8 best nighttime things to do in Shibuya: bars, clubs and shops

Drawing inspiration from the timeless kissaten (coffee shops) of Japan's Taisho era (1912-1926), the cocktail creations of Atsushi Suzuki – a legendary bartender and the Chivas Masters World Champion – take center stage. Among these mesmerizing concoctions, the frozen coffee-infused Udabra, with hints of Bacardi Ocho, café con leche, and sesame, is a revelation.

But the magic doesn't end at cocktails. Enter The Bellwood Lab, the bar’s intimate backroom reserved for audacious pop-ups. Here, a bold omakase sushi course with 12 pieces of nigiri meticulously paired with three cocktails, all for ¥12,000. It’s an unconventional setting, especially in Tokyo, where omakase sushi dinners at cocktail bars are a rarity. The architect behind this innovative menu, executive chef Ayaka Terai, defies conventions in a domain where women are scarcely seen crafting sushi.

In addition to devising inventive sushi menus, Terai also creates seasonal bowls of modern ramen that are available at the bar after 11pm. The current offering is a smoked uni noodles reminiscent of a hearty bowl of khao soi, inspired by Terai's most recent trip to Thailand.

With a restaurant, bar, outdoor terrace and club lounge, Cé La Vi just about covers all the bases for your glitzy night out in Tokyo. The venue occupies the 17th and 18th floors of Shibuya’s Tokyu Plaza and it still feels like a relatively new development in the neighbourhood since its opening in December 2019, just a few months before the Covid-19 restrictions.

Weekends here often see an international crowd ranging from university students to business people in their 40s, who usually rock up for VIP bottle-service rather than the music – primarily remixes of popular hip hop songs from the 2010s to now. The club lounge has a predictably steep entrance fee on Fridays and Saturdays (¥3,500 for men and ¥2,000 for women), but you’ll forget about your gripes when you’re looking out at one of the best skyline views Shibuya has to offer. 

An offshoot of Oslo Brewing, Øl Tokyo is Shibuya’s haven for craft beer lovers. Its interiors resonate with Nordic charm, with furniture and décor pieces flown in directly from Norway, radiating hygge.

Beyond its cosy aesthetic, Øl Tokyo prides itself on its comprehensive beer selection. With 20 taps in perpetual rotation, the lively craft beer bar serves a tempting range of Japanese and Norwegian brews. Patrons can choose from half pints starting at roughly ¥600 or indulge in a full pint priced around ¥1,600.

The permanent food truck outside the venue keeps bar-goers fed while a line-up of local DJs keeps the party going well into the night.

While its compact dance floor creates an intimate atmosphere where a gathering of 20 feels ample, Koara is renowned for surprise sets from high-profile DJs. Instead of intense dance-offs, expect subtle footwork and a more relaxed vibe.

Tokyo's discerning music lovers often laud Koara’s sound system as among the city's best. On weekends, the decks are typically manned by rising local talents. Entry fees are a rarity, and you'll find the drinks pleasantly affordable.

A spacious venue with a capacity for a hundred people, Hanchika – meaning ‘semi-underground’ – is a trendy izakaya that occasionally doubles as an event space for flea markets and music gigs. It’s owned by the same people who run the Shibuya udon bar Mansai, but unlike its noodle shop counterpart, Hanchika specialises in dishes steamed in small bamboo baskets like pork and shrimp shumai (¥1,232 for four pieces).

The izakaya also prides itself on its ever-changing selection of indie wines sourced from different corners of the globe. But if you’re not into natural vino then you can opt for a highball (¥660) made with one of the five house-infused spirits flavoured with ingredients like black tea, raisins and dried lemon.

At the recently opened Hailey’5 Cafe in Shibuya Beam, you can book a room with a PC, a private darts room, or a mini theatre so you can watch movies on a flat screen with a better sound system than you have at home. This internet cafe is especially good for those with a sweet tooth because the DIY soft drink bar also has a free soft-serve ice cream machine where you can create the towering sundae of your dreams. The plan starts at ¥660 for an hour, and there is a registration fee of ¥300 for first-time users.

Since its opening in the summer of 2022, Baia has rapidly ascended to become Tokyo's clubbing zenith, having previously hosted industry giants like Fabolous and DJ Skrillex. Weekends consistently see long lines snake outside its doors, a testament to its burgeoning popularity. But it's not just the party people who are captivated; the entrancing turquoise neon lights have a magnetic pull, beckoning even the most reserved souls.

Baia owes its impressive design to renowned New York artist Roy Nachum, realised in collaboration with the creative brains behind 1Oak Tokyo. The club sprawls magnificently over four levels, boasting a capacity to accommodate 1,000 guests. Regular themed nights coupled with a diverse music policy ensure that the club is constantly vibing.

Don Quijote, affectionately known as ‘Donki’, embodies a unique brand of retail chaos open 24-hours a day, seven days a week. A magnet for both locals and tourists, its allure is heightened by duty-free shopping options, making it a treasure trove for unique finds at bargain prices. Its floors overflow with a staggering array of items, from everyday groceries and liquor to premium brands, whimsical costumes and even risqué novelties.

Shoppers navigate the labyrinthine, narrow aisles teeming with seemingly random assortments, an experience not tailored for those with a hint of claustrophobia. The store's distinct approach to retail, paired with its unending operation hours, makes it an indispensable Shibuya landmark.