In Shibuya, near love-hotel hill, Club Asia recently opened with a bang, though a little behind schedule. It's a mixture of Thai food, Asian music and. . . Internet-linked computers? I guess these days everyone has to be online.

Maybe by next year we'll see a boom in Internet sushi bars? Well, I guess the concept is if you get tired of dancing, eating and drinking, you can download some Asian photos or whatever is your fancy. Interesting concept!

Up the street on the first floor of Dr. Jeekhan's, a new DJ bar called Wood & Stone just opened up. It's sort of like Bar, Isn't It?, but a lot nicer. There's no cover and the drinks are all 500 yen! Every other Saturday, DJ Rudy and his guests from On Your Face Productions liven up the all mixed up crowd. If you're lucky you can catch one of the surprise live blues performances. They also give you a plastic poker chip to toss into a fish tank. If you get it into one of the shot glasses, you get another drink free!

Twenty-four hours is, if not the record, one of the shortest-life span's for a Tokyo nightclub. Aoyama's Helios opened and closed in one night! Probably the shortest-lived nightclub in Tokyo's history. There were still people lining up the next night trying to get in, wondering if they were at the right place or not. At the pre-opening event, there were about 1000 people jammed into the place, champagne was flowing like water, and people were really enjoying having some space for a change. But when the clock struck midnight, the tenants from upstairs decided to call the cops, who mistakenly went next door to Blue to close them down. When they saw only a few dozen people over there, they realized they were at the wrong place. Overall, despite the quick shutdown, it was refreshing to see a new place, that will most likely never be opened as a club ever.

But dance clubs never die, they just relocate. Helios has started again as an event every Wednesday at a new location, Tesoro (designed by Matsui Masami), just down from Omotesando Citibank.

Across the street at Loop, the club with the killer smoke machine, club promoter Decca will be starting his weekly hip-hop event on Wednesdays. Decca is the one who packs up Velvet every Thursday with his Mimosa event. Now there is something to do in Tokyo on Wednesday nights past midnight when M-Carlo and Velfarre close.

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

SPECIAL EVENTS

The Ring Everybody-knows gay/mix party now at a new venue, Club Asia in Shibuya. Third Annual White Wedding Party. 4/27, 11pm, Club Asia. DJs Nao Nakamura, Take. ¥3500 (with two drinks). (5458-5963)

Katsu! A monthly event featuring poetry, music, live painting, photography, manga, etc. 4/28 & 5/26, 4-10pm, Moon Dance, Roppongi Sta. (3425-5148)

Front Line Yellow's house/hip hop event featuring DJ Feilong, Hazime, live by Shaka Zonbi. 5/1, 8pm, Yellow. ¥3000 with two drinks (¥2500 in adv.). Groove Guru Pro. (3354-0740).

Destroy Scracher Featuring DJs Alec Empire, Takkyu Ishino, Mood Man and live by Metalic To (from Audio Active), Merzbow, Anarchy &. 5/2, 10pm, Liquid Room. ¥3800 (in adv.). Liquid Room (3200-6831).

Tracks House events featuring DJ David Depino. 5/3 & 4, 9pm, Yellow. ¥3000 with two drinks (¥2500 with flyer). (3479-0690)

Cross Over Prepare yourself for excessively ecstatic conditions. Techno, laser lighting and the Master Blaster sound system. 5/4, 11pm, Club Asia. ¥3500 (with two drinks). DJs Shinkawa, Hamase, Phil Free. (5458-5963)

Mona Lisa X Women only. Salon party for adult women. 5/7, 9pm, Automatix. ¥2000 (with one welcome drink). (3358-2255)

Odyssey Trippy, trancey, techno. Very popular. 5/11, Speakeasy. ¥3500 (with one drink). (5410-0356)

Mona Lisa Pink Women only. 5/16, 8pm, Delight. Topless girl contest. DJs Rinda & Veisy. ¥2500 (with one drink). (3352-6297)

Yogi's Party Mother's Day house event. 5/19, 8pm, Tatou Tokyo. ¥2500 (with two drinks). DJs Yume, Take, O-chan. (5411-4433).

ROPPONGI

BARS

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 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 suntans. 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 décor. 8pm-midnight. ¥2500 (with two drinks). On Roppongi-dori from Nishi Azabu Crossing toward 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.: Yellow Classics (disco classics). 2nd Thur.: Distortion (techno). DJ Fumiya Tanaka. 4th Thur.: Loopa (techno). DJ Takkyu Ishino. 1st Fri.: Turbo (techno). 3rd Fri.: Club Lovely (hard bag--happy fast techno). DJ Nao Nakamura. Gay mix. 4th Fri.: Jazzin (jazz). Sat.: World Connection (house). Drop by for their complete calendar of events. 8pm-midnight. From Nishi Azabu Crossing go up Roppongi-dori, toward Roppongi, take third left. Roppongi. B2, 1-10-11 Nishi Azabu (3479-0690).

SHIBUYA & AREA

BARS

* Bar Aoyama Groovy, arty hangout 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 Espresso bar located on Aoyama-dori. 1 & 2F: bright espresso 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 with 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 funnest 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 décor. Shinjuku-nichome. Mixed on Sun. 2pm-5am. 2-4-17 Shinjuku (3356-5388).

* Atomage One floor under Automatix, Clockwork Orange-style weirdness and lounging. No cover weeknights. 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. Emporium 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 multilevel 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 Sun.: house; 2nd & 4th Sun.: 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. Shows: 9 & 11pm. 4/1-13: Gary Lucas. 3-5-14 Shiba Koen (3433-1766).