☑️ A famous and popular bar just a 3-minute walk from Ginza Station ☑️ Fruit cocktails are easy to drink and delicious! ☑️ The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is great [Today's Highlight] ▶️ Mango cocktail is easy to drink and delicious! [Today's Mini Info] ◆ Nothing special [Today's Dining Experience] After visiting "Marushi Meat" as the first stop, we decided to check out a bar in Ginza for the second stop. We ended up at the highly popular BAR Hoshi after a phone call. It was located on the 2nd floor of a 9-story building, with floors 2, 5, 8, and 9 being part of Hoshi. It was quite amusing. This time, we visited IRIS on the 2nd floor (the main store is on the 8th floor). When asked what's different, we were told that the standing bartender was different. It seems fun to find your favorite while going up and down. Despite feeling a bit nervous at a popular bar in Ginza, the staff was extremely friendly, the cocktails were delicious, and the atmosphere was great. I now understand why it's so popular. I would recommend it to those who want to make their bar debut but are unsure. Thank you for the wonderful experience. [Today's Menu] ⚫️ Two fruit cocktails [Today's Restaurant] ■ BAR Hoshi IRIS (Bar) ■ 3-minute walk from Ginza Station / Closed on Mondays / ¥3,000 ■ Food Blog rating: ★★★☆☆ 3.31 ■ Hotaru Log rating: ★★★★☆ 3.8 [About This Account] ◉ Introducing high-cost performance gourmet recommendations for people in their 20s and 30s, mainly in Ebisu and Ginza ◉ Solving the "I wish I had known before going" with "You must try this!" and "Be aware of this!" ◉ Please follow us on Instagram! @hotalog

Yuuyu's black cat didn't make it in time, but Yuukun's black cat, we were able to drink it! I'm excited ♡ They assured me that it's okay because they are listening to the recipe! Shanoir (black cat), Moscow Mule, Curry Rice, and Hayashi Rice were all delicious. When the bartender is young, it lowers the barrier to the bar for me, haha. During emergencies, I came here for a curry lunch and ended up coming back because it was so good. It's convenient when you want to drink a little more. The location is just right. While the streets around Corridor are starting to get crowded again, the parking lot near here is peaceful with only adults. The atmosphere here is nice, the comfort is good, and the food menu is extensive. It's really nice here ♡ I love the send-off at the end of the visit every time, and I also love the reaction of the companion who came here for the first time, haha. I also had a strong reaction at first, haha. Thank you for the meal! Shop Instagram ☞ @bar_hoshi_iris My Instagram for walks and bars ☞ @sanpocorner Mayuyu @ Ginza On Instagram, I also posted a video of Yuukun's cocktail.

I have visited Hosshi's shop many times, but IRIS is my first visit. Two years ago, when I visited Bar Spoon in Kanazawa, I found out that the master's daughter was the manager of IRIS, so I wanted to visit. Unfortunately, the daughter has since left and is working elsewhere. The bar has a counter with 12 seats and 8 tables. Currently, they have reduced the number of seats. The bartender mentioned that there is no recipe for a Blue Daiquiri in their book, but I recalled a funny incident from a bar in Roppongi where they didn't know what it was either. The bartender at IRIS decided to make it for me, bringing back memories from over twenty-five years ago. The Martini on the rocks was perfect for a hot night. The chocolate assortment and the soup with snacks were also delicious. The atmosphere at BAR Hosshi IRIS is cozy and welcoming, and the food menu is surprisingly good. It's a great place to visit, whether for a drink or a midnight meal.

At Boshi IRIS, they started serving lunch and you can enjoy chicken curry. I heard that they also serve shaved ice now, so I decided to stop by. A professional bartender at the counter made a non-alcoholic peach shaved ice by shaking it. Served in a short cocktail glass, it had a sophisticated taste. The peach sauce made with a three-piece shaker and a hint of syrup were designed to change the flavor as you eat. Truly impressive work by the professional! Watching the bartender shake with elegance, I couldn't help but feel sorry for not being able to shake a real cocktail. I'm tired of wide shows only talking about the number of COVID cases, without mentioning anything about the government, politicians, or the Olympics. As I watched the bartender work diligently as always, shaking the shaker, I felt a sense of longing. It's like Duke Ellington said, "If you don't swing, it don't mean a thing." You're not a bartender if you don't shake. Shake it up!

