Swan Lake Pub Edo (Tokyo Station)

Pub Edo is a bar with sophistication and style operated by Swan Lake, Niigata-based producers of some of the best craft beer in Japan. In addition to featuring most of the line-up from Swan Lake—a reason in itself to be excited—they have several guest taps and an array of fine food. It’s located just a sprint from Tokyo Station and opens out attractively onto the street in an area with other decent bars.

Of Pub Edo’s 30 taps, all visible behind the bar on a sleek, silver serving system, roughly a third of them carry Swan Lake beer, winner of numerous gold medals in world beer competitions. 250ml glasses are „550 and 450ml glasses are „900—both right around the Tokyo norm. The barley wine and imperial stout are only available in 150ml snifter glasses, also for „900. Some of their seasonal beers are only available in 330ml bottles for „800. The guest beers from craft breweries all across Japan are for the most part top class, but craft beer drinkers in the know will recognize that they are pricey, even for Tokyo—perhaps we should at least credit Swan Lake for putting so many on in their own beer pub. 250ml glasses range between „650 and „800, while 450ml glasses are between „950 and „1200. Strong ales are „1100 in snifter glasses.

Pub Edo is rather up-scale, with food that is good and fairly affordable. In fact, Swan Lake wants food to be at least half of the experience of visiting. Much of the food is inspired by Niigata dishes and made with local products. Splurge on some Niigata beef stewed in their world-class porter for „1500. The smoked-food options, most of which are under „1000, are also highly recommended. Most of the items, in fact, are well under „1000 and suitable for snacking and sharing.

The elegant interior features a small bar, several tables for two, but no real standing room—if you’re with a fairly large group, it’s almost easier to claim one of the standing tables outside the restaurant. Careful of the divine barley wine, though; it can make your knees shake!