🍺 Bars & izakaya in Shinjuku
Where to find bars in Shinjuku, with prices, ordering tips and etiquette for visitors.
Most bars in Shinjuku 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.
Bars & izakaya near central Shinjuku
Sorted by rating. Distances are from Shinjuku'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.
Already in Shinjuku? Use your location to see bars within walking distance of where you are right now.
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Plan your night in Shinjuku
First night in Shinjuku? 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.
Shinjuku dinner and Golden Gai bar hopping · About 3 hours
See tours in Shinjuku on KlookPlan your night in Shinjuku · EnglishStay within walking distance of the nightlife
The last train leaves around midnight. A hotel near Shinjuku's bars means you can stay out as late as you like and walk home.
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Find hotels near Shinjuku on AgodaStay within walking distance of the nightlife · Englishbarhop.jp may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the guides free and updated.
Bars & izakaya in Shinjuku: common questions
What time do bars in Shinjuku 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 Shinjuku 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 Shinjuku?
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.