When you hear that Japanese businessmen go out drinking every night, an IZAKAYA is where they go.
An Izakaya is a particular kind of Japanese restaurant and in Japan you will find one on almost every street corner. The izakaya is perhaps more accurately positioned midway between a bar and a restaurant as eating is clearly as essential as drinking. Izakaya are in general relatively cheap, making it possible to taste a large variety of common Japanese dishes. “Salary-man'” Izakayas usually serve a good variety of sakes, shochu and beers. The best ones are Informal, unpretentious and gracious.
In all of them, the first thing you'll hear is an enthusiastic
“irrashaimase!” (welcome) from the staff, some that you'll see and some you won't.
In Japan, drinking in both formal and informal situations symbolizes friendship and esteem.

A quick Japanese language lesson:
“sumimasen, kore / sore wa nan desu ka?” : "Excuse me, what's this / that?"
“o-susume” : is the word for a recommendation.