🍺 Bars & izakaya in Sapporo
Where to find bars in Sapporo, with prices, ordering tips and etiquette for visitors.
Most bars in Sapporo are small — six to fifteen seats is normal — so the easiest way to drink here is to hop: one or two drinks per place, then move on. Izakaya (Japanese pubs) are the safest first stop if you also want to eat; standing bars (tachinomi) are the cheapest.
Expect a seat charge (otoshi) of roughly ¥300–¥800 at sit-down izakaya, which comes with a small dish. Cash is still common at older places, so carry some yen. Most bars open around 17:00–18:00 and many run past midnight.
Local specialty: Jingisukan (Genghis Khan BBQ). Hokkaido's signature dish: lamb and mutton grilled on a domed cast iron pan with vegetables. Bold, smoky, and best paired with Sapporo Classic beer. Daruma (Susukino), Sapporo Bier Garten (classic summer setting), or any standing Jingisukan bar in Susukino.
Bars & izakaya near central Sapporo
Sorted by rating. Distances are from Sapporo's centre. Hours come from Google and can change — the "open past midnight" mark means the place closes between 00:00 and 06:00 on at least one day.
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Read before you go
Plan your night in Sapporo
First night in Sapporo? Go with a local guide
A guided bar-hopping or food tour gets you into the tiny places that are hard to walk into alone — and you learn how ordering works before you go solo the next night.
See tours in Sapporo on KlookStay within walking distance of the nightlife
The last train leaves around midnight. A hotel near Sapporo's bars means you can stay out as late as you like and walk home.
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Bars & izakaya in Sapporo: common questions
What time do bars in Sapporo close?
Izakaya typically close between 23:00 and 01:00; smaller bars often stay open until 02:00–05:00, especially on Friday and Saturday. The list on this page shows today's hours for each place, and marks the ones that run past midnight.
Do bars in Sapporo have English menus?
Chains and places near major stations usually have English or picture menus; tiny neighbourhood bars often don't. Pointing at what someone else is drinking works everywhere, and "nama biiru" (draft beer) or "haibooru" (highball) are understood at any bar in Japan.
Is there a cover charge at bars in Sapporo?
Many izakaya add an otoshi (seat charge) of about ¥300–¥800 per person, which includes a small appetiser. Some cocktail bars and Golden Gai-style micro-bars charge ¥500–¥1,000 instead. It is not a scam — but if a place has no posted prices at all, choose another one.