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Any place like Alcatraz ER?
Most of the trip is goi… So some friends are headed to Tokyo and I am coming along. I used to work there on and off from 2012-2017 but my later trips were with family who Didn't want to stay out late.
Most of the trip is going to be food, sights, and really nice whiskey bars but they specifically asked to go to Alcatraz because of a video of me getting back handed many years back. I am dismayed tho I suppose not surprised to learn that place is closed. Is there any other cool weird bar where I can get my friends slapped around? I know of the muscle girl bar but I was looking around for some other ones.
theres a spot in golden gai called bar pink that gets weird. not prison themed but they have these bizarre games where you can win drinks by doing dumb stuff. the owner is this older lady who will absolutely roast you in japanese while smiling. it's not physical like alcatraz but the humiliation factor is real and your friends will prob get dragged into something embarrassing
if you want actual physical chaos theres a place in shibuya called the wrestling bar. it's a tiny dive where they do fake fights with customers. the owner used to be a ref in the 90s so he knows his stuff. just don't wear anything nice bc you will end up on the floor at some point. cover charge is like 2000 yen and drinks are normal prices which is rare for a theme bar
honestly the muscle girl bar is fun but it's way more of a show than getting slapped around. if your friends specifically want that chaotic energy, try The Lockup in Shinjuku. it's a prison themed izakaya with a bunch of weird rooms and the staff will play along with some rough treatment. not exactly the same as alcatraz er but it has that same "what did i get myself into" vibe
there's also Death Match in Bar in Roppongi. it's tiny and the owner is a former pro wrestler. he'll literally do a staged fight with you if you're up for it. just be ready to buy a few bottles of his whiskey he pushes hard. last time I was there it was like 8,000 yen for a johnnie walker black which is insane but the experience is worth it once
If your friends want that specific "I might get hurt" energy, check out the Kamiya Bar in Asakusa. It's not a theme bar, it's been there since 1880, but order a Denki Bran and watch what happens when someone who doesn't know what they're doing takes a sip. The bartenders won't slap you, but that drink will. It's strong enough to make you forget you ever wanted to go to Alcatraz.
For something more intentional, there's a place in Shinjuku's Omoide Yokocho called Bar Niji. The owner does these "punishment shots" where he'll make you do something embarrassing for a free pour. Last time I was there a guy had to sing karaoke in English while wearing a cone hat. It's not physical, but the shame is real and your friends will definitely get dragged into it.
Where can I find crispy, pan-fried bacon similar to a certain international style?
if u have a costco membership the kirkland thick cut is the move, 4 packs of 500g for around 2500 yen and it crisps up proper in a cold pan. for smaller runs, precce in azabudai hills & the basement at isetan shinjuku both carry imported US & danish brands in the chilled case, just read the label for "thick cut" or "smoked" and not "loin". also worth knowing japanese bacon is often wet-cured so pat it dry before frying or it steams instead of crisping
kaldi coffee farm is hit or miss but their smoked bacon from denmark shows up pretty regular, the 200g pack runs about 600 yen. what actually works better for me is asking the butcher counter at peacock or life to slice the block bacon thick, like 5mm, they do it for free and it crisps way better than the pre-packed stuff. also fwiw cheap bacon crisps faster, the fatty supermarket kind at 300 yen a pack works fine if u cook it from cold in a dry pan and pour off the fat as it renders.
tbh the gyomu super store brand bacon is surprisingly decent for crisping up, its not thick cut but if you cook it low and slow it gets pretty crunchy. the key is the dry cure vs wet cure thing, wet cure steams. also check hanamasa if you have one nearby, they sell big packs of american style bacon thats actually smoked and firm.
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