HOMEPAGE CITYSCOPE CONTENTS


LISTINGS & TIP-OFFS




Bold: Prada shoes (though no-one can afford them), natural fibers (breathe!), sunset colors and pastels, air-con, iced cappuccinos (and wait-staff who don't get weird about making them), bracelets on brown skin, sandals on brown skin, gold highlights on brown skin, silver highlights on white skin, (emphasize whatever color you are), fool-proof, instant wrinkle remover (not yet invented, but just imagine).

Cold: Frankie Knuckles' album (we know you can do so much better), Whigfield (well beyond a joke), tennis skirts, sweating in clubs (so don't do it please), sand shoes and trainers (get into leather), lurid swim wear.




SPECIAL EVENTS
Roppongi Shibuya & Area
Nishi Azabu Others


The Nightlife listings are updated every month.
* denotes editor's picks.



SPECIAL EVENTS

* Club Venus Featuring Charlie Hall (from Drum Club), Yo-C and Hirata (Loud). 7/28, 10pm, Liquid Room. Y3500 (Y3000 in adv.). 8/4 & 5, midnight, Liquid Room. Featuring Richie Hawtin (Plastikman), Yo-C, Hirata. Should be excellent, but tickets only in advance--buy now. Y4500 (in adv.). Liquid Room (3200-6831).

U.F.O. 5th Anniversary Party United Future Organization's 5th anniversary party with special guest Gilles Peterson (from Talkin' Loud, London). 8/11 & 12, 10pm, Blue. Y3000 (with one drink); Y5000 with one drink (for two days). 8/13, 2pm-midnight, Blue. Y3000 (with one drink, at the door only). U.F.O. (3797-1514).

Odyssey Trippy, trancey, techno. Very popular. 8/12 & 26 probably (call venue to confirm), Speakeasy. Y3500 (with one drink). (5410-0356)

Toy Boy Trendy party for young and beautiful Japanese boys. Gay mix. 8/12, 8pm, Club Nuba, Shibuya Sta. Y3000 (with two drinks). (3462-4420)

Inner Ring Jr. Ring--small scale version of The Ring party. Gay mix. 8/18, 9pm, Delight. Y2500 (with one drink). (3352-6297)

The Ring Everybody-knows gay-mix party. 8/26, 11pm, Neo-Masquerade, Harajuku Sta. Y3500 (with two drinks). (3746-3240)


ROPPONGI

BARS

Bali High New bar opened by Baccara group. Just down the street between Almond and Café Miami, on the right. (3746-2598)

Black Velvet A jazz & blues bar on Roppongi Crossing. The new concept from the Mogambo/Geronimo group. Yamamuro Bldg., 3F, next to Seishido Bldg. (3479-1191)

Gas Panic Flying glasses, fists and skirts. Leave a tip . . . or else. 7pm-5am. Near Hamburger Inn. 3-14-13 Roppongi (3405-0633).

* Orange Bizarre bar combining '70s rock, fab '60s furniture and table dancing. Y3000 (with one drink, extra for exotic dance). See Recommendations on pages 6 & 7. 7-2-5 Roppongi (5410 6060).

Salsa Caribe Latin bar/club playing from salsa, merengue to cumbia. Reine Roppongi Bldg., 2F, 5-3-4 Roppongi (3746-0244).

Salsa Sudada Libidinous Latin rhythms and a friendly multinational crowd. 7pm-6am; Fri. & Sat. from 6pm. 30m down the street between Almond and Café Miami, on the left. Sure Bldg., B1, 5-9-22 Roppongi (3405-1967).

Tatou Tokyo A restaurant that changes into a bar from 10pm. Live jazz, R&B, black contemporary, and acoustic bands. 10pm-2am; Sun. until midnight. Y1000, Y1500 (Fri., Sat. & the day before hol.). 1F, 7-6-2 Roppongi (5411-4433).

Ultra Vivid Scene Came and went with our favorite hostess. Cozy hangout nonetheless. 7.30pm-5am. Closed Mon. & Tue. ITO Bldg., 4F, 7-14-6 Roppongi (5474-4366).

CLUBS

Breakfast Club Grooving after-hours for Roppongi types. House and garage. Membership restriction on weekends. 100m down Roppongi-dori next to Cosmo Gas Station. Togensha Bldg., 9F, 2-4-8 Roppongi (3588-8177).

