A jazz stroll: Bar Bar Bar, a jazz restaurant that satisfies both your taste buds and your ears.

"The city of Yokohama is an indispensable presence when discussing Japanese jazz."
Yokohama hosts numerous jazz festivals, including the "Yokohama Jazz Promenade," the "Asahi Jazz Festival," and the "Yokohama Honmoku Jazz Festival," and boasts many jazz venues where you can enjoy live performances.

This series introduces the atmosphere and charm of jazz spots in Kanagawa Prefecture. Even if you're interested in jazz cafes and live music venues but feel they're a bit intimidating, you might find a place you can easily visit!
Within the prefecture, the Noge, Isezakicho, and Kannai area is packed with long-established jazz cafes and live music venues.
This time, I visited "Bar Bar Bar" in Kannai.

Located in the basement of a building facing Baystars Street, just a short walk from Yokohama Stadium, "Bar Bar Bar" moved to its current location a few streets away two years ago due to the aging of its previous building. It's a long-established bar that opened in 1984.

Greeted by the neon sign of "Bar Bar Bar" and the cheerful, playful witch that serves as the shop's logo, you open the glass door to reveal an even heavier wooden door. It's actually quite heavy. Despite being in the basement, it seems that soundproofing is excellent.

Stepping inside, you're greeted by antique-style furniture, whiskey bottles crammed into every available space, deep red curtains that give the stage a more subdued atmosphere, and wooden speakers resembling giant gramophones. A comforting atmosphere permeates the otherwise formal setting.

The old establishment had a counter bar on the first floor and a live music restaurant on the second floor, but the new establishment has moved the second floor, and features rows of tables that seat 2 to 4 people, making it easy to dine there.

The live performance starts at 7:00 PM, but by the time the venue opens at 6:00 PM, about two-thirds of the seats are already filled, with people relaxing in their own way. Some fans are even chatting with the performers before the show begins.

Service and cuisine that go beyond what you'd expect from a jazz bar.

The countless bottles on display are actually reserved bottles; if you have a reservation, they'll be set up in advance according to your preferred drinking style, and if you don't have a reservation, the staff will prepare them as soon as you arrive. To be honest, I didn't expect to receive such sophisticated service at a place that features live jazz. The menu is also extensive, with over 30 types of Scotch alone, and it's surprising that you can reserve almost any brand. Although you can't use the bar on its own, the cocktails, still carefully made one by one by the bartender, are so good that you'll be spoiled for choice, especially the classics.

What sets "Bar Bar Bar" apart from other establishments is its cuisine. From the menu to the colors, presentation, and taste, it lives up to its name as a "live restaurant." The food is not merely something to accompany a live performance, but something worth visiting solely for the meal.

The meat-focused appetizer platter featured elaborate dishes such as pâté and terrine, and when we tasted the staff's recommended "Potato Gratin Savoy Style," all of our reporting staff widened their eyes and exclaimed in unison, "Absolutely fantastic!" Personally, I was quite surprised by the complete lack of fishy smell in the "Anchovy and Olive Pizza" and the deep richness of the cheese. I could eat several slices of it.

A participatory event? A fun "adult social gathering" where teasing is part of the fun.

With our throats and stomachs comfortably full, the first stage began. A grand piano, drum set, and other instruments were arranged spaciously on the elevated stage.
On this day, a piano trio (piano, bass, and drums) performed. They played a range of standard numbers, along with some bossa nova and samba pieces perfect for summer, delivering a truly passionate performance. Despite the powerful playing of both the piano and drums, the sound balance was superb, never harsh or jarring to the ear. Apparently, although they use a PA system, they prioritize the natural sound above all else.

Midway through the show, a guest vocalist joined in, and the atmosphere became lively, involving not only the music but also the audience in conversation. There was even a moment when the performer suggested to a man who had come alone, "Why don't you join us for a drink?" with two women sitting next to him. He also mentioned that he hoped the show would become a "meet-and-greet live show," not just in a romantic sense, and it's likely that people will make new friends who enjoy jazz through these encounters. The atmosphere is formal yet somehow homey, making it a perfect "social gathering place for adults."

Jazz isn't something you listen to with a fixed mindset; it's something that naturally enters your being.

This atmosphere is largely due to the dedication inherited from his predecessor, President Masumi Takeuchi, who is in charge of everything from hall management to live performance bookings.

He spent his youth based in Honmoku, a jazz hotspot in Yokohama, and before he even became aware of artists or song titles, he literally listened to "jazz" like a shower. His involvement with "Bar Bar Bar" began as a frequent customer. "I never dreamed I'd be the president of a company a few decades later," Takeuchi says with a laugh.

He himself had always viewed "Bar Bar Bar" as a place he longed to visit someday, but his basic aim is to create a place that is "refined but not intimidating."
Therefore, the players they book are not the type who say, "Sit down and listen quietly!" but rather players who take the stance of, "Even if you don't know anything about jazz, just relax and listen." As this is a place that many players aspire to play, there are quite a few self-proposed events at the venue. Nevertheless, the owner also occasionally scouts for new talent on YouTube and other platforms.
With the players themselves aging, there is a growing sense of urgency to transform the venue into one that appeals to younger generations, both performers and audiences.

The fact that "Bar Bar Bar" is involved in nurturing young players in the form of a music academy is surely a strong expression of their commitment to carrying on the "jazz" culture.
When asked, "Who is the young talent that's attracting attention these days?" the answer given was "Ichikawa Riko, who graduated from BarBarBar Music Academy."
Next time, I'd like to go and experience the new era of Yokohama jazz, which continues to thrive.

Bar Bar Bar
Address: 231-0015
B1-B, Kannai Arai Building, 1-8 Onoue-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Homepage: https://www.barbarbar.jp/