This bustling dining bar is a fun destination for drinks with friends or group outings of any size. They offer freshly brewed beers, inventive original cocktails, appetizing food and friendly service, all in a lively setting. There's a standing bar if you just want to grab a quick drink, plus counter seating and dining tables on two levels - some 80 seats in all.

Dam's menu features ambitious snacks like snapper ceviche and taramosalata as well as oven-grilled seafood (shrimp, squid, soft-shell crab), sausages, and vegetables (asparagus, cauliflower, jumbo mushrooms with cheese). Our soft-shell crab was ample in size and perfectly prepared and seasoned, and our oven-grilled cauliflower was nicely complemented by fresh herbs and a tangy green-curry sauce.

Options from the bar include delectable low-alcohol cocktails like "White Lemon Pie" (mascarpone, coconut, yogurt, lemon) and "Little Peach" (vermouth, peach, raspberry, rose hips, hibiscus). If you prefer wine, the vineyards of France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria and Argentina are all represented on the list, with seven wines served by the glass and a few more by the bottle.

As the name indicates, Dam is also a brewery, and they currently brew two beers on premises. In addition, various beers from domestic brewers like North Island, Fukuoka Craft Beer and Y Market are dispensed from four guest taps. Guest craft beers are priced at Y980 and Y1,400, while Dam beers are a bit less.

Budget around Y3,000-4,000 for food and drink at dinnertime, or less if you're just making a quick stop as part of a bar-hopping tour of the T-Market restaurant complex where Dam is located. Bring a credit card or a Suica card, as payment is cashless.