Buzzzz Cavernous hall and predictable Roppongi crowd. All kinds of music except Eurobeat. Tue.: Ladies' Night. 6pm-5am. Square Bldg., 5F, 3-10-3 Roppongi (3470-6391).

Fontana Touted as sexy and stylish, and featuring DJs Snezana, Shige, Yugoslav food and a balcony for a sophisticated chill-out with a cappuccino or a cocktail. Midnight-5am, no cover. Aroo Bldg., 2F, 3-14-7 Roppongi (3405-0677).

Gas Panic Club Rock, rap and MTV dance. 7:30pm-5am; Fri. & Sat. until 6am. 3-10-5 Roppongi (3402-7054).

Geoid/Flower Hard after-hours beats and every anthropological specimen you could ever fear. From 12:30am on weekends. Y2000/members, Y3000/non-members. (3479-8161)

* Heaven DJs play on rotation at new-ish Roppongi venue. 2nd & 4th Sat.: Evolution--live percussion & visuals. Y2500 (with two drinks). B1, 5-18-20 Roppongi (3589-2964).

Java Jive Square Bldg.'s world beat with models identifiable by their attitudes more than their looks. Reggae & house. 6pm-5am. Square Bldg., B1, 3-10-3 Roppongi (3478-0087).

Lexington Queen Strike a pose, there's nothing to it. 6pm-4am. 3-13-14 Roppongi (3401-1661).

Misterio Overheard that models were sponging around here for a while. House and hip hop. Across the street from the Porsche dealership toward Tokyo Tower. Phoenix Bldg., B1, 1-4-3 Azabu-dai (3586-6518).

One Eyed Jack (Casino) Gambling, guzzling and groping in one stop. Young foreign staff and a relatively festive atmosphere. 6pm-2am. 7-15-31 Roppongi (5411-2926).

Seventh Heaven Topless/bottomless "cabaret" featuring "live Playboy & Penthouse magazine centerfold dance models from Las Vegas." Mon.-Sat., 7pm-3am. One min. from Roppongi Crossing. Hosho Roppongi Bldg., 2F, 7-14-1 Roppongi (3401-3644).

Speakeasy Underground dungeon space with sporadic events worth attending. Off Roppongi-dori, towards Shibuya, 3rd right from Roppongi crossing. (5410-0356)

Tatou Tokyo An executive members' club. No membership fee, but membership is limited, so hurry up and sign yourself in at reception. Y1000, Y1500 (Fri., Sat. & the day before hol.), free for ladies until 8/26. 8:30pm-2am; Fri. until 4am. 2F, 7-6-2 Roppongi (5411-4433).

Velfarre The new Juliana's, and in Roppongi. Corporate clubbing perfected. Y7000 entrance. Closes at midnight. Whoopee. Next to One Eyed Jack and Velvet. 7-14-22 Roppongi (3746-0055).

* Velvet (formerly Jungle Bass) Big venue. Reggae, rap, and serious dance events. Call for schedule info. 7-13-8 Roppongi (3796-4745).


NISHI AZABU

BARS

Acarajé Small Brazilian bar with a big heart. 8pm-3am; Fri. & Sat. until 5am. (3401-0973)

* Acarajé Tropicana Bigger heart, better food. 6pm-2am. B1, 1-1-1 Nishi Azabu (3478-4142).

DJ's Pizzeria Restaurant-cum-happening groove space. On TV Asahi-dori. 11am-11pm; Fri. until 3am; Sat., noon-3am. Takekawa Bldg., 1F, 6-4-5 Roppongi (3479-5711).

Pigeon Skankin' little reggae bar. 1-4-49 Nishi Azabu (3403-2962).

* 328 (San-nippa) Funky DJs, deconstructed decor and a laid-back crowd. At the corner of Nishi Azabu Crossing next to the police box. 8pm-5am. 3-24-20 Nishi Azabu (3401-4968).

Sapphire The newest bar/club in Nishi Azabu produced by Masami Matsui. B1, 2-25-12 Nishi Azabu (5466-3954).

Soul Sonic Boogie Groovin' funky DJ à la '70s-'80s. 8pm-2am. 1-2-26 Nishi Azabu (3404-6388).

