Abilletage corset salon and tea-room

I finally made the time to visit the exquisitely decorated  “Abilletage” corset salon and tea-room today.

When you first enter, the sense of days gone by is evoked, with damask wallpaper, dainty knick-knacks, velvet and tapestry upholstery and rococo-like memorabilia. The one room salon is both store-front and tea-room, so you can enjoy your afternoon tea (or alcohol in the evenings) in a delicate ladylike fashion, whilst perusing the goods.

I sat at the little bar area adjoining the kitchen, as you see here.

I ordered a coffee and cake – which, being Halloween season, was of course, pumpkin cake! The total came to 1000 yen.

My, but the cups were the loveliest fine china, decorated with a pastel floral pattern – very ladylike!

There were tiny little canisters and bric-a-brac as befitting a tea-room from yesteryear. As I enjoyed my afternoon repast, I gazed about the room – so many beautiful things!

There are beautiful corsets, of course, as well as lacy blouses, lacy headdresses and mini-hats, all manner of feathered items, jewellery, and even shoes. There were some steampunk or industrial looking leather gasmask items as well, for the fetish crowd.

Friend of the owner Bambi, Kiyo Murakami, took some excellent photos, more of which you can see here.

You simply must go and see for yourself, and experience this quaint and quiet escape from the Tokyo madness.  Located in the southern Shinjuku, Abilletage is on the same street as Takashimaya Times Square. Directly opposite is Seattle’s Best Coffee (see sign below), and on the ground floor is a Family Mart (no longer an AM PM store). Abilletage is a short lift ride up to the 3rd floor.

For those in Tokyo, don’t forget the Abilletage Halloween Masquerade Party takes place this Saturday at the Trump Room in Shibuya. It is sure to be full of delightfully dressed ladies and gents.

If you can’t get to the store or party, drool over the Abilletage online store here.

Abilletage

Cafe time: 1.30pm – 7.30pm
Bar time:  7.30pm – 11.30pm
Abilletage website
Abilletage blog

５-３２−６ Sendagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0051
Email: info@abilletage.com
Tel: 03-6380-5587