Golden Gai is my favorite watering hole in Shinjuku because its perfect for finding your "crowd". Into films? they have a bar for that. Into music? goth? You can find your own niche there. The best way to get to chat someone in a bar is finding a common interest. In Golden gai, they have "themed bars" to cater to your whim.
Your landmark is Don Quixote in Shinjuku. Its a 24-hour store for all knick-knacks and party items. (Warning: don't enter the shop if you are heading for Golden Gai. You might end up ludging plastic bags in bar).
Just go straight till you sense that you are in the wrong side of town. Tons of billboard featuring men in boyband poses, dark alleys with big, black men offering "services". Don't fret, you are already in Tokyo's infamous Kabuchiko neighborhood.
Ez and I are about to give up till along a corner alley, we chanced upon this narrow alleyway with loads of lights. SUCCESS!! The next challenge is finding a bar with vacant seats! Most bars only have 6-10 seats.
We chose Albatross. It's a two-floor bar with a big chandelier on the bar section. While the bar tender cannot speak English, the bar has an English menu.
It's often frequented by foreigners. The whole place is filled with gothic paintings and rotational exhibits from Japanese artists. They have a second floor playing all sorts of music. Make some room and gain a friend!
Funky interiors! Check out those expensive whiskeys for mixes!
English Menu! We just had to have one of each. Ez likes the Peppermint cocktail, spicy gin and mojito.
Voila! They even gave us free appetizers!
There are two other narrow alleyways with small bars such as Albatross. Check them all out! Perfect for a bar crawl! Each bar has its own specialty. I wanted to check out La Jetee but I was worried if I got more drinks a) I would be to hung over for tomorrow's itinerary b) I couldn't find my way back to the hotel.
For those staying at Citadines, here's an alternate route to spare you from going to Kabuchiko. When you see this sign (from the hotel, you'll pass three Family Marts), just turn right. Go straight and you'll see those narrow alleys on your left.
If you have those midnight cravings, Yoshinoya is still open on your way to Citadines. Or there's always Family Mart. They've got rice meals, sushi and rolls! I love the iced milk teas they have in tetra pack.
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