Hobgoblin Roppongi opened in 2002, the same year that the 2002 FIFA World Cup was held in Japan and South Korea, as a British pub with a British owner. In the pub there are five large plasma-screen TVs streaming high-quality live sports coverage from around the world, including the Premier League, rugby, F1, UFC, and AFL. This allows patrons to enjoy a variety of different sports.
The spacious 110-seat interior is furnished with antique furniture imported from abroad, a bar counter where you can relax on your own, table seating where you can live it up with your friends, a smoking booth, and also a dart board, producing a genuine pub experience down to the finest detail. The authentic food menu and wide selection of craft beers will also make you feel like you just stepped in from a street corner in Great Britain.
This establishment’s lineup of alcoholic beverages, a must-have when watching sport, is exactly what you would expect from a British pub. Directly imported beers on tap include Hobgoblin Beer, from which the pub takes its name, as well as the classic Ruby Ale, an IPA that won Best IPA at the World Beer Awards, and a guest ale that changes daily. And don’t pass up the chance to enjoy some cider, a British pub staple. Cider is an alcoholic beverage made from apples, and in England it’s just as popular as beer.
At Hobgoblin Roppongi, visitors can enjoy Aspall and Sheppy’s Cider on tap, both of which are known as traditional English ciders. Among them, Aspall, which boasts a 300-year history, offers a range of ciders that are popular in the UK and can also be enjoyed in Japan, such as Imperial Vintage with its rich and enticing flavor, the dry Premier Cru, and Organic, which is made with only organic apples. Imperial Vintage, which is made from bittersweet apples that are harvested only once a year, is particularly popular. According to Sarah, the pub’s manager, adding ice is a great way to make it even more refreshing.
The Hobgoblin’s authentic dishes prepared by British chefs are also quite popular. My first choice was the Beef & BBQ Meat Chili Nachos to go with my beer. The spicy chili con carne pairs perfectly with the tortilla chips, smoked pork, and melted cheese, and is a wonderful companion to beer.
Sarah also recommended the freshly baked homemade pie as one of their standout dishes. Of the options available, I went with the beef pie. The hot, freshly baked pie is packed with slow-cooked beef and vegetables. The taste of it together with the homemade gravy is absolutely superb. It also comes with a generous helping of mashed potatoes and peas, making it quite the satisfying meal. This is a place where you can have a wonderful time watching sports matches while partaking in food and drink from around the world.
Hobgoblin Roppongi is about a four-minute walk from Exit 4A of Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Roppongi Station. The view of Tokyo Tower that you can take in on the walk there from the station is also quite stunning. On weekends and holidays, it opens at noon. You can enjoy delicious drinks and food in the daytime in a bright atmosphere with sunlight streaming in through the windows for a completely different vibe from the nighttime. Come and enjoy this fun and authentic British atmosphere.
(As of publication on January 27, 2024)
