I came out of Waseda Street exit at Takadanobaba Station, walked past the police box on the east side, and went around to cross the pedestrian crossing towards Don Quijote. After crossing, I walked to the right and turned left at the corner where HUB and Burger King are located, and went a little further to a bar on the second floor. At first, a friend took me there, but the bar had a dry atmosphere rather than the typical damp feeling. The three walls were glass, allowing natural light to come in, creating an open feeling. The manager was an acquaintance of a friend of a friend, making it a very welcoming bar in Takadanobaba. I prefer shochu over cocktails, so I ordered sweet potato shochu, but I wished they had included Kuro Kirishima. However, there was no cover charge, making it very affordable. Perhaps because of this, it seemed like a place where students casually come in. Not bad at all. They also had darts, so you can have fun playing while enjoying drinks. It's a hidden gem for me, as it's located on the way back from the studio. Whether for a casual meeting or just hanging out, this bar suits me well. I will definitely go back again.

■Food and Taste The restaurant manager recommends dishes like egg rice and baked cheese curry that you wouldn't expect from a bar menu. ■Service It's rare to have two restaurant managers, making it easy for anyone, including first-timers, to strike up a conversation. They have a dart board, 3 TVs for sports viewing, and a collection of One Piece comics. They also have a PS3. The managers are fans of Kashima and Giants, but fans of other clubs and teams are welcome. If there are no overlapping games, they will open early to show the match (of course, they have Sky PerfecTV). ■Atmosphere It's a stylish hangout spot with a wide range of customers, including students and working professionals. Even if you're alone, there's a chance to interact with regulars. If you're shy, the managers will assist you. ■Cost Performance No cover charge. All drinks are 500 yen until 8 pm. ■Alcohol and Drinks They have a wide selection of drinks, including authentic cocktails. I recommend trying the "Earl Grey Ginger Highball."

It used to be a bar called "55" if I remember correctly. After that, a new bar opened so I went for a drink. The place is about 10 square meters. When I went around 2 a.m., someone from a nearby shop was there having a drink. We chatted about things like "the economy in Japan isn't getting better" and "politicians need to step up their game," while enjoying our drinks. We had fried potatoes as a snack, which came with two types of sauce and made us happy. I'll definitely drop by again sometime.