Hi guys,

I hope you can help me with what may seem like a stupid question. I am coming down to Tokyo in a few weeks and want to explore some gay bars/clubs but I really have no idea where to start.
If anyone could recommend any places that would be great.

Thanks

do u want to drink..... dance..... or a place where you can talk to mature or young guys....

Well I guess first a place to drink and talk to young guys. I mean not really young, but I'm 23 so guys around my age would be cool! And then maybe later some place to dance.
Are the bars mostly full of foreign people or Japanese or mixed? I am pretty clueless, sorry.

You're clueless only because you live in Asahikawa.

I would wander around Shinjuku Ni-Chome if I were you; go with the flow. Ask people on the street for suggestions. Be sure to indicate what kind of guys you like so you aren't sent off to that ghastly "GB", where many of the pickled gaijin regulars appear to be permanently holding up the ceiling, or somewhere similar with 'mature' crowds. There are usually venues offering dancing but they move around in Shinjuku, so ask a Japanese on the street for recommendations.

Please tell us how you, ah, make out.

Take a look at this page from the boys/girls at Utopia. It summarizes nicely the best places for you, as a gaijin, to visit in 2-chome. In addition, it has comments from visitors like yourself!
http://www.utopia-asia.com/tokybars.htm

As for Atlantic's ridiculous statement about GB, I would take that with a grain of salt. I can only imagine that if he is able to recognize the "pickled gaijin ...holding up the ceiling" that he IS, or at one time WAS, one of the very same. GB is an institution in 2 chome. Many first timers to Tokyo as well as long term residents have whittled away many happy hours there I am sure. Sour grapes, Atlantic?

More Tokyo bar info here:
http://tinyurl.com/2fgeuk

So... sour grapes is the only sentiment you're able to derive from my comment on GB, 'Osaka Rob'?

It must clearly suit your needs, dude; indeed, perhaps you're even one of the pillars of the community there - but it doesn't suit mine at all, and I can tell you from firsthand experience it doesn't suit those of lot of 'long term residents' people who expect something better, more international, and bigger from a city the size of Tokyo.

And anyway, what makes you think we are obliged to agree about such things when posting our suggestions on where to go?

There is nothing wrong with GB not suiting your needs, Atlantic. There is nothing wrong with it not suiting the needs of other long term residents, especially those who, as you say, expect so much more from a city the size of Tokyo. However, UKJ's question seems to be from a young man in his early 20s who has never experienced 2-chome's gay venues.
Whether you would like to admit it or not, it is a place where a lot of first timers can go and comfortably meet some people, just as you probably did. You are correct that the bar has a certain number of regulars, but most places do,right?
UKJ will proabably get bored by it and find other places more to his liking. That is why I suggested the website that I did. Your suggestion that he ask strangers on the street where he might find an appropriate gay bar seemed unrealistic to me. Furthermore, I assumed he was asking for positive advice. Young men going out for the first time don't really want to hear "war stories" or tales of "how things used to be." Or worse yet, how unsophisticated everywhere is. Your worldly and experienced view is surely helpful in that department, but from my view it was "pissing on someone else's parade". I hope he goes out and has a wonderful evening, as I am sure you have many, many, many times.

Osakarob, Atlastic...

Guys, it's fine to disagree, but let's not turn this into a slanging match. I'm sure that's the last thing UKJ wanted.

UKJ, do let us know how you get on in Tokyo. If you go to Nichome, which is probably the best destination to begin with, there's more than enough to keep you entertained, but it's compact enough that you can easily try out several different bars in one night. You're bound to find somewhere to your liking. If you want to go clubbing, Ageha in Shin-Kiba sometimes has gay nights, and it's one of the biggest clubs in the city. Have fun!

I would recommend Arty Farty as a starting point for someone your age. Advocates is also a good place to have a warm-up beer and get a feel for 2-chome. Later on, if you are in need of a companion for the night, GB is full of Japanese guys (including young and goodlooking ones) who are in to foreigners. It's true that the crowd (especially foreigners) is a bit older, but I think a lot of people still enjoy it at times as a quieter escape from the noise and immaturity often found at Arty. Or alternatively, as a place to pick up a guy for the night. By the way, people only go to these places on Friday/Saturday nights, maybe Sunday evening as well. Nothing happens in 2-chome during the week. Unless you want to talk bath houses and sex clubs. But that's a whole different ball game!

Yes, indeed. Ageha is sometimes the site of a very world class gay night event and the dancing is great there. The crowd is young and very friendly. You'll have to check to see if there is a gay nite while you're here, and also how find the bus for Ageha, which looks like a brand new disco from Shanghai, and is very factory looking, but is out of the center of the city, with free shuttle bus service from various points in town, and there are not too many foreigners there.

I can't believe anyone would seriously suggest you spend any time in GB at your age, but there are people who don't feel at home anyplace else, I guess. Arty Farty is probably more towards your expectations. Anyway, you may return to Hokkaido a changed man.

Dragon can be fun too on the weekends if you go very late at night!