• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
  • Bars
    • Bar Reviews
    • Bar Quest
  • Cocktails
    • Cocktail Recipes
    • Home Bar
  • Contact
  • Archives

Slightly Pretentious

Great Cocktails. Spectacular Stays. Only Slightly Pretentious.

Bar Ben Fiddich Review Tokyo: The Best Bar in Tokyo (or the World?)

February 17, 2019 by Sean 2 Comments

Bar Ben Fiddich Tokyo

Depending on the day, if you were to ask me what my favorite bar in the world is, there’s a good chance I’d answer Bar Ben Fiddich in Tokyo.

Before last year I’d never been to Japan. But after two relatively last minute, and unexpected trips I ended up in Tokyo twice in 2018.

And both times, Bar Ben Fiddich was one of the absolute highlights.

The first trip was with my good friends John and Scott. Scott’s wife was having a baby couple months later, and so when a group of us were on a hike a month prior we started talking about taking a guys trip to celebrate.

The only criteria was that it be a place we could all get to on Delta miles, and would be a decent place to visit for a week.

Oh, and it was a bonus if we could get some skiing in.

Switzerland was our first choice, but was knocked out for logistical reasons.

Singapore was next, but after Tate complained that she wanted to go there with me (more on that later), we ruled it out.

We finally released we could relatively easy fly to Tokyo, do a few nights there, and then pop up to Niseko for some skiing.

It ended up being one of the best trips I’ve ever taken, despite this happening:

…and Ben Fiddich was one of the absolute highlights on an epic trip.

My friends knew about my bar quest, and fortunately were also the purveyors of fine spirits and cocktails, so they weren’t put off when I told them we had 6 bars I wanted to visit in the two nights we had in Tokyo.

Night one was a druken stumble through Bar High Five, Bar Orchard Ginza, a random bar on the 7th floor of a random building that was not what we were expecting, Mori Bar, and Star Bar.

The next night was an epic-ly disappointing old fashioned at New York Bar at the top of the Park Hyatt (which I’ll revisit in another post, as my second experience there was even worse), followed by close to three hours of phenomenal drinking at Ben Fiddich.

We walked over from the Park Hyatt, and probably spent 20 minutes walking in circles trying to find it.

You’d have no idea it was there, were it not for this little sticker on a call box outside the building:

This is actually much smaller than it looks…

One of the most interesting parts of Tokyo are the sheer number of bars hidden in what appear to be (and often are) run of the mill apartment buildings.

You hop in a descriptor elevator, end up in a non descriptor hallway, and hope you’re in the right spot.

Many times on both of my trips to Japan, we were not.

Fortunately, once we found Ben Fiddich the giant wooden door let us know we were in the right place.

When you open it up, you’re whisked away into another land. A small bar that to this day is unlike any other bar I’ve visited.

It feels oddly reminiscent of a journey to Hogwarts Castle, as everything is made of wood, and the view behind the bar is less about the spirits, and more dominated by the random herbs, tinctures, spices, and other vials of ingredients nestled back there.

Behind the Bar at Ben Fiddich
Behind the Bar at Ben Fiddich

On this first trip, we got there just after opening and snagged three seats right at the center of the bar – which is exactly where you want to be at Ben Fiddich as half of the experience is talking with the bartender and watching the show of the drinks.

Hiroyasu Kayama, like many Japanese bartenders, is a true master of his craft. And is on my short list for most impressive bartenders I’ve ever met.

The man at work…

His creations are truly unique and are unlike any cocktails I’ve experienced anywhere else.

There are no menus at Ben Fiddich, he simply has a conversation with you about what you like and what type of drink you’d prefer.

As I learned on my second trip with Tate (who usually favors rum or tequila drinks), he tends to focus on whiskey and gin based cocktails, but trust me when I say, he can make something for everyone.

As is customary for me when I’m at a bar with no menu, or simply want to test the bartender, I asked him to make me his take on an old fashioned.

“Ok, one special old fashioned. It’s a spice old fashioned.”

