Camden's Nishiguchi store, famous for its craft beer, has three stores in Ikebukuro. The east side is a hamburger shop, while the west and south sides are bars. It is located in a semi-basement just a short walk from the west exit. There are regular customers, and the staff are friendly, so it felt safe even at first glance. One thing to note is that smoking is allowed, so please be aware if that is a concern. Thank you for the meal.

I often feel overwhelmed with so many things to do. There are plenty of tasks that need to be done and even more things that I should do. However, my mind and body can't keep up. I seek a place outside of home or work. At the transfer station, I have just one drink. If I have sake or wine, I tend to drink more. Especially at a bar, I end up seriously drinking. If I really want just one drink, craft beer is a good choice. A small underground beer bar near the station. I ordered the "Oni Densetsu White Oni White Ale." It seems like many regulars drink alone around the Ikebukuro area. I use their conversations as background music and spend my time with just one drink. Even though there are things that would usually bother me, like smoking allowed inside or no partitions, I find it too troublesome to care about them. So, I simply focus on the beer in front of me. The White Ale from Oni Densetsu is quite fruity, which I really like. The place may be small with few taps, but I'm sure it's a good bar. Whether my heart is open or closed, it gently absorbs everything.

It is located very close to the west exit of Ikebukuro Station, but it can be hard to find. The background music is Western music. I ordered a half of TODAY'S DRAFT BEER, READY PLAYER. It was served in about a minute. It had a refreshing taste.

Stylish underground shop. Good for a second round. The variety seems to change regularly due to the periodic replacement of barrels. Would like to come back again.

"Karl Strauss Mosaic Session IPA"

It's always delicious!

MELVIN, smoked oysters.

If only it were non-smoking.

Small but cozy.

I forgot to take a photo...

When there's no time until the last train, but I'm exhausted to the MAX, people still seek comfort even if it's just for a moment. I only have 20 minutes left, but I want to be healed! It may sound selfish, but I don't have the toughness to hold out until I get home. If I had the time, I would go to a bar and have three shots of hard liquor before heading back, but adult responsibilities don't always allow for that. That's where this restaurant comes in. Choose an IPA from today's tap, and just that will invite you into a world of healing. With citrusy fruity flavors, a solid body, and a refreshing bitterness, your mood is already in a different world. Your body may still be tired, but your weary heart is a little cleansed and somewhat rewarded. Chat with the staff, apologize for just having one drink, and leave the restaurant. A moment of healing for just 1,200 yen + tax. By the way, they are apparently opening a new restaurant in Ikebukuro South Exit on May 18th. Their third location in Ikebukuro. It's small, but they also serve burgers. If you have the chance, stop by when you visit Junkudo bookstore.

On a rare Friday night, we had a drinking party near Ikebukuro Station West Exit after a long time! We got some sake in advance and then decided to try out "Beer Pub Camden Nishiguchi Store" near the art theater for our second round. It's a good landmark as it's right across from Izakaya Fukuro. Although I occasionally visit the East Exit store, this was my first time at the West Exit store. When we entered after 5 pm, the interior was surprisingly cozy, with an adult beer bar-like atmosphere. And it turned out to be happy hour, so that was a nice surprise! There was only one male staff managing the place. There were two customers before us and two after us. The space was significantly smaller compared to the East Exit store, but it was not a problem at all. They had three types of beers on tap, and I decided to try the "Prairie Artisan Ales" Paradise Stout from Oklahoma as my first drink. It was my first time trying it, and the staff mentioned that it's from a promising brewery. It was a very rich and unique stout with a milky, coffee-like flavor (and a hint of banana?). With an alcohol content of 13%, it hit me slowly but surely (laughs). After finishing it quickly, I ordered the Miyazaki Hideji Beer "Kinkan Bitter Ale" as my second craft beer (regular size 1000 yen - 200 yen). It looked quite dark and lived up to its bitter name, but it was a delicious beer that I could savor. I also ordered only one dish, the "Duck Pastrami", and enjoyed it with the craft beers. After about an hour, we paid a total of 2570 yen, which was a reasonable price for a quick drink. Overall, I would rate it 3.5 stars! Next time, I might want to try comparing canned or bottled beers from overseas. Thank you for the meal.

