It’s 2024 and war has been declared on Halloween in Shibuya – previously THE place to be for the spookiest most spectacular time of the year. But those in the know are aware that Tokyo’s hottest gay spot Shinjuku Nichome has been doing Halloween just as well as Shibuya for years, so it’s not the end of the world.
Bars done up with decorations abound, drag queens pulling off their best gothic looks, and a fun holiday atmosphere all around, we take a look at the best places for a Shinjuku Halloween and what makes them great. Whether you want to belt out your favorite Halloween hits in a karaoke bar or simply dance the night away in your best attempt at the green witch from the Wizard of Oz, there’s something for everyone in Nichome during this special season.
What is Halloween Like in Shinjuku Nichome?
When Do Celebrations Start?
The festivities usually begin early on in October, with the bars starting to bring out themed drinks and spooky decorations. Keep an eye on the local drag shows for special Halloween-themed events – Casket of Horrors has a macabre theme all year round, but it particularly comes into its own during the Halloween season.
On The Week Of Halloween
For actual Halloween week, the fun starts the weekend before the big day. Expect the bars to be busier than usual and plenty of people in costumes. Arrive early if you’d like to sit outside King or Campy Bar and watch the fun because after 9pm, you’ll be unlikely to get a seat and you’ll just have to stand up. If Halloween night falls on a weeknight, it’s also likely to be busier than usual and with plenty of costume enthusiasts on display.
Halloween Events Around Shinjuku Nichome
Many bars advertise their own special events and parties that may or may not come with an entrance fee, so it’s a good idea to check around in advance (events are usually advertised in the bars themselves).
Best Places to go in Shinjuku Nichome For Halloween
King Tokyo
In all the best ways, there’s no such thing as a quiet night in King Tokyo. It’s an ideal place to spend time on your Shinjuku Halloween night out, whether you show up early for the all-you-can-drink cocktails/wine/beer, or cruise in after 10pm for dancing and their “size queen” specials.
Halloween night is always something for the staff and clientele alike to get excited about – expect costumes aplenty and a spooky Spotify playlist to get you in the mood. As the night progresses, the fun often moves from inside the bar to outside, with the crowd mingling on the sidewalk outside and admiring each other’s costumes.
King Tokyo attracts a lively, young international crowd after 9pm – great for travelers who want to make friends quickly by discussing their favorite Halloween hits (Nightmare Before Christmas or Scary Movie? Discuss!).
The all-you-can-drink option priced at 1500 yen lasts from 6pm until 9pm on weekends (until 10pm on weekdays) and the bar boasts a cheap drink promotion every weekday night (Wine Wednesdays is a particular crowd-pleaser).
Aiiro Cafe
Aiiro Cafe has a reputation for being a friendly and convivial place to drink all year round, attracting a fun combination of international visitors as well as local Japanese clientele. This little bar goes all out for Halloween, with fantastic fun and frolics happening under the rainbow Torii gate that adorns its entrance.
The bar staff are more than capable of throwing a good party and are adept for their dressing up skills. Themed cocktails and a rotation of DJs add to the fun and make this a solid bet for Halloween. What’s more, the way the crowd invariably spills outside onto the pavement between the hours of 11pm until closing time makes for a lively and fun scene.
Cocktail prices start at 800 yen but asking for a large one nets you a small discount. If you arrive between 6pm and 9pm and like beer, it may be worth taking advantage of their all-you-can-drink beer option, priced at 1000 yen.
Eagle Blue
Many a night has been spent in Eagle Blue drunkenly trying to read the words of a slightly-too-fast karaoke song that you foolishly input in front of that guy you were trying to impress, but no night is as spooktacular as a Shinjuku Halloween.
The decorations are always impeccable – Halloween 2024 featured full-size body bags dangling from the ceiling and police tape on the spiral staircase that leads down from the entrance, so it’s perfect for anyone wanting to grab a photo with their friends or a cheeky solo selfie. The bar is also known to have a strong connection to the drag scene, and those queens love ANY excuse to dress up (be sure to ask politely if you’d like them to pose for pictures).
While the weeknights are given over to karaoke, weekends have a more clubby vibe, with a moderately-sized dance floor (for Nichome – don’t expect anything enormous) so you can dance the night away until the early hours of the morning.
Drinks start at 800 yen for a cocktail and please be aware that this bar does not accept cash payment but all major credit cards are catered for, as well as PayPay and Line Pay.
Arty Farty
So you want a Shinjuku Halloween but you also want to dance? Get on down to Arty Farty. A stalwart of the gay scene since 1993, there’s something about this bar that embodies the Halloween spirit all year round with its interior dominated by bare brick arches and papier-mache masks.
Live DJs keep the crowd dancing all night, and you can be sure of hearing all the Halloween classics to keep you in the mood. Costuming is highly encouraged – this bar is known for legendary weekend themed party nights, and the two seating areas are nice places to take a breather from the dancing and flirt with the cute guy sitting next to you.
