SKAVLA

Tucked into the 5th alley (Akarui Hanazono Gobankai) of Shinjuku Golden Gai, Beer & Whisky SKAVLA opened in 2018 with an unusual origin story: its name comes from the Kyushu mining tradition of "Skavla" workers—men who didn't dig coal but kept morale alive by telling jokes and keeping the crew company. That spirit of warmth and ease is built into every corner of the bar. The interior evokes a garage or industrial workshop, and its wide-open door faces the narrow alley in a way that breaks from the typically closed-off storefronts of Golden Gai, making it immediately less intimidating. The scent of a wood-fired pizza oven drifts across the counter—crab-miso pizza and wild boar jerky are among the standout bar snacks—paired with Japanese craft beers on tap and an extensive selection of Japanese whisky. Regulars and Golden Gai insiders openly recommend it as the ideal first stop for newcomers. Whether you're winding down solo after work or introducing a friend to the neighborhood for the first time, SKAVLA makes a welcoming anchor. Let the smell of that pizza draw you in.