Tokyo is a unique city that offers all the different kinds of entertainment you can possibly imagine. From arcades and cinemas to restaurants and karaoke parlors and DJ bars, there is everything you need.
If you are a music lover, the city, in particular, has an extensive number of choices for casual places to hang out and discover new pre-recorded and live music while having a drink or two.
Guidable’s List For the Best DJ Bars in Tokyo
We have compiled a list of the best music bars in central Tokyo—also our favorite ones—for when you feel like having a drink and listening to some good tunes from house and techno to disco.
Veronique (Aoyama)
Veronique is a new trendy lounge bar located in the basement of a building in a rear alley of the stylish Aoyama neighborhood. Veronique operates as a regular bar, but its DJ setup comes alive, especially from Friday to Sunday when music-centered events take place with local DJs. The environment and the chill house disco music sets are perfect for brightening up a gloomy Sunday afternoon. Most nights have a first drink 1000 yen format.
Find the bar here on Google Maps.
Opening hours: 8 PM until late
Red Bar (Aoyama)
Red Bar is definitely worth a stop, even just for the picturesque interior decor: dozens of lamps and chandeliers, cozy velvet sofas, and baroque-esque frames on the wall, all lit up by the soft dim red lighting from which the bar takes its name. Events happen throughout the week, but Red Bar is a favorite “after-party” location from 5 or 6 AM on Saturdays and Sundays. Entrance is 1000 yen with one drink.
Find the bar here on Google Maps.
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 8 PM – 3 AM, Friday and Saturday 9 PM – 9 AM, Sunday 6 PM – 12 AM
Sound Bar Patrol (Sangenjaya)
Sound Bar Patrol in Sangenjaya is located on the top floor of a small building on the outskirts of the crowded central streets around Sangenjaya station. Sound Patrol’s music selection ranges from tech-house to reggae and dub.
The bar area is located on the left and offers standard drinks as well as craft beers. On the right, the space opens up to a spacious dancefloor with two massive speakers, and a big window faces a small garden just behind the building. The music charge is 1000 yen.
Find the bar here on Google Maps.
Opening hours: Friday and Saturday, 10 PM – 5 AM (hours can vary depending on the event)
Oath (Shibuya)
Oath bar is another classic destination around Shibuya station. The relatively small room has a long bar counter and three dedicated areas with small tables and cozy sofas. Similar to Red Bar, what really stands out is the baroque and a bit kitsch—in a good way—interior design. The walls are decorated with heavy gold frame mirrors and majestic chandeliers.
Entrance is 1000 yen with one drink.
Find the bar here on Google Maps.
Opening hours: 8 PM – 4 AM, closed on Mondays
Debris (Daikanyama)
Getting inside Debris, a small little bar in Daikanyama is already enough to make the place interesting: you have to slide a book and push a button to open the door to the lightly dimmed room bar area, decorated with neon lights and a space-inspired background behind the DJ booth.
The music charge at Debris is 500 yen which you put towards your favorite cocktail order.
Find the bar here on Google Maps.
Opening hours: 7 PM – 12 AM, closed on Sundays
Tengu Shokudo (Sangenjaya)
Tengu Shokudo is basically one of those places you have to know, or you will never stumble upon. It’s located on the third floor of a completely average-looking building in the street that connects Sangenjaya with Shimokitazawa. Plants, branches, and lamps come down from the ceiling, and the DJ booth is located just next to the bar—also surrounded by plants.
Sit down on one of the stools in front of the counter to chat or step in front of the mixer to enjoy the music full blast in your ears. Tengu Shokudo nights start at around 10 or 11 PM, and the place gets pretty lively, especially in the middle of the night.
The charge is 1000 (or 1500) yen depending on the event.
Find the bar here on Google Maps.
Knock (Koenji)
Knock, just a short walking distance from the northern side of Koenji is a space for various types of events, from DJ nights to live music and art exhibitions. Try some of their homemade spirits and watch this DJ space transform from techno to ambient and experimental.
The entrance fee is 1,000 or 1,500 yen (including one drink), depending on the night and event.
Find the bar here on Google Maps.
Opening hours: events start at 10 PM (opening days and hours vary depending on the event)
Smiths (Nakano)
Smiths, on the northern side of Nakano station, is a 2 story bar with music events happening almost every weekend.
Stay downstairs if you want to dance to some techno, or grab a seat upstairs on a sofa if you want to relax and be in a more conversation-friendly environment.
Find the bar here on Google Maps.
Opening hours: events start at 10 PM (opening days and hours vary depending on the event)
Explore Tokyo’s Coolest DJ Bars
If you didn’t have your weekend sorted yet, we’ve got you covered for the next few months with the best music bars to hang out in central Tokyo.
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