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Nihonshu Shochu & Sake Bar image

Nihonshu Shochu & Sake Bar

Restaurant Bar Pub Japanese restaurant Asian restaurant

Low-lit, lantern-lined bar for Japanese beer, whisky, sake, light bites and weeknight-only dinners. People often mention sake, Japanese, friendly, atmosphere, good, great, Great, selection, staff, Melbourne,


Address

163 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Contact

+61 3 9663 8118

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (132 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

Permanently closed.

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: sake (21) Japanese (15) friendly (11) atmosphere (9) good (9) great (9) Great (8) selection (7) staff (6) Melbourne (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Saturday Night B. 6 years ago on Google • 206 reviews
    Had an brilliant time here. An intimate little izakaya with a chilled out vibe, relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff. If you want a night out away from douchey crowds and noise, this is the place to come. The sake/shochu selection is potent and will guarantee to have you on the floor after the 3rd bottle while the food more than exceeds the expectations. A must visit if you're a fan of anything Japanese.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Stav G. 5 years ago on Google • 202 reviews
    The food is good. The athmosphere is very welcoming. Service is just fine. Sake is amazing.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Carmine T. 4 years ago on Google • 65 reviews
    Great atmosphere and selection of sake. Top it off with some good food to pair with and you've got yourself a great time
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Wilson Y. 7 years ago on Google • 585 reviews
    Very nice Japanese style bar. They have Orion on tap and there are a lot of options if you are into sake. The food here is also excellent. To top it off, the staff are very friendly and courteous.

  • 5/5 Jeff G. 5 years ago on Google
    A standard venue for our mid-drinks. Not super fancy but decent quality japanese izakaya fare. Hits the spot.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Annie S (. 8 years ago on Google • 365 reviews
    I love this place. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable when it comes to their whiskeys and sake. Their selection is nothing but impressive. They have a lot of rare and hard to find Japanese whiskeys, in a cosy atmosphere. Great place to spend an evening out!

  • 4/5 Kitty M. 4 years ago on Google • 230 reviews
    This Japanese restaurant has been around for 30 years, food is always good with a large selection from sushi, yakitori, noodles, deep fried and sushi set. Love their vibe, does feel like I am in japan! I am their customer for over 15 years!

  • 5/5 Alexander N. 5 years ago on Google • 59 reviews
    This place has really chill vibes; it's small, cosy and has some nice hip hop beats playing. Perfect for a date or catch up with mates after work. The bartenders are really polite. There is an extensive list of sake, shochu, umeshu and beer. The food is fantastic. I always find myself snacking on the edamame, takoyaki and skewer platters in between drinks. There is Orion beer on tap which is quite refreshing. Shoutouts to Masa - you are a champion.

  • 5/5 Duncan O. 4 years ago on Google
    My favourite Japanese bar in Melbourne. Great sake and great food!

  • 5/5 aejung p. 5 years ago on Google
    great range of sake and fun atmosphere. i cant stay away.

  • 4/5 Anonymous U. 4 years ago on Google
    Love this place. Closest thing Melbourne has to a real Japanese Sake bar ☝️

  • 5/5 Bruce G. 4 years ago on Google
    Been a huge fan of the place for years Really chill vibes

  • 5/5 Ryan M. 4 years ago on Google
    Bartender is friendly and can rock a hat 10/10

  • 5/5 Bushy B. 4 years ago on Google
    Awsome food

  • 5/5 Sam R. 4 years ago on Google
    Really loved the happy hour sake, and gyoza! A lovely spot with great music and friendly service.

  • 3/5 Daniel C. 4 years ago on Google
    Food quality was okay, I've definitely eaten better. Price, sizing, service, and atmosphere all just pretty okay too.

  • 4/5 Dark C. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice little bar with good atmosphere.

  • 5/5 Ethan G. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Not bad (Original) 不错

  • 5/5 ARJ 4 years ago on Google
    Brilliant place for some good sake and takoyaki and a lovely staff. This really does feel like being in Japan.

