Even on a Tuesday, Alamas Cafe is not wanting for customers. Despite its small size, this artsy cafe in Shinjuku Nichome is like a concentrated ball of energy. Even on a rainy day, walking into the cozy space hits you with pounding pop music and an assortment of colorful hanging light fixtures. In a neighborhood chock-full of venues special to various groups of people for various reasons, this cafe is a staple that’s enjoyed by anyone and everyone who wants to grab a drink and a quick dinner.
Upon stepping inside, you are immediately greeted by the warm smiles of the welcoming staff, and the feeling that the night has some potential for fun. The cashiers and servers working here do not have the attitude of the customer being better than them, but simply the general air of a good friend serving you a drink.
Mexican Food That’s Surprisingly Good
The menu consists of a variety of Mexican dishes such as tacos with a choice of chicken, shrimp, pork or veggie inside, burritos, nachos, taco rice and many others. The drink menu serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, so whether you’re looking to do some partying or just have a delicious Mexican dinner, Alamas Cafe has got you covered.
The alcoholic drink menu is pretty comprehensive, with all of the classics like a whiskey highball and a lemon sour available to order, as well as more specialized drinks such as a mojito, and even champagne by the bottle. The soft drink menu isn’t lacking either, including various fruit juices, coffee, lattes and even a melon soda float.
The chicken, pork and shrimp tacos are truly delicious, to the degree that Alamas Cafe should be considered a tasty, relatively authentic Mexican restaurant option in Tokyo (something that’s pretty hard to find), that is worth a trip for the food alone.
In addition, the restaurant offers a selection of hot sauces of various flavors, such as habanero and chipotle, all which are available at the front counter free of charge. The habanero sauce adds an appealing level of savory heat to the already flavorful tacos. And the chipotle sauce adds a sweeter, more smokey flavor, if that is what you’re looking for.
Decor That’s Unique and Memorable
Another unique attribute to this cafe is its artsy and refreshing decor. Lining almost every section of the walls of Alamas Cafe are multicolored Catholic crosses, mostly made of painted wood, that are most commonly found in Mexico. This collection of unique religious art is pretty incredible, simply due to the fact that seeing so many intricately decorated crosses in one place is not something that happens every day. The cafe’s potential for eye-catching Instagram pictures alone, for some people, may make it a must-visit.
How’s the Layout, Vibe Etc.?
Seating options at the cafe are not exactly abundant, including only about five or six high tables inside, and one more outside, covered by the cafe’s protective awning. However, this place is not only popular among those wishing to sit down to eat a traditional dinner, but also among those just looking to stand with a drink in hand and chat with their friends.
On a Saturday night, you’ll find people from various walks of life pouring out onto the street from inside the cafe, just standing and talking about what kind of a week they’ve had. You may see drag queens dressed in eclectic outfits with neon hues and sequins, mingling with casually dressed men in black shirts, that exude more of a skater vibe. Tourists who came just to check out Shinjuku Nichome, Tokyo’s gay scene and grab a quick dinner are also not uncommon at this often bustling cafe.
What Are the Hours, Accessibility Etc.?
Unlike most cafes you’ve probably been to, Alamas opens its doors almost every night at 6 pm, and closes at 2 am on weekdays and at 5 am on Friday and Saturday nights. This may not be the place to grab a morning coffee before work, but it is a good resting area before exploring the various intricacies of Nichome, the most known and talked-about gay area of Tokyo.
It offers free wifi that is easily accessible, since the network name and password are written on a board on the wall near the counter. There is also no cover charge or table charge, so you can come here to relax, have a few drinks and a meal, talk with some friends and not worry about spending too much money in the meantime.
In addition, since the cafe is only a short walk from Shinjuku Sanchome station, it’s easily accessible to those who don’t have a car. Many popular destinations in Tokyo can be around a 10 minute walk from the station, but leaving from the closest station exit, you’ll arrive at Alamas Cafe within 2 minutes on foot.
Alamas Cafe Has Something for Everyone
The beauty of this local cafe is that it can be pretty much anything you want it to be. If you want to grab a coffee, you can stop in during the early evening hours to fuel up for a night of play or work ahead. If you’re looking to start a night of drinking before heading off to other bars, you can catch a few beers or cocktails served by the friendly, welcoming staff here. If you’re looking for a delicious and authentic Mexican dinner, they’ve got you covered with a decent selection of Mexican staple dishes to meet your tastes.
If you just want to dance for a bit before heading on to your next destination, the vibrant pop music playing on the cafe’s speakers certainly makes this easy to do. Perhaps you just want to catch up with some friends before deciding what to do next together, or to have a cafe local enlighten you about the various options on offer in Shinjuku Nichome. All of these things are possible here, with the only remaining question being: which one are you looking for
Whichever day of the week it happens to be, excluding Sundays, you will find friendly people drinking and chatting at Alamas Cafe, always looking for new people to meet and friends to make, and happy to help you get started on your journey of exploring and learning more about Shinjuku Nichome.
This article also offers information on more LGBTQ+ friendly places.
