
If a cold beer is all the company you need, this is the place for you.
In Japan, most pubs are set up to accommodate groups. Whether for groups of friends or groups of coworkers, you’ll find more tables than counter seats, and many pubs even have semi-private rooms that can accommodate a half-dozen people or more.
But just because you want a drink doesn’t mean you want company, and soon there’s going to be a new pub in Japan specifically so that people can drink alone.
Called Juden Highball, the pub is set to open in the city of Hakodate, in Hokkaido Prefecture. Like so many restaurant innovations these days, it’s a reaction to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. By making every seat a one-person booth, Juden Highball allows for a measure of social distancing while you enjoy a cold one and, as per Japanese drinking culture, a few side dishes to go with it.
Since being in a booth makes it harder to catch your server’s eye to order food or drinks, each seat has a self-order tablet. You also get power plugs and free Wi-fi, so you can enjoy browsing the Internet, texting friends, or otherwise supplementing your liquid entertainment.
▼ We hear SoraNews24 makes an excellent pairing with Asashi beer and karaage fried chicken.
Juden Highball, which is set to open on February 5, takes its name from juden, the Japanee word for “recharge,” symbolizing the pub’s hope that it can serve as an oasis for people who’re feeling emotionally drained from the severe lifestyle changes that have been brought on during the pandemic. Even when things eventually do get back to normal, though, it sounds like it could be just the place for introverts who could use a beer, cocktail, or glass of sake, sort of like how Tokyo has a cafe just for negative-minded people.
Restaurant information
Juden Highball / 充電ハイボール
Address: Hokkaido, Hakodate-shi, Yanagawa-cho 18-21
北海道函館市梁川町18-21
Open 6 p.m.-3 a.m. (Monday-Saturday), 6 p.m.-midnight (Sunday, holidays)
Source: PR Times via Narinari
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert images: PR Times, Pakutaso
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he may or may not be drinking a chu-hi by himself at this very moment.



All-you-can-drink deal lets you chug down unlimited alcohol at 138 Japan locations for a month
10 tips to remember for your first trip to izakaya, Japan’s awesome traditional pubs【Video】
Japanese pubs in Tokyo, Osaka now have special seats for online drinking party customers
Tokyo has a bar that only lets you in if you come alone – No bringing your friends allowed!
This Japanese pub with one-yen bottles of sake broke our brain and made our day
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Japan’s Shinkansen trains are getting a Super Mario makeover【Pics】
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
All of Evangelion exhibit showing largest-ever collection of Eva art and design documents in Tokyo
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
One of Japan’s rarest sweets is a sell-out hit that looks and tastes like frost
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Tokyo has a new manga library with beer, and it’s everything we want in life
All-you-can drink deal in Japan puts the self-serve drinks machine right on your table
Neo Shinjuku Atsushi: New cyberpunk restaurant bar serves post-apocalyptic food in Tokyo
Japan’s unique tradition of bottle keep, where your drink literally has your name on it
Leave a Reply