The 21 Best Bars in Tokyo

First impression?
The Tokyo branch of craft beer bar Before9 in Kyoto is just as hip, with clean lines, light wood furnishings, and eight beer taps set into a wall with a textured mud finish. Located on a side street of the low-key Meguro neighborhood, Another8 is chill and stylish (like the crowd) and a relaxed place to stop in for an early-evening drink. There’s a standing area at the front, a few tables, and seats set into the walls.

How are the drinks?
Japanese beer is the name of the game here, but there’s also a small but well-chosen selection of sake to go with bar snacks; a recent menu featured marinated octopus and celery, soy-sauce pickles, and home-cooked burdock chips.

Worth ordering something to eat, too?
You can make a meal of the glazed baby back ribs, when they're available. It’s not Memphis BBQ, but it works.

Anything else of note?
On Friday nights, a DJ spins soul tracks from 7 p.m.