Out Drinking in Hiroshima

May 27, 2019

Out Drinking in Hiroshima

** Note: 2020.08.22 – This article is currently in the process of being updated. Please check back to confirm details.**

You have had a great week and want to celebrate, or possibly it was one of those weeks that felt like a string of Mondays one after the other and you just want to have a quiet drink and put it behind you.

Fortunately, Hiroshima has a lively and varied bar culture. Whether you are after a casual beer, want to savour a high-end whisky, or in the mood to go raging, there are so many places at which to drink you are absolutely spoiled for choice.

Here are some suggestions for places to go:

BEER / PUBS:

Mac Bar

Kemby’s

2 Chome-9-13 Otemachi, Naka Ward Is a stone’s throw from Peace park and the first venue to set up its own micro-brewery. The range of selection can’t compare to the other two craft beer the brews available but are very tasty indeed. Producing 4 main craft beers along with seasonal specials. IPAs, Hazy IPA, Ale, Stout. It’s open and spacious, reminiscent of a sports bar of sorts serving excellent burgers, tapas, ribs and grills, other western dishes and a favorite among expats and locals alike.

Koba

If you’re after a more rock ‘n roll type atmosphere to swill your whiskey or shochu, Koba cranks out the tunes into the wee hours. Bom-san, the bar’s musician-owner, makes you feel right at home, as though you’ve been friends for ages. Koba also hosts live music on occasion.

“People always rave about this place,” says Gardiner of Koba, a cosy rock bar situated between Nakami-Dori and Fukuromachi Park. The bar is owned by local resident Bom, who is renowned for his big personality. The bar’s walls are adorned with classic rock posters and memorabilia, while rock concert videos are projected onto the wall and music from the genre blares out through the speakers. Bom serves up cocktails, beers and sake, along with pizzas and pasta dishes.

Raku

3-3 Mikawa-cho, Naka Ward Located right downtown, tucked away in a side street just a few minutes’ walk from the PARCO department store describes itself as a “Japanese Craft Beer Café” with 17 taps, serving craft beer from all over the country, including a wide variety of pilsners and stouts, IPAs, weizens, lambics, bocks, ales, and lagers, and often have hard-to-find concoctions like the Oyster Stout or Miso Lager.

If you’re looking for some decent craft beer, try Raku Bar, the self-styled Japanese craft beer café. They offer nomihoudai (all you can drink) so you try as many craft beers as you like. Be sure to try Kaigunsan, craft beer from Kure City in Hiroshima Prefecture.

The Shack

Golden Garden

2−12 Shintenchi, Naka Ward Is a smallish space serves eight kinds of craft beer from casks and over 100 bottled world craft beers. Japanese and some western dishes.

Beer Pub phi’s

2-6-9 Otemachi (O- te-machi), Naka Ward Is a little more elegant and quiet. Serves Hoegarden, Bass Ale, Heartland, Occasionally IPA s. Food is simple: curry, chicken dishes, salad. Possibly a bit pricy.

Sunny Day Beer

13-20 Ōsugachō, Minami Ward Is not really a craft beer venue but has a selection of wines and food is mostly Japanese.

Molly Malone’s

1−20 Shintenchi, Naka Ward If you are feeling you would just like a meal somewhere with a familiar feel, Molly’s is also a good choice. Galway style mussels, clam chowder, fish and chips, traditional Irish stew, to mention but a few of the items on the menu. Certified by Guinness as a Best Pub in 2018 for its stout, and a range of non-craft beers and cocktails, mixers as you might expect. Right in the middle of town on Chuo Dori (street). Nonsmoking and popular with families.

 you can even get a Sunday roast here!

Hangout

If you’re looking for a beer pub with a laid-back atmosphere and awesome craft beer and hearty food, you’ll be served at beer pub Hangout. They mostly serve Japanese and American craft beers, and some European ones too. They have different ones on a daily basis. As for the food, they serve awesome burgers, stews, sausages, cheesy fried potatoes and more.

COCKTAIL and WHISKY BARS:

High Ball Bar Hiroshima

1923 – 2-14 Horikawa-cho, Naka Ward Low key classy bar with a considerable range of excellent whiskey choices, owned and by Suntory (Yamazaki and Hakushu). It is located in the heart of the downtown entertainment district. There is a 500 yen table charge but includes complimentary table snacks.

Bar Kawasaki

2-2 Yagenbori, Naka Ward Is one of the very old bars of Hiroshima, having been in operation since 1968 officially and even longer according to many people. The bar master in his seventies provides impeccable service. This is a good place to try Japanese shochu (a kind of Japanese vodka), as well as cocktails.

Bar Alegre

Fouque

4-7 Teppōchō, Naka Ward Enjoy the drinks just as much as the dimly lit relaxing atmosphere. The friendly bar master prepares every drink perfectly with great care. Under the light of this bar, the drinks look even more amazing. Their cocktails are loved by regulars.

Tropical Bar Revolucion

8F Meisei Building 3-6 Nagarekawa, Naka Ward Is on the 8th Floor of a building right in the heart of Nagarekawa-dori in the entertainment district. makes the most of limited space with big windows and a balcony overlooking the drinking district. Serving spirits, cocktails, mixers, heartland beer to Hiroshima’s international young and hip crowd and has a wide and very loyal Japanese clientele.

Brooklyn

Centre Point Hiroshima

5F 3-12 Yagenbori, Naka Ward Centre Point is a relatively spacious 5th Floor bar with a few seats along the counter bar and seating all along one of the walls, which are painted in simple white. One corner has large windows with views out to the night lights. Cocktails, whiskey, Japanese standard beers

Nightclubs

Step 1

Photo by Hugh Cann