Osaka Nightlife

Cinquecento is a funky little shot bar in Shinsaibashi with a friendly atmosphere and a local and international clientele. The martini menu is superb, and there’s draft beer available as well. The food menu features pizza, as well as small servings of snacks and nibbles. Prices are reasonable, too.

The Blarney Stone is a lively Irish pub in the heart of Umeda with live bands, darts and pool. There are Guinness and Kilkenny on tap, plus a large selection of international and Japanese brewed ales. The bar food menu has good value standards such as fish and chips and burgers. There’s also free Wi-Fi internet access.

If you fancy a quiet night experiencing authentic Japanese pub culture, stop in at this izakaya, or tavern. Seating is on the floor on cushions, and patrons chat quietly while snacking on edamame beans and sashimi and sipping sake.

Giraffe is one of Osaka's most famous nightclub and caters for all tastes. On four different dancefloors, partygoers can listen to almost any genre imaginable. There are even food stalls, a darts board and other drinking games available for those who want to take a break from dancing. Staff speak English and drinks are affordable.

This is a wildly popular club in the frenetic Shinsaibashi area of Osaka. The music policy is trance, hard house and hip-hop, but the atmosphere is casual and friendly. There’s a third-floor lounge for chilling out when the dance floor gets too full.

This nightclub is characterised by a high-energy factor, as well as plenty of fun and drink enjoyed by foreigners and locals alike. There are regular guest DJs playing house, R&B, hip hop, disco and Top 40. There is another branch in Umeda which also attracts large crowds.

This is an intimate supper club with top jazz, soul, R&B and folk performers every night. The sound system is excellent, and Billboard’s in-house restaurant and bar serve tasty food and drinks.

Opened by the former guitarist of the Japanese rock band The Boredoms, Seiichi Yamamoto, this tiny basement venue features live performances from bands running the gamut from punk, rock and indie to pop.

This is a popular club in Osaka for reggae, hip hop, metal and hard rock acts and attracts a young crowd. Gigs start surprisingly early in the evening, so arrive on time to make sure you see the show.