Top 10 Foreigner-Friendly Bars and Clubs in Yokohama
Yokohama is for (beer) lovers.
Wanna eat your way through a ramen museum and dance with Pikachu? How about guzzling down local and imported craft beer? Yokohama, Japan’s second-largest city, is the place to do it.
We are huge fans of this port-side metropolis that’s only a 35-minute train ride from central Tokyo. It’s as artsy and funky as Tokyo’s Daikanyama neighborhood but without all the crowds and pretentiousness.
Here’s our list of the best foreigner-friendly hangouts in Yokohama that have popped up on our weekend (who are we kidding, sometimes nightly) drinking rotation.
Thrash Zone Meatballs
Photo by: kthk_iyo Metal and beer will never lead you astray.
Beer lovers are generally horrified to see the price of beer in Japan—shelling out ¥1000 yen a glass isn’t fun. That isn’t the case at Thrash Zone Meatballs, though. The price is low, the beer is delicious and the meatballs, you’ve got to try them.
The original flavor is fantastic, but check their Instagram for monthly specials (we still have delicious dreams about that Argentine Chimichurri flavor). They have another location near Yokohama Station with no meatballs if you just want to get straight to the beer. Plus they only play heavy metal, a welcome escape from J-pop.
- Hours: Tuesday to Friday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Mondays
- Cover charge: Free!
- Average drink price: ¥800
- 2 Chome 15-1 Tokiwacho, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 231-0014, Japan - Map
- https://www.instagram.com/thrashzonemeatballs/
Cocco Torinichi
Even if you live in Japan and have picked up some of the language, the thought of entering an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) can be daunting. You’ve studied up on restaurant lingo, but one unknown word throws you off and you end up ordering some weird alcoholic tea instead of a whiskey.
Cocco Torinichi offers the unique Japanese standing bar experience with friendly staff, who enjoy talking to foreigners. The house sake is particularly palatable and gets the conversation flowing right in the center of Noge, Yokohama’s jazzy drinking neighborhood. Do not leave without trying their fried chicken!
- Hours: 5 p.m. til late
- Cover charge: Free
- Average drink price: ¥600
- 1 Chome-8 Miyagawacho, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0065, Japan - Map
- https://www.instagram.com/cocco_torinichi/
Gimme Gimme Gimme
Photo by: Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie a drank asap.
Sometimes (all the time) we just need a cheap drink, and lord knows drinking in Japan isn’t the pastime to save money. Gimme Gimme Gimme offers a less exorbitant way to consume alcohol with their ¥500 drinks. Yes, everything is ¥500! The low price point has made it a sort of hub for expats who aren’t trying to go broke drinking every night on an English teacher’s salary. The loud dubstep and house music can be jarring at first, but once you’ve had a few drinks, you’ll come to appreciate it.
- Hours: 7 p.m. to 4 a.m.
- Cover charge: Free, but you are required to order more than one drink
- Average drink price: ¥500
- 1 Chome-45 Nogecho, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0064 - Map
- http://gimmegimmegimme.jp/yokohama/
Antenna America
If you’re looking for nice hoppy beer, then Antenna America is the ideal place for you. This bar operates as a satellite for craft beer heads to obtain luxury American beer miles away from home.
You don’t need to break the bank either, as the prices aren’t horrid despite the beer being imported from across the globe. There’s a second branch in Yokohama Station, but the original in Kannai has a veranda. Who doesn’t like drinking on a veranda? They host regular events too, including live music, trivia nights, and sports game watch parties.
- Hours: Wednesday to Friday 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday
- Cover charge: Free
- Average drink: ¥700
- 231-0041 Kanagawa, Yokohama, Naka Ward, Yoshidamachi, 5-4 第６吉田興産ビル - Map
- https://www.antenna-america.com/content/store-introduction-kannai/
Grassroots
One of our favorite places for date night. A night at Grassroots will give you a peek into Japan’s alternative scene in a western-style cocktail bar. Time your visit during one of their regular art shows, wild live painting events, or live music gigs.
