We reserved the second floor of our favorite Hook for four people and held a super cheap wine party. We started with a bottle of sparkling wine for a toast, and ordered some food as well. We ordered dishes such as 500g of beef leg steak for 3.5 yen/g, foie gras steak for 700 yen, prosciutto avocado salad for 660 yen, and smoked chicken breast for 330 yen. After that, we ordered 5 bottles of wine ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 yen each, and enjoyed a delicious and reasonable feast. Thank you for the meal!

I wanted to have a light drink, so I ordered a Ginger Highball and a large serving of fried chicken. I'm planning to finish it within 30 minutes. There was an all-you-can-eat fried chicken option for 500 yen, but I decided to pass on it today. I resisted the urge to drink more and settled for just one more. It was delicious. I visited this place for a casual drink on June 19, 2019.

A standing bar in Ueno with zero cover charge. Highballs are incredibly cheap at 200 yen! All-you-can-eat fried chicken for only 500 yen is just amazing. I didn't have much time, so I quickly had some soy sauce-marinated nuts and quail eggs. The steak and foie gras sauté are also priced at under 1000 yen, which makes me really curious.

This is my favorite wine bar. The first floor is a standing bar, and the second floor is a space that can be reserved. The stairs are very steep and narrow, so please be careful if you are drunk. On this day, we made a reservation and visited with four people. We toasted with a bottle of sparkling wine, and enjoyed foie gras steak, beef steak, prosciutto, a bottle of white wine, a bottle of red wine, and more, all for around 3,000 yen. It was a great cost performance. Thank you for the feast.

Visited HOOK for the second party with the organizer in June 2013. Located a little off Showa Street near Okachimachi Station. The drink menu is reasonably priced at 315 yen. Food items like foie gras sauté are also affordable at 630 yen. Started with a Gimlet and avocado sashimi. Also tried the tripe stew, foie gras sauté, and fried chicken. Second drink was a Gin and Tonic. The garlic enoki butter was a favorite. Had a great time at the second party for a low cost. Rating at the time of posting: 3.28

The food is delicious and reasonably priced. It's great for casual standing drinks or relaxing on the second floor. It's a great place for drinkers. Highly recommended.

So cheap! It's calming. I might come back when I'm on a business trip.

The narrow shop is full of people! The first floor is for standing and drinking, while the second floor has private rooms. The master manages both the alcohol and food by himself. The variety of dishes is impressive, and they are all delicious without cutting corners! I want to try everything on the menu! And it's cheap! The portions are quite generous for the price! Foie gras for 600 yen, chicken Karaage for 400 yen. It seems like they are not concerned about profit margins. They also have a great selection of affordable and delicious wines! This is the perfect place for a casual drink!

I had registered as "want to go" based on positive reviews on My Review, and finally had the opportunity to visit this place in Kanda. It was a warm day, and the entrance door was open, giving a glimpse of the interior. There were 2 seats at the counter, 2 groups of 2 people at standing tables, totaling 6 people on the first floor (unknown about the second floor). Jazz music was playing in the background. When I sat at the counter, I was given a hot towel. I ordered the "Chivas Mizunara (with soda)" from the menu on the counter. It was amazing to be able to drink this in Tokyo for only 450 yen. It was different from the highballs I usually drink at izakayas. For my second drink, I hesitated between "Laphroaig Water Cask" and "Glenlivet" for 0.2 seconds, but ended up ordering the latter that day. I almost gave in to the temptation of Islay whiskies while drinking, but I have to drink again tomorrow, so I stopped at two drinks. Adding pickles to nibble on, the total was just over 1000 yen, making it perfect for a quick drink. I've decided to visit again. Next time, it will be an Islay festival with "Bowmore" and "Laphroaig".

