Tokyo Comedy Bar

One of Tokyo’s hardest-hitting English-language comedy nights, the Tokyo Roast Battle sees some of the city’s top stand-up stars going head-to-head in a comically ego-crushing showdown. The June edition at Tokyo Comedy Bar celebrates the onset of rainy season with some no-holds-barred verbal boxing, including a championship bout between reigning belt-holder Jon Sabay and challenger Mike Paxman. Note that the Roast Battle isn’t for the faint of heart – the humour on offer is as brutal as it’s hilarious. Be sure to get your tickets in advance here.

They’re taking a cue from the leader of the free world in calling this the biggest, most tremendous comedy weekend Tokyo has ever seen, with only the best people and the best jokes – and we’re honestly too in awe not to agree. Tokyo Comedy Bar’s three-day celebration of the Stars and Stripes encompasses a whopping six shows, kicking off with two on Thursday evening, including an extravaganza featuring an all-American line-up of comedians performing entirely in Japanese. Many of Thursday’s stars will be returning to the Shibuya club for the first half of Friday’s double-header, the Stand-Up Comedy Showcase at 7.30pm. This will be followed at 9pm by what’s arguably the highlight of the weekend: a no-holds-barred roast battle in which Team USA takes on the rest of the world. Expect heated contests on the relative merits of, for instance, Tokyo vs Los Angeles, Salaryman vs Florida Man, and Japanese AV contra American porn – with that last position defended by none other than award-winning adult actress Alexis Fawx. Things conclude on Saturday with another double bill: the first part is headlined by Tokyo’s most eligible American-adjacent comedian bachelor Ryo Hayashi, while the latter promises ample quantities of ‘chaotic patriotism, anti-patriotism, and freedom-fueled laughter’. And yeah – there’ll be plenty of beer and hot dogs too.