Bar
Shinjuku Golden Gai
A tight grid of narrow lanes in Kabukicho holding around 300 tiny bars, many seating only a handful of drinkers, each with its own theme.
Bar Trench
A small, dark Ebisu cocktail bar opened in 2010, known for herbal drinks, absinthe and cocktails built around unusual ingredients and stories.
At a glance
- Type
- Cocktail and absinthe bar
- Area
- Ebisu, Tokyo, Japan
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Opening
- Open daily · 18:00–02:00
- Official site
- small-axe.net
- Last checked
- October 23, 2026
Good to know
- No reservations
- Open daily
Why we recommend it
Bar Trench opened in 2010 as the sister to Bar Tram, and it shares that bar's love of herbal spirits, absinthe and cocktails built around unusual ingredients and the stories behind them. The room is small and black-toned, with the feel of a hidden hideout on an Ebisu back street, and the name refers to a military trench: a place to regroup before moving on.
It is open every day from 18:00 until 02:00 with no regular closing day, and the bar does not take reservations, so arrive early in the evening if you want a seat, or be prepared to wait or return later. Let the bartenders know which flavours you enjoy and they will suggest something from the house list. It is a short walk from Ebisu Station, making it an easy addition to an evening of eating in Ebisu.
Reviewed by Lifestylemetro · Details checked October 23, 2026
Bar Trench FAQs
Can I book a table?
No, the bar does not take reservations.
What are the opening hours?
Every day from 18:00 to 02:00, with no regular closing day.