2013.11.24 sutaba beer

Normally known for a spot to get a sugar-fueled caffeine fix, Starbucks recently opened a new outlet in Tokyo that is serving alcohol. The new coffee shop is part of a concept line of cafés the company is establishing in Japan to offer customers something a little different from the usual Starbucks experience. In addition to serving upscale coffee drinks and homemade desserts, this shop will be selling wine and beer after noon in the fashionable Shimokitazawa neighborhood.

The about 138-square meter store has room for 42 people, including four seats on an outside terrace. Customers will be able to choose their coffee brew from six different beans. Aside from the typical café fare of cappuccinos, lattes and drip coffee, this shop also has specialty drinks like the “Shakealato,” a shaken coffee drink served in a martini glass for 500 yen (US$5). Another speciality drink is the “Gold Foam Mocha,” a three-layer drink of coffee, milk foam and chocolate sauce for 650 yen.

And since not everyone likes coffee, this Starbucks is selling wine and beer! Some Japanese netizens thought that, at 650 yen for a glass of beer, they might not be making Starbucks their new local hangout. But others seemed thrilled that Starbucks was giving them an extra reason to hang out at their favorite cafe and “work” on their Macbook Pro.

The shop is located in a quiet residential section of Shimokitazawa near a walking path that is popular with local residents. To make customers feel more at home, baristas at this Starbucks are encouraged to wear their own clothes instead of the normal uniform. The company said it was to create an atmosphere where coffee enthusiasts would feel like they are being welcomed into the home of a barista.

The cafe is open from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM seven days a week, and until 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday nights.

Shop info:
5-8-13 Daizawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
10-minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station (Keio Inokashira/Odakyu Odawara lines)

Source: Shimokitazawa Keizai Shimbun 
Images: Flickr (TinyTurd12)