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300 Bar
One of the few places in Ginza that can truthfully say they offer a bargain, the 300 Bar charges around ¥300 for everything - cocktails, snacks and all. There's no cover, and it's a fun place to stand around with a few drinks after some Ginza window-shopping.
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A971
Tucked into an outside corner of the recently built Tokyo Midtown complex, this hip restaurant-bar pulsates with friendly drinkers on Friday and Saturday nights. The crowd, a good mix of gaijin and locals, spills out onto the surrounding sidewalk and the vibe is very laid-back and conversational.
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Abbey Road
Abbey Road is one of the two Roppongi clubs with uncannily good live Beatles tribute bands. Pull up a chair and prepare to be flabbergasted by the house Beatles cover bands - all Japanese, all seriousness, and appearances aside, pretty dang impressive. Aside from the cover, there's a two-drink minimum. Book ahead if you can, especially on weekends.
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Advocates Bar
Advocates Bar is just that - a bar, and a small one. As the crowd gets bigger over the course of the evening, it overflows onto the street and becomes more like a block party. The staff here speak English, and it's another good venue to start off a night in Nichōme.
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Advocates Café
This corner bar is so small that as the crowd magically expands during the course of an evening, it becomes more like a block party and takes to the streets. Advocates welcomes people of all genders, identities and nationalities. It's great place to start off the night.
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Agave
Rawhide chairs, cruzas de rosas (crosses decorated with roses) and tequila shots for the willing make Agave a good place for a long night in search of the sacred worm. Luckily, this gem in the jungle that is Roppongi is more about savouring the subtleties of its 400-plus varieties of tequila rather than tossing back shots of Cuervo.
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Ageha
This gigantic waterside club rivals any you'd find in LA or Ibiza. Mostly international DJs appear here, with Japanese DJs filling out the mix. Counterbalancing the thumping dance floors are lounge spaces and a little pool area. Free buses run to the club every half hour from the east side of Shibuya Station on Roppongi-dōri; bring photo ID.
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Air
DJs spin mostly house here, and the crowd tends to be happy and friendly - though not huge on dancing. Air is in an alley northwest of Hachiman-dōri, south of Shibuya station; there's a decent map on their website. The entrance to the basement is inside the Frames restaurant. Remember to bring your ID.
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Albatross
Tucked away in aromatic Omoide-yokocho (Memory Lane), Albatross and the surrounding yakitori (charcoal-broiled chicken and other meats or vegetables, cooked on skewers) joints would have been knocked down long ago if owners had let developers have their way. It's a tiny postwar space for cheek-to-jowl chats and boasts the incredible rarity of a third-floor terrace right in the middle of the neon jungle.
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Aoyama Enkei Gekijō
Found within Kodomo-no-Shiro (National Children's Castle) this midsized round theatre stages musicals, ballet and modern dance. Though the theatre is lovely, performances tend toward the conservative. Because of the venue's location, many programmes are ideal for kids.
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At this fun club, you can relax with a mixed crowd, groove to what the DJ's spinning or cheer on the campy drag queens. Some nights are men- or women-only, so check the website before heading out.
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Arty Farty
This bar for boys and gals has been the gateway to Tokyo's gay neighbourhood, Ni-chōme, for many a moon. A cavernous place with a dancefloor and intimate booths, Arty Farty is open to all in the community.
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Asahi Sky Room
Spend the day at religious sites and end at the Asahi altar, on the 22nd floor of the golden-tinged Asahi Super Dry Building. Directly adjacent to the infamous Flamme d'Or sculpture (aka 'The Golden Turd') on the east bank of the Sumida River, the venue itself isn't noteworthy, but serves up Asahi brews and a spectacular view, especially at sunset.
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Asakusa Engei Hall
Asakusa Engei Hall hosts traditional rakugo, with all performances conducted in Japanese. The linguistic confusion is mitigated by lively facial expressions and traditional props (performers use only a hand towel and a folding fan), which help translate comic takes on universal human experiences.
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Aurora Lounge
Perched 150m up in the Keiō Plaza Hotel, this bar has great views and drinks.
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Aux Amis Des Vins
Even when it rains, the plastic tarp comes down and good wine is drunk alleyside. The enclosed upstairs seating area is warm and informal, and you can order snacks to go with your wine, or full prix-fixedinners. A solid selection of wine comes by the glass (around ¥800 ) or by the bottle.
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B-Flat
Located in a part of Akasaka that empties and grows quiet at night, this hip jazz club often features local and European talent, as well as healthy doses of Latin jazz. As the owner recently passed away, so too may the club - check locally when you're in town.
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Bar Plastic Model
It's true that in the last few years construction has started around Golden Gai, but some of those hammers are wielded by a new generation of iconoclastic bar masters rather than a major developer. Bar Plastic Model is one of the new joints, with an '80s soundtrack and decorated with retro knick-knacks.
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Belgo
If you're into Belgian beer, have we got a bar for you. This sweet well of ale has over 100 kinds of beer to drink, with an emphasis on all shades of Belgian goodness. There's Guinness and Chimay on draught, and you can round out the liquid fare with fish and chips.
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Bello Visto
The Cerulean Tower's 40th floor eyrie keeps the interior lights dim so that you can see the lights on the far horizon. The 95-seat capacity ensures the atmosphere is always intimate. Cocktails and wine start at around ¥1200 .
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Bernd's Bar
More a German izakaya (pub/eatery) than a bar, the very friendly Bernd's is slightly removed from the mad parade of Roppongi Crossing. Hearty, authentic German food goes with the German draught bier . Menus are in German, Japanese and English - languages that the owner speaks with aplomb.
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Blue Note
Serious cognoscenti roll up at Tokyo's prime jazz spot, where you can get up close and personal with greats like Maceo Parker and Chick Corea. Walk down Kotto-dōri towards Nishi-Azabu, and hang a left when you see Papas Café.
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Bobby's Bar
One of Tokyo's longest-standing and best-known gaijin bars, perfect for those in need of a warm barstool, a dartboard and reasonably priced drinks (from around ¥500 ). The crowd here is always international - a good mix of long-time expats and travellers.
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Bon's
There's a sign reading 'American Bar' out front, but Bon's is about as American as anko (azuki bean paste). Look for this cosy dive on the Golden Gai's southeast corner, next to the police box. It's one of the few bars in the neighbourhood that will accommodate the odd nonregular patron.
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Bul-Let's
This mellow basement space plays worldwide trance and ambient sounds for barefoot patrons. Mattresses in the middle of the floor provide refuge from the madding crowd, but don't get the wrong idea - it's not always tranquillity and deadbeats.
