--- title: The Best Bars In Hakuba date: 2026-01-12T20:00:00+09:00 author: Armelle Frimpong canonical_url: "https://uchijapan.com/news/hakuba-bars" section: News --- [Japan](https://uchijapan.com/news/japan)# The Best Bars In Hakuba Jan 12, 2026 - [ ](mailto:?subject=The%20Best%20Bars%20In%20Hakuba%20on%20Uchi&body=https%3A%2F%2Fuchijapan.com%2Fnews%2Fhakuba-bars "Share by Email") - [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fuchijapan.com%2Fnews%2Fhakuba-bars&title=The%20Best%20Bars%20In%20Hakuba&description=We%20bring%20you%20our%20top%20recommendations%20for%20the%20best%20bars%20in%20Hakuba%20across%20Happo-One%2C%20Echoland%20and%20Wadano.&caption=Uchi) ![Penke Bar LEAD](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_480x270_crop_center-center_60_line/Penke-Bar-LEAD.jpg)Visitors to the snowy paradise of Hakuba in the Northern Japanese Alps are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding somewhere to drink—and not just during the winter-time, we'll have you know. From cosy cocktail lounges and relaxed beer gardens, to basement bars—including one hidden behind a cigarette vending machine—Hakuba has the good times covered. Want more? Why not pair your bar visit with a trip to one of [Hakuba’s best restaurants](https://uchijapan.com/news/hakuba-restaurants)? In the meantime, here are 14 of the best bars in Hakuba. ## Hakuba Après, Happo-One, Hakuba ![Hakuba Apres LEAD](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/Hakuba-Apres-LEAD.jpg) Image credit: Hakuba Après in full swing / Hakuba Hospitality Group Bad news: [Hakuba Après](https://www.instagram.com/hakuba.apres/) is only open during the snow season. Good news: if you're here during said season, you're in for a real treat. Located at the base of Nakiyama Slope, this one brands itself as Hakuba’s first and only daily on-snow après party and with live music, indoor and outdoor spaces boasting killer views AND collabs with top brands like Veuve Clicquot, it might just be one of the best bars you ever visit. ## Holy Smokes, Echoland, Hakuba ![Holy Smokes](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/337931/Holy-Smokes.jpg) Image credit: A person entering the door at Holy Smokes / Hakuba.com This one's giving The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe—if the wardrobe was actually a cigarette vending machine, [hiding a bar](https://www.instagram.com/holysmokesjapan/?hl=en) instead of a magical world. In this adults-only version of the story, you're invited to get footloose and fancy-free with drinks aplenty and dedicated party nights on Mondays and Thursdays. Depending on how hard you go, we can't promise you won't see a talking lion by the end of it. ## Mocking Bird, Echoland, Hakuba ![Mocking Bird](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/Mocking-Bird.jpg) Image credit: People drinking beside one of Mocking Bird's famous wooden sculptures / Hakuba.com Is it possible to be drunk, without drinking? 'Cos [Mocking Bird](https://hakuba.com/restaurants/bar/mocking-bird/)'s psychedelic murals and wooden sculptures (in particular, the driftwood tree 'growing' out of the middle of the bar) are making us feel a certain typa way... This place is always pumping, especially with tourists—thanks in large part to the legendary hospitality of owner Ken-san, who has a yuzu-spiked cocktail named in his honour which you simply MUST try. ## No. 898, Happo, Hakuba ![No 898 LEAD](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/No-898-LEAD.jpg) Image credit: No. 898 looking magical at night / Hakuba Hospitality Group For those with a taste for the finer things in life, let us introduce you to [No. 898](https://hakubahospitalitygroup.com/winter/restaurants/no-898/). Run by the team behind another spot on this list, Hakuba Après (and actually located one floor above it), this is some celebrity-level shit. You can only get in by making a reservation, at which point you'll be given a unique entry code that changes on the daily. Once you're inside, order something spesh from the selection of top-shelf whiskeys and champagne before cosying up on a couch, surrounded by snowy mountain views. Sadly, this one's only open in winter. ## Sugar, Happo, Hakuba ![Sugar](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/Sugar.jpg) Image credit: The dimly-lit, cosy and inviting lounge / Sugar Sugar, yes please... especially if it's in the form of [this ultra-cool cocktail lounge-come-nightclub](https://www.instagram.com/sugarhakuba/?hl=en). Split into three sections depending on your mood (the bar, where bangin' cocktails are poured by friendly mixologists—the lounge, where you can simultaneously sink your drink, and into a sofa—and the dance floor, where DJs work their magic on the weekend), this is a solid pick for a sweet night out. ## Blizzard, Happo, Hakuba ![Blizzard](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/337955/Blizzard.jpg) Image credit: Live music in full swing at Blizzard / Hakuba.com [Blizzard](https://www.instagram.com/blizzardhakuba/) is famous for its authentic wood-fired pizzas (the head chef here is Italian)—but boy does this spot also know how to throw a party (it's hosted some of Hakuba's biggest musical events). Expect live music and DJ sets, a ping-pong table on the second floor and of course, a cranking drinks selection—the cocktails are of particular note. ## Penke Bar & Bistro, Wadano, Hakuba ![Penke Bar](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/Penke-Bar.jpg) Image credit: One of the many delicious drinks on offer at Penke Bar & Bistro. Main article image credit: Penke Bar & Bistro from the street / both Penke Bar & Bistro We're big on cosy