Bar IXS

At BAR ixs, fruit cocktails are a natural place to start, with more than 10 kinds of fruit to choose from at any time. Strawberries, peaches, mangoes and melons can be made into a frozen daiquiri or a drink topped with sparkling wine. There is also a refreshing mojito with plenty of fresh mint, alongside Japanese whiskies such as Hakushu, Yamazaki and Hibiki, as well as Islay malts—so it is easy to find a glass to suit the mood.

For something to accompany a drink, homemade nama chocolate generously infused with Yamazaki leaves a lingering finish. The menu goes beyond sweets such as a cool, smooth homemade iced tiramisu: there is also substantial food, including chewy gnocchi with Gorgonzola or mentaiko cream, and rib steak served in bite-sized pieces. Its flexibility makes it suited to different occasions, from a late-night bite to a light toast at a second stop.

On the second floor of a building in Ikebukuro 2-chome, the bar offers a calm, private-feeling space with soft lighting. Alongside partitioned counter seats, private rooms are available for different group sizes, making the space suitable for a quiet conversation with someone important or a small gathering. It is open until the following morning on weekends in particular, and offers free Wi-Fi and cashless payment options—comfortable conveniences for a relaxed evening in Ikebukuro.