It was the perfect Tuesday night: I met a friend from out of town, we kicked off at an izakaya and ended by saying goodnight over breakfast. Velfarre closes so early (midnight sharp), that Oldies Night was top of our list, although after meeting up with Max Matsuura, creator of the dance label Avex Trax (which owns the disco), we stayed until the end. Max just wouldn't stop pouring that pink Dom Perignon.

We wobbled across to the barely populated Apollo, where the nervous new manager greeted us (the old staff are now at Akira Kado's Vagabond Off). "Please move over here . . uh, no, maybe over there . . . oh no, sit over there, by the garbage can." We moved all over for those invisible guests! But that was cool--we left for the friendlier Ring, where fortune smiled and we won more than we lost at the backgammon tables out the back. I like the Ring, even if the staff no longer leave free-drink tokens lying around. Then it was briefly over to the nearby Juice, a small club with decor like the inside of an alien's cave, and full of teenage mods dancing to The Who. Still flush with our new riches, we breakfasted at the excellent Paco's, where the sun rose over our plates of fat omelets and jumbo strawberry margaritas for ¥800--as if I needed them. . . . .

Earlier in the month, Club Asia held its first opening party with tools spread everywhere and the paint still drying on the walls. They opened for real later, and should now be happening as a Thai restaurant during the week and on weekends as a dance club playing house and Asian pop and serving Thai snacks. Club Asia is in the former Fillmore Far East building, just down love hotel hill from ON AIR.

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

SPECIAL EVENTS

The Ring Everybody-knows gay/mix party. 3/30 & 4/27, 11pm, Speakeasy. ¥3500 (with two drinks). (5410-0356)

Club Venus Featuring techno DJ Jeff Mills. 3/30, midnight, Liquid Room. ¥4000 (¥3500 in adv.). Liquid Room (3200-6831).

Katsu! A monthly event featuring poetry, music, live painting, photography manga, etc. 3/31 & 4/28, 4-10pm, Moon Dance, Roppongi Sta. (3425-5148)

Stimu-licious 3 "Faces" Live dance/art with cool danceable jazz & exotic beats. 4/5, 9pm-5am, Velvet. ¥3000 with two drinks (¥2500 with flier). Spark Productions (3401-1059).

Cross Over Prepare yourself for excessively ecstatic conditions. Techno, laser lighting and the Master Blaster sound system. 4/6, 11pm, Speakeasy. ¥3500 (with two drinks). (5410-0356)

Sound of Universe A huge club event gathering artists from house music world and jazz/funk music world produced by Producers. Featuring Frankie Knuckles (N.Y.), Heyta, Ko Kimura, Alex (Paris), Tommy Wada (N.Y.), Akai, Michael Watford (N.Y.), Akiko, Masai (dance, L.A.), Gilles Peterson (London), Toshio Matsuura (from U.F.O.), Okino (from Kyoto Jazz Massive), Kei Kobayashi, Hiroshi Egaitsu, Eitetsu Takamiya, Hiroshi Kawanabe (from Tokyo No. 1 Soul Set), Rhythm Fresks. 4/6, 8pm-6am, Laforet Museum Iikura, Kamiyacho Sta. (Hibiya Line). ¥5000 (¥4500 in adv.). Laforet Museum Iikura (3403-6801).

Think Hip hop event featuring J-Live (N.Y.), Mayhem, Mark da Spark, Muro, Twigy, King Giddra Rino. 4/6, 8pm, Yellow. ¥3000 with two drinks (¥2500 with flier). Free for the first 50 girls. (3479-0690)

Odyssey Trippy, trancey, techno. Very popular. 4/13, Speakeasy. ¥3500 (with one drink). (5410-0356)

Mona Lisa Pink Women only. 4/18, 8pm, Delight. ¥2500 (with one drink). (3352-6297)

Inner Ring Jr. Ring--small-scale version of The Ring party. Gay/mix. 4/19, 9pm, Delight. ¥2500 (with one drink). (3352-6297)

Disco Baby DJ Patric with a paint artist Mark Igan from London. 4/20, 9pm, Yellow. ¥3000 (with two drinks). (3479-0690).

X-TRA Special Featuring DJs, such as, YO-C, Tomo, Hirata, Wada, Shinkawa. 4/27, midnight, Liquid Room. ¥2500 (¥2000 in adv.). Liquid Room (3200-6831).

Ultra Vivid Featuring DJ John Acquaviva. 4/28, 9pm, Yellow. ¥3500 (with two drinks). (3479-0690).

ROPPONGI

BARS

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

Bar, Isn't It? It's big and everything is ¥500. MT Bldg., 3F, 3-8-18 Roppongi (3746-1598).

Déjà vu Used to be the trendiest gaijin bar in Roppongi. 3-15-24 Roppongi (3403-8777).

