The Manseibashi Viaduct is an urban yet quirky part of the city, and is a place that is gaining a strong presence. We visited Low-Non-Bar, Japan's first authentic low-alcohol, non-alcoholic bar, in this place that is promoting new value while making use of its history and culture.

Lawnon Bar is based on the concept of "enjoying it for both non-drinkers and drinkers," and is particular about creating a menu of non-alcoholic cocktails and the interior design of the store.

Is a bar a space only for people who can drink alcohol?

Have you ever heard of such a phrase?

"A bar is not just about drinks, it's about enjoying the space and the moment."

"In reality, only people who can drink alcohol can enjoy it. I felt frustrated," says Mr. Takahashi, manager of Low-Non-Bar. Non-alcoholic bars have already been established overseas.

Takahashi told us that he wasn't sure if a non-alcoholic bar would be well-received in Japan, but he decided to open one because he thought creating a bar that everyone could enjoy would be socially meaningful.

Low-Non-Bar was born in Nihonbashi. There is a so-called "bar" on the second floor, and a Low-Non-Bar on the first floor. You can choose a bar depending on your condition and mood that day.

Then, one year after opening, it was decided to move to Manseibashi Viaduct.

Creating a space where even those who are not strong drinkers can have fun

When you open the door to Low-Non-Bar, you'll see red bricks. The bar is packed with details that allow you to enjoy a traditional bar, while still retaining the features that have been there since Manseibashi Station first opened.

The counter table is oval shaped, so you can see the bartenders making cocktails from any seat. It also has cushioned armrests.

Takahashi says, "In the bar world, there is a belief that you shouldn't rest your back against the backrest. This design is based on traditional aesthetics. By using the armrests, you naturally straighten your back."

Behind the counter is an antique sofa that you can sit back and relax on. On sunny days, the sunlight streaming in from the entrance brightens up the interior of the store.

We also spoke to Takahashi about the customers. "Compared to typical bars where you can drink alcohol, one of our features is that we have a wider range of opening times and customers of a wider range of ages. Some people come here before a meal or to take a break, as they don't have to worry about plans afterwards. We also have pregnant women and people who are visiting Japan from overseas who enjoy our bar."

A cocktail made with kumquat and juniper berries
The coasters are also coordinated to match the cocktails and glasses.

Cocktails with a Japanese feel
The sweetness of the chocolate is accented by the piquant kick of wasabi.

A world where non-alcoholic cocktails are the norm.

I want to create a world where non-alcoholic cocktails are the norm.

Behind this strong feeling lie difficult challenges.

"Soft drinks are used for non-alcoholic cocktails. From the standpoint of shelf life, they must be used up within a short period of time. Furthermore, the hurdles for importing them are high, and compared to alcohol, which can be enjoyed in small quantities and in a variety of types, non-alcoholic cocktails are difficult to handle," says Takahashi, who continues:

"There are also challenges for the bartenders. Even skilled bartenders have little experience with non-alcoholic cocktails. Bartenders need to have creative skills. Furthermore, the fact that non-alcoholic cocktails are perceived as just juice is also thought to be a hurdle to their widespread popularity."

A world where everyone can enjoy a bar, whether they can drink alcohol or not.

From Manseibashi Viaduct to Japan and the world, Takahashi's challenge to deliver new values through low-alcohol, non-alcoholic drinks has just begun.

Low-Non-Bar
電話：03-4362-0377
住所：東京都千代田区神田須田町1-25-4 マーチエキュート神田万世橋1F-S10
アクセス：JR 秋葉原駅（電気街口）から徒歩4分/東京メトロ 銀座線 神田駅（6）から徒歩5分/東京メトロ 丸ノ内線 淡路町駅（A3）から徒歩3分
HP：https://orchardknight.com/bar/low-non-bar
SNS：https://www.instagram.com/low_non_bar/
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