Tokyo’s nightlife is known as some of the best in the world, offering a mix of the old and the new. One moment you can be sipping sake in a centuries-old izakaya bar and next, enjoying the energy of a futuristic club. With countless bars, clubs, and eateries, every night in Tokyo is an opportunity to explore a new side of the city.
In this guide, I describe Tokyo’s 3 main nightlife districts as well as 12 of the best clubs and bars. Each venue has a unique element that makes it stand out, so you’ll have a good variety of places to choose from to match whatever night you’re in the mood for.
Tokyo’s 3 Nightlife Districts
The majority of Tokyo’s nightlife venues are located in 3 districts: Shibuya, Shinjuku and Roppongi. Since they are on average about 4 km (2.5 mi) apart, traveling between between them is best done by train or metro. Travel times range from 5 to 15 minutes depending on your starting point and destination.
Shinjuku
Shinjuku’s nightlife is lively and varied, ranging from tiny backstreets filled with unique themed bars, to ultra-modern multi-floor nightclubs. Finding somewhere to eat is easy, as there are over 8,000 restaurants serving everything from ramen to Michelin-starred cuisine.
Within Shinjuku, you’ll also find:
- Kabukicho: Tokyo’s most well-known red light district and one of the most vibrant parts of Shinjuku.
- Golden Gai: A maze of streets where you’ll find all kinds of late-night bars and cozy izakayas.
- Shinjuku Ni-Chome: Tokyo’s gay district.
The district is located west of downtown Tokyo. Getting there from other parts of Tokyo is easy thanks to Shinjuku Station, which is well connected to numerous train and metro lines.
Shibuya
Shibuya’s neon-lit streets feature the Shibuya Crossing, known as the world’s busiest pedestrian intersection. The district is particularly popular with tourists and young Tokyo clubbers, making it a hub for dance music.
However, it’s also home to pockets of smaller, more intimate bars and restaurants. For example, Nonbei Yokocho is a series of winding, lantern-lit streets filled with an good selection of izakayas and bars.
The district is located 3.5 km (2.2 mi) south of Shinjuku in the southwestern part of central Tokyo. It has convenient transport links via Shibuya Station.
Roppongi
Roppongi’s nightlife has become more fancy recently, meaning you’ll now find lots of stylish and trendy bars. A diverse mix of locals and tourists parties together in some of Tokyo’s most most well-known clubs here. English is also widely spoken in this district, so it should be easy to make yourself understood.
Roppongi is located 5 km (3.1 mi) east of Shibuya, and west of central Tokyo. Roppongi Station provides convenient transport to other parts of the city.
6 of Tokyo’s Best Clubs
Tokyo’s nightclub scene is pretty epic. Music-wise, you’re likely to hear EDM the most often, but hip-hop and chart hits are also popular. Some venues can fit over 1,000 people and many have multiple floors, so you can explore and pick your favorite.
Clubs tend to reach peak vibes between midnight and 3 am, and the party will often continue until the sun comes up.
You might be wondering how to get back to your hotel after Tokyo’s trains stop running just after midnight. Your best bet is to either take a cab, or just keep partying until 5 am when the trains run again.
Baia
Baia is a huge club that’s set over four levels. You can shake your booty on one of the distinctive turquoise-lit dance floors, and there’s also an area where you can enjoy a karaoke session or chill in the VIP zone. To make the most of a warm Tokyo evening, there’s a rooftop where you can sip on one of the club’s cocktails.
The playlist at Baia is mostly hip-hop, with the occasional techno night thrown into the mix. Because the club can fit up to 1,000 people, it’s ideal if you’re going out in a group. It’s only 5 minutes from Shibuya station on foot, so no need to worry about wearing comfortable shoes!
District: Shibuya
Open: Wednesday to Saturday from 23.00 to 05.00
Website: https://baiatokyo.com/
Ce La Vi Club Lounge
Ce La Vi takes up the 17th and 18th floors of the Tokyu Plaza Shibuya. It includes two restaurants, plus the exclusive Club Lounge nightclub, all of which have amazing views over the famous Shibuya Crossing and the Tokyo skyline.
The Club Lounge isn’t huge, but this gives it an exclusive feel. The visuals of the club are incredible, with lights and lasers spinning all around making you feel fully immersed in the moment. You can stay indoors where the music’s at its loudest or step out onto the rooftop to dance.
