In 2024, the Japanese yen is low against the US dollar, making it the perfect time to visit Tokyo, and an opportunity to sample the offerings of Tokyo’s gay bars without cleaning out your bank account.
KING TOKYO
One of the premier Tokyo LGBTQ+ bars, King Tokyo has a great reputation for its relaxed atmosphere on weekdays and party hard philosophy on the weekends, as well as its multilingual bar staff and clientele from all over the world. And to get people moving, talking, and bonding, King offers a wide range of drinks at reasonable prices to help people get even more sociable.
Every day between 6pm and 9pm, King offers a ¥1,500 all you can drink deal, known in Japan as nomihodai. Such drinks included in this excellent value for money deal are Suntory Malts beer, white and red wine, and cocktails. The spirits on offer are shochu, gin, whisky, and vodka, which can be mixed with cola, soda water, tonic water, ginger ale, green tea, oolong tea, or jasmine tea.
Not only does King Tokyo offer this extraordinary deal, but it also has a wide range of drinks available at prices starting as low as ¥600. The manager also points out that, while many queer bars in Tokyo are limited to just beer or spirits, King Tokyo also offers Japanese sake for tourists who want both an authentic Japanese and queer bar experience. It also offers non-alcoholic beer, for anyone who wants to keep a clear head while having fun.
“It’s very cheap, which is important to a lot of people,” says one guest. “You can always find other tourists or other people to talk to.”
Whether you’re pacing yourself after a long day at work, or shaking off your inhibitions before hitting the dance floor, King Tokyo sets the standard in getting its guests royally tipsy.
Address: 1F, 2-11-10 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022
Opening hours: 6pm-5am, Fri-Sat; 6pm-3am, Sun-Thu
KINGDOM TOKYO
The newly opened Kingdom is a DJ bar with a more edgy image to appeal to those who want to forge bonds with others that have an interest in the wild side of the scene, but it is also an absolute steal for anyone who wants to keep their wallet under lock and key for the evening.
Address: 1F, TOM Building, 2-10-7, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0022
Opening hours: Sun-Thu, 6pm-3am; Fri-Sat, 6pm-5am
Eagle Tokyo Blue
One of the more popular shot bars in Nichome, the home of Tokyo gay bars, this club is well respected among its mixed Japanese and international patrons, who are drawn to its friendly staff, great music, and events like Ru Paul Drag Race watch parties. But it is also a great place to get strong drinks at a low price.
The cocktails at Eagle Tokyo Blue start at ¥700, which is a very reasonable price for Tokyo, especially for such a popular bar in this Mecca of inclusive LGBTQ+ bars. It also offers an extremely tempting Big Cup: for ¥1,000, you can order a mixer, such as a gin and tonic, highball, or vodka and cola, but in a large pint glass, rather than a smaller highball glass. This is a little more expensive, but is great value for money in the long run, and saves you the time of going to and fro the bar quite so often, leaving you with time to talk, dance, or see who’s getting eliminated on this week’s Drag Race.
Bartender NAXX says,
Our mega deal, doubled-sized drinks are very popular. And because the yen is low right now, drinking in Japan is cheap, so it’s a great deal!
It also serves a signature drink: the Eagle Blue Lagoon, made with Hpnotiq, Sprite, lemon juice and freshly cut lemon. It’ll definitely put some wind beneath your wings!
Address: Casa Verde 1F, B1F Shinjuku 2-11-2, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0022
Opening hours: Fri-Sun, 6pm-4am; Mon-Thu, 8pm-4am
Dragon Men
An institution among Tokyo gay bars, and one of the first places many tourists will see on their introductory visit to Nichome, Dragon Men tempts its customers in with drinks offers so appealing that your wallet will feel no fear walking into this dragons’ den.
Even before you enter, Dragon Men makes its pitch with its enticing offer of two drinks included in its ¥2,000 cover charge, as well as ¥200 off of all drinks from opening to 9pm. While this might seem like a small discount, when you factor in the fact that this can last up to three hours, and that this brings prices down to an easy to remember and calculate “one coin” ¥500, it becomes pretty appealing for anyone who wants to sample their wide range of liquors without breaking the bank. As one of the best-known and welcoming queer bars in Tokyo, Dragon Men attracts a large crowd, and the staff work hard to make sure that nobody is waiting long to wet their whistle.
Bartender Hiro explains,
Drinks in Japan are cheaper than in other countries, and they’re even cheaper here. Since we’re more of a club, we don’t make fancy cocktails, but we quickly make all kinds of mixers, and serve a wide variety of spirits
Speedy service without premium prices every day of the week, with gogo dancers on weekends? That’s an offer even hotter than dragon’s breath.
Address: 2-11-4 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0022
Arty Farty
This quirky bar-cum-nightclub, tucked away on the second floor of an unassuming building smack dab in the middle of Nichome, Arty Farty is one of the most venerable Tokyo gay bars in town, but is also open to patrons of all genders and sexualities. It recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, and a large part of its appeal is its eccentric, almost church-like interior design that has been largely unchanged since it opened in 1992. Not only that, it represents a great bargain for thirsty patrons.
Until 9pm, all drinks are discounted by ¥200, a happy hour to put a smile on anyone’s face. This is a great way to get loosened up for later in the evening, when Arty Farty’s dance floor gets busy. But if you prefer a more quiet evening, then you’ll be thrilled to know that buying a drink at Arty Farty will get you a hand stamp that allows you to visit its sister bar, The Annex, without needing to purchase an additional drink as cover, essentially giving you access to two of the best gay bars in Tokyo for the price of one.
The manager expains,
We make our drinks strong, even for our happy hour that we have every night.
A lot of tourists and foreign residents prefer strong drinks, so we cater to that. And while we don’t currently have Nomihodai, we are considering implementing one in the future.
Come for the great prices, stay for the fun, and confess your sins in the ugly atmosphere – or maybe commit a few more.
Address: 2-11-7, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0022
Opening hours: Fri-Sat, 8pm-5am; Sun-Thu, 8pm-3am
AiiRO Cafe
One of the most welcoming LGBTQ+ bars in Tokyo, AiiRO Cafe also has some very enticing drink deals and options. As a tachinomi standing bar with no table charge, it is already a solid option as a place to start or end your night and meet new friends, but it is also a fantastic option for anyone looking for good drinks at reasonable prices – as well as delicious signature cocktails.
The best value for money offered here is the Beer Blast deal, where for just ¥1,000, customers can enjoy all you can drink Budweiser beer for up to three hours, between 6pm and 9pm. Cody, ine of AiiRO’s biggest champions, and a former employee at the bar, highlights the great options it offers for Nichome drinkers.
Our regulars always come for our beer blast, it’s really good value for money. Our cocktails also start at ¥700, which is standard. We also have our own drinks we invented here, like the ‘Hey Bitch’, a twist in a Long Island Iced Tea, and the very strong ‘Gurrrl Bye’, which is what your friends will say after you drink one!
With regular events, and a reputation for memorable nights and celebrity guests, AiiRO Cafe is the place for people who want to make great memories and wake up the next day with money still in their wallet.
Address: 7th Tena Building 1F, 2-18-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku Tokyo, 160-0022
Opening hours: Mon-Thu, 6pm-2am; Fri-Say 6pm-5am; Sun 6pm-12am
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