Little did I know how truly special this would be.

I sat there for the next 5 minutes as I watched him take out a plethora of spices, and use a special grinder that had a wheel with a handle on each side. He took his time with every part of the drink, and by the time he was done, I not only had a new respect for how he approaches his cocktails, but I was blown away by how good it was.

Old Fashioned at Bar Ben Fiddich in Tokyo
My special Old Fashioned.

One of the most fascinating parts of an experience at Ben Fiddich is how tightly orchestrated the whole drink making experience is.

The bartender stands in the center of the bar under a single light, while 2 or 3 different bar backs gather ingredients and prepare things for him.

In the exact right instant, without missing a beat, when he needs a bottle or ingredient, he holds out his hand, the item is given to him, and he continues making the drink.

It’s so well done, and so in sync, you wonder how long it took them to develop that kind of chemistry.

Bar Ben Fiddich

And this was just the beginning.

In one of my favorite cocktail experiences I’ve had, my friend John asked for one of his favorite variations of a negroni.

Mr. Kayama got a glint in his eye and a slight smirk.

He started grabbing bottles that looked, old. 

Old Campari. Old vermouth. Old benedictine.

As he began crafting this drink he turns to John and with a laugh says “Ha, for you, expensive cocktail.”

It was a vintage negroni with ingredients used from the 1960s.

Preparing the vintage drink.

It can be a little scary being at Ben Fiddich and having no idea how much the drinks he’s making are going to cost.

For that negroni, we expected some super scary astronomical price tag.

I believe it came in around $28 US. Expensive, sure, but for what it was? It felt like a steal. Compare this to the 1940s vintage negroni at Atlas in Singapore which hits you at right around $150 US, and you might as well order a round of em!

My second experience with Tate we found the same. We had 5 cocktails between the two of us, and the bill was right around $100. So yeah $20 per drink is steep, but for the experience, quality, and stories that come out of it? It truly feels like a bargain.

I could go on and on about the unique cocktails I tasted on my two visits there, but possibly the most impressive was the “fresh Campari” cocktail.

No he doesn’t just snag a bottle of Campari off the shelf and pour it over ice.

No, no, that would be far too pedestrian.

For this cocktail, he literally makes his own version of Campari in front of you.

Yes, seriously.

It was my last drink of my most recent trip, and so I asked for something special. As someone who loves Campari, to be hit with this? It was impressive.

So what does it look like to make your own Campari?

Well for starters, I’d mentioned all of those spices and and items on the back of the bar. Well, he took out 13 of them (I counted), and placed them on the bar.

Fresh Campari Cocktail at Bar Ben Fiddich Tokyo
The ‘Fresh Campari Cocktail” ingredients laid out on the bar.

Here they are:

  • Vodka
  • Grapefruit Juice
  • Tonic water
  • Angelica Root
  • Calamus Root
  • Swertia Japonica
  • Cardamon
  • Licorice Powder
  • Cinnamon Powder
  • Clove
  • Callaway
  • Orange Peel
  • Coriander Seed

He then proceeded to combine them all together to create his own version of Campari.

Watch this video, it not only shows you how he makes this cocktail, but gives you an excellent idea of the time that goes into crafting each drink:

The whole experience was unreal, and the cocktail was served over one cube and tasted excellent. It’s not like it was a dead ringer for Campari, it tasted like a slightly more herbal and spicy version of it, but it was remarkably close given the fact I just watched him do it in front of me.

Final Thoughts on Bar Ben Fiddich in Tokyo, Japan

A cool take on a gimlet that Tate got at Bar Ben Fiiddich in Tokyo.
A cool take on a gimlet that Tate got.

It’s not hard to see why Ben Fiddich is one of my favorite bars in the world. The drinks are unique, the atmosphere is unique, Mr. Kayama is hilarious, and amazing to watch, and you’ll taste things you’ll truly never experience anywhere else in the world.

In my mind, that is the epitome of a world class bar, and it’s one spot I’ll never miss when on a trip to Tokyo.

