Tokyo After Dark - Tokyo - page 262

262 Tower on Gaien-Higashi Dori, turning left at the diagonal street Ryudocho Bijitsukan-dori

(across from Tokyo Midtown); it will be on your left.
Gaspanic Bar This has long been the bar for foreign and Japanese 20-somethings.
The music is loud, and after midnight the place gets so crowded that you may see female
patrons dancing on the countertops. Thursdays are especially packed—all drinks are only
¥500. Drinks are also just ¥500 daily during happy hour to 9:30pm. In the basement is
Club 99, open Thursday to Saturday for dancing. Nearby, Gaspanic Club, on Gaien-
Higashi Dori, across from the Roi Building at 3-10-5 Roppongi ( & 03/3402-7054 ), is
open daily 6pm to 5am for dancing. All offer the same Thursday and happy-hour drink
specials. Large bouncers at all the doors serve as clues that these places can get rough.
Hours are daily 6pm to 5am. 3-15-24 Roppongi. & 03/3405-0633. Station: Roppongi (4 min.).
From Roppongi Crossing, walk toward Tokyo Tower on Gaien-Higashi Dori, and turn left at
Family Mart.
Geronimo Shot Bar People either seem to love or hate this place. It's tiny, domi-
nated by a bar in the middle that's surrounded by people who come to drink, dance, and
socialize. If the gong sounds, it means someone has bought a shot for everyone there, and
this happens more than you might think. Happy hour is until 9pm. Open Monday to
Friday 6pm to 5am, Saturday and Sunday 7pm to 5am. 7-14-10 Roppongi. & 03/3478-
7449. www.geronimoshotbar.com. Station: Roppongi (1 min.). On Roppongi Crossing, across
from Almond Coffee Shop.
Hard Rock Cafe If you like your music loud, the Hard Rock Cafe is the place for you.
The outside is easily recognizable by King Kong scaling a wall; the inside looks like a
modern yuppie version of the local hamburger joint, except, of course, there's the added
attraction of all that rock-'n'-roll paraphernalia. Happy hour is Monday to Friday 4 to
7pm. Hours are Sunday to Thursday from 11:30am to 2am, Friday and Saturday from
11:30am to 4am. 5-4-20 Roppongi. & 03/3408-7018. www.hardrockjapan.com. Station: Rop-
pongi (3 min.). From Roppongi Crossing, walk toward Tokyo Tower on Gaien-Higashi Dori and
turn right at McDonald's.
Heartland This is the New Age reincarnation of a former popular dive, occupying a
corner of Roppongi Hills and attracting crowds of mostly expats, from bankers and
investors to artistic types. Artwork not only fills the walls but also is projected onto a
curved wall behind the bar that acts as a screen. Seating is limited, forcing people to mill
around as though it were a private cocktail reception every night of the week, and a DJ
on weekends keeps things hopping. What to order? Try the bar's own Heartland micro-
brew (produced by Kirin). Hours are daily 5pm to 4am. 6-10-1 Roppongi. & 03/5772-7600.
www.heartland.jp. Station: Roppongi (3 min.). From Roppongi Crossing, walk on Roppongi
Dori to the end of Roppongi Hills; it will be on the left.
Legends Sports Bar & Grill Five screens broadcast all the biggest sporting events,
including sumo, rugby, soccer, and U.S. sports. Happy hour is limited to 5 to 7pm
Monday to Friday, so let's hope your team wins. Otherwise, take solace in the substantial
food menu of burgers, sandwiches, and other fare. It's open Sunday to Friday 5pm to
2am, Saturday 2pm to 3am or later. 3-16-33 Roppongi. & 03/3589-3304. www.legendsports.
jp. Station: Roppongi (6 min.). From Roppongi Crossing, walk on Gaien-Higashi Dori toward
Tokyo Tower; it will be on your left.
Mogambo Sister bar to Geronimo Shot Bar (see above), this jungle-themed bar (with
the motto, “because it's a jungle out there”) is similarly small, with a bar at its center and

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