Bar High Five
Efflore Ginza 5 Building B1F, 5-4-15 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo 104-0061
High Five represents a style of Japanese bar in which a familiar cocktail can carry the entire argument. Hidetsugu Ueno’s reputation for ice work and carefully adjusted classics has made it a reference point for visitors interested in technique. The 50 Discovery’s account of the current Ginza basement supports that character, identifying the White Lady among its established drinks. This is an important counterweight to more theatrical choices in the guide. A guest does not need a sequence of unusual ingredients to appreciate the differences created by temperature, dilution, balance and preparation. Our selection recognises the bar’s established identity and its direct connection to the craft associated with Japanese cocktail service. It is a strong choice for someone who would rather begin with a known preference and let the bartender refine the conversation. Practical accuracy matters here. The official site says reservations have not been accepted since May 2015; calling just before arrival can establish whether seats are available, but does not create a booking. The current address is the basement of Efflore Ginza 5, at 5-4-15 Ginza. Older published references to a fourth-floor Polestar Building address are superseded. The bar is non-smoking.