McGuffin The Bottom Line
We’re never negative at BeerTengoku without a reason but with McGuffin it’s impossible to be anything but negative about the place. Three times I’ve tried to get in: 1) The bar was closed even though people were drinking insider; 2) the bar had run out of draft beer; and 3) I finally realised that it was a waste of time going. What is supposed to be a craft beer bar has bottles of craft beer instead, with prices verging on double, and even triple, the price you’ll pay in the shops. The only two good things about McGuffin is that there is no table charge and no smoking inside. Best go to Umaya, Baird Bashamichi Taproom, or Charcoal Green Bashamichi instead.
Light and spacious. Just like your wallet at the end.
McGuffin The Full Review
McGuffin opened in June 2015 with much hope – a small independent craft beer bar located behind two brewery taprooms: Yokohama Beer and Baird Beer. A brave decision but with a niche opening in the market in the Bashamichi area, it made sense – somewhere quiet and serene with a chance to try some Japanese craft beer from across Japan.
McGuffin is located about 3 minutes from Bashamichi station on the Minatomirai Line, and about 5 minutes from Kannai station on the Yokohama City Subway. Inside the bar, there is space for around 30 people around the side of the bar and about 10 people at the counter, if you like being squashed up with some random stranger next to you. There isn’t any table charge and the whole bar is non-smoking, so you don’t have to worry about any smoke affecting your dinner or beer.
These are prices for bottles. BOTTLES!
And the kicker – the most disappointing thing about McGuffin is the lack of craft beer in bottles. On the second time I went, I was told that the bar was closed as they had run out of draft beer. After original hearing that I thought that it must have either had a big party or there were only a couple of taps on and they had not ordered any more. Without the appearance of kegs outside the bar, I thought they must have somewhere else to put them. Yet sitting down and then looking around, there was only one tap – and that’s the Kirin Heartland. The only craft beer they had was in bottles – and it wasn’t cheap. It’s ok to pay an extra ¥100 or so for a bottle, but some of the bottles were triple the price compared to a shop. After seeing that, I quickly made my excuses and left. The prices do include tax, but that is to be expected when beers cost this much.
Without wanting to finish on a down point, I heard that the food at McGuffin is nice but then I don’t think I will get the chance to try it with beers at the ludicrous prices here.
McGuffin Details
Open: Monday to Saturday 17:00 ~ 24:00
Close: Sunday
Happy Hour: None
Phone: 045-307-9006
Homepage: N/A
SNS: Facebook
How to Get to McGuffin
The closest stations to McGuffin are Bashamichi on the Minatomirai Line and Kannai station. From Bashamichi, take exit #3, turn left and take the third left. The bar is just down the road on the left.From Kannai, take exit #8, turn right and take the fourth left and McGuffin is on the left.
