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I'd just been on holiday to Japan and one thing that really stood out to me was how social some of the bars (and it's a bit of an assumption on my part but the
by Rodeoclash 3y ago
I'd just been on holiday to Japan and one thing that really stood out to me was how social some of the bars (and it's a bit of an assumption on my part but the restaurants in the article) are.
I suppose by now everybody is fairly familiar with Golden Gai in Tokyo now but the concept of these mini bars only seating a few known regulars does not seem to be limited to just Tokyo. I found similar setups in Kyoto and Kanazawa.
These tiny bars seem to fulfil this need for a 3rd place. To help facilitate the social aspect of them, the owner of the bar will tend to make introductions between the people that are visiting (rather than say the Australian model where the bar is kind of a "rented space" to hang out with your friends).
I've also discovered very niche bars in Tokyo, dedicated to Punk music, or Jazz etc. A place for those with similar tastes to come together and hang out and talk about these similar interests.
I'd love to bring this concept back to Australia but the liquor laws here prevent something like this from being financially viable due to the requirements around the size of the bar, available toilets (the mini bars all shared one central toilet) etc. The attitudes around alcohol were very different as well. At at Jazz festival in Kanazawa, bars were free to open stalls out the front and sell drinks to those watching gigs in the laneways. Young kids were free to mix with adults who were drinking and having a good time (here is an example of what I mean: https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMS1Z-NymXvHBCcfb4sxrp7Pma9MdH6X6g_PBqy https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMS1Z-NymXvHBCcfb4sxrp7...)
- OfSanguineFire 3y agoI just watched Ozu’s 1956 film Tokyo Twilight and the opening scene has two strangers introduced to each other in a tiny bar, and within minutes one of them is sharing his food with the other. I wondered how realistic the scene was, but from what you write, perhaps it was representative of everyday life. Still, Japan is such a regimented society. How do bar owners ensure that the regulars it attracts belong to the same level in the social hierarchy, so that they can feel comfortable among one another?
- getwiththeprog 3y agoIn Japanese compainies, CEOs sit and have lunch with the rest of the workers (I have heard).
- jdtang13 3y agoI love the tiny bars. In Tokyo and Osaka, it's really easy to walk past "apartment tower" style buildings where each floor has several different bars, each with different themes and aesthetics. The "bar per person" ratio is very good. Usually not too noisy. Very helpful for Japanese language practice.
- canadianfella 3y ago[dead]
- fuzztester 3y agowhat do you mean by a 3rd place? The photos link says you need a Google account and to log in to it to see the photo.
- fuzztester 3y agoThanks to all who replied.
- k_pres 3y agoA place to hang out and be social that is not home or work
- fsflover 3y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place
- red-iron-pine 3y agosociology idea, essentially that you have a 3rd place outside of home and work to spend your time, meeting people, grow as a person, make connections, etc. colleges have that, in the form of libraries, student unions, cafeterias, etc. where you can hang out while not sleeping in stuffy dorms. same idea, but for the average person working a job and living life. Starbucks famously positioned itself as a 3rd place, and also famously dialed that back.