[Location] Speaking of stations, it is very close to Naka-Okachimachi Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. Take the exit 1, walk down the street right in front of you, and turn left. The shop is located on the left side of the road, one block south of the Taito 3-chome intersection on Showa Street. [Store, Interior] The first floor is a standing bar with a counter. There are also some tables, but it is mainly for standing. The second floor seems to have table seating, which may have a cover charge. [Cuisine] The dishes are all reasonably priced. The menu is sufficient for a standing bar. Items ordered this time: - Western-style tomato stew with tripe for 300 yen: A bit spicy, but good for snacking. - Pork rillettes for 400 yen: Comes with French bread. The rillettes itself is decent, but dipping the bread in the leftover tripe broth was surprisingly delicious. - Canned mackerel for 200 yen: A reliable dish. Quite tasty. Paired with a Bowmore whisky. [Drinks] There are many reasonably priced wine options starting from 980 yen per bottle. If you are not particular about the brand or variety, you can drink affordably. I had whisky this time: - Chita for 500 yen: A grain whisky with a slight sweetness. - Chivas Regal 18 years for 600 yen: A top-notch Scotch blended whisky. Balanced and enjoyable. - Macallan 10 years Fine Oak for 450 yen: A classic Scotch single malt. High quality and reliable. - Bowmore 12 years for 450 yen: A unique whisky with a strong seaweed flavor. It may not be for everyone, but it has its fans. [Service] The shop is run by the owner and a cooking staff, which is rare in this area. Depending on the drink, you may be surprised at how cheaply you can enjoy it. They have a wide selection of Western liquors, which is recommended. If you like it, you will love this place. I hope this review helps you in choosing a restaurant.

After a live performance in the afternoon, we walked through the hot evening streets for a long time. You were concerned about the strap of my sandals. Don't worry, I already put band-aids on to prevent blisters, so I can walk from one end of the city to the other, I said, and you laughed. That night, there was a fireworks display, and Ueno was filled with men and women in yukata. On the sidewalk, a boy was bending down, and a girl was putting a band-aid on the top of his sandal. It must be rare for him to wear sandals... The HOOK we were aiming for from Ueno Park was quite a distance away. We passed by Takyoya and walked a bit further down a back alley to the shop. We looked like open-mouthed customers, lined up at the counter and sat on simple stools. We toasted with draft beer and highballs. It was a bar-like setting, but surprisingly cheap when we looked at the menu. The highball was 200 yen before tax. My throat was dry, so I quickly drank it all up and got a bottle of white wine. Surprisingly, the wine bottles started at 980 yen. Of course, that's the same price as what you can find at the supermarket for about 500 yen, but doubling the regular price is impressive. It was a Chilean white wine, and it was the cheap wine that Asahi sells. The somewhat cheap taste was enough for us, who always enjoy cheap drinks. We were having fun with the cheap wine and laughing. The bottle was chilled not by an air conditioner but by a sheet with cooling material inside, but at this price, it was sufficient. We ordered pickles, tomato-stewed beef tendon, French bread, fish and chips, and the famous foie gras steak. The foie gras was only 600 yen. Other dishes were also reasonable, starting from the 200-300 yen range. The menu listed beef tendon stew, but in reality, it was a stew with tripe and other ingredients, with the flavor of tomatoes blending well and perfect for dipping bread. The small but plump foie gras was cooked with a punchy saltiness, and the inside was creamy and went well with the wine. The fish and chips were also freshly fried and piping hot. The owner managed everything alone, and he was quite efficient. Behind the bar, there were bottles of whiskey infused with various fruits. There seemed to be a second floor, so they also seemed to accommodate group reservations. Although it's a bit away from the bustling streets of Ueno, I think it's a very affordable place for a little detour. We had been drinking continuously since we met in the early afternoon, and yet, we realized the wine bottle was empty. Let's go to one more place, I said as we settled the bill, which was around 3000 yen. Can you walk? you asked. To the ends of the earth, I replied with a smile.

One of the specialties of this place is "all-you-can-eat fried chicken for an extra 500 yen with one drink". Started off with a Gal Highball, but ended up enjoying cheap wine and sparkling wine. The appearance may seem cheap, but it's a lively standing bar inside. It's a popular spot for bar hopping in Ueno-Okachimachi. Visited this place as the first stop based on the recommendation from drinking buddies for its cost performance. The appearance seemed a bit cheap. Started with a Gal Highball for 300 yen and a large serving of prosciutto and avocado for 600 yen, then one by one, more drinking buddies joined. The shochu brand they serve is "Giant". One of the highlights of this place is the "all-you-can-eat fried chicken for an extra 500 yen with one drink". Although skeptical about the deal, everyone decided to go for it. The regulars added more dishes like avocado skewers for 300 yen, edamame for 200 yen, and stingray fins for 300 yen. We looked over the affordable wine list and chose a bottle of red wine for 990 yen and sparkling wine for 1,990 yen to enjoy together. Can't remember leaving the place...oops.

