Little Smith

A four-meter high ceiling gives Little Smith a surprising sense of scale, especially for a bar that’s been tucked away on the B2 level of a Ginza building since 1993. You push through a heavy wooden door to enter a space that feels almost cave-like, designed by the late architect Takahiko Yanagisawa, who also did Tokyo’s Opera City Tower. Its name is a direct translation of “Kokaji,” the cake shop that occupied the spot for decades before. The room is symmetrical, built around a large, brightly lit horseshoe-shaped wooden counter. For more private conversations, dimly lit side tables are furnished with pieces by American designer George Nakashima. There is no drink menu here. The entire process starts with a conversation. You describe your preferences – a spirit, a flavor profile, a mood – and the bartenders create a cocktail tailored specifically to you. They lean heavily on whatever is in season, so your drink might be built around Japanese pear, grapes, or even watermelon and fresh tomatoes. Classic cocktails are made with precision, and a notable house special is a Bloody Mary that uses paprika-infused vodka with a specific blend of herbs and spices. The cover charge is ¥1,650, which includes your seat along with an onion soup and a small appetizer. The counter is the natural spot for individuals or pairs, offering a direct view of the work. Groups tend to settle at the side tables. It’s a quiet, focused place for conversation, and smoking is permitted inside.