Entertainment in Kyūshū
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Sam & Dave
Like its sister bars around Japan, Sam & Dave's vacillates between being somewhere fun to shake your ass, and just another boozy big-beat meat-market nightclub. Hope for a good crowd and you could be lucky, whatever you fancy. It's best Fridays and Saturdays.
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Dark Room
Dark, rocky and loud, this is a cool urban rock oasis with a killer sound system, pool table, foosball, friendly dudes behind the bar and a spiral staircase leading to a fun, summer-only rooftop patio.
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Voodoo Lounge
Chilled-out and spacious, Voodoo is known for good live bands and DJs most nights, quality drinks at the long wooden bar and ¥100 beer on Thursday nights from 21:00 to 22:00.
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Recife
Arty and cool, this mellow multipurpose bar-restaurant also has DJ decks and hosts occasional parties. It's popular with locals and expat groovers, and has Latin-American eats.
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Medata-ya
Located in the older part of town, this bar recreates the mid- to late-Shōwa period, some 40 years ago. A selection of canned food including sardines, spam, and unusual items such as bees in oil are stacked across the bar and can even be purchased as a light snack. There's plenty of ales to choose from, though Sapporo Red Star is the preferred lager.
reviewed
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Safari
Hardly surprising given its name Oyafuko-dori (Disrespectful Children), this area has an interesting mix of temples, restaurants and bars. Come to Safari at 02:00 and the party's just starting; you'll want to stay till it's light outside. During weekdays it's an unassuming izakaya (Japanese version of a pub/eatery).
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Juke Joint
Funsters can select the tunes at this Fukuoka original DJ lounge. The eclectic music collection is the work of record-shop owner 'Kinky' Ko Matsumoto. Drinks start at ¥500, plus there's spicy seafood gumbo (that's right) and no cover charge.
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Hakata-za
Fans of classical kabuki (stylised Japanese theatre) will swoon over this 1500-seat state-of-the-art theatre, above Nakasu-Kawabata subway stop. Actors enter and exit the stage via the raised hanamichi pathway through the audience.
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De'Nile
This is another subterranean dance spot with different DJs every night, located behind Taka-Pla.
Most dance clubs don't get going until around 23:00. Many bars have as admission charge (average around ¥500 to ¥1000).
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World Sports Bar Small Eye
You'll find a good mix of young folk at this Yankee-styled bar with high ceilings, darts and beach umbrellas.
reviewed
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Suigei Bar
Named 'Drunken Whale' in Japanese, this appealing, low-key pub has a cluster of small tables and stools, with sho-chū and other drinks from around ¥500, small meals like rice salad from ¥600.
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Moonshine
Set above a rāmen shop, the menu includes Western, Chinese, and Japanese cuisine. After 22:00 the long bar starts to fill up; by midnight it's usually packed.
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Off Broadway
Close to the action with a bit of its own as well, overlooking busy Oyafuko-dori. There's a full bar, pizza, R&B, salsa and hip-hop DJs, plus live music on weekends.
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Speakeasy
Like speakeasies of old, you have to duck under a low door to enter this swank and friendly back-alley jazz bar. Tap beer and stronger stuff cost from around ¥500.
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Bōkairō
Upscale neo-Chinese cocktail lounge in Fukuoka's seaside Momochi district, with lipstick red plush lounge seats and stellar night views. Cocktails start at ¥1000.
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Uprising
A popular backstreet bar reflecting the personality of its Ghanaian owner, Hector. Mellow music with a reggae beat and good drinks make this place a pleasure.
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Ayer's Rock
This cosy basement bar thumps with techno DJs, bongos and beer. Popular with local musicians, it's a good place to scope out the local scene.
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Natsume Kissa
This retro snack and dessert spot in the covered arcade is best known for its own onsen kōhī (¥530), coffee made with hot-spring water. Look for the wooden barrel above the door.
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Albert's Diablo
Pacific Islander Albert draws a late crowd to this mellow music bar. You'll hear blues, jazz, reggae, plus the occasional TV sporting event.
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El Para Latin Sports Bar
Catch your big sports game here, or indulge in beer and darts. Features a killer menu of small-plate Spanish appetisers (tapas).
reviewed
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Panic Paradise
Cool but friendly, this dark basement bar is a bit of a local icon, cluttered with rock memorabilia. There's a huge collection of tunes, cosy booths with dim lamps and the staff has pride in the environment.
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Van Beeru
Just over the bridge on Nakasu island, this lively pub brags of over 1000 beers Free popcorn and decent pub food.
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Kurō-udo Bar & Izakaya
Over 200 kinds of shō-chū, swank bamboo décor and cool jazz make this an inviting spot.
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Bourbon Street
Listen to mellow jazz and blues at this smart basement shot bar, just opposite Tenmonkan-dō tram stop.
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International Bar
There's free karaoke on Tuesdays at this tiny bar. Like the name implies, it's one of the original places in Fukuoka for locals and gaijin (foreigners) to connect, in a time warp of red velvet seating with hip-hop beats.
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