Weekday entry is 2,500 JPY (∼$16) for men and 1,500 JPY (∼$9.50) for women, Fridays and Saturdays cost 3,500 JPY (∼$22) for men and 2,500 JPY (∼$16) for women.
District: Shibuya
Open: Tuesday to Saturday from 22.00 to 04.00
Website: https://www.celavi.com/en/tokyo/
Zerotokyo
Across Zerotokyo’s three main floors (the R Bar, the Z Lounge, and the Z Hall) every kind of music imaginable is played at dedicated club nights. You can expect EDM, hip-hop, techno, house, and Latin nights. The sound system is impressive, with over 100 speakers on each floor, and the constantly changing lights and pictures help to create a full-on clubbing experience.
Zerotokyo is just 1 minute from Seibu Shinjuku Station on foot or 7 minutes from Shinjuku Station. Cover charges vary, but range from 1,500-2,000 JPY (∼$9.50-13) on cheaper nights to 3,500+ JPY (∼$22+) at weekends.
District: Kabukicho, Shinjuku
Open: Thursday to Sunday from either 23.00 or 00.00 to 05.00
Website: https://zerotokyo.jp/en/
V2 Tokyo
V2 Tokyo is conveniently located in the Tower of Vabel building, just a block away from Roppongi Station. It’s the largest club in Roppongi district and is spread over two main floors – one for dancing and the other for lounging. A giant chandelier adds a feeling of luxury, while the lighting system and confetti showers create the party atmosphere.
In terms of music, V2 Tokyo is ideal if you like a little bit of everything. The main floor is usually EDM, but you’ll also hear hip-hop and chart-toppers. There’s no cover charge for women. Men pay 2,000 JPY (∼$13) on weekdays (including 1 drink) and 4,000 JPY (∼$25.50) on weekends (including 2 drinks).
District: Roppongi
Open: Daily from 21.00 to 05.00
Website: https://www.v2tokyo.com/en
TK Nightclub
TK Nightclub is a 3-minute walk away from Shibuya Station. Other popular nightspots like Camelot and Vizel are within a couple of blocks if you want to hit up multiple clubs in one night. Unlike many of Tokyo’s venues, the 1,000-person TK Nightclub is all on one floor, creating an epic atmosphere with hundreds of people dancing all at once.
TK Nightclub plays mainly current chart hits and EDM. The crowd is a mix of Japanese and international clubbers, so you can expect staff to speak some English. Entry fees are reasonable, with weekday prices 500 JPY (∼$3) for women and 900-2000 JPY (∼$6-13) for men, and weekends 1,000 JPY (∼$6) for women and 2,000-3,500 JPY (∼$13-22) for men.
District: Shibuya
Open: Daily from 22.00 to 04.30
Website: https://tk-nightclub.com/
Club Harlem
Club Harlem has been around for over 25 years and has earned a reputation as one of Tokyo’s best underground hip-hop clubs. You can expect mostly Japanese DJs with the occasional international guest DJ dropping in. Club Harlem has two floors – the main floor is where the dancing happens and the BX Cafe upstairs is a little quieter, making it ideal for chatting and drinking with friends.
There are regular club nights throughout the week – more details and event listings are available on the Harlem website below. If you want the VIP experience, unlike in many other Tokyo clubs, there is no table charge – instead they have a minimum spend of between 60,000 and 130,000 JPY (∼$380-830) per 6-12 person table.
District: Shibuya
Open: From Tuesday to Sunday from 22.00 – closing times vary
Website: http://www.harlem.co.jp/index.html
6 of Tokyo’s Best Bars
Tokyo has a wide variety of bar themes and atmospheres. Exploring the city, you’ll discover (amongst others) speakeasies serving luxury cocktails, tiny four-person izakayas, Japanese craft beer bars, and an abundance of karaoke options.
Sake Market Shinjuku
Sake Shinjuku describes itself as a ‘sake theme park’ – sounds pretty good, right? As you can imagine, you’ll find a wide range of different sakes to try, but also fruit and plum wines, and shochu (a distilled Japanese liquor).
