Jiyugaoka is still one of the preferred residential and shopping areas for the well-heeled spawn of Tokyo's old-school money. By day, fancy patisseries with French names and sleek fashion boutiques cater to young ladies from well-to-do families out browsing for tea and cakes or designer clothes. By night, dozens of restaurants and bars offer a smorgasbord of food and drink to young couples. It is international, eclectic and, as a rule, expensive.

But a stone's throw away from the station's main exit, hugging the side of the Toyoko Line tracks, is a somewhat ramshackle multitiered building called Jiyugaoka Depato. Though depato is short for department store, it isn't what you might think, especially in this area: The ground-floor houses an arcade of small individual shops selling everything from home appliances to thermal underwear, while the upper floors house an equally unpretentious collection of restaurants and bars.

Jiyugaoka Depato seems oddly out of place in an otherwise upmarket neighborhood. But Le Carre Blanc, the building's latest and most popular drinking spot, seems right at home. In less than six months, Christofer Cousin, the bar's creator and master, has managed to amass a steady client base, including every party-oriented expat in the greater Meguro area. Some patrons even come out from the city to party at Le Carre, which is no mean feat for a bar hidden away on the third floor in the suburbs.

How, you might ask, has a French native with barely four years in Japan, managed to walk into one of the city's best neighborhoods and open a hopping little night spot?

"I used to go out drinking and clubbing every chance I could when I first got here," says Chris, as he prefers to be called.

On first arriving, he worked at Jiyugaoka's Irish pub, Ocarolan's, for three years. During that time, his natural ability to meet and bring people together was given full play. He further nurtured his network of friends in the area by hosting regular parties at another local haunt, Bar 320. He recruited DJs and put the word out, and once a month or so an otherwise quiet bar would be pumping with music and party people.

"It was like a private members party for people who lived in the area," says Chris. "And it attracted a truly mixed crowd -- young and old, Japanese and foreign."

His parties were so popular that Bar 320 owner Mitsuhiro Kuwano backed him in opening his own place. And, six months down the road, they couldn't be happier with the result -- except that Chris doesn't get to go out bar-hopping and clubbing as much as he would like.

The vibe on Friday and Saturday nights is electric. Both fresh-faced and seasoned drinkers crowd in at the 10-stool counter, with emphasis on the word crowd. But it is a friendly crew of partiers with whom you will rub shoulders -- and invariably meet -- as you maneuver to order drinks. But with no cover charge and all drinks 500 yen, it's no wonder that everyone is all smiles.

Other days of the week, the interior feels larger. And, with all white walls, ceilings and fixtures, including the bar, it looks quite clean and sane, especially considering the beating it gets on the weekends.

A few cushions sit in a curtained corner at the end of the bar, in front of which is placed an elegantly crafted water pipe. But it is not just for show. Chris also stocks a full range of fruit-cured tobacco from you can choose a flavor and light up.

This Middle Eastern theme is further accented by a belly dancer who comes to tease the crowd (usually every other Saturday night -- next on April 29) just to get the party started. Someone -- usually a girl -- ends up with a decorative Indian bidi stuck on the forehead. The crowd is an even mix of Japanese and foreigners; pub types and clubbers. The music is as varied as the clientele, with everything from funk to trance given equal play.

One patron turned to me one night and asked where he could find a similar bar in the city. I was stumped. The truth is that Le Carre Blanc is unique. There isn't anywhere else like it in Tokyo. So if you're into some serious fun I suggest you catch a Tokyu Toyoko train out to Jiyugaoka one night . . .