Banten, A Hidden Record Bar in Ebisu Where Japan Meets Mixology
A sanctuary where traditional design, jazz records, and innovative cocktails reframe the experience of sound and spirits.
Born as a sister establishment to A10, the record bar that rose to fame through social media.
Nestled in a corner of Ebisu, Banten is a hidden record bar where Japanese culture and mixology cocktails come together. Step through a façade reminiscent of a tea room and you’ll be greeted by a striking back bar, a towering display of antique Japanese tansu chests dating from the Edo to Meiji periods. With medicine cabinets and other traditional furnishings, the space intertwines the warmth of bygone eras with modern refinement.
Analog sounds flow through the MUSASHI Tube Integrated Amplifier, filling the space with music. Centered on jazz and soul, the smooth grooves envelop the space. The bar’s name, Banten, derives from the resonance of vinyl records (ban) and the carefully selected drinks chosen from among countless (ten) spirits—an embodiment of perfect harmony between sound and alcohol.
On the beverage menu are mixology cocktails crafted with Japanese elements such as green tea and sake. Their guiding theme is the five natural elements—fire, water, wood, metal, and earth. Each cocktail reveals a layered complexity of flavors, curated under the supervision of the liquid gastronomy collective behind Kyoto’s acclaimed nokishita711. Behind the bar is Takayuki Mizuno, selected among Japan’s Top 50 at the global Diageo World Class 2025 competition.
Adding to the experience is a rare service: guests can bring their favorite records and have them played on the high-quality sound system. Here, one can surrender to a moment of bliss—immersed in beautiful music, a sophisticated atmosphere, and finely crafted cocktails.
Banten
Address: Murata Building 5F, 1-1-4 Ebisu Minami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 7:00 pm – 3:00 am
Closed: New Year Holidays
banten.jp
From left: the ‘Dirty Smoky’ (¥1,870), infused with the aroma of grilled mackerel, and the ‘Waka Tea’ (¥1,760), based on barley ‘shochu’. The menu features a selection of mixology cocktails made with carefully chosen sake, Japanese liqueurs, and ingredients of Japanese origin.
The ‘tansu’ chests towering up to four meters high are antique pieces sourced individually from across Japan.
The sound system features the renowned JBL 4344 speakers paired with the high-end MUSASHI Tube Integrated Amplifier by Triode.
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