Izakaya Night
A night out at an izakaya is an experience that blends great food, endless drinks, and a lively atmosphere. These Japanese gastropubs range from smoky, dimly lit joints packed with salarymen to sleek, modern venues with digital ordering systems. The moment you walk in, you’re hit with a chorus of staff shouting “Irasshaimase!” welcoming you inside. Seating varies from bar counters to private booths or even tatami mats, where you’ll have to awkwardly fold your legs and pretend you’re comfortable.
Drinking is the heart of the izakaya experience. Beer is the standard starter, usually served in massive mugs, but the real fun begins with sake, shochu, and highballs. Chuhai, a dangerously smooth mix of shochu and fruit soda, goes down far too easily. Nomihoudai, or all-you-can-drink deals, are common, and they often lead to poor decisions and a questionable taxi bill at the end of the night. Kanpai culture is strong—no one drinks until everyone has their glass raised in a toast.
Food at an izakaya is designed for slow, steady snacking. Skewers of yakitori, crispy karaage, and plates of sashimi fill the table, ordered in rounds to keep up with the drinking pace. Gyoza, edamame, and takowasa (raw octopus in wasabi) make frequent appearances, each bite cutting through the booze. Some places specialise in regional delicacies, while others offer everything from grilled fish to cheese-stuffed omelettes. There’s always something slightly weird on the menu, just to test your sense of adventure.
The atmosphere is chaotic in the best way possible. Groups of friends, coworkers, and even strangers end up shouting across tables, laughing, and occasionally breaking into spontaneous karaoke. Smoke from tabletop grills lingers in the air, and there’s always at least one person getting a bit too emotional about something trivial. If the first izakaya doesn’t do enough damage, a nijikai (second party) is almost inevitable, usually at another bar or a karaoke booth where inhibitions fully collapse.
Leaving an izakaya is often a challenge in itself. Bills can be a nightmare to split since Japan still favours the “one person pays” approach, and there’s always the looming threat of missing the last train home. If that happens, options include a long walk, an expensive taxi, or crashing in a manga café until morning. Regardless of how the night ends, an izakaya session is always an unpredictable, laughter-filled ride—one that usually starts with a simple beer and ends with questionable life choices.
