Anchan Ueno

Down a flight of stairs right by the Ueno Marui department store, Anchan Ueno occupies a snug basement space filled with simple table seating. The draw here is an accessible drinks menu centered on bargain large-format beer bottles and chilled medium draft mugs, complemented by an all-you-can-drink option timed to 30 minutes for guests looking to slip in for a quick toast. Open without an afternoon break from midday through late evening, it fits naturally into a shopping stop around Ameyoko, a leisurely weekend day-drink, or an easy nightcap at the end of the day.

To go with a cold brew, the kitchen turns out an affordable spread of chicken dishes and fried comfort food. Low-temperature cooked specialties using Daisen chicken—including tender liver sashimi and seared, lightly charred breast tataki—are house favorites to savor with sesame oil and salt. Familiar pub staples like golden chicken karaage, thick-cut fried ham cutlets, and saucy tonpeiyaki pork-and-egg wraps arrive quickly and keep conversation going across the table.

A supporting cast of small bowls, from salted cucumber spears and edamame to seasoned quail eggs, pairs easily with highballs, tea-infused shochu coolers, or fruit sours. Set slightly below street level away from the thickest market foot traffic, the room avoids overwhelming clamor, making solo drinkers just as comfortable nursing a glass as small groups unwinding together.