Run by legendary bartender Shingo Gokan, this two-level bar in Shibuya's Daikanyama area serves Japanese craft gin cocktails and creative concoctions that blend Japanese ingredients with international spirits. The downstairs speakeasy (Guzman y Gomez) is more intimate and requires advance reservation.
The SG Club is one of Tokyo's most celebrated cocktail destinations, operating from a two-level venue in Shibuya's Daikanyama neighbourhood in Japan. The bar is the flagship project of Shingo Gokan, a bartender who trained extensively in New York before returning to Japan to champion a style of cocktail-making that blends Japanese craft ingredients with international technique and imaginative presentation.
The upper level, known as Sober Company, operates as a café and casual bar during daytime hours and transitions into a full cocktail bar in the evening. The main event is the downstairs speakeasy, accessed through a concealed entrance and offering a dramatically different atmosphere — low lighting, intimate seating, and a cocktail menu focused on Japanese craft gin and complex multi-element drinks that incorporate fermented ingredients, botanicals sourced across Japan, and house-made shrubs and syrups.
Japanese craft gin is the particular passion of the house, with Gokan and his team maintaining close relationships with domestic distilleries and regularly featuring limited-release and single-batch expressions that are unavailable in most other venues. Cocktails are priced between approximately ¥2,000 and ¥4,000 per drink, reflecting the calibre of spirits, the complexity of preparation, and the creative investment behind each menu.
The crowd at The SG Club tends toward well-travelled cocktail enthusiasts, local creative professionals, and international visitors who have specifically sought out Tokyo's craft cocktail scene. The atmosphere in the speakeasy is intentionally intimate and serious without being unwelcoming; staff are knowledgeable and accustomed to guiding guests through an unfamiliar menu. Most staff members speak English. Reservations for the downstairs level are essentially mandatory and should be made well in advance for weekend visits.
Good to know
- Signature
- Japanese gin and innovative cocktail menu
Highlights
- Led by celebrated bartender Shingo Gokan, a leading figure in the global craft cocktail world
- Two-level venue: casual upstairs bar plus intimate downstairs speakeasy with concealed entrance
- Exceptional Japanese craft gin collection including rare and limited-release domestic expressions
- Seasonally driven cocktail menu incorporating fermented ingredients and house-made botanicals
- Located in Daikanyama, one of Tokyo's most atmospheric and design-forward neighbourhoods
Tips for visiting
- Reserve the downstairs speakeasy level weeks in advance — it is consistently fully booked on weekends
- Ask the bartender to recommend a Japanese craft gin selection; the house expertise in this area is exceptional
- The upstairs Sober Company level is more accessible for walk-ins on quieter weekday evenings
- Budget ¥8,000-15,000 per person for a full evening of multiple cocktails
- Pair the visit with a walk through Daikanyama's boutique shopping streets before evening service begins
Frequently asked questions
Do reservations need to be made for The SG Club?
The downstairs speakeasy level requires reservations and books out well in advance on Friday and Saturday evenings. The upper Sober Company bar is more accessible for walk-ins on quieter nights.
What is the cocktail price range at The SG Club?
Drinks range from approximately ¥2,000 to ¥4,000 per cocktail, reflecting the premium spirits and complex preparation involved. There is no cover charge.
Who is Shingo Gokan?
Shingo Gokan is an internationally recognised Japanese bartender who trained in New York before establishing The SG Club in Tokyo. He is particularly known for championing Japanese craft gin and cross-cultural cocktail innovation.
Is English spoken at The SG Club?
Yes. Most staff members speak English and the bar has extensive experience welcoming international cocktail enthusiasts. The cocktail consultation process is conducted comfortably in English with foreign guests.
What makes The SG Club distinct in Tokyo's cocktail scene?
The combination of Gokan's international pedigree, a dedicated focus on Japanese craft gin, and the dual-format venue — café and bar upstairs, speakeasy below — makes it one of Tokyo's most architecturally and conceptually distinctive cocktail destinations.