THOM BROWNE BAR
Thom Browne is an American luxury brand that began in 2001 in New York’s West Village with just five made-to-measure suits. Based on the traditional structure of tailoring, the brand has redefined the aesthetic of the “gray suit” through refined proportions and meticulous craftsmanship, while establishing a distinctive worldview that balances minimalism with bold signature details such as the tricolor ribbon and four-bar stripes.
Within this context, Thom Browne’s first-ever store to feature a bar is located on the second floor of the Kobe Hankyu New Building. By seamlessly combining fashion and alcohol, the space allows visitors to experience the brand’s restrained and intellectual identity in a more layered and immersive way.
At the bar, special Baccarat glasses personally favored by designer Thom Browne are used, adding an extra sense of luxury throughout the space. Offering both the pleasure of selecting garments and the calm enjoyment of a drink, the store expands the act of shopping into a refined and sensory experience.
Store Information
●Location
〒651-8511 兵庫県神戸市中央区小野柄通８丁目１−８
(8-1-8 Onoedori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 651-8511)
About a 5-minute walk from JR Sannomiya Station.
●Phone
+81 78-221-4181
●Business Hours
10:00～20:00
●Notes
Business hours and holidays follow the operating schedule of Kobe Hankyu.
Store with a Bar
The Thom Browne Bar at Kobe Hankyu is not located in a separate space but is situated toward the inner area of the Thom Browne store itself. For first-time visitors, it may not be immediately noticeable.
Although the store has several entrances, if you enter from the side where other brand stores are located, the bar can be found toward the back on the left-hand side of the store.
This photo shows the full view of the Thom Browne Bar. The space was not as large as expected and occupies part of the Thom Browne store.
Beyond the bar, another retail area continues further inside, creating a layout in which the bar sits between two store sections.
There are three small tables that can seat two people each. Although the overall seating capacity is limited, the generous spacing between tables makes it comfortable to sit and enjoy the space.
If you have a lot of belongings, the staff will provide a storage box for your items, which makes the experience even more convenient.
The counter displays several types of whisky along with a laptop. As the laptop is used for store operations such as payments, it may be more comfortable to choose a table seat if one is available.
On the shelves behind the counter, wine glasses and other items are displayed, adding an extra sense of refinement to the overall atmosphere.
Bar Menu
This is the menu at the Thom Browne Bar. The overall selection is kept simple, which I personally liked very much. The uncluttered composition also feels well suited to the atmosphere of the space.
The menu focuses on alcoholic beverages such as champagne, wine, whisky, and Japanese spirits, staying true to the character of a bar. Non-alcoholic options are also available for guests who do not drink, making the space comfortable and easy for anyone to enjoy.
Coffee I Ordered
I visited during the daytime, and since the friends I was with do not drink alcohol, we ordered coffee instead of alcoholic drinks. Although it is a bar space, the atmosphere during the day was relatively calm, making it easy to sit back and enjoy a coffee.
The coffee was served in a standard white cup, and to be honest, it did not feel particularly connected to the Thom Browne aesthetic. Personally, I felt a slight sense of disappointment, as it would have been nice to see a bit more of the brand’s character reflected in the details.
In contrast, the iced coffee was served with a Thom Browne coaster, which helped make up for some of the earlier disappointment. This coaster is also available for purchase, and I recall that a set of four was priced at around 50,000 yen. Straws are provided upon request, and the dark gray straw in particular conveyed a strong sense of the Thom Browne aesthetic.
If you are a fan of Thom Browne, stopping by the world’s first Thom Browne Bar during a trip to Kobe to enjoy a relaxed drink while browsing the store can be a unique and memorable experience.
■Thom Browne Bar at Kobe Hankyu
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