01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Raise your glass, listen closely, and you might hear the gentle drop of a needle onto vinyl, sending warm analog music out into the room to accompany your drink. Situated on the 1th floor of a building near Ueno Station, The Auditorium is a bar where imaginative cocktails themed around celebrated songs meet the fidelity of a vintage sound system. Guests can watch the bartender set the chosen song spinning right on the turntable, making it an engaging stop for music lovers or anyone seeking a quiet evening retreat.
The cocktail list reads like an eclectic discography spanning genres and eras. Inspired by Miki Matsubara's city-pop classic, Stay With Me layers Monkey 47 gin with elderflower and butterfly pea liqueurs, lemon juice, and absinthe for a fruity, complex profile. Plastic Love, named after Mariya Takeuchi's anthem, accents Old Tom gin with amaro, bitters, and salted caramel syrup for a bittersweet finish. For something heavier, Enter Sandman pays tribute to Metallica by blending bourbon with coffee liqueur, fresh cream, and cocoa powder into a dessert-like cocktail. Inventive twists on familiar staples, such as the Old Tokyo Fashioned and Negroni Verde, showcase thoughtful touches across the drink list.
Beyond its themed creations, the bar keeps a well-stocked shelf of Japanese whiskies alongside craft beers, with small bites like beef jerky and cheese available to accompany a slow drink. Sound fills the room through vacuum-tube amplifiers and dedicated speakers, giving both the counter seats and booth tables an intimate feel whether you arrive solo or in a small group. Smoking is permitted indoors, and closing time is around 23:00 at night, offering a relaxed setting to wind down an evening in Ueno with a favorite melody and a dedicated drink.
