Neuromancer is a 1980s cyberpunk novel set in the dystopian underworld of the Chiba Prefecture—an administrative district of Japan. In downtown Colorado Springs—nearly 6,000 miles from the land of anime, the rising sun and sushi—sits a cyberpunk-inspired izakaya influenced by both Neuromancer and the cyberpunk genre in general.
An izakaya (居酒屋) is an informal Japanese bar serving libations, small plates and snacks—a casual escape. The word izakaya is a compound expression consisting of iru (to stay) and sakaya (saké shop).
Chiba Bar is eccentric and eclectic, akin to stepping into an urban-retro vision of the future. A better-known example of cyberpunk in American culture is Blade Runner.
The inconspicuous entrance sits under a kanji marquee on Kiowa St., but business is better than ever. Once inside, a mural of a feminine android will be on your left. The bar ahead is surrounded by neon lights and muted televisions running and rerunning segments of anime, retro sci-fi films and classic Gojira (Godzilla).
The space feels like a futuristic, dystopian hole-in-the-wall for a setting much more urban than central Springs. The unique atmosphere is refreshing and invigorating—a neo-Tokyo lounge—and to top it off: the menu surprises and satisfies.
The bar distributes distilled spirits by Suntory, Nikka, and Yamazaki, and serves popular craft cocktails with clever monikers like Lychee Buck, Razorgirl, Molly Millions, and Shiso-Jito J-Type.
The food is lauded by both locals and sojourners alike, but their flagship dish is donburi—with choices of seared tuna, unagi (eel), spicy Scottish salmon, and tempura tofu. If you’ve never had donburi, think of a deconstructed sushi roll in a bowl—similar to Hawaiian poke, but distinctly Japanese.
Following Chiba Bar on social media is a must move—they frequently run fun specials, and that’s where you can get the news.
“We have food specials most of the time,” says Owner-Operator Michael Carsten. “We’ve also branched out to other types of cuisine, as my only direction to the kitchen is: Make it good.”
“By being cyberpunk, we … can creatively pick, choose, blend and present how we want to,” Carsten concludes.
Website: https://www.chibabar.co/
Facebook + Instagram: @chibabarcos
"My only direction to the kitchen is: Make it good.” -Owner Michael Carsten
