The Manhattan Bar: High Class Americana in Chiba

One of the most subtly unique locations I’ve visited in Japan is a 21^st floor bar in Chiba called The Manhattan. At first glance, the establishment is a run-of-the-mill expensive bar for cocktails and spirits, but as one sits and begins to really drink in the surroundings and decorations, it becomes much more interesting.

The bar is rife with decoration from the United States, though the representation of Manhattan specifically is not necessarily the actual focus. What the bar is filled with, however, is photos of early film superstars, such as Marilyn Monroe, old tube TVs playing ‘Old Western’ films with Japanese subtitles, and the décor of a city penthouse living room from the 1950’s United States. Large books line the walls in between enormous windows that provide beautiful views of the surrounding cityscape.

The bar itself was not very large and was not the seat of choice for the dozen or so people in the fairly small establishment. The bartender was quite skilled, as evidenced by the dozens of cocktails offered on the menu and the measured, accelerating rhythm of a Cobbler shaker that can often be faintly heard across the establishment. The bottles behind the bar were somewhat sparse – primarily reflecting a few choice brands of high-end whiskies and gin and certainly not reflecting the full variety of offerings in the drink menu. This lies in stark contrast to many bars, which prominently display the range of offerings available to patrons at the bar. This appears intentional – the focus at this bar is not the bar itself, but the homey-yet-affluent atmosphere carefully cultivated by the displays and layout.

Adjacent to the bar area is a collection of seating arrangements that are each somewhat unique in each their own way. A few tables with two seats facing each other with a small table are the first that one finds after passing a divider for the bar area. These are the most standard tables to be found, but each one still has their own flavor. Some tables have ordinary high-back chairs, some have cushioned armchairs, and some a mixture of both. The décor around the tables also varies. Some tables focus on an Old-Western-playing-TV (including one with the TV practically on top of the table) while some focus on the picturesque view out of the large windows.

In addition to the somewhat standard seating arrangements, there are several sections where the living room aesthetic is more heavily pronounced. There are three sections where couches replace the chairs and the usual table is replaced with a knee-height coffee table. One seat faces a TV with a window next to it while the other faces another couch (this location was used for what appeared to have been a business meeting). These are the most characteristic sections in the bar, where the ‘penthouse living room’s aesthetic is maximized.

It’s interesting that a bar would emphasize this mid-20^th century Americana aesthetic. I imagine it’s related to the prominence of American culture in Japan directly following WWII, during U.S. occupation of Japan where we invested great effort to reform their government and popular culture. It’s possible that this culture was embraced by some, or at least reminds them of their youth, which draws them to this otherwise pricey bar. It also really emphasizes a sense of elegance and affluence through its prominent displays of cultural icons and shelves of large tomes alongside classic movies. Though, even as an American who is even somewhat unfamiliar with the American culture on display, the Manhattan is a fine place to grab a quiet drink.