Yokohama

Benny's Place

Ishikawacho 1-25 mitsubo bldg 2f, +81 045-671-0818 just off the big intersection in motomachi. american-style sports bar complete with baseball memorabilia, cable tv, darts, and a friendly owner who'll gladly tell you about his days in the u.s. navy at "yah-kohska". and the biggest hamburgers served this side of the pacific. (http://www.bennysplace.ne...)

Downbeat

Miyamoto bldg 2f 1-43 hanabusacho, naku-ku 231-0052 sakuragicho. another jazz bar, but this one features an extensive record collection, a "record menu" and a foreigner friendly staff. request a song out of the menu and the owner will put it in the queue.

HOGS HEAD

Naka-ku tokiwa-cho 6-77, no 2 hiyoshi bldg 1f 中区常盤町6-77第2日吉ビル１f, +81 045 641-4746. if you like the windjammer, you will like this irsh/american-themed bar too. very japanese, they tried it to perfection. the pub is trying hard to look as irish/american as can be and is doing a very good job. the bartenders know over 200 cocktails and the “financial damage” per drink hovers around â¥1000. basic food, pasta, pizza and snacks are also available. unique about the bar is its size, which can be classed as rather large in the area of bashamichi, kannai, where small, tiny sized bars are common. there is no live band, but the music jamming out of the speaker systems throughout the bar is jazz and the bar itself is very quiet and emphasis is placed on enjoying your drink. reservations for large groups.

LOGOS

Ishikawacho 4-168 sekiuti real estate building 2, b1f. one of yokohama's hottest, and oldest, hip hop clubs. dj's spinning r&b, reggae, and hip-hop. special events throughout the month. check out the website for directions and listings. (http://www.logosweb.co.jp/)

Oriental Café

2-16-4 minamisaiwai, nishi-ku, is a small sized diner which plays continuously house music and the interior dã©cor is in line with the music it plays. for an easy night out and on budget, rather attractive with its unique dã©cor, its simple menu and plain but basic selection of beers, cocktails and wines. +81 045 311-4640. access, yokohama stn, 10-15 min walk along the shintama river, diagonally across the “hamabowl” bowling hall.

This, the first British pub/restaurant in Yokohama, has been open over 20 years and is the regular watering-hole for expats and foreign business travelers who come back to Yokohama regularly. About 70% of the clientele is Japanese, and is single-lady friendly! When you enter, it's like walking into a pub in England, and the large selection of food and imported draught beers help keep the one of the busiest night-spots in central Yokohama. Fish & chips is highly recommended.

Windjammer

Toraku bldg 1f, yamashita-cho, naka-ku, +81 045-662 3966. a classy jazz bar on the edges of chinatown run by an american expat who loves to put on a show for his customers. bands play downstairs most nights and there's a large screen for those on the second floor showing the action below. the decor is decadent and there's a chocolate fountain with fruit for dipping. su-th 5:30pm-1am, f sa 6pm-2am. music cover â¥500, drinks from â¥800.