The Top 5 Clubs in Osaka for Foreigners

AUTHOR

Admin

DATE

January 14, 2022

CATEGORY

GIRLS AND DATING

Imagine having a friend to guide you to experience what most tourists will never see. That unknown city you’re visiting becomes the memory you flashback to when you want to escape your boring job.

“Hey bro! Where are the best clubs in Osaka? Can you take us out?”

At least once a month, my friends, who are coming to Japan, ask this question. I’ll be honest. When my friends started asking, I wasn’t sure if I could show them a good time. I felt the pressure. “What if they don’t enjoy themselves?” I thought. So, to save my ass, I created a plan. I would take them to have dinner, chill at a bar with a few drinks, smoke some shisha and then hit up a club. It worked. No matter how many times I do the same routine, they always say: “Holy shit! Last night was insane. Thanks for taking us out, bro. We had a great time! By the way, have you seen my shoes?” (He left them by the river). Or “Bro, I had a f****n amazing time. Thanks, man. Oh, by the way, How did I get home last night?” (I carried him). Or “Dude, have you seen [insert the name of a friend who always disappears]? We lost him last night.” (He fell asleep on a bench near the club). Now, you probably won’t be like this when you go out, but I’m sure you want to have an unforgettable night in Osaka and share it with your mates, right? Of course! Unfortunately, I can’t take you around personally. So, I’ll share with you my Top 5 Clubs in Osaka to help you have an unbelievable time.

Is this your First Time Clubbing in Japan?

If this is your first time clubbing in Japan, you should read the beginners section. You will learn about the rules and guidelines of going to a Japanese club. If you’ve had your first few experiences already, you can skip this and go directly to my top 5 clubs in Osaka for foreigners.

Where Should I Go for the Best Clubs in Osaka?

The Minami area is where you want to be. (Minami “南” = south in Japanese). The Minami area is made up of Namba and Shinsaibashi. Visiting Osaka, you will definitely be here during the day as it is famous for the Dotonbori bridge with the famous Glico Running Man, the famous Shinsaibashi-suji shopping strip, and the place to get delicious Osaka soul foods. This is where all tourists go... Top 5 Clubs in Osaka for Foreigners Glico Osaka But, at night, it's a different story. You will be struck by the dazzling neon lights and lively atmosphere. Witness group and groups of young, beautiful women trying to get Japanese salarymen to go to their izakaya bars or hostess bars. See an abundance of people going to the konbini (convenience store) to buy alcohol and drink on the bridge. Minami is famous for its nightlife. This is where I spent most of my weekends; waiting for dates, drinking with mates and eat some takoyaki before hitting the clubs.

The Rules for Japanese Clubs

Before I get into my top 5 clubs in Osaka, I will share with you some rules and what you can expect at a Japanese club:

Basic Rules

  • You must be over 20 years old to enter. (Legal drinking age in Japan is 20).
  • Always bring your ID. Your passport is your best bet, but I use my driver’s license all the time.
  • Don’t be an asshole who starts fights. 99% of fights in Japanese clubs are foreigners fighting other foreigners.
  • No drugs allowed. Anywhere. Don't try to buy drugs in Japan. It’s super illegal. If they find weed on you, you can be jailed up to 3 years for possession. Japan will deport you and you will be banned from entering Japan.
  • Shorts are only ok at some clubs, during summer.
  • No sandals. (Come on, dude. It’s a club.)
  • From experience, don’t enter the VIP section and start drinking the champagne. You will get heavy fines and you get kicked out. Yes, this is from experience. :)

Some Expectations

  • You can smoke in the club.
  • If you're a non-smoker, be prepared. Your clothes will stink of smoke.
  • Japanese clubs are small. You will be shoulder to shoulder, bumping into others as you're walking around. You also might get a few drinks on you by the end of the night.
  • Club entry fees can be high. It's normal to pay 3000 yen ($30USD, $40CAD/AUD) to get into the club (but on the bright side, you get 1 free drink -- 700 yen).
  • The best nights to go clubbing are Saturdays, not Fridays. Fridays are hit and miss because most Japanese people work on Saturdays.
  • Clubs peak around 12 am - 1 am. Get in around 11:30 pm and watch the people flow in.
  • The music in Japanese clubs can be 2-3 years behind. Don’t expect the latest top-20 charts.
  • Some clubs close at 1 am. (Yeah, bro. I know. That’s why I avoid these clubs.)

Caution: Meeting Japanese Girls at Clubs

Here’s the best part about meeting Japanese girls in the club. You can get away with not speaking Japanese, but there is a right way to approach a girl and a horrible way. Here are some common pitfalls that foreigners might fall into when trying to pick up a Japanese girl in a club.

