新宿二丁目 [ しんじゅくにちょうめ ]

Shinjuku Ni-chome

"ゲイ・タウンとしての新宿二丁目の歴史は1960年代半ばから始まると言われるが、当時はゲイに対するタブー視も強く、はっきりとした資料は存在しない。しかし、空家となった元赤線の店などを利用してゲイバーが営業を始め、徐々にその数を増やしていったものと思われる。

日本最初のゲイバーは1945年（昭和20年）新橋烏森神社境内付近に島田正雄（通称お島さん）が経営する『やなぎ』といわれ、比較的女装バーの色合いが強い店であった。この店は青江、吉野両人のような女装の名物ママを輩出したバーとしても知られる。（青江はカルーセル麻紀の師匠にあたる。 ）この後、三島由紀夫の小説のモデルとなるゲイバー『ブランズウイッグ』も現在の銀座五丁目近辺に開店する。

新宿でのゲイバーは『イプセン』。当初は喫茶店であったが、口コミでゲイバー化することとなる。戦後の東京では新宿はまだまだ未開発な土地であり、その多くは上野、浅草、新橋エリアを筆頭に各繁華街に数件ずつが点在していた程度といわれ、現在のような巨大なゲイ・タウンはどの町にも見られなかった。銀座から移転してきた蘭屋は新宿三丁目要町に店を構える。界隈には『ラ・カーヴ』『ロートレック』『シレ』『蘭屋』などのゲイバーとともに新宿ゲイ・タウンの礎となる街を形成する。要町以外では大久保の『夜曲』、歌舞伎町『ユーカリ』が存在した。"

Shinjuku is part of the Tokyo City, there the place where gays gather. This town is called gay town. well-developed gay culture there. citizens of tokyo or japan is more open to gay culture

there are so many gay bars or clubs

clubs in this town are typically segregated by "scene." There are bars that cater specifically to the bear community, BDSM, muscular men, young men, butch and femme lesbians, etc.

Club owners called “masters” or “mama-sans” try to attract the unique crowds that characterize their clubs, going so far as to deny service or charge additional fees to less-desired customers. For example, Nichōme nightclub Avanti charges a ¥1000 entrance fee to women and gay men, and ¥1500 to “typical” men; club Kusuo, ¥1000 to men, ¥1500 to women; and club Koimo, ¥1500 to gay men, and ¥2000 to everyone else.

While most bar owners do accommodate new and non-Japanese customers, the scene is primarily geared toward regular customers who are Japanese. Some venues discourage or prohibit non-Japanese from entering, regardless of Japanese language ability.

At most bars in Shinjuku Ni-chōme, patrons sit at a counter and chat with the bartender. Karaoke is popular, and gay magazines are often available. Most bars offer
a bottle-keep system, so many regular customers choose to keep their own bottles of liquor at their favorite bars.

This loyalty is then repaid by bar-organized outings to onsen,

hanami parties, picnics, and gay sporting events.

Bars maintain large commemorative photo albums of these outings.

In contrast, a handful of establishments specifically

target foreigners with English advertising.

Five clubs — Advocates, Arty Farty, Dragon, GB, and Rehab —

are particularly popular amongst foreign men and their admirers,

but they do not offer bottle-keep services.

Advocates, though very small,

is especially known for large weekend crowds

of natives and foreigners

that spill out onto

the sidewalk and adjacent street

GAY PLACES

Advocates (1F, Dai-7 Tenka Building, Shinjuku 2-18-1, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3358 3988). On block J, facing block R. Gay Shinjuku map

Open 6pm to 5am, Mon-Sat; 6pm - 1am Sun.

Hole-in-the-wall gay street cafe on the main drag. A popular place to start the evening. English-speaking proprietor.

Alamas Cafe, gay bar, Shinjuku Ni-Chome, Tokyo.Alamas Cafe (Garnet Bldg., 1F, Shinjuku 2-12-1, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3358 3988). On block L, facing block U. Gay Shinjuku map

Open 6pm to 2am, Mon-Thu; 6pm - 5am Fri; 3pm - 5am, Sat; 3pm - midnight, Sun.

A trendy cornerside bar/cafe, semi-open-air, with DJ booth.

Arty Farty.Arty Farty (2F, No.33 Kyutei Bldg, Shinjuku 2-11-7, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 5362 9720) On block E, facing block D. Gay Shinjuku map

A stylish mixed bar with a dance floor, more spacious than the usual holes-in-the-wall that make up most of Shinjuku 2-chome. A real scene-queen anything-goes party spot that jumps till morning.

(Also listed in Clubs)

The Annex (1F, Futami Building, Shinjuku 2-14-11, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3356 5029) On lower part of block R, facing block Q. Gay Shinjuku map

Run by Arty Farty as its ... annex. Features a mezzanine floor, and a fountain in the middle of the dancefloor. Also listed below in Gay Clubs.

DNA, gay bar, Shinjuku Ni-chome, Tokyo.DNA (1F, Musashino Bldg., Shinjuku 2-13-10, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Tel. 03 3341 4445) On block S facing block K. Gay Shinjuku map

A sharply styled bar on the main drag that attracts a varied clientele. Great place for quiet chat. Hours: 3pm-5am; open every day.

Dragon Men (1F, Stork Nagasaki Bldg., Shinjuku 2-11-4, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Tel. 03 3341 0606) On block E facing block F. Gay Shinjuku map

Gay Ni-chome's most spacious streetside bar. Plenty of room to move, cruise, or sit down and chat. Fresh, upbeat, modern layout and decor, hip multi-genre crowd, and good, reasonably priced drinks. 6pm-9pm daily happy hour. Hours: 6pm-3am, Sun-Thu; till 5am Fri-Sat.

