THE GREY ROOM

21 Best Bars in Tokyo, from Hotel Lounges to a Tequila Speakeasy | Condé Nast Traveler

"Led by pioneering female bartender Yukiyo Kurihara, this swanky cocktail lounge conjures a Bond villain lair – in the best possible way – with natural stone walls, wide leather chairs and overstuffed cow-print cushions. Wrap-around windows offer views of the glittering Ginza skyline. The popular afternoon tea attracts a steady stream of ladies who lunch, while the after-work crowd filters in after five. Cocktails evocatively spiced with South Asian flavors are the star of the show. The signature Mumbai Tonic is a must-try made with anise-infused gin and rosemary. Seasonal sippers like the mango daquiri made with Darjeeling-flavored rum, or Kurihara’s saffron-scented take on the French 75 are ingenious and transporting elixirs. We'd come here for the food alone: Japanese-inflected Indian snacks like octopus-stuffed paniyaram and deep-fried shiso chaat, studded with pomegranate and drizzled with yogurt. Garam masala French fries are a match for the spice-based cocktails." - Melinda Joe