Baird Taproom Bashamichi
Bars and Nightlife
Craft brews and authentic barbecue
Beer lovers of Kanagawa, rejoice! If you love the Baird Beer Taprooms in Harajuku and Nakameguro, you’ll be happy to hear that we have one of our very own—and it might just be the best of the bunch, paired as it is with good old-fashioned American barbecue.
The Taproom, located in the historic Bashamichi district, is drawing big crowds. A recent Saturday night found the place completely full—and we mean all of it, from the counter bar on the first floor to the seating area on the second, and even the covered open-air patio and private Japanese-style room on the third. The newest member of the Baird family boasts the same warm woods, label artwork and relaxed vibe as its brethren—and has a dartboard to boot.
In the kitchen, pit master Chuck Morrow slow smokes the meats over a fire fueled by locally sourced wood, including sakura for a bit of a Japanese touch. The chicken we ordered had the perfect combination of crunchy skin and tender meat, with a tangy sauce that accented the smoky flavors of the meat without being overwhelming. The sliced pork went equally well with the bottles of spicy red and tangy mustard sauces that my companion and I discovered nearby, and promptly slathered on everything.
A barbecue joint can’t truly be considered authentic without ribs, and the Bashamichi Taproom doesn’t disappoint. They offer both the smaller, leaner American spare ribs as well as the massive domestic ones. Portion sizes may leave those with hearty appetites wanting, but definitely not in the flavor department. Coleslaw, beans, baked mac and cheese—all the traditional sides, including pecan pie and peach cobbler—are accounted for. So genuine is the menu, you might find yourself wondering which side of the Pacific you’re actually on. Beyond beef (and other meat), the Taproom serves up salads and pizzas to satiate the less carnivorous members of your group.
And what better accompaniment to barbecue than beer? The year-round menu offers 12 options, including Port City Pils, which is only available at this location. There are also several seasonal beers on tap, and, as with other Baird Beer branches, the Bashamichi Taproom has its own real ale on hand pump as well. I couldn’t resist going back for seconds of the Bashamichi Ale, a malty brown brew with smoky notes that served as a perfect complement to the barbecue.
Information
Area
Chinatown / Kannai / Yamashita Park
Opening Hours
(Weekdays) 5:00pm - 0:00am
(Sat, Sun, Holidays)12:00pm - 0:00am
Address
5-63-1, Sumiyoshi-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama
URL
http://bairdbeer.com/en/tap/bashamichi.html
Closest Railway Station
5-7 minutes walk from three train stations (Sakuragicho, Kannai, and Bashamichi Stations)
Tel
045-264-4961
Foreign Language Support
English