Best lesbian bars in Shinjuku Ni-chome

A fun and lively shot bar, Adezakura always recommends a round of tequila shots for everyone to loosen up and mingle. Coupled with the gregarious bartenders, and crowd-pleasing K-Pop, R&B and electro hits from the occasional DJ sets, Adezakura has won the hearts of many Ni-chome regulars. Doors open at 9pm Monday to Saturday, and it is strictly women- only until 2am, after which all genders are welcome until 6am. With the first trains starting around this time, Adezakura is the perfect place to hang out for an all-nighter in Ni-chome.

Agit may be small in size but it has a big, welcoming heart. Newcomers are encouraged to sit at the counter so that they can be introduced to the bar’s regulars, although there are also a couple of tables for groups as well. The fun doesn’t stop there though, as Agit has karaoke machines for you to sing along to a vast array of Japanese and English songs. If you’re looking for a taste of what a more traditional Japanese lesbian bar is like, Agit is it.

The spacious Dorobune features a long, stool-lined counter plus a few tables. Its speciality drinks are umeshu and sake, and the house-made rice-oil okonomiyaki is delicious and comes in vegetarian and vegan options, too. A self-described kakureya (Japanese for ‘hideout’) that’s celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Dorobune has a suitably relaxed vibe and the staff are welcoming. The bar is only open to ladies as well as their beloved dogs, and makes for a great respite from the craziness of Ni-chome’s wilder pockets. So if you’re looking for a bar to sit down and catch up with friends, this is it. 

A relative newcomer to the Ni-chome scene, Kamari is a tiny bar with a huge personality. Spearheaded by former bikini model and LGBT advocate Ayaka Ichinose, this establishment practices what it preaches by being inclusive to everyone on the sexual and gender identity spectrum. You can usually catch Ayaka at the bar on Saturday when she greets guests in a glamorous gown and with an infectious smile. Bartender Hibari, who loves dressing up as a ninja, is a favourite with tourists and the expat crowd as she loves conversing in English with the aid of her ever-present Poketalk interpretation device. Further adding to the bar’s ninja theme are the ninja star drink coasters and the decorative katana (traditional swords) resting just underneath the bottles of booze. 

Rainbow Burritos Doumo isn’t technically in Ni-chome, but since it’s a staple of the lesbian　community, it’s worth extending the district a few hundred metres to include this cosy little bar on the list. It’s an incredibly community-minded place, always welcoming everyone　regardless of nationaly, gender identity and sexuality. Upon entry, Rainbow Burritos greets you with a stained-glass version of the famous artist Frida Kahlo. It may be a small bar but it’s a haven for expatriates craving its California-style burritos, which are a rare find in Tokyo. Vegetarian and vegan meal options are also available.