Every once in awhile, even I want to drink at a fancy bar. Are you surprised?

The road that runs right by the Tokyu Ikegami Line and the Tokyu Tama Line is called Bourbon Road. Underneath the tracks, small shops that are barely 15 square meters in size are lined up next to each other. On one corner of this road is HIRO.

At a glance, the shop itself looks formal and difficult to enter, right? However, there is a large window in the front of HIRO, so you can see into the shop while walking past. Most people feel more comfortable being able to see the inside of the shop. It looks formal, but isn’t too stuffy. The table charge is only 200 yen. It’s a fancy bar, but it also understands the importance of the “neighborhood bar” vibe that Kamata is famous for.

They make all of their cocktails from scratch. Their most popular cocktail is their Gin and Tonic. You could also take a chance and leave it up to the Master of the bar. If you aren’t up for something sweet, why not try the Spumoni (800 Yen). This refreshingly bittersweet cocktail is made with bright red Campari liquor and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.

Just as the street name suggests, the shop also has quite the selection of Bourbon, but what’s most popular with the foreign tourists in the Japanese whisky. You can enjoy classics like Hakushu and Yamazaki for 900 yen and Hibiki for just 1000 yen. I hear you can’t get prices like these abroad.

The Master wasn’t always in the bartending field. He was born in Iwate and came to the Kamata area for work. He had some experience at bars in Roppongi but decided to open his own bar in Kamata. He felt like it the laid back atmosphere in this area was perfect for his shop.

The Italian restaurant in this row of shops, “the transit tokyo -trattoria-” is also owned by the master of this shop. They have small snacks like nuts, but if you get the urge for some pizza or pasta they will bring it over straight from the Italian restaurant. Isn’t it great to be able to eat the food you love in your favorite bar? Yep, you guessed it; the opposite is also true. If you get the urge to drink some sake at the Italian restaurant, they will bring it over from the bar.

Yeah, good food and drinks are important, but the most important thing that the master of these shops provides is “Atmosphere.” It’s the perfect way to enjoy the evening. You can have fun chatting the the regulars, or if you want to have a quiet date night out, they will make arrangements for you. It’s just that kind of bar.

Hours of Operation: 17:00-02:00 (No Holidays)
Phone: 090-2254-0234
Address; 7-70-1 Nishi-Kamata, Ota-ku, Tokyo-to

Table Charge: 200 Yen

Gin Tonic: 800 Yen
Spumoni: 800 Yen
Yamazaki: 900 Yen
Hakushu: 900 Yen
Hibiki: 1000 Yen

Mixed Nuts: 700 Yen
Chocolate: 700 Yen
Olives: 500 Yen