A
Japanese pub or
drinking house, where one can usually get a broad range of
alcoholic drinks and tasty
snacks.
Of an evening, izakaya trade from "after work" (say 5pm) and most close by 1am. They can be friendly places where foreigners are usually made to feel welcome.
Handy izakaya survival Japanese:
a o onegai shimass nama birru -or- nama biiru onegai shimasu (I would like a draft beer)
Kampai! (cheers!)