Top Three Shibuya Gay Bars
Shinjuku’s Nichome district is, as everyone knows, the capital of LGBTQ+ life in Tokyo, and indeed Japan itself. That’s what makes it the perfect place to dip your toes into Japan’s gasy culture, with one of our tours!
Gay Night Tour
Lesbian Night Tour
But what if you want to go for a drink in a gay bar after you’ve been on a JGG Tour… and you’re not in Nichome? Not even in Shinjuku? What if you’re in the trendy pop-culture and tech hub of Shibuya?
Fear not, for under the watchful gaze of Hachiko, there are options for those who want to go into friendly gay bars with charming staff and bubbly regulars, so let’s go through a few of them today.
Shibuya Home
A short walk from Shibuya station, this is one of the most popular gay bars for visitors and locals, this “sight-seeing bar” truly is a must-visit for anyone in the area. It considers itself a “sight-seeing bar” because it is a place for anyone and everyone to see and be seen. When the bar was opened in 2013, Takejirou (Home’s Mama-san) envisioned it as a place that anyone could and should visit, regardless of gender, sexuality, race, or nationality.
A natural-born caregiver, Takejirou has made Home synonymous with hospitality. Upon entering the bar, guests are given a “welcome tequila” shot, and when pouring drinks from the bottle, he always wants guests to say “stop” when they think it’s enough. And make sure that you do say “stop”: he has said that when foreign guests say “no, no, no!”, his reply is “that isn’t ‘stop!’”
You can also get an all-you-can-eat snack selection, as well as enjoy karaoke for an extra ¥1,000 for all-you-can-sing. Its signature drink is a coffee martini: and they are clear it’s a real coffee martini, not an espresso martini.
With exuberant staff and a steady stream of customers, this bar will make anyone feel right at Home.
Shibuya 246
The words most associated with Shibuya 246 tend to be along the lines of “quaint,” “cosy,” and “charming,” but don’t be fooled — this place is as fun as any other. It bills itself as “the friendliest gay bar in Shibuya,” and as the place to have an authentic Japanese gay bar experience.
It is especially popular with patrons from their 20s to their 40s, with discounts for those specifically in their 20s. There are also discounts for groups of five or more customers, who can enjoy all you can drink Kinmiya shochu and karaoke for up to three hours before midnight. The karaoke is a main draw for this bar, with songs doing for ¥200 per ditty, and unlimited singing for those who pay ¥800 for four or more songs.
They also periodically have shows by gogo boy dancers to keep things hot and lively as the night gets dark and cool!
Bar VIVO
Taking its cue from “Vivo” being “to live” in Latin, Bar VIVO exists to be an energetic yet chilled out location for anyone who doesn’t necessarily want a rager of a night — but would still like the option.
Staffed by gay men described by bar as “refreshing(?)” — yes, question mark theirs — you can indulge in karaoke, but in a separate annex, so as not to disturb people who don’t want things too loud. In addition to the typical “shot” service, where customers pay for their drink as they buy them, as is custom in most European pubs and bars, Bar VIVO also has a “bottle keep” service, so that anyone who is going to come back for a few visits can purchase a bottle to keep behind the bar waiting for them whenever they come back, like an old friend.
The bar serves a wide range of drinks and mixers, and holds special events. Occasionally, they even allow customers to try their hand at being a Mama-san! Now that’s the way to live!
In Summary
Shibuya has a lot to offer, and the gay nightlife is non exception. After you’ve finished a guided tour of Nichome, and you’re familiar with Japanese gay bars and customs, you too will be able to get the most out of the groovy bars in trendy town.
Book your JGG Night Tour here!
