[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.
- [Intoxication and Music] A collection of pleasant Japanese songs to accompany your drinks
- Songs that hype you up just by listening—recommended tracks from timeless classics to the latest releases
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- [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
[Sake Songs] Classic Favorites and the Newest Hit Tunes to Enjoy While Savoring a Drink (1–10)
Boat SongYashiro Aki
When you think of songs with alcohol as the theme, isn’t “Funauta” the one that immediately comes to mind? Even younger generations will likely go, “I know this!” when they hear the chorus.
It’s an enka song, but you can also sense a touch of Black music in it.
With alcohol appearing in the lyrics, it’s a classic that exudes a thoroughly adult atmosphere.
even ifHirai Ken
When it comes to classic songs about alcohol, this one is a must.
Ken Hirai’s “even if,” released in 2000.
The bittersweet feelings of love set in a bar squeeze your heart.
His vocals capture that delicate emotional nuance that feels like a sigh might slip out, and it’s deeply moving.
Anyone who’s been in love can probably relate—the longing for someone to turn around and notice you, the desire to be seen, and the loneliness when it doesn’t reach them.
It’s heartbreaking.
As the theme song for his acoustic live series “Ken’s Bar,” it’s also wonderful to hear performed live.
It’s a masterpiece that accompanies each listener’s life alongside their own dramas.
Fuzzy NavelConton Candy
This song delivers the bittersweet ache of young love, carried on the scent of a cocktail.
Sung by Conton Candy, it was released in April 2023 and later included on the EP “charm,” which came out in September of the same year.
With lyrics that evoke the sweet aroma of a fuzzy navel and a refreshing rock sound, it captured the hearts of many young listeners.
On a night spent reminiscing about love alone, why not listen to this track with a fuzzy navel in hand? It’s sure to bring back those sweet and sour memories of days gone by.
[Songs About Alcohol] Timeless Classics and the Latest Hit Tracks to Enjoy While Savoring a Drink (11–20)
Chronostasiskinoko teikoku
This song captures a leisurely flow of time wrapped in the stillness of night.
A gift from Kinoko Teikoku, it features a calm melody and the gentle vocals of Chiaki Sato.
Included on the album “Fake World Wonderland,” released in October 2014, it was later used as a soundtrack piece in the film “We Made a Beautiful Bouquet.” Quiet yet resonant lyrics gently accompany listeners’ everyday lives, offering a moment of relaxation.
Whether as a companion to an evening drink or in the hush of the night, why not immerse yourself in this track to your heart’s content?
Wanna come for a drink?Sukima Suichi
It’s a hidden gem by Sukima Switch included on their 2005 album Kuusou Clip.
It was also used in a commercial for Takara Shuzo’s Takara Can Chu-Hi.
The song portrays a couple after a big fight and follows them as they eventually make up.
It captures the frustration of being the first to back down and the anxiety of being apart, and I’m sure many will relate to the miscommunication between men and women.
It’s a short story, but the way it carries you from beginning to end is superb! It’s a slightly frustrating yet refreshing love song that feels like it teaches you the secret to keeping the peace.
Orion Beer, Okinawa’s prideBEGIN
When you think of Okinawa, you think of Orion Beer! This is a song that makes you want to start dancing with a beer in hand.
As soon as you hear the opening sanshin and the “Ei-ya-saa-sa” chants, you’re already in an Okinawan mood.
The cheerful rhythm and pleasantly laid-back vocals draw you into a relaxed state.
Even if you usually drink alone, this song will have you thinking, “Beer tastes best when you share your dreams!” and wanting to spend the night talking about the future with someone.
If you’d love to visit Okinawa but don’t have the chance, you might try feeling the spirit of Okinawa with music and a beer you’ve prepared at home.
Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo
The wrenching, squeezed-out vocals in the chorus captivate men and women alike, and “Sake, Tears, Men and Women” is truly one of the greatest masterpieces in the history of Showa-era pop.
It’s also a karaoke favorite because anyone can sing it regardless of age or vocal quality, and you’ll often see groups ending their karaoke sessions by singing it together.