I’ve known about the The Cat & Cask Tavern for a while now but I have to admit that I’d put off going there because I imagined it to be another foreigner hangout. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The Cat and Cask Tavern at night

You know you’re in for something different just from the approach to The Cat & Cask Tavern – rather than being on a main road or around shops, it’s bang smack in the middle of a residential area. In fact The Cat & Cask Tavern is a residence – the pub actually forms part of the owners’ home, a home which the owners themselves had built in British style.

Opened in November 2008, The Cat & Cask Tavern is still relatively young. “I started the bar after 25 years of teaching in Japan, ” Wayne told me, “Initially I had just one tap because I wasn’t sure there would be demand in the area for craft beer, but there was.” Now there are 3-4 regularly changing craft beers on tap – Shiga Kogen Pale Ale, Minoh Pale Ale, Ozenoyukidoke IPA, and Rogue Brutal Bitter when I was there the first time – plus Sapporo’s Edelpis. With the exception of the occasional Rogue, all the beers here are from Japanese breweries – and all at a very reasonable 1000 yen or so for a US pint (even cheaper for Edelpis).

The bar at The Cat and Cask Tavern

Most of the regular clientele are locals from the surrounding area, or within a few stops. When I told Wayne the kind of bar I’d been expecting, he laughed and said “Well, we do have one regular gaijin customer…”

Inside I counted space for around 14-15 people though it would be easily possible for more seating to be added. Nice friendly place, not too cramped, and smoke-free  too.

I was also impressed by the way Wayne pours the beer – he takes care to ensure his beers are poured “British style” with only a small head. From the slow pour down the side of the glass at the beginning to waiting and topping up if necessary at the end - I sometimes feel the “skill” of the bartender in pouring is lost in Japan, and it felt good to see someone be mindful of the quality of the pour as if it was second nature to him.

A half pint of Rogue Brutal Bitter and the back tables of the bar

The food menu at the bar is Japanese only, which is a bit tricky for us foreigners. That said, the Avocado and Ham salad was very nice – and for 800 yen, it was a huge portion. I also enjoyed the pizza – while not an authentic Italian oven job, it was topped to the heavens by Wayne’s wife Yuko and much better than most of the pub pizzas out there.

The Cat & Cask Tavern’s website is here. The phone number is 03-3530-6180. From Kanamecho station on the Fukutoshin line – one stop from Ikebukuro – come out of exit 1. Since the bar is in the back streets, Google Maps is your friend here – this link works on the iPhone and PCs.

The bar is closed Wednesdays plus every third Sunday – any other special holidays are listed on the The Cat and Cask Tavern website. The website also lists the current beers on draught.

My opinion? The Cat & Cask Tavern was not what I was expecting. Rather than another gaijin bar, it’s a small, local, friendly place with good beer. One of my regulars now, especially when I want a decent Japanese IPA. Definitely worth seeking out.