Carrying Forward the Culture of Standing Bars: Development of 'Stand by ME,' a Completely Free Portal for Standing Bars and Corner Taps, Launched on READYFOR

Blue&Co., Inc. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture; CEO: Yoshifumi Dezaki) has launched the development project for 'Stand by ME,' a completely free portal dedicated to preserving the culture of standing bars and corner taps, on the crowdfunding platform READYFOR starting July 6, 2026.

There are no listing fees or service charges for either shops or users, and the platform ensures 'clean evaluations' where rankings cannot be influenced by advertising budgets.

The funding goal is 1.5 million yen, with the campaign running until August 15, 2026 (All-or-Nothing model).

Main Visual of the 'Stand by ME' Portal for Standing Bars and Corner Taps

Such a joyful culture—yet the reality is 'highest number of bankruptcies by business type'

Step through the noren, and next to you is someone whose name you don’t know. Facing the same direction, tilting your glasses together—you realize you’re laughing side by side. That’s the warmth found in standing bars and corner taps.

Yet, despite this joy, the business environment is becoming increasingly difficult.

According to a survey by Teikoku Databank, in 2024, izakayas and beer halls recorded the highest number of restaurant bankruptcies by category, with 212 cases—standing bars are no exception. (Source: Teikoku Databank, 'Trends in Restaurant Bankruptcies 2024')

A drink and snack enjoyed at a standing bar or corner tap (illustrative image)

Structural Challenges in 'New Customer Acquisition' Revealed Through Field Voices

One day, turning down your usual alley, you find the shutters closed at your favorite bar.

No notice posted, social media updates stopped.

Why did such a wonderful shop disappear? Through conversations with shop owners and regulars, a structural challenge emerged: most standing bars have almost no means of attracting new customers.

Unable to afford advertising and lacking time to manage social media amid daily operations—many excellent shops quietly vanish, unknown to the wider public.

What 'Stand by ME' Aims to Achieve

'Stand by ME' is a portal where people across Japan contribute and grow information about standing bars and corner taps together. It has two major features:

• Completely free and clean operation: Both shops and users participate at no cost—no listing or service fees. Since rankings cannot be altered by advertising budgets, truly beloved shops are fairly recognized.

• UGC-driven community growth: The platform launches with nationwide data, eliminating search friction. On this foundation, sake lovers nationwide contribute visit records called 'Drink Activities' (Inmikatsu) and the latest updates, collectively growing the database.

'Stand by ME' App Screen Image (Top/Search Screen)

'What is cash-on?,' 'Can I go alone?,' 'What’s the budget?'—The anxieties anyone feels when visiting a new shop are addressed by visualizing each shop’s unique rules and budget estimates, encouraging that 'first step' into a new bar.

'Stand by ME' App Screen Image (Drink Activity Timeline)

Why Insist on 'Completely Free'?

We don’t want to operate a business that manipulates rankings through ad revenue—that is the very purpose of 'Stand by ME.' We aim to build a platform that grows not by capital, but by the charm of each shop and the love of its patrons.

A bustling standing bar counter (illustrative image)

Use of Funds and Future Plans

Funds raised will be used to manually research and compile information on over 100 standing bars and corner taps across five major cities: Osaka, Tokyo, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Kyoto, as well as to produce content that conveys the charm of standing bars.

Development will proceed in parallel during the crowdfunding period, with the official service launch planned within one month after the campaign ends.

Breakdown of Fund Usage

<Reward Examples>

Original stickers (3 types) and canned badges (3 types)

Original acrylic keychains and rubber coin cases

Original logo glasses and one-go masu cups

Project Overview

Project Name: Preserving Standing Bar Culture for the Next Generation! Creating a Beloved, Completely Free Portal

Executor: Blue&Co., Inc.

Service Name: Standing Bar and Corner Tap Portal 'Stand by ME'

Campaign Period: July 6, 2026 – August 15, 2026

Funding Goal: 1,500,000 JPY (All-or-Nothing)

Project URL: https://readyfor.jp/projects/blue-co0220

Company Overview

Company Name: Blue&Co., Inc.

Representative: CEO Yoshifumi Dezaki

Address: Kita-ku, Tenjinbashi 1-chome 20-13, Kida Shika Building 3, Room 204, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

URL: https://blue-co.jp

Blue&Co., Inc. (Representative: Yoshifumi Dezaki / Director Keita Uehara)