Sunset Strip Cozy gathering hole for the cool crowd. 1-8-4 Nishi Azabu (3404-9988).

CLUBS

J.Men's Tokyo An all-gaijin male strip revue; shows 7, 8:30 & 10pm. Reservations required. From Y4000 (free drink). 4-2-4 Nishi Azabu (3409-7607).

* Yellow The city's most progressive events and the sleepiest, most packed-in flock of adolescents. 1st & 3rd Fri.: Zero (techno). 2nd & 4th Fri.: Jazzin' (jazz/soul/funk). Sat.: World Connection (house). Others: X-Stasy (reggae), Jamaican Night (reggae), etc. Drop by for their complete calendar of events. 8pm-midnight. Turn left off Roppongi-dori three streets up from Nishi Azabu Crossing towards Roppongi. B2, 1-10-11 Nishi Azabu (3479-0690).


SHIBUYA & AREA

BARS

* Apollo Funky, funky. Featuring James Vyner's "The Right Touch" on Saturdays (acid jazz, Brazilian, hip hop). Y2500 (with two drinks). Aoyama NH Bldg., B1, 3-2-4 Kita Aoyama (3478-6007).

* Bar Aoyama Groovy, arty hang-out with a diverse mix of DJs. 8pm-4am; Sun., 7pm-2am. About 8 min. up Roppongi-dori from Shibuya Sta. Daikyo Bldg., 4-5-9 Shibuya (3498-4415).

China Rose Ebisu's newest DJ bar. Ajima Bldg., 1-12-5 Ebisu (3280-4436).

Colors Excellent neighborhood dive in Ebisu. Fri.: Neo-acoustic guitar. Sat.: Reggae. 8pm-2am; Fri. & Sat. until 4am. From Ebisu Sta., turn right at Meiji-dori, then turn right at the first signal. B1, 1-15-6 Hiroo (3448-0317).

DJ Bar Inkstick World-famous space, recently renewed energy and acid jazz nights. 6pm-2am. Kanpari Bldg., 4F, 1-6-8 Jinnan (3496-0782).

D-Zone Small bar with nice vibes and nice DJs. Thur.-Sat. Vision Network Complex, 5-17-6 Jingu-mae (3407-6845).

* Feel New little club in Shibuya. Best night is Toby's techno gig on Thur. Y2000 (with one drink). Etowaru Bldg., B1, 3-13-9 Shibuya (3797-3338).

Grass Little dive emphasizing hip hop, reggae and house music. Cute midweek hangout. 3-25-12 Jingu-mae (3497-0303).

Jirocho Boogaloo and ethnic music in Ebisu. 7pm-2am; Sun., 6pm-midnight. Sat. (vary): Shin'ichi Ito. Sato Bldg., 2F, 2-8-7 Ebisu Nishi (3477-2600).

Kaba Hangout for the DJ union near Ikejiri-Ohashi Sta. (Tokyu Shin-Tamagawa Line). 9pm-5am. Toya Bldg., B1, 3-21-29 Ikejiri (3418-1996).

Pylon Aoyama's newest club open only on Sat., 10pm-5am. DJ "Duzzle-T" Komiya from J-Wave & guest DJs playing soul, funk, hip hop, jazz funk, reggae, etc. Y2500 with two drinks (Y2000 with Tokyo Journal). For more info, call M-Plan (3465-1525). Le Deco, B1 in the same building as Wendy's, Omotesando Sta. 3-5-11 Kita Aoyama (3478-1870).

* Sad Cafe Almost 24-hr. café with DJs on Fridays and Saturdays and inexpensive if unremarkable food plus drinks the rest of the time. 11am-5am. Kind of behind Condomania. Asaina Bldg., 2F, 6-28-3 Jingu-mae (3406-6692).

Shinkukan Cozy club with a cool bar. Y2500 (with one food dish & two drinks). Harajuku FS Bldg., B1, 4-4-14 Jingu-mae (3478-4946).

Silk Bring-your-own-music DJ place in Shibuya. 5pm-midnight. Fri. & Sat.: Eurobeat. 1-17-7 Jinnan (5458-1507).

* Web Stylish little mingling space. At the Mishuku Crossing between Ikejiri-Ohashi and Sangenjaya stas. (Tokyu Shin-Tamagawa Line). 3-30-10 Ikejiri (3422-1405).

