Snark Liquidworks is now Cycad Brewing. I’ve left this post here for your reference but you can read the new version here
Post by James
Nishiike Mart / Snark Liquidworks is a newly opened bar and brewery in the West Ikebukuro Kanamecho area. This area has suddenly become one of the best in Tokyo for a crawl.
My photo really doesn’t do it justice at all and the interior is a lot better than the outside.
The building is very old and used to be a market (hence the name). I loved the interior. You can still see the old timber beams in the ceiling and there is lots of wood everywhere. There are even some antiques and the whole place has a quirky but nice atmosphere. For me at least, it manages to come across as a bit trendy but totally unpretentious.
I guess this place could seat at least 40 so it is big considering the area it’s in. There are five counter seats facing the bar and three facing the kitchen wall. Several quite large tables and some sofas.
The brewing room is visible from the counter and it looked surprisingly big. There were only four taps on when I was in, one of which was their own. I guess they will have more taps and more of their own beers once they are fully up and running. Prices were ¥1100 for a pint and ¥800 for a regular. That’s pretty good these days.
UPDATE: There’s now about 10 taps of their own beers, including one hand pump, and a selection bottled ciders and meads too. Prices are still the same.
UPDATE: There’s now about 10 taps of their own beers, including one hand pump, and a selection bottled ciders and meads too. Prices are still the same.
The kitchen was also not fully operational but it was relatively big and they said they’re working on the menu.
Opening seems to be from 15:00 and there’s no charge and free WiFi.
The owner and the chef are older than a lot of people running craft beer bars but that made it pretty comfortable for an old timer like myself.
Like I said, it isn’t really in full swing yet but I liked this place and I’ll definitely go back soon.
Japanese breweries seen on tap:
Snark Liquidworks
TK Brewing
Loco
Devil Craft
Opening Hours:
Best check their facebook at the moment, nothing seems fixed yet
Location/Map:
西池袋 4-19-14, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Telephone:
None
Links:
Nishiike Mart Facebook
Snark Liquidworks Facebook
Website
So, might this be the pub which you couple with the Cat & Cask pub 1.2 km northwest of it? {Might it be time to revisit?}
Somehow, I ponder if management knows what the word "snark" means in English, especially associated with the World-Wide Web?
I believe they used to live in the US so I imagine they know what it means.