Donzoko @ Shinjuku Sanchome Located a 3-minute walk from Shinjuku Sanchome Station and tucked away in a corner of the bustling district near the east exit of JR Shinjuku Station, "Donzoko" is a long-established bar founded in 1951. It is the oldest bar in Shinjuku Sanchome, with famous regulars such as Yukio Mishima, Akira Kurosawa, and Shintaro Ishihara. The founder, Tomo Yano, was a first-generation student at a theater arts academy who started a shack bar in Shinjuku Sanchome to make a living while pursuing an acting career. The unique name comes from the play "The Lower Depths (На дне)" by Russian writer Maxim Gorky, in which the founder appeared. The bar has been a gathering place for theater people, artists, and writers, where various discussions on politics and culture have taken place. It is also known as the birthplace of the singing coffee shop and singing bar trend of the 1960s. Despite its narrow appearance from the outside, the bar has seating on three floors, totaling around 100 seats. The atmosphere is underground with dim lighting from lamps, fitting the name "Donzoko." Each floor has a different ambiance, and it is said that the master decides which floor to guide customers to based on their demeanor, creating a calm or lively atmosphere accordingly. The menu is more like a dining bar than a traditional Japanese-style izakaya, with a focus on Western-style cocktails and food. The staff wears Russian ethnic costumes called "rubashka." The bar snack consists of two canapés with thinly sliced bread topped with cheese and prosciutto. The signature "Donzoko Cocktail" is a popular drink among young people with dreams but no money, made from low-quality shochu post-World War II. It is a refreshing cocktail with added citrus flavors but has a high alcohol content, so caution is advised. The bar also serves Sapporo Lager and dishes like Spanish-style octopus and mixed pizza, making it a unique spot for a cultural and culinary experience.

First visit without a reservation! The ivy-covered exterior wall gives a sense of age. Opening the door to the shop, it feels like a dim cave inside. The structure of the raised seating on the 1st floor, 2nd floor, and basement is like a secret base, making it fun. Watch out for tall individuals due to the low ceiling. The counter at the back of the 1st floor feels like a cockpit surrounded by alcohol, strangely calming. It feels like someone living surrounded by things in minimal space. Alcohol orders included: Sweet Gin Lime, Tanqueray Soda, Bowmore Single Soda, Bowmore Double Soda, Myers's Rum Lime x2, CC Canadian Club Soda, and Mojito. My favorite is the Myers's Rum and Meijiya Lime on the rocks. Visited on a Saturday afternoon, enjoying sipping on rum lime in a cave-like hidden bar. A truly priceless happy time. For food, had Russian pickles, homemade raisin butter, and oil-marinated oysters. The Russian pickles are like pickles with a strong balance of acidity and sweetness. The homemade raisin butter with walnuts is great. The oil-marinated oysters are better than raw ones and go well with alcohol. The size and medium-rareness of the oysters are excellent. Before the pandemic, they were only open at night, but now daytime drinking is allowed on weekdays. The clientele is mainly in their 50s and older, with many regulars, making it a place for adults to enjoy. They also have a branch in Madrid, Spain. Luckily, I didn't encounter any smokers, but it seems smoking is allowed, which is the only downside. A favorite spot! Thank you for the meal!

I visited this restaurant for the first time around 6 pm on a holiday after watching a movie and enjoying some delicious sushi. There was a 600 yen cover charge, but we were served cute bite-sized appetizers that were tasty. We also ordered a bottle of "Rock Bottom" cocktail for 3,500 yen, which was a good deal as each cocktail was only 650 yen. The ice was complimentary. We also tried the mixed pizza for 1,500 yen, which was delicious with a generous amount of cheese. The interior of the restaurant had a unique layout with stairs leading up and extending upwards, giving it a vintage feel dating back to its founding in 1951. We spent about 2 hours chatting and drinking before calling it a night. Movies really are a wonderful thing! Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye!

