SCREWDRIVER

Over 500 types of rum from around the world occupy the tiny fourth-floor space above Kichijoji's main shopping district, a collection that earned SCREWDRIVER a place on the Tabelog 100 Bar list in 2022 and makes it one of Tokyo's most concentrated rum specialty bars. The average evening runs JPY 4,000 to JPY 5,000 per person, positioning it as an approachable midweek option for serious spirits drinkers and curious newcomers alike.

Rum Education at the Counter

The six-seat counter is where the experience centers. Staff guide selections based on taste preferences rather than prestige, making the format particularly useful for anyone new to rum as a category. Cocktails and house-made rum punch offer entry points, while the 500-bottle inventory gives seasoned drinkers access to agricultural rums from Martinique, pot-still expressions from Jamaica, rare aged bottlings from across the Caribbean and Central America. The counter format lets you adjust your evening in real time, ask questions, pivot to a different style, or request a flight comparison without the pressure of committing to a menu. Two box tables and a small outdoor terrace (weather permitting) provide alternatives, but the counter delivers the most value for solo drinkers or pairs who want to learn while they drink.

Light Snacks, No Cover, a Tight Space

No cover charge, a rarity among Tokyo specialty bars, keeps the entry threshold low, though the 18-seat capacity means the room fills quickly after 8 PM on weekends. Reservations are available and recommended for Friday or Saturday visits, but weeknight walk-ins succeed more often than not. Light snacks accompany the drinks; the menu focuses on rum rather than food, so arrive having eaten if you're planning a long session. Smoking is permitted, while staff will adjust seating for non-smokers, the room is small enough that smoke lingers. The bar has operated since 1997, giving it nearly three decades of relationships with importers and collectors, a tenure that shows in the inventory depth and the staff's ability to surface bottles most Tokyo bars don't stock. For readers comparing it to Tokyo's broader cocktail bar scene, SCREWDRIVER trades the polish and smoke-free air of newer venues for selection and price accessibility.

Kichijoji Station (JR Chuo Line) sits five minutes away on foot; exit north, pass Yodobashi Camera, turn right, look for the building sign. The fourth-floor walk-up has no elevator, so plan accordingly. Hours run Monday through Friday from 7 PM to 2 AM, Saturday from 5 PM to 2 AM; the bar closes Sundays unless Monday is a holiday, in which case it shifts the closure to Monday. Check the website or call ahead during holiday weeks to confirm. The neighborhood around Kichijoji offers a mix of izakayas, ramen counters, late-night cafes, making it easy to start or end an evening here without backtracking across the city.

At a glance: Rum specialty bar near Kichijoji Station, 500+ bottles, JPY 4,000–5,000 per person, no cover charge, six-seat counter, reservations recommended on weekends, smoking permitted, closed Sundays, open since 1997.