Tokyo After Dark - Tokyo - page 255

255

Japanese audience from twisting in the aisles as the night wears on. Hours are Monday
to Saturday from 6pm to 2:30am, Sunday and holidays from 6pm to midnight. (Also at
8-2-1 Ginza, on the 9th floor, & 03/3572-9161; and in east Shinjuku at 3-18-4
Shinjuku, on the 6th floor, & 03/3355-6477. ) Daini Reine Building, 5-3-1 Roppongi.
& 03/3401-5755. www.kentos-tokyo.jp. Cover ¥1,890 for men, ¥1,575 for women, plus 10%
service charge and 1-drink minimum. 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 is on the
right.
Liquidroom This is the most happening place in Ebisu (if not all of Tokyo) for live
events, with concerts, well-known DJs, and stage events most nights of the week. Lots of
groups kick off their world tours here, in a huge, cavernous room where the energy is so
pervasive that the floor vibrates. On the second floor is Time Out Café & Diner, open
Monday to Friday noon to midnight or later, Saturday 1pm to 5am, and Sunday from 3
to 10pm. Liquidroom usually opens around 6pm, with live events from about 7 to 10pm
or later. 3-16-6 Higashi. & 03/5464-0800. www.liquidroom.net. Cover ¥3,000-¥6,000, depend-
ing on the event. Station: Ebisu (3 min.). Take the west exit, cross Komazawa Dori and turn
right, and then turn left at Meiji Dori; it will be almost immediately on your left.
New York Bar This is one of Tokyo's most sophisticated venues, boasting Manhattan-
style jazz and breathtaking views of glittering west Shinjuku. Unfortunately, it's also one
of the city's smallest. Consider coming for dinner in the adjacent New York Grill
(p. 143); it costs a small fortune, but you'll save the cost of the cover. Hours are daily
from 5pm, with live music 8pm to midnight (from 7pm on Sun). Park Hyatt Hotel, 52nd
floor, 3-7-1-2 Nishi-Shinjuku. & 03/5322-1234. http://tokyo.park.hyatt.com. Cover ¥2,000. Sta-
tion: Shinjuku (13 min.), Hatsudai on the Keio Line (7 min.), or Tochomae (8 min.).
The Ruby Room I've seen living rooms larger than this second-floor venue, home to
local acts, open-mic Tuesdays (with a 1-drink minimum), house and techno DJs, and
other events. The crowd depends on the music, but because there's no room to move,
people dance where they are. The band is close, close, close—any closer and you'd be in
the drummer's lap. Open Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 7pm or later,
depending on the event (some concerts get underway at midnight), until 5am. 2-25-17
Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku. & 03/3780-3022. www.rubyroomtokyo.com. Cover ¥1,500-¥2,000 Fri-
Sat only, including 1 drink. Station: Shibuya (Hachiko exit, 4 min.). Walk on Dogenzaka to the
Prime Building and Royal Host and take the 1st right; keep to the left at the Y intersection.
Shinjuku Pit Inn This is one of Tokyo's most famous and longest-running jazz,
fusion, and blues clubs, featuring both Japanese and foreign musicians. There are two
programs daily—from 2:30 to 5pm and from 7:30 or 8pm—making it a great place to
stop for a bit of music in the middle of the day. 2-12-4 Shinjuku. & 03/3354-2024. www.
pit-inn.com. Cover, including 1 drink, ¥1,300 for the 2:30pm show (¥2,500 Sat-Sun and holi-
days), ¥3,000 for the evening shows. Station: Shinjuku Sanchome (3 min.). Northeast of the
Shinjuku Dori/Meiji Dori intersection.
STB 139 Popular with well-heeled Japanese, this classy venue in a modern brick build-
ing offers a wide range of musical entertainment, from jazz and classical to fusion, Latin,
nostalgia, R&B, and Japanese pop, performed mostly by Japanese talent. Open daily
from 6 to 11pm, with most shows starting at 7:30 or 8pm. Most people dine here as well:
The menu features seafood, pasta, and lighter fare. 6-7-11 Roppongi. & 03/5474-0139.

10