NIGHT LIFE LISTINGS
ed. Phil Miller
Splashdown
by Phil Miller
No wonder champagne was cracking backstage at Soul Velvet after British act The Prodigy pounded out their energetic techno-jungle show. These guys were so good we asked their manager how much they'd charge to play at our place, Pylon. He quoted us L20,000. Uh, well, they weren't that good.
The Prodigy was part of record label Avex Trax's Dance Matrix '95, which packed gaggles (or is that giggles?) of girls into shows at Tokyo Bay and Velfarre. A staffer told me Avex blew over 10 million bucks on the event.
But what was up at Velfarre? The 20-minute karaoke sets by Bananarama, Cheryl Lynn, the delectable Dannii Minogue and Jackie Graham were fun enough, but the crowd was as lively as a Sunday church service--and dressed like Amish brides. Where were all the T-back panties and slinky boas? One nice touch about Velfarre is the chilled oshibori they give you to wipe your face with at the end of night. We just wish we sweat enough there to need one.
Which reminds us of Akasaka's just-opened Luna Chic, a small venue with a casino bar where you can talk and gamble, and a separate club space with a dance floor. Their sound system and DJs (formerly of Soul II Soul in Iikura) are excellent, but their air-con is terrible. We must have lost five pounds just sitting there, though it should be better now that the weather's cooled down.
Unfortunately, that also means the end of most outdoor parties. Those who found out about the bi-weekly raves in Yoyogi Park may have found true ecstasy under the trees there through the end of last month. A powerful sound system, live bands, a good bar, street stalls and the moon--it pays to keep an eye on record store pamphlet racks.
Back indoors, the crowds are piling into Aoyama clubs like Apollo and Pylon. One Saturday, a friend decided to provoke a group of pro-wrestlers which included Herald Gold, whose biceps are bigger than a Mitsubishi Pajero. No barbed-wire, no blood or pile-drivers--all she did was dance on their table and throw ice at them. The wrestlers responded by pouring a bucket of ice down her top, while I bravely protected her from their clutches by pouring ice down her top.
As I write, club impresario Takayuki Goto is preparing to launch a new weekly house event, The World, at Planet in Shibuya. Just go right off Koen-dori at Mr. Donuts and left at the first intersection. Planet's in the basement of the white building on the right. Every Friday is house night, featuring DJs like Patrick, 2Latino and Tommy Wada.
Another dance/house music/rock club is opening. Ex-Gold and current Orange producer Toshihiro Sato is doing it again at Ebisu, just behind Wendy's (club name to be announced). You tell me what you think. Fax me at 3486-7341.
| SPECIAL EVENTS | |
| Roppongi | Shibuya & Area |
| Nishi Azabu | Others |
The Nightlife listings are updated every month.
* denotes editor's picks.
The Tokyo Party Tour Six hours of non-stop partying in Tokyo's hottest nightclubs, pubs and aboard the hottest fun bus in Tokyo. Tour starts 6pm, every Sat. in front of Hard Rock Cafe in Roppongi. Y5000 (Y1000 discount per two people, direct booking only). For more info, call Night Life ystery Tours (3454-5434).
Tamayo Presents stand-up comedy direct from Hollywood. 9/29 & 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, Speakeasy. Tokyo's best house DJs including Emma. Special men's only and ladies' only rooms. 10/28, 11pm, Speakeasy. Tokyo's most fabilous Helloween party. It's gay and it's fun. Y3500 (with two drinks). (5410-0356)
* Club Venus Excellent party. 10/7, 10pm, Y4000 (Y3500 in adv.). DJ David Holmes. Liquid Room (3200-6831).
Cross Over Prepare yourself for excessively ecstatic conditions. Techno, laser lighting and the Master Blaster sound system. 10/7, 11pm, Speakeasy. Y3500 (with two drinks). (5410-0356)
Liquid Sky Dance Hall Featuring DIP, Friction, Audio Active, Pragues, DJs: Marine, Tomo Hirata, Hiroshi Kawanabe, DJ Krush, Moog Yamamoto. 10/14, 9pm, Liquid Room. Y3800 (in adv.). Liquid Room (3200-6831).
Odyssey Trippy, trancey, techno. Very popular. 10/14, Speakeasy. Y3500 (with one drink). (5410-0356)
Inner Ring Jr. Ring--small-scale version of The Ring party. Gay/mix. 10/20, 9pm, Delight. Y2500 (with one drink). (3352-6297)
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).
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).
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)
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).