Bar Kaeru

Those chasing authentic late-night Tokyo vibes point straight to this dimly lit, intimate izakaya on Little La Trobe Street. Sake purists are absolutely obsessed with the staggering curation here—over 100 bottles spanning from traditional kura staples to experimental drops like Aramasa and IWA 5. The bar team possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of nihonshu, effortlessly decoding flavor profiles to guide you through crisp, floral flights or creamy, cloudy pours. Food-wise, culinary insiders universally back the kitchen's brilliant, drink-friendly snacks. Expect a ridiculously addictive Japanese potato salad crowned with house-made crisps, cured bonito laced with citrus tosazu, and a deeply rich beef tartlet. Counter seating. A killer playlist. Whether it’s a slick date or a deep dive into rare bottles, you have to finish with the toasted rice panna cotta and amazake sorbet—a silky, sake-infused finale that hits perfectly every single time.