Tokyo's top happy hours

Drinking in Tokyo just isn't cheap - that's a fact we all have to accept. What we don't have to accept, however, are regular-price drinks, extortive entrance fees, and tricky nomihodai plans that are only affordable for the 15-year veteran alcoholic. The way to dodge all these bullets is knowing where and when to find a decent happy hour, and that's exactly what this guide is meant to help you do. Happy hours aren't just opportunities to get 'happy' - they're a means to discovering drinking establishments that are usually way beyond our meagre budgets. This list of watering holes with worthy happy hours includes everything from fancy hotel bars to standard pubs and from microbrew havens to full-fledged eateries.

Beer Saurus Ikebukuro

Station: Ikebukuro
Happy hour: 6-8pm daily
Beer Saurus's happy hour cuts draught beer prices in half. The menu includes classics like Kirin's Heartland and Hoegaarden White, alongside a seasonal rotation of five keg beers. Although the table charge will set you back 300 yen, it's well worth it.
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Bar Ku Kon

Station: Shinjuku
Happy hour: 5-7.30pm daily
Although only the wines are discounted for happy hour, this bar at the Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku offers some real steals, including glasses of Patriarche Chardonnay Brut for only ¥550, a 50% discount. Select bottles of wine are also available for half price, and despite the fact that there are more luxurious hotels in the area, this is the one place that shouldn't be missed.
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West Park Cafe Yoyogi-Uehara

Station: Yoyogi-Hachiman
Happy hour: Mon-Fri 5-7pm
Perhaps better known for their open-air atmosphere and lunch menu, this Californian restaurant, located between Yoyogi-Hachiman Station and Yoyogi-Uehara Station, also serves up beer and house wines for ¥500 a pop during the evening hours. Pair up some drinks with their popular rotisserie chicken to start the night off right.
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Hub

Station: Shibuya
Happy hour: opening-7pm daily（varies by location）
Although certainly not among the classiest places in town, those hunting for a cheap drink should look no further than any one of these English-style pubs scattered throughout Tokyo. With about 50 cocktails available and prices starting from ¥190, you really can't go wrong at Hub. Cheapskates will be relieved to hear that drinks are ordered individually at the counter, so there's no confusion about splitting the bill.

The Griffon

Station: Shibuya
Happy hour: 5.30-8pm daily
Enjoy 20 different beers on tap, including domestic brews like Yona Yona Real Ale and Onidensetsu Sicilian Rouge Tomato alongside foreign beers, for the bargain price of ¥580 a glass at this Shibuya hideout. The fish and chips, prepared using beer vinegar sourced from the Kiuchi Brewery in Ibaraki, are also a treat.
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Goodbeer Faucets

Station: Shibuya
Happy hour: Mon-Thu 5-8pm, Sun 4-7pm
Opposite the Bunkamura in Shibuya you'll find Goodbeer Faucets, a godsend for beer lovers with 40 types of microbrews on tap from Japan, the United States, and around the globe. Go during happy hour to receive a nice 200-yen discount on any one of them, and begin discovering a world beyond lagers.
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Obika Mozzarella Bar

Station: Roppongi
Happy hour: 4-7pm daily
All drinks, including Heartland Beer and glasses of wine, are ¥500 at the Obika Mozzarella Bar. Although the price of the mozzarella remains the same, many food items are available for ¥300 a plate. Head out on to the terrace for an open-air experience, and don't forget to try the exquisite Mortadella ham (¥400) in between all the wining.
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Havana Cafe

Station: Roppongi
Happy hour: Mon-Sat 5-7pm
Drinks start at ¥200, with Cuba Libres and Heartland Beer for ¥300, and Coronas, frozen margaritas, and mojitos going for ¥500, prices unheard of considering the Havana Cafe's location in the heart of Roppongi. Come here if you're looking to take in a light-hearted atmosphere and enjoy a Latin American dining experience (or just chug mojitos).
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Shamrock by Abbot's Choice

Station: Roppongi
Happy hour: 3-7pm daily
Located just a few steps from Tokyo Midtown, Shamrock offers a wide selection of draught beer and other select drinks for 500 yen a glass. The food's nothing to be sneezed at either, especially the fish and chips, made with fresh fish delivered straight from Tsukiji every day.
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Orangé

