Tokyo's top happy hours

A good happy hour is something to be treasured: more than just an opportunity to get sozzled on the cheap, it can become a social event in itself, or an opportunity for cash-strapped drinkers to visit exotic places they'd normally fear to tread (read: hotel bars). Join us on a lightning tour of the finest alcoholic bargains that Tokyo has to offer. Just don't try to do them all in one go: we've checked the train schedules, and it simply isn't possible.

Beer Saurus
Draft beer is half price during happy hour, and we’re not talking Suntory: on a recent visit, Time Out Tokyo quaffed Maui Brewing Coconut Porter and a terrifyingly bitter Green Flash West Coast IPA. The 300 yen table charge makes you feel obliged to stay and drink more cheap beer, even if the lurid decor and Eurodance soundtrack is a little off-putting. Daily, 6-8pm. 3F, 1-38-5 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo (03-5992-8217). Transport: Ikebukuro Station (Yamanote, Saikyo, Marunouchi, Yurakucho, Fukutoshin lines)

The Peak Bar
Blame Sofia Coppola, but the Park Hyatt’s New York Bar no longer has to offer the Bacchanalian happy hour deals of old to lure customers. Thankfully, its 41st floor cousin is still generous to a fault. 5,200 yen for the gents and 4,500 for the ladies earns you two hours of all-you-can-drink wine, whisky, beer and cocktails, complemented by a selection of food that’s more dainty than hearty – though appreciated nonetheless. Daily, 5-9pm. Park Hyatt Tokyo 41F, 3-7-1-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (03-5323-3461). Transport: Tochomae Station (Oedo line)

Obika
If the Tokyo branch of Italian ‘mozzarella bar’ chain Obika has struggled to match the success of some of its overseas cousins, it’s still one of the best places for a pseudo-sophisticated start to the evening in Roppongi. 1,200 yen covers one drink from a select menu – including Heartland beer, wine and 11 cocktails – and all you can eat from a small but tasty food buffet. Additional drinks cost 500 yen each. Weekdays, 5-8pm. Roppongi Hills Hillside B1F, 6-10-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo (03-5786-6400). Transport: Roppongi Station (Hibiya, Oedo lines)

Peter: The Bar
Dinner at The Peninsula Tokyo’s hip restaurant Peter starts at 10,000 yen, but you can get 700 yen drinks at the adjacent bar during happy hour. The limited menu includes sparkling wine, Suntory Premium Malt’s and 15 cocktails; dress code is smart casual. Weekdays, 5-8pm. The Peninsula Tokyo 24F, 1-8-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (03 6270 2888). Transport: Hibiya Station (Chiyoda, Hibiya, Toei Mita lines)

Wisteria
Sure, the view from the second-floor windows doesn’t compare with the gobsmacking vistas you’ll find at some other hotel bars, but the drinks are also correspondingly cheaper. Libations are half-price during happy hour, which means champagne for 850 yen, sherry for 404 yen and cocktails from 500 yen. The location is ideal if you’re looking to get in the mood for a long shinkansen journey. Daily, 3-7pm. Yaesu Fujiya Hotel 2F, 2-9-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (03-3273-0224). Transport: Tokyo Station (Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku, Tokaido, Keiyo, Marunouchi lines)