One night I'd realized that I was sorely lacking in any experience in Tokyo nightlife. I wasn't sure if I'd wanted to go out to Shinjuku for the red light district or risk being ID'd at the bars across Roppongi.
I wandered for a while before finding a nifty little spot. Small, quaint, warm. Plus, they allowed indoor smoking, so I was more than happy.
The first night I went I was the only one in, conversing endlessly about Mingus and other jazz giants with the barkeep, Kyoko. A simple gin & tonic and some Mingus was enough to keep my head straight for the rest of the night.
Last night, my final night in Tokyo, I decided to say my goodbyes there. It was full this time around, salesmen having just gotten out of work and the like. I had a wonderful conversation with each and every single one of them. Two whiskeys and five cigarettes deep, I still feel like it was a work of my imagination to have heard a group of middle aged men call me "sugoi".
Unfortunately, I do believe I owe all of them one of my own records. If I can get into a recording studio at all.
Nonetheless, its the best experience I've had in Tokyo thus far (aside from... usual tourist stuff, I'd say.)
Volontaire in Akasaka, Tokyo. If you like jazz and want an intimate night with yourself and some jazz records, and have 2,000 yen to spare for the cover charge, it's well worth it. It's not particularly foreign friendly but it's a wonderful place.