bars, especially when it's giving blizzard outside. Enter [Penke Bar & Bistro](https://www.instagram.com/penke_bar/?hl=en), a popular spot in the heart of Hakuba serving up tasty bites plus lush cocktails and chu hai for days (that's alcoholic fizzy, to the uninitiated). Also on occasion featuring open mic nights, burlesque, and chu pong (like beer pong, only with chu hai)—we'll see you there. ## The Rabbit Hole, Wadano, Hakuba ![The Rabbit Hole](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/The-Rabbit-Hole.jpg) Image credit: One of The Rabbit Hole's famous burgers, with a glass of beer for good measure / @quicksandfood via The Rabbit Hole When Alice fell down the rabbit hole, the last thing she expected to find was burgers and beers. At least, that's what she found down this [Rabbit Hole](https://hakubahospitalitygroup.com/winter/restaurants/the-rabbit-hole/)—fittingly located in Wadano (sounds kinda like Wonderland, no?)—plus live music every night and a secret room with a pool table and piano. Only open during the winter, you'll find this one just a hop, skip and a jump (sorry, not sorry) from the Sakka Slopes. ## Bar Refuel, Happo, Hakuba ![Bar refuel hakuba drink](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/bar-refuel-hakuba-drink.jpg) Image credit: Enjoy a delicious tropical cocktail in the snow / Bar Refuel [Bar Refuel](https://www.instagram.com/barrefuelhakuba/?hl=en) has all the makings of a good time—alcohol in every configuration imaginable, stacked burgers to soak it up and best of all, year-round hours. We're also big fans of the cosy fit-out that'll make you feel right at home (with a few quirky decorating choices that probably won't). There's even a dartboard, for those wishing to show off their aim. No wonder this is one of Hakuba's most beloved drinking spots. ## Bar Cross, Happo, Hakuba ![Bar Cross](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/Bar-Cross.jpg) Image credit: A view of Bar Cross from the street / Wanderlog [Bar Cross](https://hakuba.com/restaurants/bar/bar-cross/) is a dangerously cool venue—pairing booze and beats (punk and rock 'n' roll, to be precise) with vintage video games from their basement below street level. Head along every night 'til midnight for your party fix, fuelled by beers, whiskeys, and cocktails. ## Hakuba Taproom, Happo, Hakuba ![Hakuba tap room](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/hakuba-tap-room.jpg) Image credit: The outdoor beer garden at the Hakuba Taproom / Hakuba Taproom If you wanna know where the locals drink, head on over to the [Hakuba Taproom](https://bairdbeer.com/pages/hakuba-1). This friendly pub is serving up 16 of the country's best craft brews on tap, including those from the area's own Hakuba Brewing Company—along with tasty pub grub to boot (homemade lasagna, we see you). Rounding out the vibe is a pretty outdoor set-up, plus live music and sports on the big screen. ## Paw Paw Bar, Echoland, Hakuba ![Paw Paw Bar](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/337998/Paw-Paw-Bar.jpg) Image credit: The cool interior of Hakuba newbie, Paw Paw Bar / @madsplid via Corner If you think a bar named after a fruit sounds appealing, you're not wrong. Despite being one of Hakuba's newest venues, [Paw Paw Bar](https://www.instagram.com/barpawpaw/) is already making quite the impression with its delicious mix of craft cocktails and tap beer, along with a swish new pool table (this spot even runs pool comps, if you're interested). Again, we love the cosy, retro aesthetic (this could literally be someone's basement/garage/at-home pool room) and the friendly crowd it attracts. ## The evo Hotel Bar, Happo, Hakuba ![The evo Hotel Bar](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/338001/The-evo-Hotel-Bar.jpg) Image credit: A plate of The evo Hotel Bar's mouthwatering gyoza / Hakuba Hospitality Group When it comes to Japanese bar snacks, gyoza reign supreme, and [The evo Hotel Bar](https://hakubahospitalitygroup.com/summer/restaurants/the-evo-hotel-bar/) is slinging these bad boys right up until 11:30pm, every day of the year (did we mention there's also rotating specials?). Of course, a bar snack isn't really a bar snack without a drink, so you'll have your pick of those too along with live music on occasion plus a funky, mod fit-out to enjoy it all in. Swing by in the day for a brunchy/coffee vibe. ## The Pub Hakuba, Echoland, Hakuba ![The Pub Hakuba](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_1280xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/The-Pub-Hakuba.jpg) Image credit: The Pub Hakuba on a busy night / The Pub Hakuba And finally, another famous spot that's (sadly) only open during the winter—[The Pub Hakuba](https://www.facebook.com/thepubhakuba/). Styled like a traditional English pub set across three levels, this has been the scene of some crazy parties over the years—some of Hakuba's biggest, in fact—with DJs and bands regularly in attendance. Get your fill of all the usual boozy suspects including local beers and sake, along with Western-style pub grub (think pizzas and chicken parmy). Ready to experience the best of both worlds in Hakuba? Discover your dream home just steps away from vibrant bars, [restaurants](https://uchijapan.com/news/hakuba-restaurants) and breathtaking mountain landscapes. With Uchi, you can explore [exclusive listings in Hakuba](https://uchijapan.com/properties?search%5BrefinementList%5D%5Barea.title%5D%5B0%5D=Hakuba&search%5BsortBy%5D=date_desc) that perfectly match the lively lifestyle you desire. Whether you're seeking a vacation getaway or a permanent residence, connect with us today to find your ideal property in Hakuba.