Tucked away in a creaky three-storey walk-up in Asagaya – a neighbourhood known for its Showa-era charm, jazz bars and laid-back artsy atmosphere – Drift feels like stepping into a fever dream built by club heads and car enthusiasts. With a capacity of just 80, it’s small enough to feel like a secret, but its personality roars louder than venues twice its size.
At the centre of it all is a DJ booth styled like the front of a street racer, headlights and all, with turntables where the dashboard would be. Behind it, a massive projector splashes light and visuals across the space, lending cinematic energy to a tightly packed dance floor. Oil drums double as bar tables, adding to the garage-meets-club spirit that makes Drift feel like a DIY shrine to movement, mischief and music.
Programming-wise, anything goes. Hyperpop, drum and bass, anime songs, and 160-BPM chaos collide here regularly, drawing a crowd that’s more interested in the ride than the rules. The vibe is loose, weird and refreshingly unpretentious – less about clout, more about connection.
If you’re after a place that embodies Tokyo’s underground in its most joyfully chaotic form, Drift is where you want to be.