Hanbey Retro Izakaya Sapporo Susukino

Address: 2F, Kamiya Building, 9-2, South 3 West 4, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0063

Open: 5pm to 11pm Everyday.
Note 2023/01: I tried to go here a few days in a row but they were fully booked. You might need to make a reservation to get in or call before going here.

URL: hanbey.com

Charge: No seating charge but a charm charge, 350 yen per person (otoshidai). You usually get cabbage with a delicious dipping sauce. Everyone gets a small snack when they are leaving and women also get a free ice cream.

GPS: 43.05604345547935, 141.3519574515736 (Google Maps)

Service Options: Dine-in

No takeaway, no delivery...

To enter the Izakaya, you will need to slide the main door and walk through a lobby full of vintage goodies that will make you forget you are in the 21st century. If you know a little about Japanese manga culture, you'll be delighted to see a mural full of Astro Boy and retro Manga action figures, masks, plushies, toys and posters. You'll walk past robots, trains and even a small black and white television playing old-school anime. The bar's floor and walls are entirely made of dark wood and are covered in ads and posters. The atmosphere is unique and you can feel yourself sliding into a colorful and animated time bubble.

Once you are seated, you can check out the menu and order one of the numerous drinks available in the house. Unfortunately, there is no English menu, but you can always ask the waiter for some help or simply order a beer (which you should pronounce bii-ru) or Nihonshu, a type of Sake that is served in a very traditional way which can be interesting to check out. Did you know that Nihonshu used to be intentionally poured until the alcohol overflew on the table as a symbol of generosity from the house? Today, as an echo to this tradition, the glass is first put into a bowl so the drink can easily overflow without touching the table and avoid any uncomfortable spilling. You will notice, when you receive your drink, that the bowl in which it is served contains some alcohol!

If you like to drink ask the waiter for the Nomihoudai option, as the all-you-can-drink plan is pretty cheap. Usually 1,580 yen for 1 hour and 30 minutes of drinking. It's a 2-hour course but this is just the way it is here.

The great thing about Hanbey is that, besides its excellent drinks, you can also order a wide range of side dishes. As an Izakaya's main purpose is drinking, you will only find small sides served piece by piece such as Yakitori. However, there are so many options available that you can easily fill your stomach by ordering random pieces. I recommend you try their Yakitori and Tempura... and maybe even some grasshoppers if you feel adventurous! They actually taste sweet as they have been worked with a special topping. There is also unlimited cabbage you can dip into two different sauces, and girls can get free ice-cream.