Tokyo’s Top Gay Bar Scene
Nichome, Tokyo’s gayborhood in the heart of busy Shinjuku, mere minutes from the busiest commuting railway station in the world, is Asia’s gay bar capital. In just five blocks of this Tokyo ward, there are over 300 gay bars and clubs. While we cannot give an exhaustive list of all 300, Japan Gay Guide is proud to present a list of ten gay bars that visitors to Nichome, Shinjuku, should know about.
Top 10 Gay Bars in Shinjuku Nichome
King Tokyo
One of the most welcoming gay bars there is, King Tokyo is open for people of any sexuality, and is a prime spot to meet people familiar with Shinjuku’s gay scene. With an all-you-can-drink option for those who arrive early, it is great value for money, and it’s central location makes it a perfect place to have a few drinks and make some friends before heading out to a club.
King Tokyo has friendly staff and attracts a diverse crowd of Japanese and foreigners, whether tourists or regulars.
Eagle Tokyo Blue
A highlight for many regular visitors to Nichome, as well as LGBTQ tourists who have limited time, Eagle Tokyo Blue is a gay bar that throws some of the most exciting events on the gay calendar, including major drag shows and parties. It even has a shop to get souvenirs of your time here! A terrific place for gay and bisexual men to spread their wings. Its dark and neon blue interior has attracted a number of celebrities, including Lil Nas X.
If anyone if interested in seeing drag shows in Nichome, do not miss this article below!
Dragon Men
Probably the first bar you’ll see as you enter Nichome proper, Dragon Men is famous for its regular gogo boy dancers, and for featuring live DJs to get patrons moving into the late hours.
Dragon Men is popular both among tourists and locals. It has a ¥2,000 entry fee, but this includes two drinks for men and one drink for women. While it is a bar on weeknights, at the weekend it shifts into more of a club vibe, so you’ll get a different experience depending on when you go.
AiiRO Cafe
Although it’s called a “cafe”, AiiRO is a tachinomi (standing bar) that has extremely good drinks deals, with a ¥1,000 all-you-can-drink nomihodai deal, and delicious, affordable cocktails.
AiiRO Cafe enjoys a reputation as one of the most welcoming bars in all of Nichome. The inside is small and intimate, but drinkers can also head outside for more space. Clearly identifiable be it’s rainbow torii shrine gate, it’s worth making the pilgrimage.
Asazuba Tokyo
Asazuba is distinguished by opening at 6am and closing at 1pm. This makes it the perfect option for people who are getting off a night shift or whose night isn’t finished yet – even if the clubs have closed.
Known for having a crowd that skews a little younger – partly because the youth can keep partying at 6am, sleep be damned – it is also a karaoke bar, meaning it’s a good choice if you’re looking to exercize your lungs in the morning.
Rocinante
Found on the third floor of a residential building, Rocinante sets itself apart from other establishments thanks to its exotic drinks and regular live music, with visiting musicians often playing on the bar’s piano.
The staff are extremely friendly, and eager to engage in conversation with guests. It has a relaxed, almost home-like atmosphere that aspires to be a pansexual, all-gender haven for anyone.
Read this article for more themed gay bars in Nichome!
Bar Gold Finger
Widely regarded as THE lesbian bar in Nichome, Bar Gold Finger primarily caters to women, with Saturday being explicitly women-only. Though men are allowed on other nights, they will be in the minority, making this a deeply relaxing place for ladies.
Bar Gold Finger regularly puts on special events to specifically cater to lesbians, bisexual women and transgender people. It also has a unique drinks deal where the more shots you buy, the cheaper they become.
If you want to know more about Bar Gold Finger, check out this article!
G-Pit
A small and intimate bar, G-Pit was started by a female-to-male transgender man, but prides itself on being welcoming to all, regardless of gender or sexual identity. Although it is naturally popular among transgender people, it sees itself as a great place for people to visit with their partner, to have a quick drink on their own, or to unwind with colleagues after work.
Visitors will first be struck by the plethora of superhero art on display, with the big Spider-man statue on the outside being a particular highlight. This is definitely a spot that welcomes comics nerds!
Stairways of Heaven
There are plenty of gay bars for Tokyo’s anglophone communities, but Stairways of Heaven sets itself apart from the crowd by catering not just to gay men, but specifically markets itself towards Tokyo’s Korean population. That being said, all are welcome, no matter your national background.
Visitors rave about the bar’s owner, and how friendly and welcoming he is. It’s not unusual for regulars to describe the bar, the landlord, and other patrons as being like family.
Bar Private
A snack bar that offers shot service and bottle service, where you can keep your bottle behind the bar and come back to it at another time. As a gay bar looking to cultivate a cool vibe, there are discounts for LGBTQ people, as well as a further discount for drinkers under the age of 25.
For a ¥300 fee, you can take part in all-you-can-song karaoke. Locals and regular visitors to Nichome highlight the host’s kindness, and many first-timers report becoming regulars.
The Journey Has Just Begun
Some of these bars are well-known, popular spots, some are a little more obscure, but no matter which of them you visit, you’re sure to have a great time. And if you get tired of these ten? Don’t worry: you have 290 to go!
Make sure to check this article below for the best gay spots in Shinjuku Nichome!
For more places to visit in Shinjuku Nichome, check out the article below!
