Drunken Bar Double By

At Drunken Bar Double By in Namba, choosing a drink is only part of the pleasure: snacks and more substantial dishes are on offer, too. The Japanese whisky flights let you sample several expressions in smaller pours. The Ninja Course (3,000 yen) features Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese Harmony, with 3 varieties served in 15 ml pours. The Samurai Course (4,600 yen) compares Nikka’s Miyagikyo 10-year, Yoichi 10-year and Taketsuru, setting fruitiness against smoky notes. There is also the Shogun Course (5,900 yen), with Yamazaki 12-year, Hibiki Blender’s Choice and Hakushu 12-year. These flights offer a way to focus on the differences between whiskies rather than ordering each one separately.

One customer who ordered a flight wrote that they enjoyed the accompanying snacks. The selection may vary from one visit to another, but it is a welcome detail for anyone who wants to eat while sampling whisky. The menu includes daily-changing bar snacks, as well as options such as fried chicken wings, ajillo, egg fried rice and curry. One reviewer singled out the Mexican potato salad; another remembered the chicken wings as a standout dish. You could keep things light with a few snacks alongside your drinks, or make more of a meal by ordering several dishes. Roast beef also appears among the menu options, so the food goes beyond the usual accompaniments to a drink.

The whisky selection extends beyond Japanese bottles to include Scotch and bourbon, and there is also sake, shochu and beer. You might compare whiskies in a flight, or start with a lemon sour and one of the daily snacks. The bar is open until 3:00 from Monday to Thursday, and until 5:00 the following morning on Fridays and Saturdays, making it an option for a late-night drink.