In the Spirit

In the Spirit

Scare up a Halloween to remember at Tokyo's hottest parties

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Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on October 2010

Ryan Bruss

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Sat, Oct 30, 9pm-late & Sun, Oct 31, 5pm-late Sat: Women: ¥2,000 (w/1 drink); men: ¥2,500 (w/1 drink). Sun: ¥1,000 Saturday’s “Angels & Devils” bash rocks till dawn with a full DJ line up, drink specials and a crowd of 1,000-plus. On Sunday, the “Halloween Ball” gets rolling at 5pm with special drink offers. B1F, 4-2-35 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5775-7857. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.fiftyseven.co.jp

Ageha

Sat, Oct 30, 10pm-late ¥4,000 (¥2,000 with costume) The “Pandora’s Box” party features DJs, light shows, an “Erotica Fetish Halloween” sideshow and a costume contest with a ¥300,000 top prize (pre-registration 9pm). 2-2-10 Shin-Kiba, Koto-ku. Tel: 03-5534-1515. Nearest stn: Shin-Kiba. www.ageha.com

Bar Quest

Fri, Oct 29, 7pm-late & Sat, Oct 30, 10pm-late Free entry Free candy and special Halloween drinks are on the menu at Quest’s annual all-nighters. Register in advance and receive a free drink, and dress up for a chance to win a helicopter tour for two. 3F, 5-3-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5414-2225. Nearest stn: Roppongi, exit 3. www.barquestroppongi.com

Belle Salle First Shibuya

Fri, Oct 29, 9pm-5am ¥5,800 (adv); ¥6,800 (door) New York band The Rapture heads a hipster-bating bill that also includes Kitsune mainstay Gildas and indie heroes Vampire Weekend. B1F Sumitomo Fudosan Shibuya First Tower, 1-2-20 Higashi, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-6418-2611. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.bellesalle.co.jp/bs_shibuyafirst

Castillo

Sat, Oct 30, 8:30pm-late Free entry Kick it old-school at Castillo’s ’70s- and ’80s-themed Halloween party. Fifty guests in costume get a free incense set. B1, 3-15-23 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3401-7155. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.castillo-tokyo.com

Celebrity II

Sat, Oct 30, 5:30pm departure ¥6,000 (includes after-party) Join 199 other revelers for a Halloween cruise around Tokyo Bay with Chilean DJ Rodrigo Laffertt (see Clubbing), then hit the after-party at Shibuya club Microcosmos. Departs from Palette Town, 1 Aomi, Taito-ku. Nearest stn: Aomi or Tokyo Teleport. www.parties4peace.com

Club Citta

Sun, Oct 31, 4:30-11pm ¥1,500 (adv); ¥2,000 (door); ¥500 (parade participants) Top-name DJs will be spinning at the “Dancing Pumpkins” party, following Japan’s largest Halloween parade. 4-1 Ogawa-cho, Kawasaki. Tel: 044-233-6903. Nearest stn: Kawasaki. http://meturl.com/cita

Club Gallery

Fri, Oct 29 & Sat, Oct 30, from 11pm Fri: Women free; men ¥3,000 (w/3 drinks). Sat: ¥3,000 (w/3 drinks); ¥1,000 discount for Metropolis readers This sleek club-lounge hosts Halloween dance and music performances all night, plus special costume prizes. 1-1-1 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5771-4447. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.gallery-roppongi.com

Dubliners

Fri, Oct 29, from 7pm Free entry Tokyo’s largest chain of Irish pubs offers happy hour beer prices to customers dressed in costumes. Shinjuku branch: 2F Shinjuku Lion Hall, 3-28-9 Shinjuku. Tel: 03-3352-6606. Nearest stn: Shinjuku (east exit). Shibuya branch: 2F Dogenzaka Center Bldg, 2-29-8 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-5459-1736. Nearest stn: Shibuya (Hachiko exit). Other branches: Shinagawa (03-6718-2834), Ikebukuro (03-5951-3614), Akasaka (03-3539-3615) and Toranomon (03-5501-1536). Call for addresses and hours. www.dubliners.jp

El Café Latino

Sat, Oct 30, 8pm-5am ¥1,500 (w/1 drink) Expect lots of salsa, merengue, bachata and reggaeton at this Latin-themed Halloween party. Bacardi drinks ¥500 all night. 3-15-24 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3402-8989. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.elcafelatino.com

