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| City Guide - Tokyo - Nightlife | ||
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Nightlife It's at night that Tokyo really comes alive. Busy seven nights a week, the vibrant Roppongi district has a profusion of bars, clubs and discos, frequented by the smart ex-pat set as well as servicemen from the US military bases. Shinjuku, on the other hand, offers a more Japanese scene with an incredible variety of eating and drinking places, from huge beer halls to tiny intimate theme bars, cinemas, clubs, massage parlours and Japan's largest gay scene. Dress codes are rarely overly strict. Entrance fees to clubs are high but usually include a couple of drinks. Cover charges are common in izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) and bars; they are generally indicated by the serving of small snacks. Drink prices very much depend on the surroundings and range from the reasonable to the stratospheric. If in doubt, do ask before you order. Should you be tempted by one of the city's many 'hostess clubs', be aware that a beer in the company of an attractive companion can easily cost ¥10,000. Tokyo's gay bars are clustered in the Shinjuku 2-chome area. They are generally wary of foreign customers and are best explored with a Japanese companion. Several major hotels have 'sky bars', offering impressive night views of the city. Admission fees and opening times vary widely and the Tokyo nightlife scene is ever-changing: for listings of what's on and information about the latest hotspots, visitors should check in the English-language Tokyo Journal (web site: www.tokyo.to) or Tokyo Classified (web site: www.tokyoclassified.com). Bars: For a typically Japanese 'pub' experience, izakaya offer beer, sake and a huge range of Japanese dishes. Among the most accessible to foreigners are the chains Murasaki and Tengu (both have numerous locations across the city), which have a lively atmosphere, reasonable prices and convenient picture menus. For a more international scene, head to Roppongi and check out the brash, foreigner-friendly Gas Panic, 3-15-24 Roppongi, or Geronimo, 7-14-10 Roppongi, for a lively crowd of serious drinkers. At nearby Castillo, 6-1-8 Roppongi, the non-stop disco classics mean that the tiny dancefloor is often busier than the bar. For a pint of Guinness try The Dubliners, 3-28-9 Shinjuku, or experience rock'n'roll Japanese style at the loud and seedy Rolling Stone, 3-2-7 Shinjuku. Bar Isn't It?, opposite the Shibuya Bunkamura art centre, is a popular hangout and has the added attraction that all food and drinks are ¥500. Las Chicas, 5-47-6 Jingumae, Harajuku, is a trendy bar/restaurant complex: the leafy courtyard is a fine place to drink on a summer's evening. What the Dickens, 1-13-3 Nishi-Ebisu, is an English pub transplanted to Tokyo, with hearty pub food and live music from local bands most nights. For a more refined experience, try Hotel Okura's Highlander, 2-10-4 Toranomon, a smart bar offering a selection of over 200 whiskies, or the New York Bar, a sophisticated jazz bar on the 52nd floor of the swanky Park Hyatt Hotel, 3-7-1-2, Nishi-Shinjuku. Clubs: Club Asia, 1-8 Maruyamacho, Shibuya, hosts major DJ events and 'The Ring', a much anticipated monthly gay/straight dance party. Take a break from the dancefloor to surf the internet in an adjacent room. Code, Koma Gekijo, Kabukicho, Shinjuku, boasts a huge dancefloor and plenty of post-dance chill-out space, while the nearby Liquid Room, 1-20-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku, is a trendy venue for live events and one-off club nights. Roppongi's Velfarre, 7-14-22 Roppongi, is a huge multi-level disco palace with a strict dress code and a high admission charge. The slick Lexington Queen, 3-13-14 Roppongi, is much loved by the showbiz/model crowd and a good place to spot celebrities, while you'll find the hip student crowd at the progressive venue Yellow, 1-10-11 Nishi-Azabu. For a change of rhythm, try Salsa Sudada, 7-13-8 Roppongi, for a heady mix of cocktails and Latin sounds. Maniac Love, 5-10-6 Minami-Aoyama, and Blue, 6-2-9 Minami-Aoyama, are two small happening clubs off Aoyama's Kotto-dori. Live music: Tokyo's local pop and rock scene revolves around 'live houses' - dark disco-like venues with a small stage. Loft, 1-12-9 Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Crocodile, 6-18-8 Jingumae, Harajuku, Cave, 34-6 Udagawacho, Shibuya, and Club Quattro, 32-13 Udagawacho, Shibuya, are among the best known names. Milk, 1-13-3 Nishi-Ebisu, a hip indie rock music venue, is a club/live house hybrid. Tokyo's premier jazz venue is Blue Note, 5-13-3 Minami-Aoyama, which regularly attracts top international acts. Tickets are pricey and should be reserved well in advance. Another jazz club which attracts international artists is the funky but well-worn Pit Inn, 3-16-4 Shinjuku. |
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