I visited the famous restaurant in Shinjuku Sanchome where renowned figures like Yukio Mishima have frequented. Despite it being a weekday, the restaurant was bustling and I was seated at the counter. I ordered the specialty "Bottom of the Abyss" cocktail (citrus flavor) and a mixed pizza. The appetizer was a bread with prosciutto and cream cheese, with the prosciutto side crispy and the cream cheese side moist. The attention to detail was impressive. The mixed pizza had plenty of cheese on top of the pizza dough, combined with mushrooms for a delicious and unique flavor. Although I wanted to try more dishes, I was already full and decided to save it for next time. Thank you for the meal.

Tonight's dinner was with my subordinates. I have recently lifted my alcohol ban, so I decided to go to Donzoko for the first time in a while. In the hot summer, there's nothing like a Sky Ball followed by two glasses. I intended to drink solemnly, recalling the recommendation of the bar master Uchida Noboru, but ended up going all out. Uchida Noboru never let me have more than two of the same cocktails until the day of closing, so I followed that rule and had a Gin and Tonic for my third drink. For snacks, I chose something new and went with pizza since it was dinner time. See you again next week!

The food was delicious! The mushrooms were juicy and tasty. I was curious about the Donzoko cocktail, so I ordered a bottle, but it was quite strong! People who are not good with alcohol should be careful! I added a lot of ice and drank it.

I made a reservation for 7:30 on a regular day. The exterior and interior atmosphere of the shop is like something out of a Ghibli movie, making it a place you can easily get addicted to. It feels like being inside an attraction. The cozy atmosphere is really nice, haha. I really liked this place that doesn't feel like Shinjuku Sanchome. Thank you for the meal.

I watched soccer⚽️ and it was so hot that I wanted to drink, so I jumped in! It's often difficult to get in on Fridays and Saturdays, but this time I was able to get in right away, so lucky✌️ I sweated a lot and drank beer, so I couldn't take many photos, but the food was delicious! I didn't take any pictures, but the mixed pizza and Napolitan were very generous and super guilty, which was great haha There were many beautiful waitresses with a friendly charm, which I liked!

I had been here before, but since it was the second place we stopped at, I don't remember it well, so I finally decided to write a review. This time, it was also a bar for the second place. There were a lot of Western liquors, so I wasn't sure what to choose. I had tequila. The grilled shiitake mushrooms I ordered as a snack were incredibly delicious, and I want to come back to eat them again. It's a historic establishment. I imagine that the food overall is delicious. The staff at the restaurant are also somewhat unique. They draw you into a nostalgic world of the Showa era.

The retro atmosphere with a historical feel seems to be popular, but the quality of the food and drinks doesn't quite match the prices. The loud music playing can make it difficult to have a conversation, which is not ideal. A friend who works nearby mentioned that locals tend to avoid this place, while it seems to attract more tourists.

I had the daytime drinking set, thick-sliced chashu, and rock bottom cocktail. The daytime drinking set comes with a drink, which is great. The thick-sliced chashu was incredibly delicious with tender meat. I enjoyed it with plenty of mustard.

I used to hang out with friends near this shop in Shinjuku since my student days. We decided to visit once, and I was shocked by how incredibly salty the anchovies were. [Access] Excellent - located just a short walk from Shinjuku Sanchome Station. [Good Points] The interior of the restaurant has an old and atmospheric feel.

I had always wanted to go there, but the fact that I don't drink made it a very high hurdle. Finally, I visited because I heard they also serve lunch on weekends. I was guided downstairs. The interior of the restaurant was pitch black even during the day. I hesitated until my eyes adjusted to the darkness. The place has a lot of elegance, almost like it could be designated as a cultural property. There were many people drinking during the day. I ordered the weekend-only curry. It wasn't too special when I was eating the Keema, but the aftertaste was quite spicy. The atmosphere was unique and I felt a bit nervous when entering, but the staff's service was very good.

