Tokyo's Watering Hole: Albatross (Golden Gai)

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. 

Tokyo's Watering Hole: Yurakucho Yakitori Alley

I fear that drinks in Tokyo would be ridiculously expensive. Surprisingly, most of the spots I visited were Makati prices around Php250-500 for a round of cocktails and Php200-300 for a beer. Plus, you'd get the good stuff- no rounds of  Al hombre or Emperador here. 

What goes well with a round of beer? Excellent pulutan. In picking places to drink, I've always been picky of the food. No fancy schmancy dining, just well-done fried stuff or meat grilled properly.(I don't understand how people can just char chicken bordering burnt blackened meat).

Yurakucho Alley

I was a bit sad that I didn't get to fully explore and eat at all the grilling spots here. After exploring Bic Camera- a building full of camera accessories, paraphernalia, techie goods- it's always a good idea to refresh yourself with a bottle of cold Asahi and grilled chicken ass. 

Yurakucho Alley is right across the gigantic BIC Camera store!

A handy thing to bring is a print out of this (just remove the prices), so you can just point out whatever part you want. Some of stalls do not understand English so this will come in handy.

I love tongue, heart, uterus and stomach! For the less adventurous, there's always the chicken and cartilage.

This little alleyway leads to more yakitori places. Its like a huge neighborhood of isaw restos! It gets jam-packed of office people unwinding themselves after work!

It's quite hard to find the place. According to this site: http://blog.wandr.me/2011/07/dining-under-the-train-tracks-tokyos-yakitori-alley/, its easier if you take exit  A2 at the Hibiya station. Turn right at the top of the stairs and walk along side the railroad until you see the passage way with the glowing lights and the grill smoke rising from it. 

One of my favorite places in Japan- grilled meat and alcohol-infused tea!

Grab a chair, drink on the side street and relax. It's always nice to chill after a long day of exploring the city. The people here are really nice and helpful.

This is a common sight in the area. People with grilled meat and beer.

Not after the buzz but like the "beer taste?" (I never know anyone who prefers the dark, malty taste of beer without the buzz). If that's your think, try Hoppy. It tastes a bit like San Mig without the alcohol.

But Ez and I prefer our alcohol-infused tea. Like sipping a refreshing buzz with a mild buzz! Not too heavy on the stomach, so there's more room for yakitori!