East

On the night we visited East, owner Masayoshi Kasamatsu was out playing a gig. He's a drummer for the band Magumi and the Breathless. But most nights you'll find him welcoming customers and even spinning a few tunes on the decks – if it's not Kasamatsu himself playing DJ, then there'll be someone else working their magic in the corner.

Aside from good music, East offers an all-round laidback experience. Feel free to perch yourself on one of the white barstools and chat to bubbly bartender Kazuki Kamitashiro Yuko, who also happens to be a DJ (and a dancer) when she's not serving delicious daikon (Japanese radish) salads and freshly squeezed orange juice 'n' soda cocktails to customers at East.

The mock-pine walls and orange couch go well together, making you feel right at home, while creative accents like paper art by Luminous Goldfish and hand-painted lampshades add to the distinct feeling that you've chanced upon a community of creatives who've made a business out of hanging out together, making music and sharing drinks. Idyllic, really.