Moonstep is just about as synonymous with Nakano’s live music scene as you can get. Like the neighbourhood itself, the venue boasts a laid-back, unpretentious vibe that has a way of making you feel at home, and its wooden floors and low ceilings feel strangely familiar.
The space is split into two levels, with a small live room downstairs and a relatively roomy bar area upstairs. The Moonstep team regularly collaborates with independent labels and promoters, and more often than not, you’ll see supportive locals make it out early for the opening artists.
The downstairs room fits around 100 and has a surprisingly punchy sound system. With most of the crowd moving to the front of the room for the bands, the modest height of the stage adds an extra layer of intimacy to the homey live house.
Even at the height of summer, the entire venue somehow achieves just the right temperature and, despite its punk-rock aesthetic, lacks the sticky floors and indelible odours typically associated with establishment like it.
Up the creaky stairwell, the multi-purpose pub area has a long bar counter, a DJ booth, merch tables and affordable drinks. The staff and crowd are all friendly, and the venue feels more like a destination than the kind of place where you buy one drink, watch a band and leave.
As the bands wrap up downstairs, Moonstep will usually have DJs and producers performing upstairs into the night. So grab a drink, stick around and make some new friends.