Kurakura is one of Tokyo’s more established craft beer bars, featuring 12 taps and elegant, modern décor for a night of classy drinking and dining. Owner Tanaka has been in the industry for years and has broad knowledge of the best beers and the condition in which they should be served. There are always a few selections on the menu, too, that you will have difficulty finding elsewhere in Tokyo.

Eleven of his taps are devoted to Japanese craft beer, with Hoegaarden on that last. Serving sizes come in 200ml and 400ml, with prices for Japanese craft starting from ¥630 and ¥945 respectively. Most are over ¥700 and ¥1100, placing Kurakura slightly toward the high end of the Tokyo average for prices. Tanaka does offer some special deals, though, like the large glasses for ¥1000 on Mondays, Saturdays and holidays (seasonal beers excluded). The beer menu includes about ten or so varieties of Belgian beer in bottles, most starting from ¥1200, and about three German bottled beers from ¥900.

The food is largely French-inspired, with some typical pub items, and rather tasty. The dishes are also quite affordable, so even though you may be paying a little more for beer, your overall bill for an evening’s meal will likely not run as high as you might expect. Almost everything on the menu is well under ¥1000, except for a few plates for sharing, like specialty sausages. Chicken is an important ingredient of their menu and you’ll definitely want to try some of the many varieties they serve for only ¥580 or ¥600.

Kurakura is often busy and you’re advised to call in advance or make reservations for one of their few tables. Otherwise, there is some very limited standing room toward the back where you can wait with a glass until a counter seat opens.

Japanese translation coming soon.