Eleven

Sat, Oct 30, 10pm-late ¥4,000 (w/1 drink); ¥3,000 (w/1 drink) with costume The renowned Nishi-Azabu club hosts Canadian DJ extraordinaire Stephen Beaupre, plus appearances by Akufen and Takuya. 1-10-1 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5775-6206. Nearest stn: Roppongi or Hiroo. http://go-to-eleven.com

f.BAR

Fri, Oct 29 & Sat, Oct 30, 11pm-5am Women: ¥2,500 (w/2 drinks); men: ¥3,500 (w/2 drinks) The two-day party at this fashionista hotspot is sure to feature the season’s artiest costumes. 1-4-5 Azabu-Juban, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3586-6383. Nearest stn: Azabu-Juban. www.fbar.jp

Feria

Sat, Oct 30, 7pm-late Women: ¥2,500 (w/2 drinks); men ¥3,500 (w/2 drinks) Supported by Veuve Clicquot, the “Haunted Feria 2010” bash features a costume contest with prizes totaling over ¥1 million. The “King & Queen” competition, meanwhile, has a first prize of ¥300,000 plus a bottle of bubbly. 7-13-7 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5785-0656. Nearest stn: Nogizaka or Roppongi. www.lounge-feria.jp

Heimat Cafe

Sat, Oct 30, 8pm-midnight ¥3,500 (incl. all-you-can-drink plus food buffet); ¥500 discount for “fancy” costume A DJ will be on hand to liven up the proceedings at this casual Meguro-ku cafe. 3-5-6 Meguro-Honcho, Meguro-ku. Tel: 03-6452-3770. Nearest stn: Musashi-Koyama (Tokyu Meguro line). www.heimat-cafe.com

Loft

Sun, Oct 31, from noon ¥2,500 (adv); ¥3,000 (door) Because nothing says Halloween like a gaggle of Japanese garage punk bands. Guitar Wolf lead the charge, accompanied by Jet Boys, Texaco Leatherman and many more. B2F, 1-12-9 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku. Tel: 03-5272-0382. Nearest stn: Shinjuku. www.loft-prj.co.jp/LOFT

New Lex Tokyo

October 29, 30 & 31, 11pm-late ¥3,000 (w/3 drinks) Expect an international crowd of models and celebrities at this three-day bash. B1, 3-13-14 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3479-7477. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.newlex-edo.com

The New Matrix Bar

Sat, Oct 30, 7pm-8am ¥1,000 (w/1 drink) DJ Yuzzo gets the party started with hip-hop, R&B and reggae, and all guests wearing a costume receive a free shot. Plus costume contest. B1, 3-13-6 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3405-1066. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.matrixbar.jp

Paddy Foley’s

Sat, Oct 30, 8:30pm-late Free entry Tokyo’s most famous Irish pub hosts a cosplay party with live music, Irish set dancing, ¥650 Heinekens and free finger food. Also costume prizes. B1 Roi Bldg, 5-5-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3497-9900. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.paddyfoleystokyo.com

Propaganda

Fri, Oct 29, 6pm-5am & Sat, Oct 30, 7pm-5am Free entry This popular Roppongi bar hosts a pre-party on Friday with special shots and a drink ticket to Saturday’s main event. On the 30th, women get ¥500 wine all night. Top prize in the costume contest is all-you-can-drink for the entire night. 2F, 3-14-9 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3423-0988. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.propaganda-tokyo.com

Seamus O’hara

Sun, Oct 31, from 7pm Free entry Guests wearing “fancy” costumes get a free drink at this popular Irish pub. Plus live music, ¥300 tequila shots and a costume contest. B1 Matsuda Bldg, 3-12-3 Meguro, Meguro-ku. Tel: 03-3760-6179. Nearest stn: Meguro. www.seamus-ohara.com

Tokyo City View

Sat, Oct 30, 10:30pm-late ¥4,000 (advance reservation required) Well, it’s probably the highest you’ll ever get on Halloween. DJs and circus performers do their thing on the 52nd floor of the Mori Tower. 52F Mori Tower, Roppongi Hills, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3470-0052. Nearest stn: Roppongi. http://ymlp.com/zBcXzZ

Vanity Lounge

Sat, Oct 30, 10pm-late Women: free; men: ¥3,500 (w/2 drinks) This glam Roppongi nightclub will be rocking with a lineup of top DJs and a special go-go dance performance. Dress code: “Halloween party style.” 13F Roi Bldg, 5-5-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5474-0091. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.vanitylounge.jp

Xex Nihonbashi

Sat, Oct 30, 11pm-6am ¥4,000 Expat promoters Eggworm have roped in British deep house DJ Red Rack’em for their party at this brand-new hotspot. 4F, 2-4-3 Nihombashi-Muromachi, Chuo-ku. Tel: 03-3548-0065. Nearest stn: Shin-Nihombashi or Mitsukoshi-mae. http://eggworm.jp

