Arashi

Bring the glass to your nose and you catch the earthy fragrance of burdock before the crisp, spicy bite of ginger takes over in Arashi's burdock Moscow Mule. Across the counter, a Red Eye combines Hakkaisan craft beer with house-made tomato juice, showing the inventive turns that define the house list. The cellar and counter also produce seasonal fresh-fruit cocktails, tree-sap-infused whisky noted for its silky mouthfeel and lingering sweetness, and bacon-infused Bloody Marys that pique curiosity. Alongside creative pours, classics such as gin and tonics, gimlets, and margaritas are mixed with equal care. Bartenders happily explain the character of each drink, making it approachable even if you rarely spend an evening in a dedicated cocktail bar.

Between sips, cracking your own in-shell macadamia nuts using a small hand-held nutcracker brings a tactile, playful touch to the evening. Bar snacks include bacon jerky, while a full kitchen menu provides pasta dishes, including rich cheese pasta, making the venue equally suited for a late supper or an unhurried first dinner stop.

The subterranean room beneath Nishi-Azabu features an illuminated counter lined with spirit bottles, balanced by plush white sofas and table seating that invite longer stays. It works smoothly whether you are drinking alone, settling in for a quiet conversation, or continuing with friends for a second-round gathering late into the night. Open until 3:00 the following morning from Tuesday through Saturday, Arashi takes reservations, which are recommended alongside early-evening arrivals.