Fuji (B104, Saint Four Building, Shinjuku 2-12-16 , Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3354 2707). On block L, facing block T. Gay Shinjuku map

An intimate space for more mature foreign guys and Japanese guys into them. Has karaoke.

GB (B1, Shinjuku Plaza Building, Shinjuku 2-12-3, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3352 8972) On block L, facing block D. Gay Shinjuku map

A roomy-for-Ni-Chome downstairs shot bar very popular with non-Japanese and Japanese gaisen (i.e. potato queens). Cruisy spot great for pre-clubbing.

Hijoguchi (1F, Shinjuku 2-12-16, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3341 5445). On block L, facing block K. Gay Shinjuku map

Supposedly 'gay-friendly' mixed bar (albeit with not particularly warm service) with dance floor. Regular free-entry Club Wednesday night. Also listed below in Gay Clubs.

Kinsmen, Shinjuku Ni-chome, Tokyo.Kinsmen (2F, Shinjuku 2-18-5, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3354 4949) Bottom right corner of block I. Gay Shinjuku map

A spacious upstairs bar with a well-established presence. A warm, relaxed, adult, subtley lit atmosphere ideal for sitting and chatting with friends, the friendly bar staff, or that sexy stranger. Foreigners welcome. No cover charge. Drinks from 800 yen.

Rehab Lounge, gay bar, Shinjuku 2-chome, Tokyo.Rehab Lounge (2F Sensho Bldg., 2-13-16 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022 Tel. 03 3355 7833). On block T, facing block S. Gay Shinjuku map

"Purveyors of fine hangovers since 2008," Rehab is a

chic, mod chill-out bar with a definite party edge. Space-age decor, generous layout. One of Ni-Chome's best spots for well-done cocktails. Beer on tap. Frequent dance parties.

REHAB LOUNGE HAPPY HOUR 7pm-9pm every night: 1,000 yen, all you can drink. Look for chalkboard sign on street.

Tac's Knot (2F, Room 202, Shinjuku 3-11-12, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3341 9404) On block A: the corner nearest Shinjuku Shinjuku 3-chome Stn Exit C6. Gay Shinjuku map

Open 8pm-2am.

Run by an artist, Tac's Knot is, unsurprisingly, an arty space attracting a creative crowd and featuring exhibitions of gay artists' works. A small but venerable Ni-chome institution (although actually outside of Ni-chome proper. Across the road in San-chome.)

Usagi On block U, facing block V. Gay Shinjuku map

A 5th-floor foreigner-friendly bar well worth the climb up the narrow stairs. Busy, welcoming, chatty, with a generally well-informed, interesting and interested Japanese and foreign crowd. A touch more spacious than the average Ni-Chome bar, and with the added attraction of a balcony for enjoying gay Shinjuku under the stars. Read an interview with the owner of Usagi.

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Tokyo Gay Club

Ni-chome

Huge club in Tokyo's Koto ward. Not a gay club as such, but hosts gay Ageha nights, usually 'Shangri-la' (approximately every two months) or 'Black'. Five dance floors with different DJs, including at least one big name, + darkroom. Parties at Ageha are a must-go.

Access: Shinkiba Station (JR Keiyo line). Shuttle buses from Shinjuku (from block O of the Gay Shinjuku map, in front of the Yachiyo Bank) and Shibuya. Ageha bus shuttle schedule.

The Annex (1F, Futami Building, Shinjuku 2-14-11, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3356 5029) Open 3pm - 5am. On lower part of block R, facing block Q. Gay Shinjuku map

Formerly Club Zip, now run by Arty Farty as its ... annex. Features a mezzanine floor, and a small fountain in the middle of the dance floor. Sexily lit. (Also listed in Tokyo Gay Bars)

ArcH (B1F, Dai-2 Hayakawaya Building, Shinjuku 2-14-6, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3352 6297. info@clubarch.net). On block R, facing block S. Gay Shinjuku map

Formerly 'Ace', opened in July 2006 by the people who ran the now-closed Advocates Tokyo, the club. A warm, underground vibe, drag queens aplenty, decent sound system. Daily party schedule. Theme nights. Saturdays men only. Women-only nights, too.

Arty Farty (2F, No.33 Kyutei Bldg, Shinjuku 2-11-7, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 5362 9720) On block E, facing block D. Gay Shinjuku map

In spite of being subtitled 'The Lounge', Arty Farty on weekends is as much a small club as a bar. By far, Shinjuku 2-chome's most popular dance spot. A happy upper vibe for those who love to get down.

(Also listed in Tokyo Gay Bars)

Hijoguchi (or Hijouguchi) (1F, Shinjuku 2-12-16, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022. Tel. 03 3341 5445). On block L, facing block K. Gay Shinjuku map

'Gay-friendly' mixed bar with dance floor. Regular free-entry Club Wednesday night and weekend dance events.

Warehouse (B1F Fukao Bldg., 1-4-5 Azabu-juban, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0045. Tel. 03 6230 0343). Off Ni-chome

Large underground club in Tokyo's Minato ward. Not a gay club as such, but hosts the (fairly) regular Red gay night - a good hard, shirts-off, go-go boy fun night.

Access: exit 7, Azabu-juban stn, Oedo subway line. (Right next door to Exit 7 - you can't miss it.)