Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on January 2012

If you are a “chivalrous and financially-stable man or a woman who is a graduate and has common sense,” you could be eligible to join the live jazz lounge Encounter (branches in Roppongi, Ginza, Akasaka: www.en-counter.jp), where members can go to unwind, and perhaps even meet that someone special. Happy hours (7-9pm in Roppongi, 5:45-8:30pm in Ginza and Akasaka) allow you to skip the cover charge of ¥4,000 for men and ¥2,000 for women, buy drinks for ¥1,000 each, and indulge in an all-you-can-eat buffet—though don’t stuff yourself too much if you’re looking to get somewhere, and be sure to keep the sauce off your shirt. Check their website for singles’ events, and don’t be scared—jazz makes it all okay.