Tokyo READY P60 LGBT 22/10/2013 12:32 Page 60
LGBT in Ni-chome, and attracts a diverse crowd of gay patrons with its karaoke and occasional afternoon tango and squaredancing lessons. Prices are reasonable, though women have to pay an extra ¥500 for their first drink. Sunflower Bldg 3F, 2-17-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku. 03 3354 5050. www.tinyurl. com/TOT kusuo. Shinuku-Sanchome station. 8pm-2am Sun-Thu, until 5am Fri, 7pm-5am Sat.
LGBT
Bourbonne, neat (but not straight) Bar A-Un. Right: Bourbonne. Below: Left, Kusuo, and right, Campy! Bar
Queen of the quarter New to Tokyo’s gay scene? Let drag artist Bourbonne, writer and ‘mama’ at Campy! Bar, walk you through the glamour and clamour of Ni-Chome…
A
nyone who’s watched TV in Japan will no doubt have seen the many comedic drag queens that populate the airwaves. For the real life ones, you need only visit Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ni-chome, where around 300 LGBT bars and lounges make up what is probably the biggest gay district in the world. These days it’s also a popular hangout for curious (straight) tourists. Straight or gay, head there on a weekend to the main street of Naka-dori and you’ll be treated to some headturning moves from local gogo boys and resplendent queens of the night, dressed to kill. MAMA TIME At Campy!Bar , a mixed bar, opened in 2013 on the main street of Shinjuku Ni-chome, we welcome all orientations. It’s hosted by yours truly, and the floor waitresses are also in drag with styles ranging from
comical to classic. Indeed, the hunky bar staff include models who have graced the covers of several gay magazines. The clientele is not just LGBT but includes gay-friendly straight folk as well. The atmosphere is electric and drinks are reasonable. 2-13-10 Shinjuku, Shinjuku. 03 6273 2154. www.tinyurl.com/ TOTcampy. Shinjuku-Sanchome station. 3pm-5am daily. SIZE MATTERS Are you one of those people who complains that Japanese gay bars are too small? Or are you looking to enjoy themed parties without all the alcohol? Aisotope Lounge is the place for you. It opened in April 2012 and boasts the largest bar and event space in Ni-chome. The place is split up into two floors, and features themed bars during the week, such as the Queen’s Lounge nights, run by drag queen mamas, which
60 For your full, up-to-the-minute guide to Tokyo visit www.timeout.com/tokyo
happens on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The weekend brings a diverse range of parties, with both gay- and lesbian-only nights once a month. Performers are not limited to the gay scene, and include, for example, world-class electro-pop producer Yasutaka Nakata (who madeHiroshima girl group Perfume). Daini Hayakawaya Bldg B1F, 2-14-6 Shinjuku, Shinjuku. 03 3352 6297. www.aisotope.net. ShinjukuSanchome station. 8pm-4am daily. IF IT’S GOOD ENOUGH FOR FREDDIE… Loved by the Ni-chome crowd for 36 years, classic establishment Kusuo has passed on ownership to the second generation. Throughout its long history under first owner Macchan, the bar regularly hosted famous guests from Japan and elsewhere, including the late Freddie Mercury. The bar is one of the largest
GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS A state-of-the-art sound system and laser lights create a stimulating atmosphere at Bar A-Un, which requires a ticket system to cope with its low drink prices. Proprietor DJ Juri gives DJ lessons, plays the Taiko drum beautifully and has built up quite a following of both lesbian and bi admirers. Popular club night Kimbianca Groupis held on the second Saturday of every month. The food’s also good, especially the Juri soba, made with the owner’s homemade broth and soba (or buckwheat) noodles, imported directly from Hokkaido. Taraku Bldg 3F, 2-14-16 Shinjuku, Shinjuku. 070 6612 9014. www.a-un. bz. Shinjuku-Sanchome station. 8pm3am Sun-Thu, until 5am Fri and Sat. PIZZA THE ACTION Despite Doop Tokyo’s great decor, the main attraction is the food: 45 pizzas to choose from, with dough made from Italian wheat, left to rise overnight then baked in a real stone oven. Savour your meal in the hip ambience of the mural-covered dining area and enjoy a little banter with the mostly gay staff. There are both acoustic gigs and DJ-led parties on weekends, and you can reserve the VIP room for private bashes. Casa Verde B1F, 2-11-2 Shinjuku, Shinjuku. 03 6380 5835. www.doop tokyo.com. Shinjuku-Sanchome station. 5pm-3am Mon-Thu, until 5am Fri & Sat and midnight Sun. Closed every third Mon. For full LGBT listings and reviews, go to timeout.com/tokyo
