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

SPECIAL EVENTS

* Club Venus 8/26, 10pm, Liquid Room. Justin Robertson (from the U.K.), Tomo Hirata (Loud), YO-C, & performance by The Las Vegas Pink Ladies. Y4000 (Y3500 in adv.). 9/2, midnight, Liquid Room. Kenny Larkin (live & DJ), T. Hirata, YO-C. Y4500 (Y4000 in adv.). Liquid Room (3200-6831).

HMV Presents a party at Lexington Queen. 8/26. For more info, call (3401-1661).

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

Vibrastone Dance Party Produced by Haruo Chikada. 8/31, 8pm, Liquid Room. DJ: Kensho Onuki, Koji Nakamura, etc. Y4000 (Y3500 for women), Y3000 (in adv.). Liquid Room (3200-6831).

Johnnie Walker Hosts arty parties. 9/2, 7-11pm, Za Moca Foundation, Carmel One Loft 301, 8-3-32 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku (5389-7081).

Toy Boy Trendy party for young and beautiful Japanese boys. Gay/mix. 9/9, 8pm, Club Nuba, Shibuya Sta. Y3000 (with two drinks). (3462-4420)

Iro House/garage/jazz mix and art exhibits. 9/14, 8pm, Yellow. Y3500 with two drinks & a welcome drink (Y3000 with flier). (3479-0690)

Inner Ring Jr. Ring--small-scale version of The Ring party. Gay/mix. 9/15, 9pm, Delight. Y2500 (with one drink). (3352-6297)

J.Men's Tokyo in Verfarre 9/16 & 17, 3pm, Verfarre. Y6000 (in adv.). For more info, call J.Men's Tokyo (3409-7607).

Tamayo Presents stand-up comedy direct from Hollywood. 9/28-30, 8pm, Jiyu Gekijo, Roppongi Sta. (Hibiya Line). Y3800 (with one drink). For tickets information, call (5256-8360).

The Ring Everybody-knows gay/mix party. 9/30, 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). 7-2-5 Roppongi (5410-6060).

Rip Rock & roll bar located behind McDonald's on Roppongi-dori. The new model hangout. (3423-0715)

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. 9:30pm-2am; Sun. 6-11pm. Y1000, Y1500 (Thur., 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)

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.). 8pm-2am; Fri. & Sat. until 4am. Closed Sun. 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 New little sexy bar produced by Masami Matsui. Behind Nishi Azabu Almond. 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.: 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).

Kiss New expresso bar located on 246. 1 & 2F: bright expresso bar. 3 & 4F: bar (Y2000 entrance). 3-11-13 Minami Aoyama (3401-8165).

Pylon Aoyama's newest club now only open on Sat., 10pm-5am. DJ "Dazzle-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). Omotesando Sta. In the same buildings as Wendy's, Le Deco, B1, 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 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).

G-Spot Formerly Giger Bar in Shirokane. Very interesting building with a cool multi-level interior. Located past Hiroo Sta. before Meguro Tunnel. 5-10-15 Shirogane-dai (5424-1171).

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). 3rd Sta.: live. Nakano Sta., N. Exit under the Kuishinbo Steak House near Broadway Center. (5380-2488)

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).