Tokyo Entertainment

  1. Bunkamura Theatre Cocoon

    This dance space in one of Tokyo's liveliest arts complexes shows occasional experimental works by international dance troupes. It has also been known to stage musical dramas, though these take place less frequently than dance programmes.

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  2. Castillo

    Good happy-hour specials continue at this long-standing Roppongi bar, now in one of the rowdier Roppongi alleys. Castillo has '80s tunes on rotation and is a good place to have a few drinks before setting out (and shelling out) for the clubs.

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  3. Cavern Club

    Eerily flawless renditions of Beatles covers have to be heard to be believed, sung by four Japanese mop-heads calling themselves the Silverbeats. This club is named for the place where the Beatles first appeared in Liverpool. Reserve a table ahead of time.

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  4. Cerulean Tower Nō Theatre

    Performances in Japanese are sometimes held in this traditional theatre (you can also pop by just to admire it between and daily) in the Cerulean Tower Tōkyū Hotel.

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  5. Chestnut & Squirrel

    This café has international lesbian nights on Wednesdays and guest DJs. It's located in the Oishi Building behind the main Shibuya police station.

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  6. Cine Amuse East & West

    Equipped with two screens and an excellent sound system, Cine Amuse has regular screenings of Japanese movies subtitled in English, as well as international releases. It's a small but comfy space, and well-placed for post-cinema amusement in Shibuya.

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  7. Cine Amuse East/West

    This well-known arthouse standby screens Japanese and foreign classics, as well as new independent releases. Coffee, beer and snacks are available at the small café in the lobby. This is a great place to take a break from Shibuya's hectic pace while taking in a matinée.

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  8. Cinema Mediage

    This enormous 3000-seat multiplex shows Japanese and foreign films, many of which are subtitled and some of which are dubbed into Japanese. Check the Japan Times or Metropolis for current listings. Mediage is located inside the Aqua City shopping centre.

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  9. Cinema Rise

    Cinema Rise screens independent international cinema, but very few indie Japanese films. Just around the corner is an even more avant-garde space called Rise X (03 3464 8555), a tiny offshoot of Cinema Rise that screens mostly Japanese digital films.

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  10. Club 3.2.8

    DJs at San-ni-pa (aka San-ni-hachi) spin a quality mix, from funk to reggae to R&B. With its refreshing un-Roppongi feel and a cool crowd of Japanese and gaijin (foreigners), 3.2.8 is a fabulous place to boogie 'til the break of dawn. Two drinks are included in the cover charge.

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  12. Club Asia

    This massive club is worth a visit if you're on the younger end of twentysomething. Events here are usually jam-packed every night. Occasionally the club hosts some of Tokyo's bigger DJ events and hip-hop acts.

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  13. Club Quattro

    This venue feels more like a concert hall, but it's actually more along the lines of a slick club. It books local and international bands of generally high quality. Though there's no explicit musical focus, emphasis is on rock and roll with leanings toward world music.

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  14. Clubhouse

    This clubhouse looks like the kind of wood-trimmed beer bar you'd find at any ski lodge, and it's a magnet for Tokyo's diehard rugby fans. Its comfortable, rugged interior is a friendly place to settle in for one of the fine imported or domestic beers and whatever game's on the tube.

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  15. Crocodile

    Crocodile has something happening almost every night. It could be jazz, it could be rock, it could even be country and western or Cuban. Get here early, as things are known to fill up fast, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

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  16. Den Aquaroom

    Darting fish within the walls of immaculate blue aquariums make a visual counterpoint to the bop of jazz basslines. But even prettier than the dark décor is the chic clientele hanging out here for the evening. Chill with a fruity cocktail in this velvety lounge and enjoy the view.

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  17. Die Pratze

    Home to experimental theatre group OM-2, this small space features a variety of genres, from ballet to butō (contemporary dance style) to experimental performance pieces. Die Pratze is northwest of the Imperial Palace, near Kagurazaka Station.

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  18. Doma Doma

    This easy-to-find izakaya along Jingū-dōri serves a younger crowd than the salarymen boozing it up at its Shinjuku counterparts. Order a pitcher of nama biiru (draft beer) and a few Japanese dishes off the picture menu, but beware of the more fusion-style offerings that are less hit and more miss.

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  19. Dubliners

    The strains of an old Irish tune may meet you at the door. Live music, good beer and a warm break from Tokyo's smooth, cool rhythm have made this one of the city's most frequented international watering holes. Pub grub includes a few Irish standards in portions that are larger than normal for Tokyo. There's a second branch in Ikebukuro.

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  20. Eggman

    Follow the spiral staircase to the basement to hear blues, rock or light jazz musicians get low down. Most acts are local, and of the lighter, sweeter variety. Show up to see if tickets aren't completely sold out on a given night, and take a quick listen at the door to sample before committing. Most shows start around .

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  21. Enjoy! House

    This retro lounge is run by a free-spirited owner who will elevate your mood. The mix here runs from '80s pop to reggae, and the vibe is relaxed. Best of all, there's no cover charge. Enjoy!

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  23. Eurospace

    The focus at this fine theatre remains unwaveringly on small European films. Eurospace also occasionally hosts documentary or feature-film festivals, which will be listed in the major English-language weeklies; and sometimes screens late shows.

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  24. Footnik

    Cold pints cost only around ¥700 , and the big-screen TVs broadcast - what else? - footy (er, soccer) for the footniks. Find this friendly pub downstairs from Good Day Books.

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  25. Garam

    Garam is a cool little reggae club with a friendly owner and no Rasta poseurs. The house DJ spins a mix of dub, hip-hop and roots reggae, but guest DJs also make appearances. The cover includes one drink.

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  26. GB

    A welcoming, dimly-lit bar with 1980s videos on the tube and a cruise vibe. GB has friendly staff, decently generous drinks and makes for a great spot to begin the night.

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  27. Geronimo

    Geronimo is poised over Roppongi Crossing, making it a logical place to start out on a bar crawl through the neighbourhood. The place has a friendly vibe, and if you're feeling superfriendly you can bang on the drum that signals your intention to buy a round for everyone in the bar.

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