On finding refuge from the fall and winter cold in a warm bar, there's no need to endure a chilled beer: Recently hot cocktails are becoming more common, in Tokyo at least, and make for a comforting start to a night on the town.
The Barn (0422-77-0143; www.the-barn.jp), close to Mitaka Station, is a fine place to warm up. The proprietor, Israel-born Avi Zelinger, gives his personal twist to mulled wine by adding orange juice and just a hint of mango liquor to the famous winter warmer. The result is an almost-tropical concoction, garnished with a stick of cinnamon.
Zelinger also makes a great cup of hot buttered rum, a simple cocktail involving hot water, dark rum, butter, cinnamon and cloves. One sip is enough to banish the cold.