TASUICHI

English-friendly standing bar in the heart of Shibuya

The first time I visited Tokyo in 2012, one of my friends living in the city took me to Tasuichi. Even then, it was crowded and full of expats and Japanese folks alike. It wasn't until I visited again in 2018 that I saw how much it grew and truly became a "gaijin bar". The main draw is their cheap prices and lack of cover charge. Shibuya can be a really expensive place to drink if you're not careful, so places like this with great happy hour deals and amazing regular-priced drinks are always welcomed. And it's great that their food is reasonable as well. The downside is that it can get really crowded (and sometimes rowdy). Finding a table to stand at (let alone room enough for your own body) can be a challenge at peak times. Plus, you need to flag down a waitstaff member and place your order through them, so getting their attention can prove difficult sometimes as well. The most recent time I was there, I ordered a hard cider. Strangely, my drink tasted strongly of onions. I'm not sure if it was my glass, or something about the cider was off, but it really didn't sit well with me, so I had to leave after that. My friends didn't find anything wrong with their drinks, so I'm not sure if it was a one off thing or what. I didn't feel ill afterwards besides the stomachache that night, so I'm still scratching my head about it. Bottom line, it's good for cheap drinks with friends. However, it can get insanely crowded at times and full of expats. If that's not your scene, I'd recommend skipping this place.