Blue Dragon

Tucked on the second floor of Hanazono 3rd Street—up a narrow staircase—Bar Blue Dragon has been a fixture of Shinjuku Golden Gai since 2000, open 365 days a year from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. The bar's own X profile describes it as a "sake, shochu, and fruit wine shot bar," with a rotating lineup of seasonal bottles that changes with the harvest. A ¥500 cover charge keeps the threshold low, and the dimly lit counter has long carried the feel of an unhurried, inclusive local—whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned regular. Karaoke is available at ¥200 a song, giving the evening a warm, singalong finale. The existence of two sister bars—Orange Oji and Sumire—speaks to the staying power this place has built in the alley over the past two-plus decades. If you're looking for a quiet solo drink with an easy-going atmosphere and a bit of old Golden Gai soul, this is a good place to start.