Comment by throwaway2037

    > Most bars and restaurants for that matter will not serve me because I do not speak Japanese, so they say.

Really? That was certainly true 15 years ago, but things have changed a lot after the tourist flood gates opened under PM Abe. Even Golden Gai in Shinjuku Kabukicho which is/was a bit notorious for turning away foreigners is more "friendly" than ever. The irony is that so many bar/alcohol related terms in Japanese are loanwords from English. You could just say the English word with fake Japanese accent and they would probably understand you!