Namba, at the edge of America-mura, there is a unique standing bar called Murata Saketen. It may look intimidating from the outside, with a tense atmosphere inside, serving the regulars with Akahoshi (order on the right side of the large bottle), and a sign saying it has become a members-only establishment. The owner looks tough, but the place has an enjoyable atmosphere. You can have a good time just soaking in the vibe. Visited in May 2018. On this day, I was invited by a senior food blogger to a reception at a newly opened restaurant. Before that, my drinking buddies asked, "What's the foreplay for today?" One of the options we considered was this standing bar. Apparently, it's not welcoming to newcomers. But hey, let's give it a shot, right? So, we boldly headed there. The exterior looks pretty cool. ...I got a stern look when I tried to take a photo of the outside (´･ω･`). But we're here to take on the challenge, right? So, my drinking buddies confidently entered the bar. We barely made it in, haha. We toasted with Asahi beer in large bottles. They also have Akahoshi, but it's reserved for regulars. (It's hidden on the right side of the counter in the back.) We had some random snacks from the fridge. - Roast pork - Potato salad Who cares about the taste, right? (It was kind of meh, actually haha) Later on, another drinking buddy joined us. We could enter without any issues this time. It would have been funny if they had a "No women allowed" sign or something. Following the sign that said, "Standing time is limited to 1 hour," we settled the bill after exactly one hour. We added another bottle of beer and had about 4 canned chu-hi drinks, all for 2100 yen. Pretty cheap, right? Probably because it's in America-mura, they are selective about their customers, which is why they have a no newcomers policy. Thanks to that, by the time we left, the place was filled with quite mature-looking salarymen. There was some tension at first, but we ended up having a fun time. Places like this are just so nice, both for the stories and the atmosphere. I definitely want to stop by here again. Thanks for the meal.

Today was a tasting event at a shop in Shinsaibashi. But before that, there was a pre-party. The master of Kansai foreplay, Pata-san, and I decided on a shop. We picked a few shops we were interested in, and among them, this shop caught Pata-san's eye. At first glance, it looked like a stand-offish place. Despite the initial impression, we decided to boldly enter! We arrived at the shop around 6 pm. The exterior was very striking. Is this an old Japanese army encampment? No, it's Murata Sake Shop. Pata-san was waiting in front of the shop, so we met up. As we were working on the exterior, the male shop owner was staring at us intensely. It was a bit intimidating. We mustered up our courage and entered. Inside, there were about 8 customers. There was a sign saying "Standing bar, now membership system." We pretended not to notice and were directed to an available standing spot with just a glance. Phew, we were okay. When Pata-san tried to take a bottled beer from the refrigerator as per his review on Tabelog, the male shop owner sternly said, "Don't take it without permission!" It was scary! If you want a bottled beer, just let the owner know, and he will bring it to you, so let's not take it ourselves. We decided to order some food...some kind of char siu. We returned to our seats and made a toast. The char siu was quite oily. There were enough customers, but there was a tense atmosphere. We were laughing too much because of the tension. Oh no, this atmosphere is too fun. We haven't said anything to each other, but we're laughing. Eventually, the male shop owner started talking on the phone in front of the shop. "Oh, that thing! It's quite good!" Huh! His tough voice from earlier and now he's so friendly! Wait, he's laughing a lot! Then I realized, this is Amerikamura. He must have been running a liquor shop here even before Amerikamura became a young people's town. Maybe he put up the membership sign after Amerikamura became popular, and it's also a defense mechanism to kick out those who don't follow the rules. If you drink quietly, even newcomers can enter. Later, Arano Kodo (・∀・) Shirankedo-san, who was going to the tasting event with us, joined. Impressive for boldly entering despite the striking exterior! Let's toast again! Arano Kodo (・∀・) Shirankedo-san is also laughing a lot. I understand why! So, let's order one more dish. When Pata-san asked the owner if they had something like a potato salad, he brought us a dish with a mayonnaise salad-like sauce. The taste was just mayonnaise sauce. After that, a striking regular customer arrived, and the atmosphere became much more relaxed as he chatted amicably with the owner! Now, it's time to pay the bill. Around 2000 yen for 3 people. Very cheap. I didn't know there was a place in Amerikamura where you could drink so cheaply. I'll come back when I want that tense atmosphere again! Thank you for the meal!

