3pm Cafe - All in one: a Gallery, a Club, a Burger Joint, and a Prison
At 3pm Cafe in Tokyo, the unexpected awaits. Imagine feasting on juicy pulled pork burgers in a prison-themed bar, where graffiti art meets hip-hop and Japanese club culture.
West Coast feelings in the Far East. Burgers, Graffiti, and Good Vibes in Tokyo.
The Venue
Color me surprised, waiting for your food in a prison?
Imagine this: you're stepping out of your office for lunch, and you find yourself waiting for your food in... a medieval prison? That's exactly what happened when I visited 3pm Cafe, a burger joint in Tokyo's Nishiazabu neighborhood.
Upon arrival, the owner, busy with preparations, asked us to wait upstairs. Ascending the super dark stairs, we entered a bar that looked like a medieval prison - a stark contrast to the bright and bustling street outside. My coworkers had gone up first, and I thought I'd taken a wrong turn. The surprise was real.
As long as I’m getting these burgers in prison, I don’t mind doing time.
3pm Cafe, which transforms into a club on weekends, is adorned with turntables and alcohol bottles. The second floor houses a prison-themed backroom, adding to the venue's surreal vibe. The entire place, inside and out, is a canvas for local artists, with graffiti art that blends traditional hip-hop influences with more Japanese themes.
Quite a difference from upstairs, wouldn’t you say?
The owner, a musician himself, took over the place two years ago, transforming it from a regular burger joint, PULPISM, into the multifaceted 3pm Cafe. The old name still adorns the building, adding to its quirky charm. The venue also sells apparel, further enhancing its hip, young, and cool vibe.
Artist: wisteria, Song: Himawari (found via Instagram @wisteria0914)
The Food
Burgers and Fries, what’s not to like?
Once the owner finished his preparations, we descended to place our orders. The menu features pork-based burgers, with the pulled pork burger being the signature dish. They have everything from classic bacon cheeseburgers to more experimental stuff, like kimchi burgers. I opted for the 3pm pulled pork burger, as part of a set menu priced at ¥1,500, and added cheese topping for an additional ¥200 totaling ¥1,700. The set comes with fries, which were awesome, and a soft drink - I chose oolong tea.
The pulled pork, crisply fried before being placed on the burger, tasted sweet, perfectly complementing the burger sauce. A layer of coleslaw beneath the meat added an extra flavor dimension. Also, the cute 3pm logo, based on the owner's dog, Fuku, is branded on the burger buns, adding a personal touch.
The 3pm Cafe logo was inspired by the little poodle “Fuku”
The prices might be slightly on the higher side, but the unique ambiance and dining experience make it worth every yen. And let me assure you, the food is far superior to any prison food - not that I've tasted any!
The Verdict
More than Just a Meal
3pm Cafe offers more than just a meal; it's an experience. The ambiance is creative and unique, with stark contrasts that somehow fit together perfectly. The food is delicious, with the fresh fries and the signature pulled pork burger standing out. But the star of the show is undoubtedly the venue itself.
I'd love to visit again, especially on a weekend when the place transforms into a club. If you're in Tokyo and looking for a dining experience that's out of the ordinary, 3pm Cafe should be on your list. It's a testament to the city's vibrant and eclectic food scene, offering a unique blend of art, music, and gourmet burgers.
So, are you ready to take a culinary journey to prison? Or a club? Or a gallery? Don't worry, at 3pm Cafe, you'll enjoy your meal no matter where you end up eating it!
Not only burgers. Great spot to take pictures for your Instagram too.
3pm Cafe, Nishiazabu, Tokyo
Check out their official Instagram page here.
🌐 Website: www.3pm-cafe.business.site
📞 Phone: +81-80-3437-1172
📍 Address: 〒106-0031 Tokyo, Minato City, Nishiazabu, 1 Chome−8−10 1F | Google Maps
They also sell their clothes online, you can check their apparel out below:
Official 3pm clothes EC site.
Additional Information
- Reservations accepted
1st Floor (Restaurant Area):
Monday to Saturday: 11:30 ~ 21:00
Sunday: 11:30 ~ 18:00
2nd Floor (Bar Area):
Monday to Saturday: 19:00 ~ 05:00
Sunday: Closed
Payment Methods:
Cash accepted
Credit Cards accepted
QR code payment accepted
Parking:
No parking on-site (several coin-operated parking lots available in the neighborhood)
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Disclaimer
The content within this article is a product of various sources, including publicly available information on the internet, personal visits to the venue, and talks with staff, customers and venue owners. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, aspects like operating hours, menu items, and policies may undergo changes. It's also important to note that certain links within the article might be referral links, potentially leading to payments to our site. AI and translation tools may have been used for content creation and writing. If you notice any mistakes or inconsistencies please feel free to let us know at "contact [at] theusualjapan.com". You can support TheUsualJapan financially by either becoming a supporter (recurring subscription) or make voluntary one time payments at the end of articles to help us keeping this site running. For more details refer to our Commercial Disclosure page. We hope you enjoy the content on this site and your support is highly appreciated.
