Nightlife in Tokyo
Visitors sing their hearts out at karaoke bars in Roppongi. The more reserved listen to jazz at Blue Note in Minami-Aoyama. Big-name DJs take to the decks at the enormous ageHa club, complete with swimming pool, in Koto. For a traditional experience, book tickets to kabuki theatre performances in Ginza. Most bars close between 1am and 3am, clubs at 6am. In Roppongi and Shinjuku nightlife often carries on around the clock.
Pub Cardinal Marunouchi
Businessmen's watering-hole
Pub Cardinal Marunouchi is popular with bankers and lawyers thanks to its
central Marunouchi location. Plush brown lounges, television showing sports,
and a wood-decked terrace are the main attractions for the after-work crowd
in search of beer and snacks.
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Address
1F Tokyo Building, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8086
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 5222 1251
NOS
Backstreet gem
Hidden in a backstreet of Minami-Aoyama, NOS looks at first glance like a
small student bar. But its spiral staircase leads to endless rooms. Some are
filled with late-night diners seated on tatami mats, others lead to terraces
and gallery spaces.
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Address
5-10-17 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 5774 1727
Transport
Omotesando metro
New York Bar
City views to Shinjuku
The Park Hyatt Tokyo's New York Bar first rose to fame in the film Lost in
Translation. The dramatic views of Shinjuku and beyond through the
floor-to-ceiling windows and live jazz draw the crowds. There is an evening
cover charge.
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Address
3-7-1-2, Park Hyatt Hotel, Nishi Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-1055
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 5322 1234
Roppongi Wazan
Whisky and cigars
The fashionable Tokyo visitors to Roppongi Wazan are immediately wowed by the
extensive, glass-fronted wine racks. This Roppongi bar also has a Winston
Churchill-style bar for nursing whisky and cigars.
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Address
4-2-35 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 5775 3888
Xex Atago Green Hills
Skyscraping views
Tokyo's Disneyland fireworks, Ginza and the Rainbow Bridge are all visible
from the 42nd floor Xex Atago Green Hills. Dressed-up drinkers sip pricey
cocktails from the comfort of charcoal-grey sofas at this Atago vantage
point.
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Address
2-5-1, Atago, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0002
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 5777 0065
Xenlon
Chinese beer and snacks
Xenlon in Yoyogi has views of Shinjuku station and the skyscrapers beyond.
Decor is modern Chinese, with giant silver and gold dragons suspended from
the ceilings. An extensive wine list, Tsingtao beer and dim sum ensure it is
busy all evening.
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Address
Odakyu Hotel Southern Century Tower, 2-2-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0062
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 374 2080
X&Y
Lounge bar for creatives
X&Y, with its disco balls, baby grand piano and discreet nude
paintings, is where Tokyo's creative types hang out. Friends gather at this
Ebisu bar to wallow in cocktails or umeshu (plum wine) while old Japanese
love songs play.
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Address
4F Yoshikawa Building, 1-4-11 Ebisu-nishi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 105-0021
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 5489 0095
Transport
Ebisu JR and metro
Muse
Dart boards and dancing
This Nishi-Azabu club offers dart boards, pool and roulette tables in the
Amusement Bar. Muse also has chilled seating areas and a caged-in dance
floor where crowds of bodies move to commercial house. Dedicated partygoers
hang out here nightly.
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Address
B1/F, 4-1-1 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0031
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 5467 1188
ageHa
Swimming pool clubbing
ageHa is further afield than most Tokyo clubs, but it's worth the bus trip to
Koto. This sprawling club comes complete with a swimming pool and
international acts like Basement Jaxx. Japan's largest gay party,
Shangri-La, happens here.
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Address
2-2-10 Shin-Kiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo 136-0082
Feria
Dancefloor for VIPs
Part of Roppongi bar complex Grace, Feria is frequented by models,
celebrities and Tokyo's trendy set. It has high ceilings, a dance floor for
grooving to the commercial house and hip hop the DJs play, and comfortable
banquettes for VIPs.
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Address
B1/F 7-13-7 Grace, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 5785 0656
Velours
Sumptuous setting for partying
Velours is a Minami-Aoyama hotspot thanks to its antique-chic look. Visitors
walk along a glass catwalk past models and cracked mirrors. Look out for the
19th-century Baccarat chandelier and antique chairs.
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Address
B1 Almost Blue, 6-4-6 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062
Telephone
+81 (0)3 5778 4777
Air
Top international DJs
This Daikanyama club has seen the likes of funky house DJ Bob Sinclar play
its underground dancefloor. Music at Air covers everything from electro and
techno to jazzy hip hop, all played to a fashion-aware crowd.
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Address
Hikawa Building, B1/F-B2/F, 2-11 Sarugaku, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0003
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 5784 3386
Kabuki-za Theatre
Elaborate Japanese performances
Kabuki, meaning "song, dance and technique," is a form of traditional
Japanese theatre. Known for its elaborate masks and male actors in female
roles, it can be experienced at Kabuki-za Theatre in Ginza, a residence from
the 19th-century Meiji era.
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Address
4-12-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 106-0041
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 3541 3131
Blue Note Tokyo
Jazz greats
At Blue Note Tokyo in Minami-Aoyama, it's big name jazz in intimate
surroundings. The music ranges from traditional to Brazilian rhythms. Dizzy
Gillespie and Oscar Peterson have both played here. Check the website for
programme details.
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Address
6-3-16, Raika Building, Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 5485 0088
Fiesta International Karaoke Bar
Singalongs Japan-style
Fiesta International Karaoke Bar in Roppongi offers the traditional private
room karaoke experience. Singers can choose from more than 10,000 songs.
This karaoke joint also provides wigs for customers to dress up in as they
sing.
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Address
3F Crest Roppongi Building, 7-9-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032
Telephone
+81 (0) 3 5410 3008
