Where to Go for Nightcaps in Tokyo

Tokyo and late-night bars go together like vermouth and olives. Whether you're looking for a sleep-inducing tipple or coasting on a second wind, here’s where to go for nightcaps in  Tokyo.

Lovely Gen will greet you from behind the bare oak bar of his starkly minimal temple to the late night tipple Gen Yamamoto. Slide onto one of only 8 bar stools to sample his beautiful 4- & 6-course cocktail tasting menus, drawing on Japanese seasonality (shiki) with fresh local ingredients and rare, finely-distilled liquors.

Without any discernible signage, Bar Rage is an absolute nightmare to find (look for the red ‘Bulls Talisker’ logo and take the elevator behind the stairs), but persist and you will be handsomely rewarded with a moodily soft-lit imbiber, which is ideal for a hushed nightcap. Order one of the killer fresh fruit martinis and vacate to the breezy terrace (but beware cheeky cover-charge). Themed private rooms are available for tête-à-têtes.

If absinthe makes the heart grow fonder, you'll swoon for Tokyo’s green fairy-chasing duo Bar Tram and Bar Trench. Trench is counter-only with a small stage for live music, while neighbour Tram boasts a larger space with tables and plush velvet chairs. Absinthe-based cocktails serve as a mellow introduction, or go all out with a straight-up shot poured over a sugar cube and silver slotted spoon – this ‘French Method’ releases its herbal aromas.

Shuzo Nagumo is the wizard behind Minato’s fantastical award-winning cocktailer Codename Mixology. But don’t come here expecting your average-garden Negroni; tastebud-defying tinctures, like a blue cheese martini or tom yum cooler, are crafted from scratch, right down to ageing liquor in their own onsite barrels. Staff cater to a global crowd with good English and the ability to custom-create your drink at the drop of a hat.

You simply cannot beat a nightcap just steps away from your room at The Peninsula. Peter: The Bar offers not only late-night sips, but also sweeping panoramic views of the sparkling Ginza nightscape and Imperial Palace gardens. Don’t miss the signature Tokyo Joe (mixed with gin, ume liqueur, Drambuie, cranberry and lemon juice), which can be paired with indulgent bar snacks like Wagyu hamburger, or guacamole slathered crab cakes for late-night hunger pangs. Kanpai!

Gen Yamamoto / 1/F / Anniversary Bldg / 1-6-4 Azabu-Juban / Minato-ku / +81 3 6434 0652 / 3pm-midnight Tue-Sat, 3-11pm Sun / genyamamoto.jp

Bar Rage / 3/F / 7-13-13 Minami-Aoyama / Minato-ku / +81 3 5467 3977 / 7pm-midnight daily / mixologist.co.jp

Bar Tram / 2/F / Swing Bldg / 1-7-13 Ebisunishi / Shibuya-ku / +81 3 5489 5514 / 7pm-3am / & Bar Trench / 1-5-8 Ebisu-nishi / Shibuya-ku / +81 3 3780 5291 / 7pm-2am Mon-Sat, 6pm-1am Sun / small-axe.net

Codename Mixology / 2/F / 3-14-3 Akasaka / Minato-ku / +81 3 6459 1129 / 6pm-3am Mon-Sat, 6pm-2am Sun / spirits-sharing.com