CLUBS

* Blue Art and acid jazz. Intimate club with weekly Johnnie Walker exhibitions and parties. On Kotto-dori, 6-2-9 Minami Aoyama (3797-1591).

* Cave Worth the one-hour search for the front door. Energetic and enthusiastic young crowd. Near Tokyu Honten Dept. Store. 34-6 Udagawacho (3780-0715).

Club Maruyama Small split-level basement dance hall, located in the love-hotel district. From 6pm. B1, 7-9 Maruyamacho (5489-1600).

Crazy Moon Another gaijin male strip revue. Dai-ni Toho Bldg., B1, 1-22-10 Shibuya (3407-6229).

FFD Warehouse space on Dogenzaka featuring sporadic events. (5489-5459)

* Maniac Love It's lost that comfortable sleazy quality since the re-modeling but still come only if you're fierce. Mon.: Ambient & New Age. Tue.: Mellow & lovers. Thur.: Gorgeous deep-house groove. Fri.: Garage. Sat.: Pure chunky techno grind until 5am (Sublime Records night). Then hard-house and happy-techno after hours until 10am. Just off Kotto-dori. 5-10-6 Minami Aoyama (3406-1166).

The Room Acid jazz and hip hop ricochet off the concrete walls of this popular shoe-box size club. Funk, hip hop, reggae. From 9pm. Jinwa Bldg., B1, 15 Sakuragaoka (3461-7167).


OTHERS

A.M.B. The first Asian music bar in Shinjuku. Toho Kaikan, B1, next to Shinjuku Koma Gekijo. For more info, call A.M.B. (3209-4871).

Arty Farty Young, sexy gay crowd clashes with Santa-Fe-at-Christmas decor. Shinjuku-nichome. Mixed on Sun. 2pm-5am. 2-4-17 Shinjuku (3356-5388).

* Atomage One floor under Automatix, Clockwork Orange-styled weirdness and lounging. No cover week-nights. Y1000 (with one drink). Fri. & Sat. 2-15-26-Shinjuku (3358-2256).

* Automatix Hard dancing, techno and grooviness on two floors. Recommended: Tue.: Fine Time, DJs Shinkawa and Yamamoto. Wed.: FAB, DJs Patrick and Nao. Fri.: Hard house and techno with Wada, Yama and others. Y2000 (with one drink). 2-15-26 Shinjuku (3358-2256).

B-Vibe Tiny, genki, friendly gay bar in Shinjuku-nichome with nightly DJs. (3959-3633)

Catalyst Funky, intimate club in Shinjuku with young crowd and fresh mix of DJs. 8pm-5am. Dai-roku Tall Star Bldg., 5F, 1-16-6 Kabukicho (3209-4102).

Danceteria Funk and soul in Shirokane. 8pm-2am; Fri. & Sat. until 4am. 1-29-13 Shirokane (3444-0097).

* Delight Fresh, mixed clubbers. House and garage. Men only on Sat. Women only 3rd Thur. Just next to the cruisy park in Shinjuku-nichome. Dai-ni Hayakawaya Bldg., B1, 2-14-6 Shinjuku (3352-6297).

Fine Line Bar/gallery space recently opened in Akasaka. Produced by the team behind Maniac Love. B1, 8-12-15 Akasaka (3402-4441).

Kinsmen Established favorite in Shinjuku-nichome where boys and girls, gay and just happy hang easy. 2F, behind BYGS Bldg. (3354-4949)

Kinswomyn Women-only bar for gorgeous gay women and their friends. (3354-8720)

* Liquid Room Mainly a live venue but also featuring the fabulous Club Venus and other one-off club specials. Check schedule for details. Shinjuku HUMAX Pavilion, 7F, 1-20-1 Kabukicho (3200-6831).

* Plug New, funky, jazzy club space for the genuinely groovy. Latin, funk, roots and soul. Sun.-Wed.: no charge. Thur.-Sat.: Y2000 (with two drinks). Nakano Sta., N. Exit under the Kuishinbo Steak House near Broadway Center.

Rolling Stone Cool dive in Shinjuku. A tribute to you-know-who. DJ dishes 'em out by request. 6pm-4:30am; Sat. & Sun. from 5pm. 3-2-7 Shinjuku (3354-7347).




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