Osaka · Nightlife

The canal strip south of Shinsaibashi is Osaka's neon centrepiece and is best after dark. One block south, Hozenji Yokocho is two stone-paved lanes of small bars and kappo counters around a moss-covered Fudo statue — quiet and pricier the moment you step off the canal.

The grid of backstreets between Namba station and Sennichimae, packed with small standing bars and izakaya that open late afternoon and fill up after work. Cheaper and more local than Dotonbori; most places are counter-only and cash is still useful.

Minoh Beer's own bar in Tenma, one of the Osaka brewery's three directly run outlets. Tenma itself is a dense run of cheap izakaya either side of the JR Osaka Loop Line station and is the easiest place in the city to drink well on very little.

A small club on the second floor of a building in Nishi-Shinsaibashi, booking house and techno and running to early morning. Photo ID is required at the door and under-20s are not admitted to events starting at 22:00 or later.

A basement live house in Namba-naka that has been the home of Osaka's underground and punk scene for decades. Tiny room, early start times as at most Japanese live houses, and a drink charge on top of the ticket.