BarTram

Tucked into the Swing Building’s second floor in Ebisu, Tokyo, Bar Tram invites you into a world where old-world elegance and absinthe ritual meet urban intimacy. From the moment you ascend the stairs, you sense the carefully curated charm—a relic of the roaring twenties with a Japanese sensibility. The décor flickers in low light: rich wood, striped wallpaper, leather-bound seating, and bartenders dressed in period attire, exuding an aura of both mastery and mystery. By day, it transforms into Café Tram, where coffee becomes a slow, elegant ritual; by night, it reawakens as a seductive absinthe sanctuary. Patrons can indulge in the hypnotic ceremony of the absinthe drip—water cascading through a sugar cube into a glass of green muse—served via an absinthe fountain that feels like a theatrical performance. With nearly seventy absinthe varietals—including imports from France, Switzerland, and beyond—Bar Tram offers one of the world's most comprehensive selections. Add to that a curated lineup of herbal liqueurs and craft cocktails influenced by San Francisco’s bartending creativity, and you’ll understand why absinthe skeptics often end the evening converted. Bartenders here are not mere servers—they are storytellers, educators, and guides through the green muse’s mystique. Whether you’re seeking whispers of wormwood’s lore or a modern absinthe drink like Bitter End or Prelude Lassi, they’ll tailor the experience. Despite its charm, Bar Tram remains welcoming: no table charge, open daily (13:00 café hours midweek to late evening; bar opens 19:00), and the freedom to drop by any night. The entire venue permits smoking—echoing its historic spirit—though sensitive guests can opt for nearby sister bars Bar TRENCH or Bar TRIAD. In short, Bar Tram is not just a bar—it’s a journey. A meeting place of theatrical craft, quiet indulgence, and the green magic of absinthe. Each visit feels like a rare performance, as timeless as it is intoxicating.