The concept of Sake Market Shinjuku is a fixed-price all-you-can-taste experience in a simple, but comfortable setting. Pay 1,500 JPY (∼$9.50) for 30 minutes of tasting, 2,500 JPY (∼$16) for 90 minutes, or – if you’re feeling brave – 3,600 JPY (∼$23) for 5 hours of unlimited drinking. To keep costs down, Sake Market invites you to bring your own food, or you can even order in delivery.
District: Shinjuku
Open: Monday to Friday from 18.00 to 23.00, Saturdays and Sundays from 12.00 to 16.00 and 18.00 to 23.00
Website: https://sakemarket.tokyo/
Bar Trench
You’ll find Bar Trench down an unassuming side street about a 3-minute walk from Ebisu Station. Trench specializes in craft cocktails made using herbal drinks and, occasionally, absinthe. It’s a classic and elegant-looking place that feels inviting – kind of like being in a retro railway carriage.
It’s a tiny bar with only 13 seats, so Bar Trench only accepts groups of up to 4 people. But, a benefit to it being so small is you can expect attentive and personal service from the expert bartenders who are happy to create custom cocktails based on your favorite drinks. Cocktails range from 1,800 to 2,100 JPY (∼$11.50-13.50).
District: Ebisu, Shibuya
Open: Daily from 18.00 to 02.00
Website: https://small-axe.net/bar-trench/
Deathmatch in Hell
Deathmatch in Hell isn’t a name you’re likely to forget! It’s perfect if you like your music heavy and your movies gory, as it’s dedicated to metal music and horror movies. Like many of Golden Gai’s bars, Deathmatch in Hell is small. But, if you can get in, you’re likely to meet a mostly international crowd of metal-heads.
The price of all drinks is 666 JPY (∼$4.25) and there’s a nice selection of Japanese whiskeys which, at this price, are a steal. There’s no cover charge, but also no toilet – but you can use the public restrooms nearby.
District: Golden Gai, Shinjuku
Open: Daily from 20.00 to 03.00
Website: https://www.instagram.com/deathmatchinhell/
Goodbeer Faucets
Goodbeer Faucets specializes in Japanese craft beers. Outside the country, Japanese breweries are still relatively unknown, so having a Tokyo bar showcasing them is a real selling point, because it’s unlikely you’ll have come across so many in one place before.
Goodbeer Faucets is located above a Family Mart convenience store on the edge of the residential district of Shoto in Shibuya. You’ll find 40 beers on draft and at least 60 more bottled or canned brews, mainly from Japan and the USA. Menus are available in English and all staff are multi-lingual. Prices are on the expensive side, but this is quite normal for Japanese craft beer.
District: Shibuya
Open: Monday to Friday from 16.00 to 23.30, Saturday from 12.00 to 23.30, Sunday from 12.00 to 22.30
Website: https://goodbeerfaucets.jp/
H2 International Bar
H2 International Bar is definitely one to consider if you’re looking for a sociable night in Tokyo. As it’s visited by locals, expats, and international travelers, you never quite know who you’ll meet, but that’s half the fun.
H2 covers all bases entertainment-wise, offering karaoke and shisha pipes, as well as showing international sports matches. Musically, you might hear anything from soul to salsa and Latin to rock. It’s one of those places you can imagine visiting as you begin your night, or on your way home from the club. There’s no cover charge and drinks are cheap.
District: Shinjuku
Open: Daily from 20.00 to 05.00
Website: https://www.instagram.com/h2internationalbar/
Art Bar Shutendoji
If you’re looking for something different, Art Bar Shutendoji is a cool place to try. According to legend, Shuten-doji was a monk who drank huge amounts of sake while wearing a demon mask. The mask became stuck and he was chased away, eventually becoming a real human-eating demon.
Art Bar Shutendoji displays art influenced by this horror story and other legends, combining it with sake, socializing, and karaoke. This unusual concept appeals to locals as well as travelers, so you’ll meet a mixed crowd in this English-speaking bar.
It’s only 500 JPY ($3) for your first beer and there is no cover charge.
District: Kabukicho, Shinjuku
Open: Daily from 18.00 to 04.00
Website: https://shuten-doji.com/
Conclusion and Summary
As you can see, you’ll have plenty of nightlife options when visiting Tokyo. Whether you choose to party while enjoying panoramic views over Tokyo, or to enjoy a chill evening of craft beer, I hope you have a fantastic time in Japan’s capital city! 🙂