Visitors to this charming basement bar take a sentimental journey back to Tokyo circa 1950—the time when big band Jazz blared from the Armed Forces radio and Hawaiian music cover acts toured the nation.
“Back in those days, everyone wanted to be in a Hawaiian band,” says Birdland’s owner, multi-instrumentalist Kimiko Ohta. “So when I graduated from college I ran off to join the Waikiki Flowers.”
For 35 years they’ve been playing to crowds who are eager to hear dulcet tones from the big island. And every Monday night for the past quarter of a century, Birdland’s stage has been transformed into a Hawaiian beach party complete with hula dancers and ukulele. Other nights, top Jazz artists strut their stuff and show off their chops.
Birdland seems to have escaped the ravages of time as much as Ohta-san, a youthful radiant woman dolled up in a colorful dress and a lei garland of flowers. The comfortable chairs, dim lights and piano bar contribute to a uniquely memorable evening of entertainment.
In order to reach out to foreign visitors (Hawaiian and otherwise) Ohta-san cuts the ¥3,000 table charge in half. She hopes that every visitor to Roppongi will visit her Jazz paradise and say “Aloha.”
Birdland
Open from 5:30pm to 2am daily, closed Thursdays
Square Bldg. B2
3-10-3 Roppongi
Minato-ku
(3478-3456) |