Station: Roppongi
Happy hour: 4-7pm daily
This Midtown champagne bistro is best known for its terrace seating, featuring stunning views of Gaien Higashi-dori. During happy hour, all drinks are 50% off, but be careful not to overdo it: the menu offers the full monty, including Moët & Chandon, wine, cocktails, and sake.
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Union Square Tokyo

Station: Roppongi
Happy hour: 5-7pm daily
This Tokyo branch of the ultra-popular Union Square Cafe in New York is always a great place to start the night. Drinks like beer, champagne, and assorted mixed drinks start at ¥500 during happy hour, and go perfectly with the delicious food - the menu includes everything from vegetable and fruit salads, pasta, and burgers to smoked steaks and other New York-inspired dishes.
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Craft Hands

Station: Azabu-Juban
Happy hour: 5-8pm（Sat-Sun from 3pm）
Don't miss this Azabu-Juban microbrew bar. 13 different types of popular brews are always available at the first-floor counter, and they'll take 100 yen off for regular sizes during happy hour (large pints are ¥200 off). The appetizer menu offers side dishes for a flat ¥500 each - try the juicy soft shell shrimp fries.
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Champagne Bar

Station: Tameike-Sanno
Happy hour: Mon-Sat 5-8pm
The name obviously gives away what the main attraction is at this bar, located inside the ANA Intercontinental Hotel Tokyo. Although prices might be slightly higher here than at other establishments on our list, it's a great place to be if you want to try out some of the more expensive champagnes without breaking the bank.
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Peter The Bar

Station: Hibiya
Happy hour: Sun-Thu 5-8pm
Don't let the glorious 24th-floor views scare you off - this bar at the Peninsula Tokyo isn't as stuck up as you might think. Make the trip during happy hour and you'll be greeted by a special menu with food and drink available for ¥800 a pop. Give the cajun fried potatoes a try for a down-to-earth dish that won't leave you hungry - or go all-out with some of the more luxurious selections.
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Bar Le Chanson

Station: Ginza
Happy hour: 5-7pm daily
There's usually a reason as to why hotel bars don't exactly attract casual drinkers. We were unable to find any good excuses at this Mercure Tokyo Ginza lounge, which offers beers including Yona Yona Ale, wine, and side dishes for ¥500 apiece. It's never too crowded, so go ahead and drop in for some quality time away from the world.
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Wisteria

Station: Tokyo
Happy hour: 3-7pm daily
Find this hideout on the second floor of the Yaesu Fujiya Hotel, located just a stone's throw from the Yaesu Exit of Tokyo Station. It's got an easygoing atmosphere (for a hotel bar), and drinks are half off during happy hour: Asahi's Super Dry, Extra Cold and Frozen lagers can all be sampled for the relatively low price of ¥425 each. Next time you need to catch the shinkansen, leave a bit early and have a peek inside Wisteria.
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DevilCraft

Station: Kanda
Happy hour: 5-6pm（Sat-Sun 3-5pm）
This popular Kanda microbrew bar offers 15 different beers, including some real rarities. The happy hour discount is ¥100 off all drinks, and don't forget to order their Chicago-style deep dish pizza - there are few things better in this world than quality beer and a thick, juicy, and cheesy DevilCraft pizza.
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Popeye

Station: Ryogoku
Happy hour: Mon-Sat 5-8pm
Known for its microbrews, there's no happy hour discount for drinks at Popeye. Don't let that get you down though - instead of a discount, select drinks with a crown symbol next to them on the menu come with a free food dish. It's a great combo for those late weekday nights, as the food portion of this 'Otsukaresama set' will probably prevent you from getting overly 'happy'.
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Waterline

Station: Tennozu Isle
Happy hour: Mon-Fri 5.30-8pm
This floating lounge, anchored just outside of the T.Y. Harbor Brewery, offers four of its own beers fresh from the brewing vats, with prices starting from ¥500. Stay until sunset and catch the colourful yakatabune boats drifting by on the bay. Waterline's a great spot, whatever the season - heaters are set up on board during the colder months.
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