I knew there was a beer bar here, but I had never come at the time when this place is open because I always come to the bar in front of here, Fukuro, in the morning. When I peeked into Fukuro at the unusual time of past 5 o'clock, the first floor counter was packed with people. Since I was adjusting my time, I decided to go to the place right in front of me. I have been to the beer pub Camden in the east exit a few times and that's where I got to know Punk IPA. I really liked it, so I ended up buying a pint glass of Punk IPA. The sign outside was for Guinness, so I asked for Guinness, but they said they had stopped serving it...they need to change the sign. So, naturally, I went for Punk IPA. Unlike the east exit store, they served it in a bottle, but it was still rich, bitter, and fruity, and delicious! There were three types of beer on the blackboard for today: Stone IPA - it had bitterness like an IPA, but it was gentle and fruity. Heretic Cruel Beauty - a beer with a dark cherry flavor that made me question if it was really beer, but I liked it! Heartland - a beer that fancy cafes and pizza places like to serve to show off their sophistication. This area is a place where people come in the morning, so I didn't usually come at night, but the master was friendly and it was quite a cozy place to drink. But as a poor person, I still end up coming to Fukuro (laughs).

At the second party visit, I didn't even notice there was a shop here! I drank too much so my memory is fuzzy, but the recommended menu on the blackboard was Shiga Kogen Harvest Brew -> Fruity and elegant taste, Shiga Kogen IPA -> Love the unique bitter taste of Indian Pale Ale, Heartland -> A reliable taste that I'm used to, Guinness -> This is good for finishing! The snack was zucchini grilled in a new style with garlic and pepper, very delicious. I recommend coming with a small group. Thank you for the meal!

After shopping, I stopped by for a drink with my shopping bags in tow, along with other customers doing the same. The on-tap options that day were Iwate Kura and Shiga Kogen. I had walked quite a bit, so I chose Shiga Kogen. The bitterness was refreshing and smoothly faded away. Just one glass and I was ready to head home, not really a profitable customer but still valued by the establishment. I think I'll drop by again. Feeling the need to reset my mind, I went for a chill-out session after a long time. I met up with high school classmates and talked non-stop, feeling excited even after we parted ways. To calm down that excitement, I leisurely sipped on a Summer Christmas IPA, feeling my mood settle gradually. For the second glass, I opted for the classic Guinness in a half pint. As a few groups entered the bar, I felt it was time to leave. The atmosphere was not too noisy, just right for a casual visit. The small capacity of the bar makes it ideal for a short stay, perfect for passing the time before catching a train home. It underwent a minor renovation and the menu has changed slightly. It's a shame they no longer serve fish and chips, but the light food options are sufficient. The Smoked Oysters pair well with porters and stouts. I usually choose my drink from the day's tap selection. Checking the bar's Twitter for the latest tap updates is recommended. Enjoying a good beer helps me feel calm and relaxed. Reflecting on the busy day while savoring the bitterness and the refreshing sensation, I find a moment to peacefully wrap up the day. If I can have such a happy time, it's truly wonderful.

Ikebukuro Station West Exit, along a small alley next to Mizuho Bank, "Camden Town (name at the time of visit)" had a beer before heading home. In the past, the area west of Ikebukuro Station was known for its various cheap izakayas lining the small alley near the station, and beyond that, it was considered a shady area. However, with the addition of a theater and a park called West Gate Park, this place has changed a lot. On this day, I decided to have a drink before heading home and entered a small alley. I found a fancy bar with the name Camden Town, which caught my attention, so I decided to go in. The place was quite crowded, so the master offered me a standing spot if that was okay. It was a small space, with only a small area on top of a refrigerator as a table, but I didn't mind. Unlike the branch in the east exit, this place was small, with limited beer and food options. However, they had guest beers available, so I ordered a creamy Guinness pint. As I was finishing my first drink, a counter seat opened up, so I decided to have another drink. I wish they had a bit more food options, but overall, it was a cozy place with delicious beer. It's up to you to find your own space like the British do, outside of work or home. Thank you for the meal. (It seems that the name has now changed to Beer Pub Camden West Exit Store)

A beer bar located quietly on a narrow street near Ikebukuro Station West Exit. The concept is "the entrance to craft beers from around the world". They offer four types of draft beer that change weekly, and about 30 types of bottled beer. Today's draft beers on tap were Outsider Banip from Australia IPA and Heretic Evil Twin. Outsider Brewing from Kofu, Japan, uses 100% Australian hops in their IPA, which has a fresh citrus aroma and a substantial bitterness. Banip means an Aboriginal monster. Heretic from Fairfield, California, offers a rich aroma, caramel notes, and a lingering bitterness. Happy Hour is from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a 200 yen discount. No cover charge. I felt the sense of the restaurant in the two beers they highlighted as "ON TAP TODAY".