Washoku Guide
Cities/New York/Izakaya/Bar Goto
New York · Izakaya · casual

Bar Goto

Japanese Cocktail BarSakeShochuJapanese WhiskySmall Plates

Tokyo-born bartender Kenta Goto's walk-in LES cocktail bar serves Japanese-inspired cocktails, sake, shochu, whisky, and small plates.

Price
¥¥
Area
Lower East Side
Since
2015
Owner
Kenta Goto
Bar Goto — authentic japanese cocktail bar restaurant in New York, Lower East Side
Plate № 1740
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About
Bar Goto is one of New York's most lauded Japanese-style cocktail bars, opened in 2015 by Kenta Goto — a native of Tokyo who honed his craft at Pegu Club under Audrey Saunders. The intimate Lower East Side space channels the warm, intimate atmosphere of a Tokyo neighborhood bar, with Japanese-inflected cocktails built around sake, shochu, whisky, and other spirits. Signature drinks like the Sakura Martini and Far East have become icons of the NYC cocktail scene. Goto's meticulous Japanese approach extends to small plates — okonomiyaki, spam musubi, and other izakaya bites complement the drink program. Walk-in only with no reservations, consistent with Japanese bar culture. The success of Bar Goto led Goto to open a Brooklyn sister location, Bar Goto Niban, in Park Slope.
Neighborhood & visiting

Bar Goto sits in Lower East Side, one of New York's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. The house does not publish an online booking link; call ahead to secure a seat, especially on weekends. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional izakaya restaurants often close between service periods.

Why it's on Washoku Guide
  • Kenta Goto is one of NYC's most celebrated Japanese bartenders, with a craft honed at Pegu Club and deeply rooted in Tokyo's cocktail culture.
  • Signature cocktails like the Sakura Martini are NYC classics — creative, balanced, and underpinned by sake, shochu, and Japanese whisky.
  • An authentic walk-in-only policy, intimate LES setting, and thoughtful izakaya small plates recreate the feel of a Tokyo neighborhood bar.
  • Happy hour martinis from 5–6 PM daily make it one of Manhattan's best-value Japanese cocktail experiences.

Walk-in only; no reservations. Closed Mondays.

Links
Website →Map →Yelp →

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Frequently asked

About Bar Goto

Is Bar Goto an authentic japanese cocktail bar restaurant in New York?
Yes — Bar Goto is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for japanese cocktail bar in New York: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused izakaya format.
Where is Bar Goto located?
Bar Goto is located at 245 Eldridge St, New York, NY 10002, New York, United States in the Lower East Side neighborhood.
Do I need a reservation at Bar Goto?
Bar Goto does not publish an online reservation link. Walk-ins may be possible, but for popular izakaya restaurants in New York we recommend calling ahead.
What is the price range at Bar Goto?
Bar Goto sits in the ¥¥ price range — typical for japanese cocktail bar of this format in New York.
Keep exploring
All Japanese restaurants in New York →Izakaya in New York →Authentic izakaya worldwide →All cities →