Page 154 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Tokyo

152  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

Nightlife evenings and classes. Smoke a
Hav ana cigar and sip premium
Evening does not signal any let-up in the pace of life in Tokyo. aged tequila at Agave or rub
If anything, it seems to intensify, especially in areas where the shoulders with celebrities at Lex
neon burns brightest. Fashionable Ginza, the cosmopolitan Tokyo Red Carpet.
party district of Roppongi, sophisticated Nishi-Azabu, The scene is more relaxed in
nearby Nishi-Azabu. BarBlue is an
youthful Shibuya, or vibrant Shinjuku – there are plenty of upmarket DJ bar where guests
choices. Tokyo is rapidly becoming an all-night city, and it can enjoy excellent cocktails in a
is one of the most exciting places in the world to party. It is friendly atmosphere. SuperDeluxe
not just the clubs and cabarets, many restaurants, bars, and is an eclectic bar-cum-event
traditional izakaya (see p118) now stay open until 2am or later. space with performance art and
live music. In nearby Roppongi,
the Caipirinha Bar swings to
a Brazilian rhythm.
Shibuya is the center of Tokyo
youth culture and the Center-Gai
pedestrian alley is its promenade
and fast-food kitchen. Good
watering holes in the area
include Tasu-Ichi, a standing
bar with very reasonable prices;
and The Aldgate, an Anglophile
pub with an extensive selection
of ales on draught.
Chic, upscale Akasaka also has
a good range of clubs and bars.
Shinjuku’s Kabukicho, with its
The interiors of Hobgoblin, the largest British pub in Tokyo maze of streets and future-world
feel, boasts numerous restaurants
High-Rise Bars lights come on, then descend and clubs. It is also the city’s
The best place to get into the to street level and plunge into most notorious red-light district.
mood for an evening out is at the neon night. It is safe to explore, but beware
one of the city’s high-rise hotel of pickpockets and venues
bars. The Conrad’s TwentyEight that do not post their prices.
Bar has a brilliant view over the Clubs and Bars A more restful neighborhood
Rainbow Bridge and the Odaiba Ginza remains one of Tokyo’s is Shinjuku Sanchome, close
waterfront. In Shibuya, there is most exclusive and priciest to Isetan Department Store.
the Cerulean Tower Hotel, with nightlife districts. But alongside Recommended watering holes
its 40th-floor Bello Visto Bar. the costly hostess bars, include the Marugo wine bar.
Best of all is the Park Hyatt there are also more If sightseeing in
Hotel’s (see p112) luxurious affordable spots, such Asakusa leaves you
52nd-floor New York Bar, as the standing-only thirsty, cross the
as seen in the movie Lost in 300 Bar, where the Sumida River to the
Translation. Cradle a cocktail, food or drink all cost Flamme D’Or bar in
watch the dusk fall and the around ¥300. The the premises of the
Ginza Corridor, a row Logo of British pub, Asahi Breweries
of bars and restaurants Hobgoblin headquarters. Close to
built right under the Kaminarimon gate is
expressway between Ginza the Kamiya Bar, the oldest bar in
and Shinbashi, also offers Tokyo. Near the sumo stadium,
good options. look for Beer Station Ryogoku,
Central to the city’s night-life a German-style bierkeller.
since postwar occupation,
Roppongi stays lively through
the night. A popular place to DJ and Dance Clubs
start the evening is Hobgoblin, Tokyo’s clubbing scene has
Tokyo’s largest British pub. For exploded in the last decade,
more recreation, catch one of attracting top DJs from around
the retro-themed shows at the world. Roppongi, Shinjuku,
Kaguwa, a unique dinner and Shibuya offer a wealth of
theater (entrance ¥3,500). options. In terms of scale, the
New York Bar offers superb views of the Dance the night away at El top spot is AgeHa, in Shin-Kiba,
city below Café Latino, which offers salsa on the other side of Odaiba.

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