Zest Cantina Ebisu & Zest Cantina Iikura

Sun, Oct 31, 6-10pm (Ebisu); all day (Iikura) Two branches of the popular Tex-Mex chain will host a Halloween party with special food and drink offers and contests. Ebisu: 1-22-19 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-5475-6291. Nearest stn: Ebisu. Iikura: 5-18-19 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.zest-cantina.jp

Metropolis Glitterball: Double Trouble

Thu, Oct 28, 7pm-midnight
¥2,000, includes 1 drink (presale); ¥2,500, includes 1 drink (door)

Ryan Bruss

Tokyo’s top Halloween party delivers twice the thrills and chills this year. For the first time in its illustrious history, the Metropolis Glitterball will be spread over two fabulous downtown venues. The Double Trouble bash at Vanity Lounge and f.Bar—within walking distance of each other in Roppongi and Azabu-Juban—will see over 1,000 costumed revelers arrive for an evening of drinks, music, dancing and fabulous giveaways. For just ¥2,000, you get double access to five hours of partying with Tokyo’s top DJs, plus ¥500 booze and food. Even better, double venues means double the odds of winning fantastic prizes—Metropolis will hold raffle giveaways and its famous costume contest at both clubs. Dress to kill for your chance to win a round-trip for two to Paris, air tickets to the US, luxury hotel stays here in Tokyo, and lots, lots more. See www.metropolis.co.jp/doubletrouble for more details and to order your ticket.

  • Vanity Lounge: 13F Roi Bldg, 5-5-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5474-0091. Nearest stn: Roppongi, exit 5 or Azabu-Juban, exit 7. www.vanitylounge.jp
  • f.Bar: 1F Fukao Bldg, 1-4-5 Azabu-Juban, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3586-6383. Nearest stn: Azabu-Juban, exit 7. www.fbar.jp

Trick or Treat

Dress to impress at these Tokyo-area parades

Hello Halloween Pumpkin Parade
Kids 12 and under can join in the costume parade down Omotesando and trick-or-treat at Omotesando Hills shops (¥1,000, limited to 1,000). Then get your photo taken and play around at the Halloween Plaza (free). Sun, Oct 24, 11am-5pm. Around Omotesando and Harajuku. www.harajuku-halloween.com

Ikspiari Halloween
Join the Trick or Treat Tour through Ikspiari shops, for kids age 3 to elementary school. Oct 25-31, free. Tokyo Disneyland. Nearest stn: Maihama. www.ikspiari.com

Kawasaki Halloween
A weekend full of events, including a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a music festival and separate costume parades for little and big folks. Oct 30-31, La Cittadella. Nearest stn: Kawasaki. www.lacittadella.co.jp/halloween

Roppongi Hills Happy Halloween
Strut your stuff through Roppongi while being led by a costumed brass band. Sat, Oct 30, 11am-1:30pm, free. Roppongi Hills Arena. www.roppongihills.com

Tamagawa Halloween Festival
Kiddies can parade through the streets of Futako-Tamagawa along with their favorite Sesame Street characters. Sun, Oct 31, noon, free. Takashimaya S.C. Nearest stn: Futako-Tamagawa. www.tamagawa-sc.com

Motomachi Halloween
Enjoy balloon art, face-painting, a costume parade and trick-or-treating along Motomachi Shopping Street. Sun, Oct 31, 2-6:30pm (trick-or-treating from 5pm), free. Nearest stn: Motomachi-Chukagai. www.motomachi.or.jp


Haunted Tokyo

Glimpse the city’s scary side on a spooky guided tour

With its long, bloody history and rich folklore, Tokyo is said to be one of the most haunted cities in the world. A belief in the supernatural is common among the locals, who routinely perform rituals to soothe and placate the spirits. “Chances are there’s a haunted location near you,” says Lilly of Haunted Tokyo Tours, which has documented over 300 such sites in the city. Her group organizes excursions through Tokyo’s classic shitamachi districts, where a cluster of legendary sites makes for ideal ghost-hunting. Among the unusual places visited are Old Hag’s Pond and Kappa Temple—where you’ll see a real mummified kappa hand on display. A lantern-led night tour of Aoyama Cemetery explores mysteries while going deep into the labyrinth of graves. All in good fun, but is there any danger? “We provide reifu (ghost-repelling amulets) and teach protective mudras (esoteric hand gestures) to our guests upon request,” says Lilly. Special Halloween tours are planned.

See http://meturl.com/haunt for schedule. Email hauntedtokyotours@hotmail.com or call 080-3573-6838 for more info.