What Is a Muscle Bar?
Luckily, the term “muscle bar” is pretty self-explanatory. Like a girls bar or a host club, a muscle bar is a bar that customers go to in order to interact with staff who have a very specific attractive feature: muscles. The buff performers of muscle bars can be men catering to the gay male clientele, men catering to the straight female clientele, or buff women catering to anyone who is into that!
Muscle bars are pretty niche, and aren’t a super common sight on the streets of Japan’s major cities. But, they are out there, and in various different forms across the country. In this article, I’ll explain a little about the different types of bars, so you can choose which one you want to go to.
Muscle Bar Culture In Japan
Although there are similar concepts around the world, such as male strip clubs, “muscle bars” seem to be unique to Japan. The idea of going to a bar to drink and interact with muscular guys (or girls) is a global one, but this concept isn’t usually called a “muscle bar”.
Muscle bars, like many other forms of nightlife, started as a way for people with a lot of disposable money to let off steam. Similar to host clubs, girls bars and maid cafes, the general concept is that you go to a muscle bar to interact with performers who you find attractive and/or entertaining, and fork over a fair amount of cash to do so. However, bars such as Muscle Snack have a pretty affordable 30 minute package, which I’ll get to in a bit.
Japanese Muscle bars are certainly unique, and whether you’re going there just to get interesting Instagram photos or to live your muscular fantasies, all are welcome to enjoy this unique cultural phenomenon. Many muscle bars also offer specific packages such as all-you-can-drink or the chance to get hugged or even pinned down by one of the staff for an extra charge. No, I’m not kidding.
Something to note, however, is that most muscle bars do have a minimum age of entry: usually age 20 (legal adulthood in Japan). Also, if you stay at a muscle bar for a long time, keep in mind that you can run up quite a bill, so be mindful of how much money you actually want to spend there.
Types of Muscle Bars In Japan
Muscle Bars
“Muscle bars” without any adjective before their name are generally bars featuring muscular men aimed at straight or male-attracted female clientele. These bars are sometimes described as “a new and different alternative to afternoon tea birthday parties with your girlfriends.” This is the most popular type of muscle bar in Japan, and is what you’ll see most commonly outside of its LGBTQ+ districts.
Gay Muscle Bars
Gay muscle bars are basically the same as regular muscle bars with buff guys showing off their physiques, but they’re aimed at gay men. You’ll probably find much of the same features as a straight muscle bar at a gay muscle bar, but it’s a good idea to do some research to find out which type of muscle bar it is before you go.
Muscle Girl Bars
The name sort of gives it away, but a muscle girl bar is a muscle bar that, instead of buff men, features buff women! This type of muscle bar is a bit more of a unique experience, since super muscular women are not common in Japan, and the general beauty standard in the country is to be as thin and delicate as possible. This means that a muscle girl bar could be a refreshing alternative to the often restrictive beauty standards in Japan. Muscle girl bars are open to everyone: straight men, lesbians, and anyone else who wants to check them out!
Muscle Bars
Macho Macho Shibuya
Macho Macho is a chain of muscle bars across Japan that, according to their website, “By combining ‘health and entertainment’ aim to establish a culture in which everyone can feel happiness in their daily lives.” Macho Macho is not a gay muscle bar, but it doesn’t have any rule excluding men from entering.
Most muscle bars have weird perks that you can get for an extra fee, most commonly the ability to touch the performers’ muscles. But Macho Macho’s specialty is bringing out a pineapple, which one of their muscular henchmen then proceeds to squeeze with their bulky arms until it explodes. So…if you’re into that, give it a try!
As you might have guessed, Macho Macho isn’t just in Shibuya, it’s also in Shinjuku, and in Hiroshima, Hokkaido and Osaka! So, if you want to check out Macho Macho but aren’t Tokyo-based, you’re still very much in luck!
Muscle Snack
Although Muscle Snack might be the muscle bar Tokyo is most famous for, it’s not located in a bustling tourist center like you might expect it to be. It’s in the quieter neighborhood of Yayoicho in Nakano. But, that doesn’t mean it’s not going to be lively once you get there!
The add-on that it’s most known for is its “massuru chuusha” or muscle injection, where a muscular, shirtless guy straddles you while you’re sitting down, and injects a syringe full of what I assume to be alcohol into your mouth. It’s not something that appeals to me, but if you’re into that, you can find it at Muscle Snack!
Another cool thing about this muscle bar is that they have a pretty affordable trial option for those who don’t want to stay too long. You can get all-you-can-drink for just ¥1,500, as long as you’re there for only 30 minutes. This is good for someone who just wants a taste of Muscle Snack and doesn’t want to make it their whole evening. Keep in mind that even though the first 30 minutes are pretty cheap, it can get quite expensive if you stay for a long time.
Gay Muscle Bars
Club Blacknude
Club Blacknude is one of Tokyo’s only gay muscle bars. While the previous bars were mostly marketed towards women, this muscle bar’s main clientele is gay men. It has surprisingly international staff, with a website available in four languages with an ad stating that they’re looking for foreign performers. Shinjuku Nichome, Tokyo’s LGBTQ+ district, is quickly becoming a prominent tourist destination, and Club Blacknude is clearly keeping up with the times.
Even though it’s mainly a gay muscle bar, women, straight men, and couples are all welcome. However, there are nights that are men only, so the club asks that you call ahead to see if you can come on that night.
Muscular men at this club are usually shirtless, and sometimes are only wearing underwear, so be prepared! On their website, they also say that customers taking off their shirts is allowed, as long as they don’t strip completely naked. Also, on weekends, the first floor of the two floor bar becomes a karaoke bar, while the basement floor remains in its standard form.
Muscle Girl Bars
Muscle Girls Bar
Muscle Girls Bar may be the only place in Tokyo where you can find buff ladies! Since muscular women are more niche than muscular men, going to this bar is bound to be a unique experience. Many of the women working at this bar are bodybuilders and athletes, so they have some serious definition. While they aren’t allowed to be shirtless, obviously, they generally walk around in sports bras so you can gaze at their bulky arms.
Like Muscle Snack, Muscle Girls Bar offers all-you-can-drink for the first 30 minutes for only ¥1,500, so it’s a good way to get a taste for the place to see if you like it. They also have a special offer for overseas visitors only: 80 minutes of all-you-can-drink for ¥5,000!
If you want to know more about the details of what it’s like to visit a Muscle Girls Bar, check this article out!
Conclusion
Muscle bars are a burgeoning industry that is popular among tourists and those looking for something a little different than the usual experience. If you want to check out a muscle bar for yourself, I hope this article has explained a little about the different types out there so you can choose which one is right for you!
