Compared to the older and more well-known jazz rooms in Tokyo, No Room for Squares still feels like a new and fresh-faced music and cocktail bar, which actually opened in the second half of 2019 right before the pandemic. Fortunately, this worthwhile bar survived and continues to offer exciting live music and top-quality record selections for both jazz fans and those looking for a trendy, atmospheric experience.

Jazz fans may quickly recognize that this jazz spot, like many others in Japan, is named after a classic record or song pulled straight from jazz history. In this case, No Room for Squares is the title of a 1964 Blue Note jazz album from saxophonist Hank Mobley featuring several other famous players like Lee Morgan, Herbie Hancock, and Philly Joe Jones. Apart from the bar’s name, an additional tribute to this album is featured on the back wall, where a mesmeric painting catches the eye right behind the musicians on live music nights.

No Room for Squares has a particular but easy “no menu” system, offering customers the chance to consult with the friendly owner. The barmaster fills the role of alcohol advisor and mixologist, recommending and mixing drinks based on each customer’s opinion or shared impressions. Of course, having a beer or choosing straight from the whisky selection is also a simple choice, and several varieties of the locally-produced Ichiro’s Japanese Whisky are also on hand and go down smooth. Balancing out the drink menu, alcohol-free “mocktails” are also available and can be tailored to the customers’ preferences.

Another sign of the creative effort put forth by No Room for Squares, the bar also features a unique, slightly hidden entrance. It’s a vintage-looking but very familiar portal, surprising, fun, and hard to keep a secret.

For more information:

• No Room for Squares’s website
• Located near Shimo-kitazawa station in Tokyo, Japan

Jazz of Japan #204 • Sep 27, 2023 • Brian McCrory