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 High Five
Bartender Hidetsugu Ueno's small basement cocktail bar in Ginza, known for precise Japanese-style mixing and ice carved by hand in front of guests.
At a glance
- Type
- Classic cocktail bar
- Area
- Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Official site
- barhighfive.com
Good to know
- Non-smoking
- No reservations
- Hand-carved ice
- Closed Sundays
Why we recommend it
Bar High Five is the Ginza cocktail bar of Hidetsugu Ueno, one of the most influential Japanese bartenders of his generation and a well-known figure on the international bar circuit. The bar is independent and small, set in the basement of the Efflore Ginza 5 building, and it is often cited as a model of the Japanese style of bartending, in which precision, hospitality and attention to detail matter as much as the drinks themselves.
The cocktails are built on classic recipes, modified with care and executed with great technique. Ueno and his team are known for carving ice by hand in front of guests, including diamond-shaped ice for spirits served on the rocks, and watching the bartenders work is part of the appeal. Signature drinks have included a refined White Lady and the Full Bloom, made with maraschino and sakura liqueurs. Many guests simply describe the flavours and spirits they enjoy and let the bartender choose for them, which is a good way to experience the bar at its best.
The bar opens in the evenings from Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sundays; it occasionally changes its hours for private events and closes once a year for stocktaking, so check the notices on the official website before you go. Reservations have not been accepted since 2015. The bar suggests calling shortly before you arrive to check whether seats are free, and because it is small and popular, arriving early in the evening improves your chances. The bar has been non-smoking since 2020, following Tokyo's smoking ordinance.
High Five suits cocktail lovers, couples and solo drinkers who appreciate a calm, focused bar. It is not the place for a large group or a loud night out. Prices are in line with other high-end Ginza bars, and a table or cover charge is common in bars of this kind, so ask if you are unsure. Smart-casual dress fits the setting.
The bar is at 5-4-15 Ginza, in the heart of the Ginza district, a few minutes' walk from Ginza Station on the Ginza, Marunouchi and Hibiya lines. Ten-ichi, Kyubey and the department stores of Chuo-dori are all close by, making it an easy place for a drink after dinner in Ginza.
Bar High Five FAQs
Can I book?
No, reservations have not been accepted since 2015; the bar suggests calling shortly before arriving to check for seats.
When is it open?
In the evenings from Monday to Saturday; check the website for occasional changes.
Is it open on Sundays?
No, it is closed on Sundays.
Who runs it?
Bartender Hidetsugu Ueno.
Is smoking allowed?
No, the bar has been non-smoking since April 2020.
What should I order?
Describe the flavours you like and let the bartender choose, or try a classic such as the White Lady.
Is it good for groups?
It is small, so it suits individuals and couples best.
Where is it?
In the basement of the Efflore Ginza 5 building, 5-4-15 Ginza, a few minutes from Ginza Station.