Gas Panic Flying glasses, fists and skirts. Leave a tip . . . or else. 7pm-5am. Near Hamburger Inn. 3-14-8 Roppongi (3405-0633).

Rip Rock & roll bar located behind McDonald's on Roppongi-dori. It used to be a happening place where even Keanu Reeves visited, now it's a hideout for cool gangs. Thur.: Ladies' Night. (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. 6pm-6am. Naparette Bldg., 3F, 7-13-8 Roppongi (5474-8806).

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

Biburin Roppongi's newest show club with hip hop, geisha, S & M fantasy. Great for entertaining. Ex-Crazy Horse. Show: 7:30 & 10pm; Fri. & Sat., 7:30, 10pm & 1am. ¥5000 (with one drink). (3582-6868)

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).

Circle A club opened where Cleo was. Behind the Porsche dealership. (3586-8494)

Cleo Palazzi Basically, funky black congregation Cleo moved to where Misterio was. Phoenix Bldg., B1, 1-4-3 Azabu-dai (3586-6518).

Espace Cabaret Club Tatou's lounge/club featuring fashion parades, cultural percussion parties, costume parties, Thur. night spin, etc. 8pm-4am; closed Sun. Tatou, 2F, 7-6-2 Roppongi (5411-4433).

Fontana Burritos, hot dogs and records. 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).

Gas Panic Club 99 Gas Panic's new club which requires ¥3000 (with two drinks) admission fee. Next to Déjà vu. (3485-0066)

Geoid/Flower Hard after-hours beats and every anthropological specimen you could ever fear. From 12:30am on weekends. ¥2000/members, ¥3000/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).

J.Foxx A sophisticated strip club in the Western exotic dancer-type cabaret vein. The best choreographed stage revue in town. 7pm-midnight. Closed Sun. & hol. 3-1-30 Roppongi (3588-0639).

Keets A karaoke bar which has over 3000 English songs. ¥2000 (with food and drink tickets). 6pm-5am; Sun. & hol. until midnight. 4F, 2-4-9 Roppongi (3584-3262).

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

Moon Dance A club featuring live, DJ, cultural events & parties. Last Sat.: Katsu! Roppongi Siro Mansion, B1, 6-8-29 Roppongi (3425-5148).

One Eyed Jack (Casino) Gambling, guzzling and groping in one stop. Young foreign staff and a relatively festive atmosphere. Free entrance with a drink for foreigners with a business card on Wed. 6pm-2am. 7-15-31 Roppongi (5411-2926).

* Orange Bizarre bar combining '70s rock, fab '60s furniture and table dancing. ¥3000 (with one drink, extra for exotic dance). 7-2-5 Roppongi (5410-6060).

Paradise Garage An all-gaijin male hostess club. Lovely Roppongi, 2F, 7-8-3 Roppongi (3478-4803).

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)

Velfarre Corporate clubbing perfected. Closes at midnight. Whoopee. ¥4000 (female), ¥5000 (male); Fri., Sat. & one day before hol. ¥4500 (female), ¥5500 (male); Sun. & Wed., free for women until 9pm. Sun.: Casual Night; Mon.: New Release; Tue.: Oldies' Night; Wed.: Ladies' Night; Thur.: Tokyo Go Night, DJ John Robinson; Fri.: Friday Madness; Sat.: Saturday Night Fever. 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. Thur.: Mimosa--ladies free, packed with young innocent (-looking) girls with suntan. 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).

Bulldog Former Drug Store. 4-2-4 Nishi Azabu (3409-8222).

Noose A cozy club in Nishi Azabu. Mainly acid jazz. ¥500. Tue.: DJ Mike McKenna & secret guests playing from hip-hop to jungle. B2, 1-4-7 Nishi Azabu (3478-4284).

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 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).

CLUBS

Crew Reggae club. Recommended is "Solid Gold Reggae Night" on 2nd Thur. (8pm) featuring original classic reggae and ska played by DJs Jeff Young (from the U.K.) and Double H (from Jamaica). ¥2000 (with one drink). 52 Togensha Bldg., 3F, 3-1-22 Nishi Azabu (3402-4661).

J.Men's Tokyo An all-gaijin male strip revue; shows 7, 8:30 & 10pm. Reservations required. From ¥4000. 4-2-4 Nishi Azabu (3409-7607).

Ring J-Trip Bar for adults. Cool decor. 8pm-midnight. ¥2500 (with two drinks). On Roppongi-dori from Nishi Azabu Crossing towards Roppongi. Kohama Bldg., 1 & 2F, 1-8-8 Nishi Azabu (5411-4300).