How You Should Not Approach a Japanese Girl:

  • Offering to buy them a drink from the beginning (they usually take the FREE drink and walk away).
  • Hugging them when you meet them.
  • Forcefully grabbing a girl to dance with you.

Here are Some Better Ways to Approach a Japanese Girl:

  • Enjoy yourself (this is a social indicator of a non-clingy person).
  • Don’t go to “pick up”, go to have a good time.
  • Dance with the girl, not on the girl.
You’ve got this, bro. To help you further here is a more in-depth guide on how to meet Japanese Girls in a club. Now, let’s move on to...

“What Do You Wanna Hear at Clubs?”

In Japan, there are hip-hop, pop, house or house-pop music playing in clubs. (House-pop is my term for Pop music remixed into house/club music. Imagine Justin Bieber with a shit house beat or his newer stuff.) Personally, I love old-school hip-hop -- Dr. Dre, Snoop, N.W.A, etc. I’ll be straight with you. My top 5 are biased to old-school hip-hop. I’ve added some good house clubs, but I’m not the biggest fan of the music. If that’s cool with you, here is...

My Top 5 Clubs in Osaka for Foreigners

Top 5 Clubs in Osaka for Foreigners Wax

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5. Wax

This was my go-to place for the first 6 months living in Osaka. At the time, it was the best place to go. In 2016, I went back to see what it was like. I didn’t like what I saw. The place was shit. I wondered how I went to this place for 6 months. So why is it in my top 5? Because it was good in the early days. Not anymore. I had amazing times in this joint and I’ve met awesome people, but it’s not the same anymore. I may or may not have been slapped in here before too. Types of Girls: 23 to 27-year-olds, reserved in their girl groups. House-pop lovers Downsides - 3000 yen entry, can get packed on the floor. Top 5 Clubs in Osaka for Foreigners Giraffe

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4. A Combination of 2 clubs. Giraffe and G3

Giraffe - This is a 4-story club. Each level has a different genre - house-pop, house, and Hip-hop. There is a VIP section on one of the floors too. In its heyday, it was the place to go. That was before it started to close at 1 am. You can still have a good time here but it’ll end at 1 am and you’ll have to pay more to get into another club. Types of Girls: 20 to 24-year-olds, want to have fun, reserved in their groups. Pop music lovers. Downsides - 3000 yen entry (+1 drink), can get tighter than the Shibuya crossing, and closes at 1 am. G3 - Right next door to Giraffe is G3. This is usually where you go after Giraffe closes. This place is tiny. It is one long hallway. But it can be fun, as long as there aren't too many people. It has a cheap entry for foreigners - 1000 yen (+ 1 drink). G3 plays house-pop music. Types of Girls: 20 to 24-year-olds, want to have fun, reserved in their groups. Pop music lovers. Downsides - When it’s busy, it is the same as being in a Tokyo subway train during peak hours; except they’re dancing, drunk, and spilling drinks everywhere. (I still wonder how they would evacuate the place if there was a fire). Top 5 Clubs in Osaka for Foreigners Pure

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3. Pure

This is great hip-hop joint. There’s an all-you-can-drink option. Yes, All-you-can-drink for 3000 yen (includes entry). Pure is hit and miss though - sometimes it’s good and other times its shit. There are a lot of foreigners who come here. You can have an awesome time if you can control your alcohol. ;) Types of Girls: 25 to 32-year-olds, love to dance, more open to foreigners. Hip-hop lovers. Downsides - All-you-can-drink = Drunk people. While this is fun for the first few hours, it gets unfriendly after a while. On busy nights, it's hard to get drinks. Top 5 Clubs in Osaka for Foreigners Sam and Daves

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2. Sam and Dave’s One/Bar One

This bar is infamous among my friends living in Osaka. You might get “lucky” if you know what I mean. That’s why they go. I’ve gotten “lucky” here. This club is fun. Pop/Hip-hop/House. Entry is 2000 yen (+1 drink). Types of Girls: 26 to 33-year-olds, love to dance, open to meeting foreigners. They are looking to meet someone. Downsides - Assholes and Douchebags are common. Top 5 Clubs in Osaka for Foreigners Ghost Club

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1. Ghost

If you’re into old school hip-hop, this is definitely for you. Entry is 1500 yen for foreigners (with 1-drink coupon) This is where I take my friends when they want to go clubbing. I always have a great time here. Type of girls: 24 to 29-year-olds, love to dance, can be reserved to their girl groups. Downsides - It can get packed, but it’s more fun. That’s it, bro. You’ve learned about the clubbing scene in Osaka. Go out and have fun! Had an awesome experience at a club in Osaka? Leave a comment below and tell me your story!

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