Bar entertainment in Central Honshū
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A
Polé Polé
In the same building (and sharing the same owners) as Legian restaurant, this dark, grungy and friendly bar has been an institution for decades for gaijin and locals – look for the signatures of foreign exchange students. The narrow floor is littered with peanut shells (proceeds from peanut sales go to charity), and the reggae music is loud.
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B
Baby Rick
This classy little shot bar has a billiard table, jazz and whisky (the good kind), and you can get dishes like spaghetti carbonara and homemade pizzas. It's in the basement level beneath Shidax karaoke. There's a ¥500 cover after 10pm.
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C
Elephant's Nest
Near the Hilton, Elephant's Nest is a favourite expat haunt, with a welcoming vibe, darts and traditional fare like Irish stew (¥1000). It's on the 2nd floor.
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Coat
Directly behind Old Rock, this sophisticated little bar is home to Matsumoto's most famous bartender. Hayashi-san's inventive otomenadeshiko cocktail won first prize at the Japan Bartenders Association competition early this decade.
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Apre
A mix of locals and gaijin fill this large two-storey bar near Kōrinbo 109. There's free internet, a pool table, plenty of food and beer selections and a lively crowd (at least on weekends).
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D
Shooters
This US-style sports bar with over a dozen screens attracts a mostly gaijin (foreign), mostly raucous crowd. Japanese and foreign staff pour daily drink specials, and the menu includes burgers, pasta and Tex-Mex. It's on the 2nd floor of the Pola Building, diagonally across from Misono-za.
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E
Shu
Nagoya doesn't have a whole lot of options for gay visitors from overseas (most operate as private clubs), but this tiny, chatty bar for gay men welcomes all ages and nationalities.
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F
Bagus
This friendly reggae bar has a youthful energy. A 10-minute walk from the train station, good music and potent drinks await. It's on the 2nd floor.
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Tracks Bar
Located between Kamishiro Station and the base of Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park and Hakuba Goryū Ski Resort area, this is one of the favourite night spots for the younger, foreign crowd, with live music, sports on a huge screen and regular events. There is also budget accommodation in the area.
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Rum Dance Hall
This is a very chill bar with plenty of rum, shōchū, and delicious cocktails on offer, as well as laid-back, retro grooves spun by the English-speaking owner. Look for the large concrete building with a staircase and glass wall in the middle.
reviewed
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Hakuba Bike Bar
This cavernous, disco-lit bar run by Australians is in the basement of a house in Hakuba Goryū, about 10 minutes' walk from the Sky 4 gondola. It has billiards, early evening film nights for families, and karaoke. The walls are decorated with an assortment of vehicles.
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Bistro Liberty
Nagano's most popular gaijin pub has Guinness on tap, decent pub food and a friendly crowd. From JR Nagano Station, take a right on busy Nagano-Ōdōri and another right (at the second stoplight) on Shōwa-dōri.
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