In the heart of Shibuya, a few minutes from HMV, The Aldgate has been one of my favourite bars since moving to Tokyo.

Map courtesy of The Aldgate website

One of the first non-smoking bars in Tokyo, The Aldgate has 19 taps with 13 regular beers, 1 cider (Strongbow), and 5 guests. Regulars craft beers are Aldgate IPA (made by Baird exclusively for Aldgate), Aldgate Ale and Harry Porter (rebadged beers from different Japanese breweries), Isekadoya Pale Ale, Preston Stout, and Yona Yona Real Ale – the rest of the regulars are imported beers like Abbot Ale, Old Speckled Hen, Fuller’s London Pride, and Erdinger Weiss, plus Superdry. Guest beers are usually one UK import, one American import (Ballast Point, Stone, Rogue, etc), with the rest coming from Japanese craft breweries such as Minoh, Sankt Gallen, and Ozenoyukidoke.

The taps at The Aldgate

Most beers are usually around the 950-1100 yen mark, with only the American imports going higher – up to 1500 yen a pint (standard pricing for those beers in Central Tokyo).

The coupon here gets you a discount on food with a drink order – I heartily recommend the Cornish Pastie, one of the best bar meals in Japan. Cottage Pie and Fish and Chips are also good – but stay away from the Toad in the Hole and English Breakfast in Yorkshire Pudding since both are heavier than a lead balloon.

Inside The Aldgate

The Aldgate website is here. Google maps link here. Phone number is: 03-3462-2983. Menus are all in English and Hanaka-san (the owner) and all the staff speak English, so this is a very foreigner friendly place – without being overrun by rowdy gaijins. It’s open 7 days a week and there’s free WIFI too.

My opinion? No smoking, good range of beer at reasonable prices with decent food (unusual to get decent food and good beer in one place), relaxed atmosphere, excellent British music in the background – The Aldgate will always be one of my favourite bars in Japan.