I visited a bar in the Ueno-Okachimachi area and was surprised by the affordable prices and wide variety of drinks and food on the menu. I wondered how they could sustain such low prices in Okachimachi! I ordered a drink and had a pleasant conversation with the staff, who were friendly and easy to talk to. They had several types of brandy-infused fruits, which changed depending on the season. Even though I'm not a fan of brandy, I found it very easy to drink and had a few refills. I couldn't stay long on the day I visited, but I definitely want to come back to this bar. I hope they continue to do well!

As soon as you exit the subway station and turn left at the corner, you'll see a quirky sign for a standing bar called HOOK. Inside, there is a counter that can fit about 9 people and three small tables, accommodating around 15-16 people in total. There are also table seats on the 2nd floor for smaller parties. The menu ranges from simple snacks like dried persimmons and chocolates to fried foods, cheese, sautéed Iberico pork, and foie gras. Drinks include cheap shochu highballs, various cocktails, wines, and original fruit-infused whiskies. The must-order items are draft beer and Guinness, enjoyed alternately and eventually mixed as a half-and-half. The liver paste or pork rillettes are popular choices for snacks, and the garlic toast is a steal at only 100 yen. The fried chicken is also a hit, and they even have a takeout shop nearby. The highballs are served generously in a beer mug, offering great value at around 1000 yen for 5 drinks. The master is friendly and diligent, always washing each glass with care. The atmosphere is pleasant, with well-mannered regulars creating a comfortable environment. Of course, you may encounter the occasional rowdy customer, but overall, it's a great place to relax and enjoy a drink.

A standing bar in Okachimachi. It seems to be using the space of a former bar called Stand Bar 21. It's located just off Showa Street, a bit far from the station and away from the bustling area. The small and narrow shop has a relatively new and clean interior. There are chairs on the 2nd floor. I visited with a friend. It was almost full when we visited, so we were seated at the barrel table on the 1st floor. The menu offers chu-hai and highball for 210 yen each. The snacks are also cheap, so you can get drunk with just 1000 yen. We ordered both chu-hai and highball. They were slightly weak, but still delicious. When I ordered Guinness, it was served in a bottle. They don't serve draft Guinness. We ordered tripe in tomato stew, liver pate, pickles, and tomato yakisoba for snacks. Tripe and liver pate were 315 yen each. The portions were about half to two-thirds of the usual size, but it's nice to be able to order a variety of items when drinking in small groups. I think the pickles were 210 yen. The photo was taken after we ate a bit. My friend said the tomato yakisoba was delicious, but it seemed to use fresh udon noodles, which I didn't like as I prefer the chewiness of frozen udon. The glass of wine is around 270 yen, about half the price of other places. There are a few types of bottled wine, starting from around 1300 yen, which is cheap, so wine lovers might want to drink a bottle. Since it's a standing bar, it's good for hopping around and having a quick drink. There is a place called "Yakiton Ma-chan" nearby, so I feel like visiting both places.

