LGBT
LGBT
Where everybody knows your name Okay, perhaps these LGBT-friendly bars and restaurants are not quite as local as Cheers, but they will make you feel at home. Words Yuki Keiser
B
eyond their reputation as LGBT hot spots, neighbourhoods like San Francisco’s Castro, LA’s West Hollywood and Le Marais in Paris are known as trendsetting areas widely impacting mainstream culture. Although that’s still not the case for Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ni-chome, nor for the city’s overall ‘rainbow scene’, there’s still a significant LGBT scene in the capital and plenty of openminded bars and restaurants.
Gossip
A cultural centre for the LGBT community, Gossip bustles with activity from around noon to late at night. Sip on a beer or some strong coffee, devour a dessert and browse the vast selection of reading material on themes including gay culture, art, sexuality and diversity. Photo books, magazines, comics and literature in several languages are among the options, while the regular cultural events are also well worth checking out. 2F, 5-46-15 Jingumae, Shibuya (Omotesando Station). 03 6427 5505. tinyurl. com/TOTgossip. 12pm-11pm.
Cocolo Café
Ideal for a late-night rendezvous, this café and restaurant is a popular Ni-chome hangout that’s also a great spot from where to start exploring the area. Everyone is welcome to sample Cocolo’s healthy grub and imaginative drink selection: try the always-popular, seasonal Cocolo Plate, sip on some Vietnamese coffee or choose from 18 different kinds of tea. The homemade fruit cakes and ice cream parfaits are highly recommended, too. Hayakawa-ya Nr 1 Bldg, 2-146 Shinjuku, Shinjuku (ShinjukuSanchome, Shinjuku Gyoenmae stations). 03 5366 9899.
64 For your full, up-to-the-minute guide to Tokyo visit timeout.com/tokyo
tinyurl.com/TOTcocolo. Mon-Thu 11am-12am, Fri 11am-7am next morning, Sat 3pm-7am, Sun & hols 3pm-12am.
Dorobune
One of Ni-chome’s finest ‘mix bars’, Dorobune caters mainly to women, and even refuses male admissions on Saturdays. That’s not to say that the atmosphere is stuck up – everyone’s welcome on all other days, regardless of gender or orientation, and the friendly owner even doubles as a fortune teller of sorts for emotionally burdened ladies. Dogs are allowed as well, so you can hang out with your pet pooch while munching on the tasty okonomiyaki and homely appetisers on offer. Regulars tell us this spot feels like a home away from home. 205 Vera Heights Shinjuku Gyoen, 2-7-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku (ShinjukuSanchome Station). 03 3356 3358. tinyurl.com/TOTdorobune. Tue-Thu, Sun 7pm-12am (last order 11pm), Fri & Sat 7pm-1am (last order 12am), closed Mon.
Tac’s Knot
Each month the walls of this tiny cocktail bar display the work of a different local gay artist. Master Tac is a local gay community leader and an artist of some note himself – his bejewelled reliquaries for pubic hair caused a stir back in the 1990s. To meet Tac himself, go on a Friday or Saturday. 202, 3- 1112 Shinjuku, Shinjuku (ShinjukuSanchome Station). 03 3341 9404. tinyurl.com/TOTtacsknot. 8pm-2am (Sun 6pm-2am). Cover charge ¥500.
Suzu Bar
Run by LGBT activist and spokesperson Fumino Sugiyama, Suzu blends right in among the hundreds of tiny watering holes along Shinjuku’s Golden Gai. Still, it’s newer and spacier than most of its neighbours, in addition to giving off a unique vibe with its ’50s folk craft decor and stained-glass lamps. We recommend the fruit cocktails, made with a professional’s touch. If you’re feeling peckish, try the signature Suzu Katsu Sandwich. 1-1-10 Kabukicho, Shinjuku (Shinjuku, Shinjuku-Sanchome stations). 03 5272 6100. tinyurl. com/TOTsuzu. Daily 8pm-3am.
Gold Finger
Running on a regular basis since 1991, Japan’s first women-only party Gold Finger (currently held on the third Saturday of every month at Shinjuku Ni-chome’s Aisotope) is also the force behind this eponymous bar. Only members of the fairer sex are admitted into the space that’s decorated with ’70s motel-style furniture and staffed by fashionista DJs. The rotating event calendar includes gems like ‘Tapas Night’ and ‘Dog-Lovers’ Party’, so there’s no complaining about a lack of variety. 2-12-11 Shinjuku, Shinjuku (Shinjuku-Sanchome Station). 03 6383 4649. tinyurl.com/ TOTgoldfinger. From 6pm daily.
For the full list of venues, go to tinyurl. com/TOTlgbt-venues
