Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
station; map pp.90-91.
This small, cosy club hosts DJs who
veer towards breakbeats. Electronica, ambient and abstract
tracks can be heard on other nights as well as good old rock
and pop. Entry around ¥2000.
Events most nights.
Muse
ϛϡʔζ
B1 4-1-1 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku
T
03
5467 1188,
W
muse-web.com; Roppongi station; map
pp.90-91.
A pick-up joint, but an imaginatively designed
one, with lots of interesting little rooms to explore or
canoodle in. The dancefloor at the back gets packed at
weekends, when they mostly play r'n'b. Free entry weekdays,
weekends ¥3000; women usually free.
Closed Mon.
Ì
SuperDeluxe
εʔύʔσϥοΫε
B1F 3-1-25
Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku
T
03 5412 0515,
W
super
-deluxe.com; Roppongi station; map pp.90-91.
Billing
itself as a place for “thinking, drinking people”, this club
hosts a brilliant range of arty events - anything from live
music performances and album launches to the monthly
PechaKucha nights (see box below), a showcase for Tokyo's
creative community.
Events most nights.
map p.115.
A mainstay of the clubbing scene, with the
emphasis on techno and trance nights, though they
occasionally wander into other territories such as reggae
and new wave. It's in the heart of the Dōgenzaka love
hotel district, and a popular place for one-off gigs by
visiting DJs. Entry usually ¥3000 plus a drink.
Open Fri &
Sat, and sometimes Sun & Thurs.
Gas Panic
ΨεύχοΫ
B1 21-7 Udagawachō,
Shibuya-ku
T
03 3462 9099,
W
gaspanic.co.jp; Shibuya
station; map p.115.
For many a year, the various
Gas Panic
clubs have, between them, constituted Tokyo's meat
markets, with this one now the biggie. Free entry, cheap
drinks, and lots of youngsters (both Japanese and foreign)
doing things their parents wouldn't be proud of. Free entry.
Daily 6pm-late.
Le Baron
Ϩόϩϯ
B1 Aoyama Center Bldg, 3-8-40
Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku
T
03 3408 3665,
W
lebaron
.jp; Omotesandō station; map p.113.
Top Aussie designer
Marc Newson had a hand in creating this luxury nocturnal
playground for the fabulous and well-heeled. Includes
four private rooms (¥3000 per hour per person) where
you can croon karaoke as you knock back the Dom.
Events
most nights.
Microcosmos
ϛοΫϩίεϞε
2-23-12 Dōgenzaka,
Shibuya-ku
T
03 5784 5496,
W
microcosmos-tokyo
.com; Shibuya station; map p.115.
A good example of
the new breed of Tokyo club, this chic dance space has a
relaxed vibe, and tends to draw a sophisticated crowd.
Music ranges across the spectrum from reggae and hip-hop
to electro and techno. Usually ¥2500 with a drink.
Open
Fri, Sat & sometimes Sun.
The Ruby Room
ϧϏʔϧʔϜ
2-25-17 Dōgenzaka,
Shibuya-ku
T
03 3780 3022,
W
rubyroomtokyo.com;
Shibuya station; map p.115.
Cosy, unpretentious cocktail
bar/club with frequent live music. Their open-mic night on
Tuesdays (from 7pm) is a long-running affair that attracts
a diverse crowd and throws up some talented performers.
Events most nights.
EBISU, MEGURO AND THE SOUTH
Air
ΤʔΞ
B1 Hikawa Building, 2-11 Sarugaku-chō,
Shibuya-ku
T
03 5784 3386,
W
air-tokyo.com; Shibuya
station; map pp.100-101.
South of Shibuya station on
the way to Daikanyama, this eclectic club has a great sound
system and gets big name DJs. Enter through
Nomad
restaurant, itself a decent place to eat. Entry ¥2500 or
more.
Daily except Wed.
Ì
Unit
Ϣʔχοτ
Za-House Bldg, 1-34-17 Ebisu-
Nishi, Shibuya-ku
T
03 5459 8630,
W
unit-tokyo.com
;
Ebisu or Daikanyama stations; map pp.100-101.
DJ
events and gigs from an interesting mix of artists and
bands at this cool three-floor club, café and lounge bar.
Events most nights.
16
HARAJUKU, AOYAMA AND SHIBUYA
Club Asia
ΫϥϒΞγΞ
1-8 Maruyamachō, Shibuya-ku
T
03 5458 2551,
W
clubasia.co.jp; Shibuya station;
PECHAKUCHA NIGHT
It started in 2003 as an idea to bring people to a new “creative art” basement venue called
SuperDeluxe
(see above) in the then pre-Roppongi Art Triangle days, but in a few short years
PechaKucha Night
(
W
pechakucha.org) became a worldwide
phenomenon
- it has now
spread to over 700 cities and counting. Co-created by Tokyo-based architects Astrid Klein and
Mark Dytham (KDa), the presentation format - 20 images shown for 20 seconds each, with the
exhibit or talking along in time - keeps participants on their toes, often forcing funny ad-lib
moments due to the high pace. More importantly it acts as a platform for these creators to
share their ideas. PechaKucha (“chit-chat”) has ended up being the perfect platform for Tokyo's
young, up-and-coming creators
who would never previously have had a place to share
their works in front of a large audience. Similar forums - events that manage to bring together
a good mix of Japanese and non-Japanese participants - are a feature of both
Café Pause
(see p.103) and the
Pink Cow
(see p.170), while PechaKucha usually takes place at
SuperDeluxe
on the last Wednesday of each month.