Due to the extreme heat, I went to BAR Hoshi IRIS to cool off. They are currently open for lunch on weekends as well. I had their curry lunch last time and it was delicious, so this time I went for their sweets - peach shaved ice. It was my first time having shaved ice at a bar. The sauce was mixed on the spot and shaken in a cocktail shaker before being poured over the ice, creating a unique shaved ice experience. The peach shaved ice was different from the usual ones, showing the creativity of the talented manager, Mr. Hosoda. As I enjoyed it, I noticed that the ice was carefully made to not become watery as it melted, maintaining the peach flavor until the end. The secret syrup at the bottom added a delightful aroma. The manager explained that they put a lot of effort into handling the ice since they don't have a lot of orders in a day. I also learned about the story behind the creation of the shaved ice, which was quite interesting. The curry and hash beef lunch are popular, and many customers enjoy shaved ice for dessert afterwards. The person next to me mentioned that they only have two more flavors left to try before they have tried all the shaved ice options. I am curious about the popcorn shaved ice too. They offer six different flavors of shaved ice, and the peach shaved ice was priced at 1900 yen!

I have been to this special place a few times since my friend took me there. It's an authentic bar, but not intimidating at all, with very welcoming staff. It's a place I like to treat myself to. I visited on a Sunday before the fourth state of emergency, when they just started serving lunch. The curry lunch had a nice level of spiciness and a gentle flavor that goes down smoothly even after drinking, as expected of deliciousness. The Lemoncello paired with it was a refreshing cocktail with a hint of lemon peel bitterness. I also tried a fresh fruit cocktail with cherries and champagne, named "Cherini" by the female staff member Noda-san. It was delicious with a refreshing sweetness. I hope we can drink freely again soon so I can visit this special place for another occasion.

This week, a new lunch service has started at BAR Hoshi IRIS in Ginza, a bar owned by the Hoshi Group with 6 locations in the area. For lunch, they offer a set menu where you can choose your favorite cocktail (non-alcoholic options available) and curry for only 1500 yen. I chose the Moscow Mule cocktail, which was made with their unique homemade vodka infused with spices like cinnamon. It was a perfect match for the curry, which had tenderly cooked chicken with a mild yet spicy flavor. This curry is a popular menu item at night. It's refreshing to enjoy a cold and spicy Moscow Mule with this curry on hot days. During lunch, there is no table charge, making it a great deal. The manager, Mr. Hosoda, and his energetic staff are running the bar. Lunch is a great opportunity for those who haven't had a chance to visit before, as it's easy to visit alone. The location can be a bit tricky to find, so here's a tip: it's located on the 2nd floor of a building next to the Ginza Muto restaurant. They also serve lunch on weekends, offering the same menu. Let's support this new initiative from a Ginza bar, BAR Hoshi IRIS. Lunch hours are from 12:00 onwards (they also serve lunch on weekends), and they are closed on Mondays.

I was bar-hopping in Ginza, but I had never visited a bar in the Hoshi Group in Tokyo. I felt like the atmosphere was a bit intimidating. This visit was a last-minute decision before the state of emergency was declared, and it was my first time there. I ordered a Passion Fruit cocktail and the Sakapapcorn charm, which is a cold white sesame soup. Unfortunately, Hosoda-san, whom I was looking forward to seeing, was not there. Lately, the turnout at the bar hasn't been great (laughs). This time, the cocktail was made by Chitoku-san. The Passion Fruit cocktail was a type with a wide range of flavors, made with passion fruit juice and syrup, following Hoshi's recipe. Yes, it was delicious. A taste with no mistakes, reliable and stable. I pondered what to drink for the second round. I jokingly asked, "Do you have any original cocktails, Chitoku-san?" Then, he brought out a drink called "Kasapapcorn," which had popcorn syrup added to Ron Zacapa. My eyes widened for a moment, but the courage and sense to serve this to a first-time customer like me, I don't dislike it at all! (laughs) What even is popcorn syrup? I thought as I took a sip, and... it was just like popcorn! When the luxurious aroma of Ron Zacapa mixes with the savory scent of popcorn, it creates a taste reminiscent of high-class caramel popcorn. It's so interesting. While searching for champion cocktails is great, stumbling upon a fun drink that you don't quite understand is also one of the joys of bar activities. The Hoshi Group has a wealth of talent both vertically and horizontally.