Today, we had a reception at a certain restaurant with everyone~♪ Before that, we have to do the preliminary check, right? So, let's visit here first!! I dashed over after work and arrived a little late~☆ According to the information, it seemed like a members-only standing bar, so we might not be able to get in, but let's give it a try! When I arrived, I thought I might be kicked out, but I boldly entered. The exterior ritual was done properly, with a full membership aura, casually greeted with a "hello," and entered the store. My friends had already started drinking at a table... "A large bottle, please!"... The master silently brought a large bottle... placed it very roughly! Oh, you're not supposed to take alcohol from the fridge without permission! When taking it from the fridge, if you ask the master, it seems to be okay, so everyone should try it out on the day of the event while feeling out the atmosphere. Anyway, with the presentation of the large bottle and glasses, the entry was complete! The feeling of being away from home is really strong and amusing. What is this, it's so much fun? So, let's drink~ I looked around the store while feeling the atmosphere and couldn't stop laughing just from the air! The store is like a treasure trove of jokes. You might not notice various things unless you look closely, but you'll find various things and laugh out loud. It's hilarious! Just the fact that it's a members-only club is funny enough, but there are scary Peko-chan characters and places with Tequila written on them, which is too funny! Oh, I also had a dish! - A potato salad-like dish When my friend asked the master if there was a potato salad-like dish, it came out, so it's a potato salad-like dish! This is... how can I put it, it's like a potato salad that you might have bought at a bulk store or something? It's the type of potato salad that the master has slightly adjusted! The finely chopped cabbage has a crunchy texture! The sauce that comes with it is default, and it has a nostalgic feeling, right? The store was always quite full, but the customers were quietly drinking, clearly regulars or people in suits. I wondered if they put up the members-only sign because they don't like the lively drinking of young people in Amerikamura? I love this kind of atmosphere, and I developed a desire to become friends with the master! Thank you for the meal♥ ===========

Suddenly, my holiday plans changed and I ended up wandering around Yodoyabashi to Kitahama with no specific plans. A friend contacted me and we decided to have tea together. Afterwards, we planned to go to a sports club in Amerikamura. The gym had unfamiliar equipment for machine training, so I decided to take it easy to avoid overexertion. However, my body ended up feeling sore quickly. We were invited to have a drink, and we ended up at a bar where I had been turned away before. Despite the initial hesitation, we were served drinks and I finally realized the unique atmosphere of the place. It was a classic standing bar with no price tags and a retro vibe. The tension in the air was palpable, but the drink was surprisingly good. The bill came out to only 500 yen. I wonder how I can become a regular at this place...I might try visiting more often.

In the heart of Minami, where the most fashion-conscious young people in Osaka gather, there is a hidden gem that takes you back to the Showa era right next to America-mura. This standing bar has an open atmosphere, but entering requires some courage. It may seem unwelcoming to the trendy crowd that usually frequents the area. Once inside, you can grab a beer, pick up some pickled eel from the showcase, and start drinking at a counter instead of a table. The place is filled with middle-aged men, but the sense of unity from standing and drinking together in the same space is truly special. Switching to the usual canned chu-hi, enjoying some Western-style potato salad, and continuing to drink a little more. Listening to the conversations between regulars and the owner, you can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia and realize that everyone has their own life story. This standing bar is truly a Showa-era experience that allows you to immerse yourself in a unique atmosphere.

When I tried to enter the store, I was told that I couldn't enter without being a member. It seems they changed to a membership system a few years ago, so be careful and make sure to check with your drinking buddies.