You'll quickly become familiar with the proprietor and staff, as they will with you. Also, don't worry about going to bars alone. You may find yourself walking into a bar for a beer or two and end up spending the whole night partying with a group of people you didn't know before you walked in. Another enjoyable aspect of Hiroshima's drinking establishments is of course, the alcohol. The Japanese beer, although limited in variety, is all quite delicious especially on draft.
Hangovers tend to be less wicked here as well.
Rumors as to why vary from the fact that the Japanese beers use a lot of rice as a base or that they don't use preservatives in the beer. I haven't researched either in great detail. Don't worry if you're not accustomed to beer drinking, you'll be fine. The wide variety of the mix drink and beer selections at some establishments is astonishing. Many places have an extensive whiskey, scotch, or tequila menu.