Beyond Drinking: A Deeper Way to Enjoy Yokohama at Night

As a perfect day trip from Tokyo, you may have already visited Yokohama. It boasts the glittering harborside district of Minato Mirai, with the Cosmo Clock Ferris wheel lighting up the skyline, the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse—best known for its charming Christmas markets—Japan’s largest Chinatown, and even the history and flavors of the CupNoodles Museum.

But did you know that Yokohama also comes alive as the sun sets, with stylish bars, izakaya eateries, and relaxed jazz bars providing a backdrop for locals and tourists alike?

Find Yokohama’s nightlife in Noge

Nogecho, or Noge District, is a riverside hub of nightlife, giving you a traditional area to let loose in while the shiny Minato Mirai area can still be seen in the distance, only a 15-minute walk away. Pop into unassuming mom-and-pop bars serving classic yakitori chicken skewers alongside crisp Japanese beers, raise a glass to a perfect evening in a classy cocktail joint, and sip something crafty while discussing your next wine-and-dine destination. 

Here are some of our recommendations to go beyond drinking in Yokohama, pairing your drinks with good food, live music, and memories you’ll cherish for years to come.

Gyoro Gyoro Shuzo (干物炉端専門 第一魚炉魚炉酒蔵)

Hiding under the tracks next to Yokohama’s Sakuragicho Station is Gyoro Gyoro Shuzo, a spot for rubbing shoulders with the locals in a modern Japanese-style pub. Thanks to its proximity to the station, this bustling bar is a popular spot for Japanese businessmen on their way home, giving you plenty of chances to make new friends or simply enjoy watching the locals unwind over a cold one.

As captivating as your fellow diners are, remember to take time to browse the food menu. Enjoy fresh cabbage topped with crispy Baby Star Ramen—surprisingly addictive—bite-sized sashimi Buri Gari, rolled yellowtail with shiso and pickled kelp, karaage fried chicken, mascarpone and crackers, thick-cut seared beef tongue, an especially picturesque salmon belly topped with salmon roe, and so much more.

All of these dishes will be easy to discover thanks to Gyoro Gyoro Shuzo’s English menus, meaning you can leave your bravery for trying something new, not trying to order it.

Korean Food Izakaya Kanbe (韓兵衛　野毛一番街店)

If you have a craving for a different side of Asian culture and cuisine, take a seat at Korean Food Izakaya Kanbe for a taste of Korea. This unique restaurant is set in Noge Ichibangai, a spot where multiple establishments come together to give you a selection of different cuisines and menus to choose from. However, if you already know you want to experience Korean cuisine with a backing of charting K-Pop music, this is the place to be.

Perfect for cooling down on a hot summer evening, pair a Korean Terra beer with side dishes of kimchi, seaweed, and chilled kimchi tofu. Or, to heat things up, head over to the heartier and spicier side of the menu, from cheese tteokbokki rice cakes and samgyeopsal Korean BBQ to seafood sundubu ramen and vegetable gomtang beef stew. 

Casual Izakaya Hanasaki (大衆酒場　花咲)

Feeling like taking a breather between bars or stopping in for another quick bite? Enjoy the hole-in-the-wall, Showa-era charm of Casual Izakaya Hanasaki. Either sit inside and take in the smoky atmosphere with the locals or stay in the streets of Noge and get a front-row seat as the chef grills meats before your very eyes.

Pick up one of their saucy chicken or mouthwatering motsuyaki (grilled and stewed offal) skewers. It’s the ideal snack to soak up a drink or two as you make your way between Noge bars.

Live jazz in Yokohama

Jazz Live Restaurant BarBarBar

Fancy adding a little sophistication to your evening in Yokohama? Head to Bar Bar Bar, an intimate jazz bar that’s only a two-minute walk from Kannai Station.

Allow the velvety smooth vocals and jaunty tunes of a local jazz band to serenade your Yokohama evening, swapping between well-known English and Japanese songs with ease. Whether you’ve never had the pleasure of seeing live jazz before, or you love catching jazz bands in your own country, this is a lesser-known side of Yokohama nightlife that’s well worth making time for.

Another element of this experience that’s hitting all the right notes is the bar and kitchen, offering a wide range of soft drinks and alcoholic beverages alongside a delicious selection of dishes. Sip on a cocktail with a pizza, enjoy a beer with a fluffy omelette, or indulge in a steak alongside a glass of red wine. There’s truly no wrong choice at Bar Bar Bar.

Get a taste for craft beer in Yokohama

UMAYA by Yokohama Beer (横浜ビール本店レストラン UMAYA)

Only moments from Sakuragicho Station is a haven of chill vibes, award-winning craft beers, and a surprisingly large menu worth exploring with friends. Welcome to UMAYA by Yokohama Beer.

Setting the scene with warm woods, industrial chic decor, and colorful dried flowers across two floors, there’s plenty of room for everyone to sit back and relax. As one of the go-to bars in Yokohama, you can be sure that the space will soon be filled with clinking glasses and stories shared.  

As a home of Yokohama Beer, you’re missing out if you don’t try at least a few different types of beer while you’re here. To get a taste for a few different beers in one sitting, we recommend either the classic five-beer tasting set or the limited-edition three-beer set. From the light, moreish flavors of the white German Hefe Weizen and Bohemian Pilsner to the deeper delights of the Dusseldorf Alt or the American Pale Ale, you’re guaranteed to discover your favorite new beer (alongside a recommended food pairing).

Refusing to be outshined by the extensive selection of craft beers available is UMAYA’s equally diverse food menu. There’s something for all tastes and visitors, including small dishes crafted for pairing with beer and sharing with friends—such as their spicy rice crackers made with malt powder, also used in the beer brewing process, and the bar’s elevated potato salad, putting the mixing and mashing directly into your hands. Your hard work will be rewarded with one of the tastiest potato salads in all of Japan.

The menu also contains all kinds of appetizers, seafood dishes—including high-quality catches from Kanagawa’s coastal Miura, known for its bountiful fish—fried chicken, fish and chips, desserts and so much more.

Experience Yokohama’s eclectic nightlife

Somewhere between Showa-era izakaya pubs, classy cocktail bars, and live music venues, discover the lesser traveled side of Japan’s nightlife. Escape the crowds of Tokyo’s Golden Gai area for Minato Mirai’s charming neighbor of Noge, or hop on over to Kannai for the sultry tones of jazz, carrying you late into the evening with your jazz-loving companions. Your night out in Yokohama got an upgrade.