I visited the restaurant on the 9th floor, then moved to the 8th floor and finally to the 2nd floor. When moving, the staff took my belongings to prevent me from running away without paying. The restaurant had a cozy and authentic atmosphere with closed curtains on the windows. It featured a spotlight on the stand where cocktails were poured into glasses, similar to popular Kyoto restaurants like "K6" and "Rocking Chair". The L-shaped counter had seating for 15-16 people, with a staff of 2 women and 2 men. The restaurant seemed more popular than the main branch, with 6 customers in 4 groups. It was interesting to see a female manager, which is rare for a bar. I tried the "Chanoir" cocktail, which means "black cat" in French. The bartender's movements were graceful yet powerful, and she even created a decorative moon and black cat when serving the drink. She seemed experienced, maybe even on par with the manager of the main branch. The cocktails looked glamorous under the spotlight, but lost their charm in dim lighting. The taste was trendy and artistic, but might be hard for the average consumer to appreciate. Overall, it was an intriguing experience that I would recommend trying.

I have never been to other floors, but I like this restaurant because I can feel their attentiveness to customer service and creativity. When I took this photo, they immediately brought a light for me.

【Revisit/Addition②】★In a city with as many bars as there are stars, "Ginza". There are numerous bars in this city, attracting many bar enthusiasts. Among them, the area around 6-chome is home to many renowned establishments. People often call it the "demonic 6-chome" because once you visit one bar, you end up hopping to several others. In this vibrant area, there is a bar located in a building that sparkles beautifully at night. It is on the second floor, and when you look up from the street and see lights inside, you know it's open for business. Above the sign of the first-floor shop, there is a cat, looking as if it's watching over "IRIS", which is quite cute. This bar, named "Bar Hoshi", is part of the "Eight Star" group, led by the owner bartender Hoshi, who has risen to prominence in the Ginza bar scene. Over the past few years, they have been opening new branches one after another. When they opened their 6th branch, I thought they might aim for 8 branches to match their company name, but they have already surpassed that goal! (laughs) (At the time of posting, they have returned to 8 branches). Anyway, when you get off the elevator on the second floor, you find yourself at the bar. There is a sign in front, and as you turn left and then right, you'll see an L-shaped counter and a back bar on the right. There are table seats on the left side at the back. The back bar has shelves extending all the way to the edge, with bottles neatly arranged. I did wonder if they would fall in an earthquake, but it does look visually appealing. You can really feel Hoshi's sense of style. (During the Great East Japan Earthquake, the 9th floor was almost completely destroyed, which was heartbreaking). There is a stage where bartenders create cocktails on the counter, with a spotlight shining on it. The counter seats do not have a bar. When you sit down, you are served soup, which is cold in the summer. The cocktails crafted by the bartender are delicious. They also offer a variety of light snacks and meals. When it's time to pay, you are served green tea or plum tea. Please note that the bartenders at these establishments may change shifts or take days off, so it's recommended to inquire in advance if you are looking for a specific bartender. At the time of posting, Hosoda is serving as the second-generation store manager. The "IRIS Special Hashed Beef" has tenderly simmered meat and is very soft. There is quite a lot of meat in it (more than I expected, haha). [Hosoda's Original Cocktails] "Cerezo" - Created in 2018. A sweet dessert-style short cocktail with a rum base. When you take a sip, the liquid feels round and swells in your mouth. As you drink it as if popping a balloon or soap bubble, a rich flavor spreads. After it goes down your throat, a gentle aftertaste lingers. Winner of the Ron Sakapa Cocktail Competition. "Caribbean Pearl" - Created in 2017. A light green short cocktail with a rum base. After sensing a fruity aroma, taking a sip gives a slight tingling sensation before smoothly going down your throat. A pleasant aftertaste remains in your mouth. Winner of the NBA Kanto Regional Headquarters Junior Bartender Cocktail Competition. "Chanoir" - Created in 2016. A light purple short cocktail with flavored vodka base. After sensing a refreshing aroma, taking a sip reveals a mild and easy-to-drink taste, followed by waves of rich flavors one after another. It goes down smoothly and leaves you wanting another sip. Marie Brizard Cocktail.

In late August, when it comes to "Bar Hoshi," I always think of a bar where I can enjoy a friendly atmosphere and cocktails made with fresh fruits. Although it is an authentic bar, it has a cozy and welcoming vibe that I really like. I have only visited the main store on the 8th and 9th floors before, so this time I decided to check out the 2nd floor "Iris" which I had never been to. The cocktails made with seasonal fresh fruits were just as amazing at "Iris" on the 2nd floor. It seems that all the stores in the "Bar Hoshi" group provide top-notch fresh fruit cocktails. The hospitality of the bartenders was also fantastic, and I was truly impressed by the consistency of excellence across all the "Bar Hoshi" group stores.