The menu is all-encompassing with a wide range of drinks so you’ll never get bored. Drinking beer here seems like a waste with so many liquid delicacies on offer. If you’re hungry, there’s the infamous triple-decker burger to devour too! Check out the event calendar on their site to see what’s on.
- Hours: 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
- Cover charge: ¥200
- Average drink price: ¥700
- 221-0835 Kanagawa, Yokohama, Kanagawa Ward, Tsuruyacho, 2 Chome−１３−3 渡辺 ビルB1F - Map
- http://grassroots.yokohama/
Sakura Taps
Photo by: Sakura Taps There’s no such thing as too much beer.
Focusing on Japanese booze, this cozy-yet-trendy bar facilitates liquid refreshment via domestic beer, sake, and coffee. The owner, who also works behind the bar, speaks perfect English and welcomes all with a smile. The craft beer available is always delicious and comes from all over Japan!
- Hours: Monday to Friday 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Saturday 3 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Sunday 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Cover charge: Free
- Average drink price: ¥700
- 1 Chome-16-1 Hanasakicho, Naka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0063 - Map
- http://sakurataps.com/
Bay Brewing
Photo by: Vincent Van den Storme Pilsner, Weiss or lager?
Bay Brewing is outside Totsuka Station, ten minutes from Yokohama Station on the Tokaido line. This is one of the few places with readily-available outdoor seating giving you a view over nearby Kashio River. Sample both European and Japanese beer for every wallet and taste bud. You’ll notice most of the beers are named after wrestling moves—try the Sleeper Hold IPA and Powerbomb Stout on for size!
- Hours: Tuesday to Friday 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Saturday 1 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Cover charge: Free
- Average drink price: ¥700
- 244-0816 Kanagawa, Yokohama, Totsuka Ward, Kamikuratacho, 507-3 1F - Map
- https://www.yokohamabaybrewing.jp/bar-restaurant
BB Street
Photo by: GO chang Play it loud.
Live music in Yokohama can be hard to find with most bands opting to play Tokyo instead, as it’s just 30 minutes up the road. BB Street, however, champions the music scene in Yokohama with something on almost every night. The bartenders are chill and welcome visitors with no reservation. Get ready for a loud night.
- Hours: Varies depending on the live gigs
- Cover charge: Varies depending on the live gigs
- Average drink price: ¥600
- 231-0016 Kanagawa, Yokohama, Naka Ward, Masagocho, ３−33 12F 関内CERTEビル - Map
- http://www.bbstreet.com/
Bar Luther Dance Groove
If you tire of the bright lights but don’t want to retire back home just yet, head over to Bar Luther Dance Groove. Just down the road from Yokohama Station, this place goes until the depths of 4 a.m. so you can drink it up way beyond your last train.
There’s no better music to facilitate such debauchery than the slick sounds of hip hop, soul and reggae beats, which DJs spin throughout the night. With a wall lined with classic hip-hop records and a well-stocked bar, the Luther’s cocktails will fill all your late night desires.
- Hours: 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
- Cover charge: Free on weekdays; ¥2,500 on weekends (includes two drinks) free for women before 10 p.m.
- Average drink price: ¥600
- 東海屋ビル 3f, 2 Chome-10-18 Minamisaiwai, Nishi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0005 - Map
- http://www.luther-yokohama.jp/dance-groove/
The Tavern
Photo by: Simon John Powell Pass the fish and chips.
Homesickness is a real thing for foreigners who have been living in Japan for a while. When you want a more familiar western bar and are tired of sake and sushi head over to the Tavern just down the road from Yokohama Station. English ales are champion at this classic British pub, and you’ll find the English owner rustling up fish and chips most days.
- Hours: Monday to Friday 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Saturday 12 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
- Cover charge: ¥300
- Average drink: ¥800
- 220-0005 Kanagawa, Yokohama, Nishi Ward, 南幸町2 Chome−14−9 B1 横浜西口明和ビル - Map
- http://www.the-tavern.com/index.html
