At the mini five-ways down the hill behind Almond in Roppongi, one will find a pleasant second-floor bar in a building on one corner. Though small, it takes full advantage of the building's glass exterior walls, with every seat at the bar offering a view of the street. It feels spacious and safe from the rabble below.
When I first discovered it, it was called Kinky World. For the first few months, it was run by Matt -- one of the Australian managers from the old Roppongi Quest -- and it was peopled with an interesting mix of go-go dancers and expats. Then, one night, as I made my rounds of the area, I heard loud -- as in, LOUD -- Bob Marley blasting onto the street. I looked up and realized it was coming from Kinky World. But instead of Matt I found a very chill Nigerian fellow behind the bar and a lively group of foreigners tucked in front.
The next time I checked, it was closed. Then, nearly six months ago, it was reopened as Uncle Jester's by two Australian brothers -- Mark, the backer, and Cam, the frontman. Cam, an ex-cop, was reportedly quite a character, though I never got to meet him. He was always away in Australia, where he has now returned to get married and reside permanently.