Unveiling a piece of Buenos Aires’ soul requires a visit to El Tokio. This isn’t just a bar. It’s a time capsule. It’s a story etched in wood and whispered among locals.
El Tokio stands at the corner of Pasaje Tokio and Avenida Álvarez Jonte. It marks the border between Villa Santa Rita and Villa del Parque. Its enameled roof hints at a history resisting change.
Step inside El Tokio. Imagine Buenos Aires in the 1970s. Anime was emerging. Japanese aesthetics influenced design. Electronics fascinated everyone. El Tokio existed before sushi became ubiquitous. It predates the specialty coffee shops that now line the streets.
The bar’s history stretches back almost 100 years. It temporarily closed in 2023. Miguel Ángel Feas, son of the previous owner, spearheaded its restoration. His goal was to revive its magic. He wanted to retain its essence.
Miguel Ángel partnered with Martín Conte. Martín is a gastronomic entrepreneur. He appreciates Buenos Aires’ bar culture. Miguel knew Martín wouldn’t just see a business. He would recognize the gem that El Tokio is.
Miguel Ángel’s connection to El Tokio is profound. He was born there. His father, Jesús Feas Albor, started as a dishwasher in 1950. He eventually became the owner. The bar became his life. Miguel Ángel’s first home was the bar’s storage room.
Growing up in El Tokio was magical. Miguel Ángel loved turning the meat slicer. His father would make him ham and cheese sandwiches. He drank Cindor soda. He saw his father as an octopus. He managed everything while Domingo Roma, the waiter and Miguel’s godfather, took orders. As a teen, he and his friends would sneak into El Tokio late at night.
Jesús Feas was the heart of El Tokio. He worked tirelessly. He never took vacations. The bar was too important. After his military service, Miguel Ángel worked with his father. He then chose a different path. He studied business administration. He took a job at a bank.
Jesús Feas had a special connection with his customers. He cooked and socialized. He participated in conversations. He ran the bar almost single-handedly.
El Tokio’s history reflects Buenos Aires’ culture. Football stars like Diego Maradona visited. Artists such as Norberto “Papo” Napolitano frequented it. Julio Cortázar mentioned it in his story “Bruja”. Miguel Ángel attributes this to his father’s presence.
Jesús Feas leased El Tokio to a customer in 2002. He was over 60 and wanted to rest. He became ill and passed away in 2004. The bar then passed to other owners until it closed in 2023.
Miguel Ángel felt disconnected after his family no longer owned El Tokio. He couldn’t bear to enter without seeing his father. He felt a need to reclaim his roots. He and Martín are restoring the bar.
Their vision is to maintain its classic look. They plan to add a modern twist to the menu. They want to welcome locals and attract younger customers.
Martín values the social aspect of El Tokio. He appreciates meeting the regulars. He wants to preserve Buenos Aires’ culture. He hopes El Tokio will be a place for conversation and connection.
Miguel Ángel and Martín want to preserve the values of Buenos Aires. They recognize El Tokio’s significance. It is a place for the neighborhood. It is a place for the city. It’s a place for those who have visited for 50 years.
El Tokio is a sanctuary. Miguel Ángel wants it to regain its magic. He hopes it will once again be a place of encounters. He wants people to put down their phones and connect. He wants to revive the spirit he experienced as a child.