  • 5/5 Charles S. 5 years ago on Google
    Love get a drinks after work during happy hour

  • 4/5 Hee Seong Y. 5 years ago on Google
    Place to visit for a nice sake. Variety of choices in the venue and you can pair drinks with food as well. Quiet and comfortable place for a drink.

  • 5/5 Luke M. 5 years ago on Google
    Great atmosphere, great food!

  • 5/5 kantaro 5 years ago on Google
    Good sake selection

  • 4/5 Gary G. 5 years ago on Google
    Cosy bar offers a fine selection of Japanese liquor. Japanese menu includes gluten free and fodmap friendly options. Professional friendly staff.

  • 5/5 R R. 5 years ago on Google
    Very authentic Japanese bar

  • 2/5 Ben H. 4 years ago on Google
    Disappointing food quality given the other ratings, gyoza tasted frozen

  • 4/5 Desiree B. 4 years ago on Google
    Great for fresh sashimi and sushi.. They do a great job of cutting the sashimi into thick pieces and use only but the freshest seafood! The hot dishes are very hit and miss.

  • 4/5 James B. 4 years ago on Google
    Good beer and sake list. Unfortunately a lot of whiskeys, beers and sakes were out of stock. Would love to come back when they have more in stock.

  • 5/5 Isabella M. 4 years ago on Google • 30 reviews
    We LOVE this place, it's our secret little date-night spot. If it's just the two of you, sit in the bar rather than the restaurant - it's got so much character! Same guy serves us every time we are there, super friendly and relaxed dude who always puts on some cool underground Japanese tunes. Definitely recommend!

  • 4/5 Ly L. 5 years ago on Google
    Amazing service... Didn't let me over order on food and sake was good... Would come again

  • 5/5 Inna 4 years ago on Google
    Really good sake bar. Drinks and food are great. It might get really busy though.

  • 5/5 Pamera S. 4 years ago on Google
    Loved it, walked past Like millions time never thought it was actually a really cozy and nice place to eat and drink and talk.

  • 5/5 Michael R. 4 years ago on Google
    Friendly staff. Cozy relaxed atmosphere. Great range of beer wine and sake. Good barsnacks

  • 5/5 James H. 4 years ago on Google
    My favourite bar in Melbourne CBD. love this place.

  • 5/5 Xinyue L. 4 years ago on Google
    Great place to hang out, have some sake and gyoza after work. Awesome happy hour offers.

  • 5/5 Georgia W. 4 years ago on Google
    We LOVE this place, it's our secret little date-night spot. If it's just the two of you, sit in the bar rather than the restaurant - it's got so much character! Same guy serves us every time we are there, super friendly and relaxed dude who always puts on some cool underground Japanese tunes. Definitely recommend!

  • 4/5 matt c. 4 years ago on Google
    Japanese beers on tap excellent

  • 4/5 Owen Z. 4 years ago on Google
    food : 9 environment : 6 price : 5 service: 7

  • 3/5 owen z. 4 years ago on Google
    9 point for delicious food and fresh sashimi. 6 point for environment and price.

  • 5/5 daniel d. 4 years ago on Google
    Awesome vibe, and great selection of Japanese craft beers, whiskey, umeshu and sake. A little piece of Tokyo in Melbourne

  • 5/5 POPPUKON D. 4 years ago on Google
    A small gem in heart of Melbourne for quality import Japanese sake and whiskey. Amazing Japanese Bar Host with great attention to a providing a welcoming environment.

  • 5/5 Kajetan K. 4 years ago on Google
    Great sake and Karaage

  • 5/5 Shannon P. 4 years ago on Google
    Awesome atmosphere. Staff are super friendly and helpfull when choosing the right drink. You can also order snacks from the izakaya resturant next door which is also amazing.

  • 4/5 Alessandra F. 4 years ago on Google
    We had the best sake, temaki, gyoza and seaweed ever. Service is amazing and friendly.

  • 4/5 Kurniawan T. 4 years ago on Google
    Located in central Melbourne. They serve variety of jalpanese foods and wine, good for hang out with friends

  • 5/5 Arash Niknezhad H. 4 years ago on Google
    Wide variety of sake and beers, also a good place to hangout alone ;)


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Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Happy hour drinks
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Dessert
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery

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