This is another bar that goes all out in spooky decorations, so expect everything from spider webs to ghostly apparitions on the walls. There is also a handy locker area, but remember to pick up your bags before they close at 5am or be forced to go back the next day on a hangover to retrieve your stuff. Drinks start from 800 yen.
Dragon Men
Dragon Men is another Nichome venue that feels as though it has been around forever and always grabs its share of the Halloween fun. A must-visit stop for any Shinjuku Halloween bar crawl, it’s one of the clubbier venues in Nichome.
A Halloween atmosphere is provided by the countless television screens tuned to spooky (and sometimes saucy) content, and the DJs ensure there’s an endless supply of Halloween hits to dance to.
As the name suggests, Dragon Men is very male-centric and entry prices are often cheaper for men than women. The bar also only accepts cash. The management also very strongly advises that bags and valuables should be stored in the lockers outside the venue or further down the street instead of leaving them where you were sitting while you dance. Check Dragon Men’s social media for details about which DJs are performing on certain nights.
Queen
Sometimes, it’s not enough to be listening to your favorite Halloween songs as picked by a DJ. You’ve spent three hours picking out a costume – you want to be seen on your Shinjuku Halloween night out belting out your favorite numbers in a karaoke bar at this most spooky and splendid time of year. This is where Queen comes in to save the day.
Situated exactly opposite from sister (or brother?) bar King, the friendly bar staff ease you into a night of drinking and encourage you to pick your preferred tunes on the karaoke machine. Some of them even sing themselves to get everyone in the mood. So put on Michael Jackson’s Thriller and sit back with a cool cocktail while you wait your turn to take the mic and shine, girl.
Similar to King, Queen also boasts an all-you-can-drink option in the early evenings, with drinks priced from 800 yen after 9pm.
Aisotope Lounge
Aisotope, known as the go-to event venue in Shinjuku Nichome, throws a massive party every Halloween as part of their fancyHIM series of events. Fancy Halloween features a list of the most popular DJs in Tokyo along with visual displays and performances by Tokyo’s professional drag queens.
There are two rooms of music and you’ll be in safe hands as the experienced hosts guide you through the event. It’s very much a club scene, so those who want to stay up and dance until 5am are certain to have a good time. Tickets are available on the door, although you can expect to queue if you’re arriving after 11pm as this is a very popular event.
Doors open from 9pm and tickets are priced at 2,200 yen with one drink before 11pm and 3,200 yen with one drink after 11pm. Be sure to check the Aisotope website for details.
D-Light
This event is aimed squarely at gay men and takes place in not one but two venues in Shinjuku Nichome – Boiler Room and D-light. Attendees can expect DJs and gogo boys, as well as performers from the gay matching app Jackd, which sponsors the event.
Visit the website beforehand to check for details of the dress code and be sure to dress accordingly (2024 was a superhero event, for example).
Tickets are usually priced at around 3,000 yen, but there are VIP tickets available for an additional 2,000 yen that include an all-you-can-drink option for two hours. This event starts at 9pm and runs until the first train at 5am.
Campy! Bar
Another bar that encourages plenty of dressing up is the mix bar Campy! Bar, a popular place for all visitors to Nichome given its emphasis on allowing anyone to join in the fun (people from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum as well as straight allies are warmly welcomed).
Run by the fabulous celebrity crossdresser Bourbonne, you can expect a camp twist on the Halloween theme in both decorations and costumes, with regulars from the drag queen scene popping in throughout the night.
Campy! Bar opens from 7pm, and the large windows make it an ideal place to visit early in the evening if you want to watch the crowds picking up outside while you enjoy a well-made cocktail and maybe a chat from one of the fierce and forward queens. Check the bar’s website for details of Halloween-themed performances.
Gyoen Rosso 198
Gyoen Rosso 198, or Rosso as it is often affectionately known, is a queer-friendly event space located a mere five minute walk from the gay area of Nichome and perfect for a Shinjuku Halloween visit.
Starting from early October, the bar offers seats to around a dozen Halloween-themed events that might include anything from pole dancing and contortion to drag parties and aerial hoop spectacles. It’s uniquely equipped to showcase all manner of shows, and the friendly bar staff mix reasonably priced drinks with a smile.
Different events come with different prices and some sell out extremely quickly – be sure to check the bar’s website well in advance. Bar manager Tokusan likes to be done and dusted by midnight, so events usually start at around 7pm – a great place to start your evening before heading out for some heavy partying.
Conclusion
So no matter what you’re hankering for on Halloween, a handful of these horror-inducing places is certain to make your Shinjuku Halloween night a memorable and special occasion. Come and join the party and don’t forget to drink responsibly! And above all, have fun!
