The owner of Basin Street, Mr. Tachihiko Kawasaki, once said during a concert that he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really like the song after which he named his bar. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s too downbeat,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wanted to name the bar after \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcSatin Doll,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 but there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s already a Satin Doll in Kobe.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He may be dissatisfied with the name, but he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s very satisfied with his job. He gets to own the bar, play guitar and drums, and hang out with jazz musicians all the time. If this is what a mid-life crisis gets you, sign me up.<\/p>\n
Basin Street was founded just over two years ago, when Kawasaki quit his job in sales and decided to make a jazz bar where quality was job one. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve asked other patrons why they come to Basin Street, and the answer is always the same. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Basin Street\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s musicians are just better,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said one young woman. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No matter when I come, even if I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know any of the performers, I know I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll have a good time.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Quite honestly, I agree. Kawasaki recruits some of the best musicians around to fill his schedule, like the 84 year-old pianist who lived in New York, the twenty-something NYU grad with two albums under her belt, or the star of Bossa Nova night, who both sings in Portuguese and plays guitar. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a showcase of talent, and it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s inspiring. As one version of the song says, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Basin Street is the street \/ Where the proud and elite folks meet.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
That inspiration comes at a cost, though. The normal music charge for a night at Basin Street is 1500 yen, plus mandatory 300 yen bar nut fee.<\/p>\n
The bar is small, with room for maybe 10 patrons at the counter and 16 at tables around the room. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a cozy, familiar kind of place, but it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s anything from quiet. At Basin Street, the focus is on the music. The bar is well-stocked with whiskies and other alcohols, but is limited to your standard Japanese bar repertoire \u00e2\u20ac\u201c no martinis, but lots of simple drinks. The food menu, as far as I know, consists of one curry that claims to be organic. There are also bar nuts.<\/p>\n
Music: 5\/5<\/strong><\/p>\n Drinks: 4\/5<\/strong><\/p>\n Price: $$$ (3000 \u00e2\u20ac\u201c 5000 yen per person, cover and 2 drinks.)<\/strong><\/p>\n Staff: The one bartender speaks some English, and the owner is conversational.<\/strong><\/p>\n Basin Street\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s February Schedule (Japanese)<\/a><\/p>\n