Tokyo · Nightlife

Six narrow alleys holding around 300 bars, most seating six to ten people, north-east of Shinjuku station behind Hanazono Shrine. Many charge a seat fee on top of drinks and some are effectively members-only; the ones posting an English sign and their charge are the safe first stop.

Tokyo's LGBTQ+ district, a few blocks of several hundred tiny bars concentrated around Naka-dori, a short walk east of Shinjuku-sanchome station. Bars here are specific about who they cater to; several near the main crossing are explicitly mixed and used to visitors.

A multi-floor club in Maruyama-cho off Dogenzaka in Shibuya, and still the main room in the city for techno and house. Listed events typically run from 22:30 or 23:00 until around 4:30; bring photo ID.

The Minami-Aoyama jazz club, generally two seated sets a night with international headliners — the 2026 schedule runs to names like Joshua Redman and Gary Bartz. Reserve online or on 03-5485-0088; a table plus the music charge makes it one of the pricier nights in Tokyo.

Hideaki Ueno's Ginza cocktail bar: no menu, and no reservations since 2015 — you describe what you like and the bartender builds it. Completely non-smoking since April 2020. You can only phone ahead to ask whether there is a seat.