Stand Up

While I believe such establishments exist in other countries around the world, Japan has been the only place I have ever personally experienced the standing bar. This is not a famous bar in particular, but a type or style of bar that has been around for several years in this country, but seems to have become increasingly popular particularly over the last couple of years. Within a 10 minute walk from our office, a couple of new standing establishments have opened over the last year, and more and more do I find myself enjoying a visit to a standing bar…. and with sore feet after a night out!

The standing bar in Tokyo emerged out of the limited space and exorbitant rents. The Tachinomiya (literally, ‘stand drink shop’) initially seemed a convenient stop-off for the weary ‘salaryman’ at the end of a long day at work prior to a long commute home. More recently, they are respected in their own right as a place to drink, eat, socialize and as more pop up around the place, the greater the variety and styles you can experience. What is consistent is the limited space – often long and skinny plots just wider than the doorway leading in. Interior design varies, but is often a wooden bar, with wooden tables (minus the chairs of course), and wooden barrels out in front of the bar for those who like to stand and drink on pavements.

Most also boast the things that I personally consider give standing bars their charm. The obvious one is the low prices. With less overheads (rent and furniture), drinks can go for just a few of those 100 yen coins, and the selection of drinks isn’t bad either. The new standing bar down the road even offers decent wines for 500-600 yen a glass - bearing in mind this is mid-city; this is indeed a real bargain despite the small space. The small spaces mean lower prices and also seem to promote more of an atmosphere. The scarcity of space provides an environment that is certainly conducive to socializing and even the smallest standing bar with just a few patrons can seem lively and bustling. The generally social and friendly staff often help aid the socializing, and with such close proximity, being forced to socialize with the bartenders can be a welcome change from the typically serious and profession-focused staff in other types of establishments.

A visit to a Tachinomiya is however admittedly often not the most comfortable experiences. Whilst being forced to stand up after a day at an office desk can be a good chance to stretch the legs, if it’s been a long day and you have your highest heels on, a comfortable seat seems not much to ask for. Likewise, after a long hard day at the office having people constantly brushing past you on their way to the bathroom, or having conversations with strangers can be the last thing you feel like.

Of course, any drinking establishment offering an environment only good in small doses can be a wise choice – ensuring being home before your bed-time, and without a hangover the next day. Personally, I find the standing bar perfect for that after-work drink, initial meeting place, or bar hopping pit stop. I guess it’s something you might want to be sure you’re in the mood for, but I recommend experiencing this type of establishment even if just on a visit to Japan. It’s an interesting way to appreciate the sense of space in the cities and also, to get a glimpse of how the locals unwind after a day of work. Over and above all of this, it offers a nice cold drink, a decent snack and a chance to meet new people – all whilst on your feet.