Kei Kobayashi is arguably the most prolific Japanese chef around. Famed for being the first Asian cook to be awarded three Michelin stars for a restaurant in France, he has been extending his presence back home this year with a string of new openings. One of which is this handsome bar in Ginza, created in collaboration with Saint-Louis, the oldest crystal glass manufacturer in France.
With a contemporary Japanese aesthetic featuring dark walls, low mood lighting and double bar, St Louis Bar by Kei is pristine and sophisticated, the kind of place you go to for intimate conversations. The menu is extensive to say the least, with a long lit of classic and signature cocktails as well as an impressive array of domestic whiskies. If you're looking to splurge, you can get the super-rare 25-year Yamazaki single malt for an eye-watering ¥40,000 a glass.
The bar's literal high-point is the hidden outdoor terrace and rooftop space. Here you'll find seating arranged around a small but tranquil Japanese-style gardens and a breathtaking view of Ginza's shimmering skyline from the rooftop.