Tokyo After Dark - Tokyo - page 254

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Body & Soul Since 1974, this low-ceilinged, tiny but cozy basement club with only
a few tables and a long bar gives everyone a good view of its mostly jazz performances by
Japanese and foreign musicians. Hours are Monday to Saturday 7pm to midnight, with
performances at 8:30 and 10:20pm. 6-13-9 Minami Aoyama. & 03/5466-3348. www.bodyand
soul.co.jp. Cover ¥3,500-¥4,000 for most sets; ¥5,000 and up for 2 sets. Station: Omotesando
(7 min.). On the other side of Roppongi Dori across from Eneos gas station, down a side street
and to the left.
Cavern Club If you know your Beatles history, you'll know Cavern is the name of the
Liverpool club where the Fab Four got their start. The Tokyo club features Beatles
memorabilia and house bands performing Beatles music exclusively—and very convinc-
ingly at that. Extremely popular with Japanese and foreigners alike, it's packed on week-
ends—expect long lines, or call to reserve a table. Hours are Monday to Saturday 6pm
to 2:30am (music begins at 7:30pm), Sunday and holidays 6pm to midnight. 5-3-2 Rop-
pongi. & 03/3405-5207. Cover ¥1,890 for men, ¥1,575 for women, plus a 1-drink minimum and
10% service charge. Station: Roppongi (4 min.). Take the side street going downhill on the left
side of Almond Coffee Shop, and then take the 1st left; the club will be on the right.
Cotton Club This cool venue is the best proof yet that Marunouchi, which already
boasts new skyscrapers, hotels, and designer shops, is on its way to becoming an urban
destination. Taking its name from Harlem's legendary establishment and attracting well-
heeled business types, this sophisticated supper club, ensconced on the second floor of
an office building, offers a wide range of musical entertainment, from traditional and
fusion jazz to salsa and modern Hawaiian music, performed by trios, quartets, bands,
solo guitarists, and vocalists. Past performers include Rickie Lee Jones, Rita Coolidge,
and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. There are usually two seatings, at 7 and 9:30pm (5
and 8pm Sun and holidays). 2-7-3 Marunouchi. & 03/3215-1555. www.cottonclubjapan.co.
jp. Cover ¥5,000-¥8,400 for most performances. Station: Tokyo (Marunouchi south exit, 2 min.).
Behind (south of ) the Central Post Office.
Crocodile Popular with a young Japanese crowd, the eclectic Crocodile describes
itself as a casual rock-'n'-roll club, with live bands ranging from rock and blues to jazz-
fusion, reggae, soul, experimental, and even country and Hawaiian. It's a good place to
check out new Japanese bands; on the fourth Friday of the month, the Tokyo Comedy
Store (www.tokyocomedy.com) provides more than 2 hours of live stand-up and improv
comedy in English. The club has an interesting interior and a good, laid-back atmo-
sphere. Open daily 6pm to 2am; performances start around 8pm. 6-18-8 Jingumae.
& 03/3499-5205. www.crocodile-live.jp. Cover ¥2,000-¥3,000, occasionally more for big acts.
Station: Meiji-Jingumae or Shibuya (10 min.). On Meiji Dori halfway btw. Harajuku and Shibuya.
JZ Brat This hotel club promotes both domestic and international jazz performers,
including many vocalists, in a breezy setting reminiscent of the '60s. Open Monday to
Saturday 5:30 to 11pm. Sometimes closed for private events (call first). Music starts at
7:30pm. Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, 26-1 Sakurgaoka-cho. & 03/5728-0168. www.jzbrat.com.
Cover ¥4,200-¥5,250 for most bands. Station: Shibuya (5 min.).
Kento's Kento's was one of the first places to open when the wave of 1950s nostalgia
hit Japan in the 1980s; it has even been credited with creating the craze. This is the place
to come if you feel like bopping the night away to tunes of the 1950s and 1960s played
by live bands. Although there's hardly room to dance, that doesn't stop the largely over-30

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