlton is one of the city’s most coveted addresses. Nestled within nine floors of one of the tallest buildings in Tokyo Midtown, the 53 storey Tokyo Midtown Tower, the hotel boasts of ethereal sunsets, unmatched views of the city by night, and Mt. Fuji in the distance on a clear day.
The Bar on the 45th floor of the tower, is an opulent gateway to the hotel. Larger-than-life floor to ceiling windows offer dramatic views of the city’s skyline as Kentaro Wada and his team of skilled bartenders and sommeliers regale you with a fine selection of spirits, wines, and East-meets-West cocktails that capture your imagination just as quickly as the stunning views.
Infused with the resilient spirit of Japanese artisans, the cocktail menu unveils the finest seasonal treasures, intricate glassware, and the revered craft of Japanese bartending. Expect to journey into the steep mountain paths to Kyoto’s tea plantations, wander through fragrant Setouchi citrus groves, and explore lush Ishigaki Island forests. The cocktails are a beautiful celebration of Japan, through the keen and observant eyes of Kentaro Wada and his team.
I loved the Bee’s & Tea, a refreshing sip using Japanese honey “Ki Wa Mitsu”, Setouchi Lemon, Okunoyama, Matcha, and Ki No Tea Kyoto Dry Gin. Also a favourite from the menu is the Honjitsu-no, an unlikely match between Chicken Consommé, Japanese craft vodka, and cocktail canapes.
The Bulgari Bar at The Bulgari Hotel (Yaesu, Chuo City, Tokyo)
The Bulgari Hotel in Tokyo is an unmissable design marvel for most. In true Bulgari style, the hotel is draped in luxe decor elements fusing the best of contemporary Italian design with traditional and understated Japanese elegance. The rooms offer majestic views of the city where the sunrises are just as poetic as the sunsets, and the lavish spa facilities ensure you never want to leave.
Perched on the rooftop of this hotel, soaring high on the 45th floor, is the acclaimed Bulgari Bar – a sprawling terrace bar with indoor and outdoor sections that unmistakably emanate luxury.
Led by Italian Bar Manager Andrea Minarelli, who honed his craft in premier bars across Italy and Asia for a decade, the thoughtfully crafted menu celebrates the harmonious blend of Japanese and Italian culture. It artfully combines classic presentation with innovative techniques, utilising fermentation, distillation, and the bar’s own “laboratory.” Among its signature creations is “Isola,” Italian for ‘island,’ a perfect embodiment of the fusion between Japan and Italy. This meticulously crafted drink melds Okinawan rum with Italian Marsala Riserva Semisecco 2015, accentuated by a touch of lemon olive oil.
However, the highlight of the bar’s offering is its Negroni selection, featuring four distinct interpretations of the adored Italian classic. Reimagining the Negroni with Japanese influences, this menu is a fun exploration of possibilities. For instance, the Roasted Negroni features distinctive earthy tones derived from a genmaicha-infused gin. The Japanese roasted brown rice green tea, when integrated into the classic negroni, adds fresh, grassy layers to the flavour profile.
Punch Room, The Tokyo EDITION (Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo)
In the heart of the ever buzzing high-end neighbourhood of Ginza, is the very stylish and contemporary EDITION hotel. Occupying 14 floors of a beautiful modern building in one of the city’s most posh addresses, The Tokyo EDITION boasts of contemporary and understated luxury and sophisticated design by Kengo Kuma. The guest rooms and suites offer a quiet oasis from the bustle of Chuo Street and have an unmistakable touch of the EDITION’S signature style running through them with Kengo Kuma’s unique Japanese finesse, imbuing every space with a hint of Japanese inspiration.
The theme carries on across the hotel’s four F&B venues including our favourite – The Punch Room, which as the name suggests, is a Punch themed bar, and the first of its kind in Japan. While the bar borrows from the concept of private clubs in London from the 19th century, the drinks menu is a nod to Punch, which is said to have often disputed ties to India. Punch, derived from the Sanskrit word Paanch meaning 5, is a reference to the number of ingredients originally used to make a punch – alcohol, sugar, citrus, water, spice.
At Punch Room, Yas Kawakubo and his team silently tinker away to distil this rich history into contemporary drinks that are nothing short of exceptional. Influenced by Japanese culture and utilising indigenous ingredients, the beverages incorporate local spirits like sake, ryokucha tea, and spices sourced from various regions across the country. They are presented as communal cocktails in silver punch bowls accompanied by matching ladles. The finesse and nuance with which Yas guides the drinks programme is a fantastic display of his own mastery over the craft.
I highly recommend the Red Berry – a delicate dance of Akamai Sake, berry, shiso, Tokyo black tea, Scarlet aperitivo, citrus or the New Classic Champagne, a sophisticated blend of Ao whisky, golden shikuwasa, bitters, earl grey tea, citrus, champagne.
As a solo female traveller, I’ve been a long time advocate of hotel bars – not just for the safety and privacy they provide people like me, but also because when attached to a well known brand of hotels, you are guaranteed excellence in quality and service. Stay tuned for more such discoveries in this series on the world’s finest hotel bars.
Words by Priyanka Blah
Have something to say? Write in to editor@thedramattic.com
The Dram Attic 
Leave a comment