You probably hit a bar with a table charge (otoshi) that they didn't mention upfront. Many small places in Shinjuku and Shibuya add 500-1000 yen per person just for sitting down, and that little snack they bring you isn't free. Three drinks plus two people's otoshi fees could easily push you past 8000 yen.

You won't get anywhere going back to argue, they'll just point at the menu and say the prices were there. For future nights out, stick to places like Hub, DevilCraft, or chain izakayas like Shirokiya where everything is listed clearly in English and there's no surprise fees. Also try asking the hostel staff for recommendations, they usually know which bars are tourist-friendly and which ones are traps.

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yeah that's rough but honestly not that unusual in certain spots in tokyo. some of those little bars in shinjuku or ginza have cover charges and premium pricing that aren't listed clearly. 2090 for a beer is steep even by shinjuku standards though, that's like a high-end hotel bar price.

if it was in golden gai or a similar narrow alley spot, they often have a table charge (otoshi) that adds 500-1000 yen per person even if you don't eat it. three drinks plus that could hit 8000 pretty quick. i wouldn't go back to argue, it's not worth the stress and they'll just say the prices were on the menu.

next time stick to chain izakayas like torikizoku where a beer is like 300 yen and you can see the prices clearly. or just ask for a menu with prices before ordering, most places are fine with that

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honestly this sounds like you wandered into a host bar or a high-end cocktail lounge without checking the menu first. a lot of places in shinjuku and roppongi have those "service charge" setups where the beer is 2000 yen because you're paying for the atmosphere and the host/hostess who sits with you.

if it was in kabukicho or near the love hotels, that's standard pricing for those places. they're not trying to scam you, they just cater to people with expense accounts. take the L and check prices on the menu before ordering next time, or stick to places like hub or a chain izakaya where a beer is 500-600 yen tops

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honestly the guide nailed it but i'd throw in nakameguro for anyone visiting in spring. the canal walk during cherry blossom season is insane, way less crowded than ueno or shinjuku gyoen. plus there's a killer onigiri spot called Onigiri Bongo that sells out by noon, and the area has a ton of tiny wine bars and vintage shops. rooms at the Claska hotel start around $120 and it's a quick hop to shibuya on the tokyu line

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solid write-up, covers the big ones well. for my money, if you're a food nerd, staying near a good tsukemen or ramen spot is a legit strategy. i booked a hotel in takadanobaba once just cause i wanted to be walking distance from Taishoken, the tsukemen birthplace. that area is also full of student bars and cheap eats since Waseda Uni is there, rooms at the b:CONTE hotel run like $90 a night and it's two stops from Shinjuku on the Yamanote. way less tourist crush than Shibuya for late-night bowls

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This is a solid breakdown, really covers the main bases well. One thing I'd add for anyone staying in Shinjuku is that the station itself can be overwhelming even for locals, so picking a hotel on the west side near the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is a good hack. The views from the free observation deck there are just as good as the paid ones, and you avoid the chaos of the east exit. For cheap eats in that area, the basement floor of Takashimaya department store has incredible takeout bento boxes under 1,000 yen that beat most convenience store meals.

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