Nightlife

1. 生ビールを一つください

   na-ma-bī-ru o hi-to-tsu ku-da-sa-i

   One draft beer, please

   Usage

   Basic phrase for ordering a draft beer at an izakaya or bar

   Grammar Note

   Drinks are formally counted with "hai/pai/bai", but "hitotsu" is widely understood. "Okawari" orders a refill

2. 乾杯！

   kan-pai

   Cheers!

   Usage

   The toast used when raising glasses at a party or drinking gathering

   Grammar Note

   Literally "dry the cup". Japanese custom is to wait until the first "kanpai" before drinking, even if seated early

3. おすすめのカクテルはありますか

   o-su-su-me no ka-ku-te-ru wa a-ri-ma-su ka

   Do you have any recommended cocktails?

   Usage

   Asking the bartender about their recommended cocktails

   Grammar Note

   "Osusume no 〜 wa arimasu ka" works for any drink. Swap "kakuteru" with "wain" (wine) or "nihonshu" (sake)

4. ノンアルコールはありますか

   non-a-ru-kō-ru wa a-ri-ma-su ka

   Do you have any non-alcoholic options?

   Usage

   Asking for non-alcoholic drinks at a bar or party

   Grammar Note

   Often abbreviated to "non-aru". "Sofuto dorinku wa arimasu ka" (soft drinks?) is a common alternative

5. カラオケに行きませんか

   ka-ra-o-ke ni i-ki-ma-sen ka

   Shall we go to karaoke?

   Usage

   A classic invitation to go to karaoke on a night out

   Grammar Note

   "〜ni ikimasen ka" is a standard invitation form. Softer than "〜ni ikimashō" (let's go), giving the other person more freedom

6. もう一杯いかがですか

   mō ip-pai i-ka-ga de-su ka

   Would you like another drink?

   Usage

   Politely offering another drink to someone

   Grammar Note

   "Ikaga" is the polite equivalent of "dō" (how). "Mō ippai dō desu ka" is a more casual version

7. 今夜のバーはどこがおすすめですか

   kon-ya no bā wa do-ko ga o-su-su-me de-su ka

   Which bar do you recommend tonight?

   Usage

   Asking hotel staff or a local for a bar recommendation for the evening

   Grammar Note

   "Doko ga osusume desu ka" asks which specific place is best. "Ga" highlights "doko" as the subject being queried

8. 入場料はかかりますか

   nyū-jō-ryō wa ka-ka-ri-ma-su ka

   Is there an entrance fee?

   Usage

   Checking whether a club or event charges an entrance fee

   Grammar Note

   "Kakaru" expresses that time or cost is incurred. "Ikura kakarimasu ka" asks for the exact amount

9. ラストオーダーは何時ですか

   ra-su-to ō-dā wa nan-ji de-su ka

   What time is last order?

   Usage

   Checking the last order time at a bar or restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "Rasuto ōdā" is a Japanese English loanword (wasei-eigo) meaning the final point at which orders are taken

10. タクシーを呼んでいただけますか

    ta-ku-shī o yon-de i-ta-da-ke-ma-su ka

    Could you call a taxi for me?

    Usage

    Asking bar or restaurant staff to arrange a taxi at the end of the night

    Grammar Note

    "〜te itadakemasu ka" is the most polite request form. Request taxis early as late-night availability can be limited

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