In Ueno, I heard about a standing bar that opened just last year, so my foreign husband and I decided to check it out! Since it was not a place we often visit, we wandered around while looking at the map on our phones. It is located one street off Showa Street. Exit 1 of the Hibiya Line Naka-Okachimachi Station, walk straight and turn left at the first corner to find it (1 minute walk). We went from the North exit of JR Okachimachi Station, but the South exit is closer. From the South exit, turn right and head towards Showa Street, then cross the signal at Taito 3-chome. Once you cross, turn right towards Akihabara, and you will see Exit 1 of the Hibiya Line Naka-Okachimachi Station, then turn left at the first corner. It's about a 5-minute walk. We entered right at the 5 pm opening time, but there were already two people drinking. Saturdays are quiet as there are no salarymen, so it's not crowded. The first floor has 15 standing seats and the second floor has 10 table seats (with a seating charge of 315 yen). The first floor has a counter and standing seats for two people, and the clean and calm atmosphere makes it easy for even me to enter alone! The staff at the shop are also kind, making it a comfortable place to be. **What we ordered** *Draft beer x 2 367 yen *Cream cheese miso pickles 262 yen Rich in flavor, we enjoyed it with wasabi. The cream cheese is pickled in miso for a week. *Avocado potato salad 315 yen Rich avocado combined with potatoes creates a very mild taste, making it easy to eat. It's a shame we only had time for one drink... The bill is settled at the end. The person next to us was drinking a highball for only 210 yen! Squeezing lemon into the mug, it is carefully made and highly recommended. There are also many cocktails, which would be popular among women. They offer a variety of Japanese and Western dishes, with items marked with a star on the menu being the shop's recommendations. The dishes we ordered were also recommended by the shop. Other options include: *Pork liver paste *Pork rillettes *Foie gras sauté - only 630 yen! *Iberico pork steak *Tripe stew *Chicken with salt koji *Jumbo chicken fried chicken, etc.

Located a two-minute walk from Naka-Okachimachi Station, across Showa Street towards Akihabara, is the standing bar "Hook". I visited for the first time on a night in late March. Inside the bar, there is standing space for about 10 people at the counter and tables along the wall. There are also table seats on the 2nd floor. The interior had a calm atmosphere with lively jazz music playing, contrasting the flashy exterior. The bar was run by a young man. I started with a "Chu-hi" (210 yen) while looking at the menu on the table. I ordered the "Chorizo and Sausage Stir-fry" (367 yen) and the "Tripe Stew" (315 yen) to start. The Chorizo and Sausage Stir-fry came out in about 3 minutes, a decent portion for the price. It was a good amount to enjoy with various other snacks. The Tripe Stew is a stew made from beef tripe, cooked in a tomato, onion, and garlic-based sauce. It had no off-putting smell and paired well with alcohol. For drinks, I found the alcohol content in the Chu-hi to be a bit low for my liking, so I ordered a full bottle of Puente De Piedra white wine for 1260 yen, which was very reasonable. It was easy to drink with a good balance of acidity and sweetness, complementing the snacks. I decided to add one more dish, the "Baked Sardines in Oil" (420 yen), which was a hit with the melting cheese balancing the bitterness of the sardines. Feeling a bit tipsy after finishing the bottle, I settled the bill for the night. It was a nice experience to enjoy a quiet standing bar in a hidden alley away from the bustling streets of Ameyoko and Naka-cho in Ueno and Okachimachi. Thank you for the meal.

I visited a new standing bar in Ueno. It's right near Naka-Okachimachi Station on the Hibiya Line. The place is dimly lit, small, and has a bar-like atmosphere. I went with a group, and when I asked if we could sit at a table on the second floor, they said yes. Up the narrow stairs, there were two tables. The menu had highballs for 210 yen, chu-hais for 210 yen, and many other items priced in the 100 yen range. Thanks to my friends who were willing to eat and drink a lot, I was able to try a little bit of everything. Highballs, miso pickled cheese, Iberico pork, roasted duck, ham cutlets, croquettes, omelette with cheese, tripe, honeycomb stew, fried chicken, marinated octopus, roasted duck, croquettes, fried horse mackerel, chicken wings dumplings, oil sardine, pork pate with garlic toast, yakisoba, and many other dishes. Everything was delicious, no disappointments!

This is the second branch of Motsuyaki Fuk in Shin-Okachimachi. While Motsuyaki Fuk has a concept of Showa era nostalgia, this place has a modern theme of standing and drinking. The first floor is for standing while the second floor has more relaxed seating. I went here for a certain meetup and happened to know the owner, so we brought our own wine. The dishes we had that day were: 1. Chicken liver paste and pork rillettes 2. Marinated octopus 3. Grilled chicken with salt koji 4. Foie gras daikon 5. Tomato pasta with eggplant and bacon. We enjoyed these dishes with white wines like Chardonnay from Chile and Grillo from Sicily, as well as red wines such as Barbaresco and Haut Cote de Nuits, a total of 7 bottles. It seems they can accommodate wine bring-in events. The regular menu also includes items like foie gras, lobster, and Iberico. I felt it would be nice to have more options for by-the-glass wines and bottles.