[Drinking Songs] Timeless Classics and the Latest Hit Tracks to Enjoy with a Drink
Songs about alcohol.
Do you have a favorite one?
When it comes to drinking, beyond the types of alcohol themselves, there are all kinds of situations: getting lively with a crowd, quietly sipping alone, or soaking up the mood at a bar.
In this article, we’ll introduce classic songs about drinking that suit various scenes, situations, and emotions.
We’ve selected a wide range from nostalgic hits of the ’70s and ’80s to the latest chart-toppers, so enjoy the differences in vibe across the decades.
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- Easy-to-sing songs recommended for men in their 70s: A collection of classic hits you’ll want to sing at karaoke
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Lively songs recommended for people in their 80s: A collection of nostalgic enka and kayōkyoku
- [Touching the Heart] Timeless Ballad Masterpieces. A Collection of Unfading Classics and the Latest Songs [2026]
- Songs that get people in their 30s pumped up: a roundup of nostalgic tracks that are also great for karaoke
- A Must-See for Those in Their 20s: A Collection of Youthful Songs That Bring Back School Days
- [Karaoke] Recommended Songs for Men in Their 80s: A Collection of Showa-Era Classics You’ll Want to Belt Out
- [Must read] Songs with great lyrics. Moving songs you’ll want to listen to while reading the lyrics
- A love song that makes a man in his sixties relive his youth. Timeless classics that rekindle the romances of those days.
- [Relaxed & Gentle] A calm track with an easy, unhurried tempo
- Breakup songs recommended for people in their 80s: a collection of classic tracks that capture heartbreaking feelings
[Drinking Songs] Classic Evergreens and Latest Hit Tracks to Enjoy While Savoring a Drink (71–80)
Maybe PART IIMiki Katsuhiko & Kobayashi Sachiko
“Moshikashite PART II,” which evokes the feel of a dangerous, adult romance.
Released in 1984, it’s a collaboration between Sachiko Kobayashi and Katsuhiko Miki, who composed the song.
It also serves as an answer song to “Moshikashite,” which came out about half a year earlier.
The lyrics portray someone who, despite worrying that dating this person might not actually be a good idea, keeps deepening the relationship while blaming it on the alcohol.
The melody, which heightens the thrill of the two people’s growing love, is also memorable.
Be sure to listen to it together with “Moshikashite,” the Part 1.
Bottoms up!Tonneruzu
Now established as heavyweight figures in sketch comedy with numerous eponymous shows, Tunnels first began catching fire in popularity with songs from college-girl TV programs like “Yuyake Nyan Nyan,” which became big hits among young people and were staples at company and school parties.
The duo, whose fame was rapidly rising not only in comedy but also as hosts, went on to release a talk-like song.
It became a nationwide smash, serving as a go-to party tune, and even today its lyrics are often quoted in puns by middle-aged and older gentlemen.
Sad SakeMisora Hibari
It is one of Hibari Misora’s signature songs, with over 1.4 million copies sold.
The song was originally written for Atsushi Kitamizawa, but it failed to become a hit and remained long forgotten—until Hibari Misora sang it, turning it into a major success.
She often sang this song with tears in her eyes, and when asked why she could cry, she said, “I sing while recalling the hardships of my childhood.”
Drunken TangoDeng Rikjun (Teresa Ten)
A drinking song by Teresa Teng, the Asian songstress famous for “Toki no Nagare ni Mi o Makase.” Her voice glides over the gentle melody, creating a sophisticated, adult mood.
Rather than a lively, social vibe, it seems perfect for spending quiet time alone at home or in a stylish bar.
We all have those times when we don’t want to think about anything, right? There’s a touch of sadness, and it may really hit home on nights when you want to forget the bad things.
celebratory sakeSakamoto Fuyumi
From the title alone, you can picture a barroom scene—this is “Iwai-zake” (Celebratory Sake), sung by enka legend Fuyumi Sakamoto.
Released in 1988 and performed on the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, it’s known as a national favorite.
In Japan, people drink at many milestones, and among them, sake is often shared in celebratory moments.
“Iwai-zake” is a send-off song, seemingly dedicated to two people at the start of a new journey.
Both the emotionally rich melody of enka, loved across generations, and the celebratory drinks shared on such occasions truly resonate with the heart.
Akira’s gene really gets me going.Kobayashi Akira
As the commercial song for Suntory’s classic whisky “Suntory White,” the track that became a huge hit at the time—praised for bringing out a completely new facet of Akira Kobayashi’s appeal—was “Akira no Jean to Kichauze,” produced by Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra.
While Kobayashi has songs like “Jidosha Show Uta” and “Dynamite ga 150 Ton,” this one takes that same vibe and infuses it with a richer groove.
It’s become an indispensable track when talking about Akira.
Cheers to the night breezenagira kenichi
When it comes to songs about drinking, Kenichi Nagira’s “Toast to the Night Breeze” is a name that often comes up.
With its folk- and country-style sound, it has a nostalgic vibe and a feeling that seeps into your bones, making it a heartwarming drinking song to listen to.
The cheerful melody sings about trying to forget and have fun, and it gives you a boost when you’re feeling down from being scolded or things not going well.
You’d be happy to have someone say something to you like that, wouldn’t you?