* Yellow The city's most progressive events and the sleepiest, most packed-in flock of adolescents. Tue.: Live Yellow. 2nd & 4th Fri.: Jazzin' (jazz/soul/funk). Sat.: World Connection (house). Others: Zero (techno), 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

* 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 DJ bar in Ebisu. 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).

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

Family Restaurant/bar/club with Jamaican, African and Japanese food. Lunch: 11:30am-2pm; bar: 6pm-5am. Reggae & soul live on Fri. & Sat. Shimizu Bldg., B1, 1-10-2 Shibuya (3400-9182).

* Feel Little club in Shibuya. Best night is Toby's techno gig on Thur. ¥2000 (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.: Shinichi 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 Expresso bar located on Aoyama-dori. 1 & 2F: bright expresso bar. 3 & 4F: bar (¥2000 entrance). 3-11-13 Minami Aoyama (3401-8165).

* Sad Cafe Almost 24-hr. café with DJs on Fri. & Sat., 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. ¥2500 (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).

Vagabond Off An Internet bar in Aoyama. Kita Aoyama Sangyo Bldg., 3F, 3-3-11 Kita Aoyama (5413-7523).

* 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).

What the Dickens Spacious (8m ceiling), lively British pub with hearty food and Guiness and Bass on tap. Roob 6 Bldg., 4F, 1-13-3 Ebisu Nishi (3780-2099).

CLUBS

Apollo Funky, funky. Featuring James Vyner's "The Right Touch" on Saturdays (acid jazz, Brazilian, hip hop). ¥2500 (with two drinks). Aoyama NH Bldg., B1, 3-2-4 Kita Aoyama (3478-6007).

* Blue Art and acid jazz. Intimate club. 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 Asia Run by A.M.B. and Mai-Thai group. Dance music and Asian pops. Internet is also available. ¥2500 (with two drinks). Fri. & Sat., 10pm-4am. 1-8 Maruyamacho, Shibuya-ku (5458-5963).

Club BCBG A complex of bar, karaoke and club. ¥2500 (with two drinks). 4-1-5 Minami Aoyama (3401-6969).

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

Dug Trendy club cashing in on the Internet boom. OZ City Bldg., 3F, 2-32-5 Jingu-mae (3423-7403).

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

Loop Cozy as somebody's apartment room. After hours on Sun. ¥2500 (with two drinks). B1, 2-1-13 Shibuya (3797-9933).

* 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).

Milk New kind of hard rock club combining the best of Tokyo's underground bands (Thur. & Fri.) with DJs and separate lounge areas. ¥3000 (with two drinks). Mon.: The Rock '70s-'90s. Tue.: Rock & Pops '60s-'70s. 1st Wed.: Junkadelic. Thur.: Alternaste. Fri.: Kaz & K.K. Roob 6 Bldg., B1 & B2, 1-13-3 Ebisu Nishi (5458-2826).

Mix Arty, smokey, crowded. Soul and reggae joint. 3-6-19 Kita Aoyama (3797-1313).

Organ Bar A groovy hangout in Shibuya. ¥2000 (with one drink). Kuretake Bldg., 3F, 4-9 Udagawacho (5489-5460).

* Pylon Aoyama's most fun club only open on Fri., midnight-5am; Sat., from 10pm. DJ "Dazzle-T" Komiya from J-Wave & guest DJs playing soul, funk, hip hop, jazz funk, reggae, etc. ¥2500 with two drinks (¥2000 with Tokyo Journal). For more info, call M-Plan (3465-1525). Omotesando Sta. In the same building as Wendy's, Le Deco, B1, 3-5-11 Kita Aoyama (3478-1870).

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. Fri. & Sat., ¥1000 (with one drink). 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. ¥2000 (with one drink). 2-15-26 Shinjuku (3358-2256).

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

Body Club with soul music in Akasaka. ¥2000 (men), ¥1000 (women) with one drink. Empolium Bldg., B2, 4-2-6 Akasaka (5570-5635).

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 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 Shirokane-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)

OTO Techno/house club in Shinjuku. Midnight-5am (opens as an event space SIDE/B 7pm-midnight). Mon.: all mix; Wed.: hip hop; Thur.: reggae; Fri.: house; Sat.: jazz groove. ¥2000 with two tickets (Fri. & Sat., ¥2500). After hours: Sun., 6am-noon. 1st, 3rd & 5th week: house; 2nd & 4th week: techno. ¥1000. 1-17-5-27 Kabukicho (5273-8264).

* 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).

Luna Chic Casino bar with DJ (Soul Systems) in Akasaka. Arai Bldg., 2F, 3-12-18 Akasaka (3585-0746).

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).

Volga Live blues and steaks. A supper club near Tokyo Tower which was formerly an ancient, groovy-looking Russian restaurant. Show: 9 & 11pm. 4/1-13: Gary Lucas. 3-5-14 Shiba Koen (3433-1766).