Located about a 3-minute walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station, this shop is a long-established store that has been around for a long time. It has multiple floors, including a basement and a second floor. The menu for drinks and meals is quite extensive. We ordered several appetizers such as nagaimo (Chinese yam) and tomatoes. The dishes were all safely prepared with decent flavors. The pizza is famous here, but we were already full after the meal, so we didn't order it. It's a casual place where you can easily dine with friends. I would like to visit again if I have the chance.

I am usually taken to delicious restaurants by my boss, so this time I decided to try a different place, Donzoko. It may be small, but the table layout is great and it feels cozy. The pizza is amazing and definitely worth trying. The pickles are wonderfully sour, just the way I like them. The chorizo is spicy and exciting. The liver paste is also delicious. I ended up drinking not just beer but also two bottles of white wine ^^; It's nice to see historical places like this restaurant thriving. Why not experience the happiness of being in a space where famous people like Yukio Mishima have spent time?

After a long time, I visited Donzoko again. Last time, I couldn't get on the first floor, but this time I was able to, so it seems like it's not limited to regulars only. I had sausage, prosciutto & cheese with baguette, and nachos with a highball. The atmosphere was still "This is Donzoko!" as always, which was wonderful. It's a good place for a second round!

This is the famous rock bottom cocktail...! You can order it by the bottle or by the glass. According to an acquaintance, if you drink three of these, you'll be totally drunk. It's a refreshing cocktail with no strong alcohol taste, usually served on the rocks, but it goes down easily. This is dangerous. It has a taste that appeals to everyone. Also, Mr. Hayashi's fried rice with plenty of garlic is delicious! The restaurant is quite small, but it's suitable for dining alone, on a date, or with friends! It might not be the best place for business entertaining... There are three floors, including a basement and upper floors, giving a three-story feel. Be careful on the stairs! It's a restaurant that welcomes people of all ages and genders.

Established in 1951, this longstanding Western-style bar in Shinjuku was frequented by cultural figures of the Showa era. It has a lively atmosphere reminiscent of a pirate tavern straight out of ONE PIECE, and was bustling with people when I first visited. I was intrigued by their original cocktail called "Donkaku," which is made with shochu, lemon, gum syrup, and carbonated water, boasting a strong alcohol content of 15%. Despite this, it was surprisingly easy to drink, similar to a lemon sour. Their signature dish, the Mixed Pizza, was listed proudly on the menu. The thin and crispy crust was topped with onions, mushrooms, clams, and more. The cheese was gooey and stretchy, making it a perfect accompaniment to drinks. Recommended for those interested in popular spots frequented by celebrities, those looking to enjoy a pirate tavern-like atmosphere, or those searching for a second venue for a gathering. Items ordered (tax included): Appetizer (Canapé) - 600 yen Mixed Pizza - 1,300 yen Smooth White Liver Pate - 750 yen Donkaku Cocktail - 650 yen Salty Dog Cocktail - 800 yen

The first visit of the new year started off at rock bottom. It was incredibly crowded, and we ended up having to make our own drinks. We mixed vodka, gin, whiskey, and shochu with soda and tonic water in a haphazard manner, turning the place into more of a casual izakaya setting. With a new subordinate in tow, we opted for a traditional course, enjoying pizza, Hayashi-san's special, mushroom oil, dry curry, and char siu as we made our way through the meal before leaving.

I visited Donzoko-san for the first time in 10 years. It is a dining bar where you can enjoy conversations. The taste of the dishes, unchanged since the Showa era, brings back old memories. Personally, I like the pizza and Napolitan. The staff are diverse and some are very enjoyable to talk to. You won't understand the charm of this restaurant until you sit in each floor and each seat. It's a great place to spend time with close friends. Thank you for the meal.

The food was cheap and delicious. The drinks were also easy to drink and enjoyable. The restaurant allows smoking, so it might be tough for those who don't like cigarettes. We were able to walk in without a reservation, and the staff's service was good. Overall, we were satisfied. I recommend using this place for a second round.