Shinjuku Pit Inn

Unclaimed

Found in the basement of a building in shinjuku, there inn provided a wonderful venue to get up and personal with performers. Limited seating and that night it appeared to be sold out. Jazz band that evening. The entrance fee included one drink. We purchased additional drinks and were gifted with cheese and crackers Not sure how they admitted reservations, but it’s would be better if they seated larger parties first. We had a group of five and needed to split up our seating as we couldn’t get five seats in a row. The length of the performances varies, but with intermission, our concert lasted over 2 hours. Waiting area outside of the inn is not air conditioned. Difficult to bear as went during the dog days of summer.

The perfect sized jazz bar for me! Not too big that it’s not intimate enough and not too small that you feel pressurized by too much attention and the need to make small talk. Nice acoustics. A comfy space to enjoy live jazz. Orderly queue system. Clearly marked in English so kinda foreigner friendly. Either reserve online by the night before 10:30pm or show up early to queue before bar opens, for walk-ins. ¥3850 cover charge inclusive of 1 drink - you can choose alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Ordered mixed nuts and they are pretty yum with drinks.

Great local jazz trio I saw . The system to get in is like a bread line under communism But worth it )

*RESERVATIONS RECOMENDED* Nice jazz club visited by mostly locals and a few foreigners, so it still feels authentic and not touristy. Reserve online or wait outside on the day in case that there are no shows. Entrance fee (payable by card or cash) includes one drink. Food is cash only.

This is a hidden gem in Tokyo. Great lineup, with a drink included so everyone can quietly listen without interruption. Highly recommend.