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The bars in Hiroshima are "made" by the staff. The bars are generally small, and hence tend to be a personable affair.  The decor and theme of each establishment is always interesting.  You'll quickly become familiar with the proprietor and staff, as they will with you. Also, don't worry about going to bars alone. The personable nature of the bar staff, and the friendly nature of the people in Hiroshima (Japanese & foreigners) will make you feel right at home.  You may find yourself walking into a bar for a beer or two and end up spending the whole night partying with a group of people you didn't know before you walked in. It's happened.

Another enjoyable aspect of Hiroshima's drinking establishments is of course, the alcohol. The Japanese beer, although limited in variety, is all quite delicious—especially on draft. The beers seem to be "fresher" than what you may find in mainstream American bars. Hangovers tend to be less wicked here as well.  Rumors as to why vary from the fact that the Japanese beers use a lot of rice as a base or that they don't use preservatives in the beer. I haven't researched either in great detail.  Don't worry if you're not accustomed to beer drinking, you'll be fine. The wide variety of the mix drink and beer selections at some establishments is astonishing. Many places have an extensive whiskey, scotch, or tequila menu.  Harry's Bar and Lil damool serve the fine Heradura tequila.

Nightlife in the entertainment district (Nagarekawa) seems to come in 2 waves. The first wave is the group of after-workers that go directly from work to the restaurant to have dinner & drinks with colleagues. You usually see them stumbling home around 7:00 or 8:00 PM. The second wave seems to start around 10:00 PM. You may find yourself alone in a bar if you show up at 9:00 PM.  This second wave seems to have various waves of reinforcements or perhaps just several members in for the long haul. Folk will head home anywhere from midnight to 7:00 or 8:00 in the morning.   

 External site on bar hopping in Hiroshima

   Karaoke
Shaggy  
LéNon
Marlene  
My Place   

   Live Music*
Clementine  
Hot Gin   
Live Cafe Jive
Sumatra Tiger  
Cover
*Not all of these bars have live music every night.

   Dancing

Neon 
Jakara
Mac Bar 
Sexual Apedite
Jamaica  

   Pool & Other
Caesars 9  

   Food & Beer
Anyway  
Cafe Spice
Seychelles
Kemby's 
Lil damool
Kirin Beer Park

   Just Drinkin'
Kiss of Luminescence
Room Its
Loft     
Blue Moon
One Shot Press
Harry's Bar
Snappers
Uncle Kazu
Jammin'  
Cave Land
King's K
Merry X'Mas
Bad Boys 
Bar J

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Other recommended establishments:

Summer Rooftop Beer Gardens
These jewels are perched atop many of the taller buildings around Hiroshima. The larger beer gardens can be found atop of the major department stores (depatos), like Fukuya, Tenmaya, Mitsukoshi, etc.  The rooftop beer gardens are basically set up like an outdoor patio complete with outdoor furniture and the sky as your roof.  They have an all-you-can-eat buffet and all-you-can-drink bar  (highlighted by one of the major Japanese beer makers).  It's a good deal at 2800 Yen for a 2-hour seating. The rooftop gardens are only open from May to the end of August.  Despite the nice weather in September, they still close in August.

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