THUNDERBOLT
+ NAKAMEGURO, TOKYO

From word of mouth was how I found this place. On the ground level looking up, you’ll see the bright chandelier and a bit of the wildly painted ceiling inside. Just beyond those doors is an experience not worth passing up. This is no cheap bar either, with drinks ranging from 800 yen to 900+ yen, but fear not, there is relief in the abscence of a table charge. Our bartender was nothing short of brilliant, with completely original cocktails ranging from sweet and offbeat to downright raw powered, brain smashing levels. If absinthe is your game, Lupin Hayama, Thunderbolts bartender, is your man. Our first drink was Lupin’s speciality, the Thunderbolt. Through all the shaking we only managed get a glimpse of the mysterious, green misty colored liquid he poured into each glass. Before accepting our Thunderbolt request, he shot us a stern glance and asked, “what level, one to five?” After some thought, we played along and went with a mid-level as he recommended. Smart move, a few of these drinks could easily have enough power to make us forget our names and nationalities as we leaned back in the surreal environment of his bar.

The bar interior was another wonder. Tokyo’s trend of decorating bar ceilings with luminous chandliers is nothing new, although you’ll find it’s still no real indication of the taste or quality of a bar. Thunderbolt, however, pulls it off. Making it only a compliment to the massive, metal wall-sprawling thunder clouds and demon installation behind the bar. Have a closer look and you’ll see oddities like a kamen rider action figure hiding between the spires and a giant dried fish hanging from a rope. This bar is filled with plenty of eye-candy.

We enjoyed Lupin’s, “Earthquake,” and another mysterious cocktail made from a sort of black sugar liquor and ume-shu(Japanese plum wine). The Earthquake was not quite as potent as the Thunderbolt, but no less tasty. Every detail down to the ceramic tea-cup the Earthquake was served in was carefully considered. After a great night, this bar was easily added to my list of Tokyo hotspots.

Thunderbolt
1-3-9 Kami-Meguro, Meguro-ku.

Tel.: 03-6666-6773.
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 7PM - ?
Closed Mondays

Station: Naka-Meguro (Tokyo Toyoko Line)
www.3derbolt.com

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