Just off Hondori Street, the main shopping street in Hiroshima, is a modern bar called Swallowtail. The bar is spread over three floors in this narrow building, and the ground floor is visible through a clerestory window that appears to open out onto the street in warmer weather. There, their bar was named after a butterfly that is visible throughout the bar and adorns the windows and menus inside.
On the ground floor there is a bar and stools that can comfortably accommodate several people, and behind it, in a large alcove surrounded by bare-floor shelves of CDs, there is a high table and chairs. From here you can see through the large windows in the folding doors and people watch while enjoying a beer, a cocktail or a delicious meal.
As we went up the stairs to the first floor there was a small bar and some tables and chairs that had been put together for a group during our stay. There is also a raised platform with plenty of tables and chairs as well as a large flat screen TV and this space makes a great venue for a small party.
My favorite part of the whole bar is the second floor. This is less of a floor and more of a small balcony or raised level that floats above the boards of the floor below. To get there, you need to climb a narrow staircase from the first floor and, while standing, lightly touch the ceiling. On this floor you have to take off your shoes at the top of the stairs and then descend to a small room with two low tables and cushions to sit on. You can see and reach the beams that hold up the ceiling and it's a small, cool space.
This bar has a great atmosphere and a nice selection of beers, cocktails and small plates at reasonable prices. The wooden floors and interesting furnishings look really good, but what I particularly like is the cozy little balcony area, which is a great place to retreat and enjoy a private drink and chat.
