Old Imperial Bar

Good to know before you go

Getting there: Hibiya Station · 3 min walk (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, Toei Mita Line)
Hours: 11:30–24:00 (L.O. 23:30)
Admission: Free (drinks from ¥1,400; prices include 15% service charge and tax)
Time needed: 45–90 min
Best time to go: 11:30–16:00 on weekdays, when seat reservations are accepted and the room is quiet before evening walk-in traffic builds up

Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.

Location

Japan, 〒100-8558 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Uchisaiwaichō, 1-chōme−1−１本館中2階

Uchisaiwaichō, Tokyo

About

Located inside the Imperial Hotel Tokyo, this legendary bar is the only remaining area of the hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1923. It features the original Art Deco terracotta tiles, volcanic Oya stone, and a stunning mural that transports you to a bygone era. Expect a quiet, sophisticated atmosphere where master bartenders serve classic cocktails, including the famous Mount Fuji, with flawless Japanese hospitality.

What Japanese guides note

Old Imperial Bar operates on the mezzanine floor of the Imperial Hotel Main Building opposite Hibiya Park. While evening patrons often face wait times after 18:00, the bar opens continuously from 11:30 in the morning, offering a quiet window for viewing the 1923 Frank Lloyd Wright architectural installations. The hotel enforces a strict dress code prohibiting sandals, shorts, and indoor hats for men.

Details from local sources

The table and chairs beneath the rear geometric relief wall are original furnishings from the 1923 Frank Lloyd Wright building, and patrons can sit at them. [source]
The signature cocktail Mount Fuji was invented in 1924 as a welcome drink for foreign passengers arriving in Japan on an around-the-world cruise ship. [source]
The Mount Fuji cocktail blends sweetened Old Tom gin with pineapple juice, lemon juice, egg white, heavy cream, simple syrup, and maraschino cherry liqueur. [source]
The bar accepts reservations exclusively for visits between 11:30 and 16:00, operating solely on walk-ins after 16:00. [source]
Patrons under 20 years old are barred from entry, and the hotel rules require men to remove their hats indoors. [source]

Insider Tip

Sit at the counter to admire the original Wright-designed brickwork up close, and note that a cover charge applies in the evening.

Frequently asked

Is there a cover charge or table charge at Old Imperial Bar?

Unlike many independent Ginza establishments, the Tokyo location does not impose a seating fee or cover charge. All prices shown on the menu already factor in both the 10% Japanese consumption tax and the hotel's 15% service charge, resulting in fully itemized final billing.

What is the dress code and age requirement?

Guests must be at least 20 years old to enter. The hotel enforces a smart casual dress code: shorts, sandals, loungewear, and excessively revealing attire are not permitted. In keeping with traditional hotel etiquette, male visitors must also remove their hats before taking a seat.

Can guests sit at the original Frank Lloyd Wright furniture?

Yes. At the far back corner of the room, beneath the salvaged 1923 geometric wall relief, sits an original table and chair set preserved from Wright's demolished Imperial Hotel. These pieces remain fully operational seating and can be requested if unoccupied upon arrival.