Legato: Shibuya
Legato will be best known to most people as one of the boutique restaurants in the Hasegawa restaurant empire, which includes the Monsoon, La Boheme and Zest chains. But what many don't know is that after the restaurant closes at 11pm the bar stays open until 4am, every night, AND there is no charge to enter.

Unlike Tableaux, which is buried in a basement (though a very glamorous and well-appointed one), Legato sits on the 15th floor of a building located almost at the top of the Dogenzaka slope and, with large windows throughout, it commands an uninhibited view of Shibuya and beyond. You can even see the Ferris wheel in Odaiba (until the plug is pulled on the lights).

Just like Tableaux, Legato's interior is sumptuous and comfortable. The bar is located immediately inside the entrance. It is a long almond-shaped island topped with a fabulous Byzantine chandelier and surrounded by dozens of red star lanterns. The bar itself glows softly as internal lighting reaches the polished quartz panels that form the surface. A half a dozen small low tables hug the window side, where one will be charged a 500-yen seating fee per person.

But if you sit at the bar there is no charge - even though bowls of free nibbles are generously replenished. Simply put, it is an excellent place for a late nightcap (up and) away from it all...

by "Sister Chill"

Legato

E Space Tower 15F, 3-6 Maruyamacho, Shibuya-ku
03-5784-2121

Open 7 days a week from 5:30pm till 4am. No charge to sit at the bar; 500 yen per person at a "sky" table. 20,000 yen minimum charge for a private room in the restaurant.

Closest station: Shibuya. Take the Hachiko exit and head up Dogenzaka. E Space Tower is the new-ish building behind the koban (police box) on the right-hand side almost at the top of the hill.