How the whole place feels like an orchestrated dance

Filed Under: Bar Reviews Tagged With: Tokyo, Top 100 Bars

About Sean

Sean has spent the last decade teaching people how to build small businesses, playing golf, and sneaking into high class establishments where he probably doesn't belong. Slightly pretentious is a tongue in cheek description of his travels.

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. Clover Whiskey: Bourbon + Golf? Yes, Please. | Breaking Eighty says:
    November 9, 2020 at 11:24 am

    […] vintage negroni in Japan that used all ingredients made in the […]

    Reply
  2. Park Hyatt Tokyo Review: Still World Class or a Fading Star? says:
    October 5, 2022 at 11:53 am

    […] we made the rounds of the best bars Tokyo has to offer, including my favorite bar in the world: Bar Ben Fiddich – which just so happens is only about a 15-minute walk from the Park […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

ABOUT SLIGHTLY PRETENTIOUS

At Slightly Pretentious we're on a quest to visit the top 100 bars in the world, and here we share stories from those travels while also helping you create killer cocktails at home.

Let's face it, if you're into bougie cocktails? There's at least a small part of you that is slightly pretentious. This is a safe space to embrace it :)

FREE GUIDE: How to Build the Ultimate Home Bar

Want to make world class cocktails at home? Here's everything you need to know to create the ultimate home bar - at any budget.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Home Bar Resources

best home ice makers

5 of the Best Home Ice Makers to Buy in 2023

December 10, 2022 By Sean Leave a Comment

Smoke Boards: What's in the Box

Best Cocktail Smoker: Smoke Boards is My New Favorite Drink Smoker

December 9, 2022 By Sean 2 Comments

25+ Best Cocktail Gifts Ideas for the 2022 Holiday Season

December 2, 2022 By Sean 4 Comments

Best Bars in the World

NoMad Bar NYC

NoMad Bar NYC: A Must Visit Bar in New York City

March 1, 2019 By Sean

Cocktail at Nottingham Forest in Milan

Nottingham Forest: A Sensory Cocktail Experience in Milan

March 5, 2019 By Sean

Connaught Bar London

Connaught Bar London: The Fanciest Bar I’ve Ever Been To

March 28, 2019 By Sean

Cocktail Recipes

Morgenthaler’s Sherry Eggnog: The World’s Best Eggnog Recipe. Period.

December 12, 2022 By Sean

Funky Rum Negroni

How to Make a Rum Negroni: The Artsy Bird is a Funky Rum Cocktail

December 7, 2022 By Sean

Bees Knees Cocktail

Bees Knees Cocktail: A Fantastic Introduction to Gin Cocktails

December 5, 2022 By Sean

Latest Reviews

  • Regarding Cocktails: A Cocktail Book Where Simplicity Shines
    9.1
  • NoMad Cocktail Book Review: For the Adventurous Home Bartender
    9.3
  • Mixology Masterclass Review: Is Mr. Lyan’s Cocktail Course Worth It?
    9.3

SEARCH THE SITE

Footer

  • About: What is the Deal with Slightly Pretentious?
  • Contact
  • Archives
  • Top 100 Bars
  • Privacy Policy

Recent

  • Naked and Famous Cocktail: A Wonderful Last Word Riff from Death and Co
  • Double Chicken Please: Is it Really Top 10 In the World?
  • Morgenthaler’s Sherry Eggnog: The World’s Best Eggnog Recipe. Period.
  • 5 of the Best Home Ice Makers to Buy in 2023
  • Islay Scotch: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Islay, Scotland

Search

Tags

50 best bars americano boulevardier bourbon campari canon cocktail codex creme de violette cuba eggnog gin green chartreuse Italy lemon lime london manhattan maraschino liqueur margarita martini masterclass matsuhisa mezcal mojito moscow mule mr lyan negroni nomad bar non alcoholic NYC old fashioned paris punch rum rye sazerac sherry Singapore strawberry tequila Tokyo Top 100 Bars union club vail vodka

Copyright © 2023 · Location 180, LLC | Privacy Policy