While Tokyo may be the theme restaurant capital of the world, none of them deliver as much visual and gastronomic flamboyance as the newly opened Monster Bar in Shimbashi.
The moment after I stepped into Monster Bar, the exotic decorations and unique atmosphere made me feel like I accidentally entered a completely different world. Featuring characters and environment from one of the world’s most popular Japanese superhero shows, Ultraman, Monster Bar gives you a fresh impression of themed Japanese bars while making you feel nostalgic about childhood memories. The entire bar is furnished into a cave-like alien world, with walls made out of rocks straight out of science fiction and monster-shaped stained glass windows. The dimmed lighting gives the restaurant a sense of mystery and suspense straight out of the TV show.
I am fascinated by the figures and items displayed in the window glass shelves along the way – a wide array of souvenirs such as T-shirts, figures, plates, and glasses are sold at reasonable prices. Ultraman fans will likely be elated to find limited edition souvenirs on sale here. On the wall where the display section is facing, mixed-sized wine-barrel decorations can be found on the wall. In the near-center area of the bar, you can find a bizarre-looking alcohol distil machine, which is said to be the symbol of the advanced monster wine-making technology.
Monster Bar aims to provide wine and cooking made from finest techniques to “enslave” earthlings like us. At Monster Bar, you can either try creative monster-themed cooking, enjoy a couple of colorful cocktails, or explore the “monster-way” of relaxing after a long day of fighting against Ultraman!
The cooking here is crafted and prepared in a unique way, giving it a distinctive character. Highlights include the Girasu Brothers Two-colored Lamb Chop, Tsuiteru Katsu Sandwich and Barutan Alien Hot Tomalley Gratin. Especially for the Two-colored Lamb Chop, the delicate presentation and strong contrast of colors are so visually appealing that it bumps up the food taste and increases your appetite. A variety of drinks are also offered here in case you just want to grab a few drinks with friends.
If you are looking for a place to spend your birthday, Monster Bar is definitely a top choice – with a special showroom made available exclusively for those celebrating birthdays that month. In the showroom, you will be able to see a classic replay of a famous scene in the series and even take pictures with the monsters!
Come visit Monster Bar and experience the genuine hospitality and enthusiasm of their monsters!
