Izakaya time limits: what “2 hours” means

At busy times, many izakaya don’t let you stay all night. When you sit down, staff may say something like “Ni-jikan-sei desu” (2時間制です) — “it’s a 2-hour system”. That means your table is yours for two hours, then it goes to the next group.

Why izakaya have time limits

Izakaya are small and popular, and people tend to stay a long time. A time limit lets the shop seat more groups on a busy night. You’ll see it most often:

• on Friday and Saturday nights
• at popular places with a queue
• for groups and reservations
• with all-you-can-drink deals

Quiet, small neighbourhood places often have no limit at all.

How long you get

Two hours is the most common. Some places give 90 minutes, and a few give 3 hours for parties or courses. The limit should be on the menu, a sign by the door, or told to you when you sit down.

2時間制 means 2 hours, 90分制 means 90 minutes, 3時間制 means 3 hours.

Photo coming soonA sign at an izakaya showing a 2-hour time limit

What happens near the end

You don’t get to order right up to the last minute. Staff will call last order before your time is up — commonly about 30 minutes before. After that you finish what’s on the table and head to the register.

More on this: Last order at an izakaya.

All-you-can-drink (nomihōdai)

Nomihōdai (飲み放題) is a set price for unlimited drinks from a list, for a fixed time — usually 90 or 120 minutes. The usual rules:

• everyone at the table has to take it, not just one person
• you can order one drink at a time (finish one, order the next)
• drink last order comes before the end, often 30 minutes before

It’s great value if you plan to drink a few rounds; if you’ll only have one or two, order normally.

How not to get caught out

• Check the start time. Your two hours start when you’re seated, not when the food comes.
• Order the dishes you really want early. The last half-hour is for finishing, not starting.
• Not sure? Ask.

Back to the full evening: How an izakaya works.