Osaka

Club Joule is a Trance lovers' paradise. The club is very popular amongst the young but of course, seasoned ravers are more than welcome. Besides hard house, techno and trance you can also wind away to hip-hop and rap until the early morning at this massive neon-lit club.

This jazz club shows off the talents of some of the best musicians in the country and further afield. It is a great place to enjoy some of the best whiskeys and brandies of the area and the food menu, although not as comprehensive as some other restaurants in the area has a few local classics on offer that get the job done. The staff here are known to be friendly and the prices fairly reasonable considering the quality of the performances.

At the elegant and timeless St. Regis Bar you are bound to feel right at home. In a cosy environment reminiscent of New York in the early 20th Century, guests can enjoy a few drinks and something good to eat whilst listening to live music. There is also afternoon tea with Taneya during the summer months.

This unapologetically Irish Pub in the middle of Osaka is the ideal location for celebrating a night out on the town if Guinness is the tipple of preference. You can catch regular specials on the cocktail menu as well as live events such as 'Pool Night' and 'English Club'. We have opted for The Blarney Stone Umeda branch as there are a few more events taking place there but the Shinsabashi branch is just as epic.

Hip Hop, Reggae, House, you name it. Club Life is a hot meeting point among the young party crowd. Here you can dance until the early morning hours, share a story with some friends over drinks and meet new people. Prices are pretty reasonable and the owner, along with the rest of the staff are very attentive.

For those with a hankering to shoot some pool or sling some darts, Balabushka is the spot. Here you can compete with friends as well as strangers for primacy in one of the epic tournaments that take place regularly here long into the night. If and when you get tired, you can take a pew on the comfy sofas in the loft and enjoy a stiff drink with a side of nachos.

This hazy club blares out everything from R’n’B to Hip Hop to House, giving everyone the chance to move to their favourite beats. International guests are warmly welcomed within and the staff will take good care of you. Note that the party usually starts late here, so best drop by around midnight.

As the name suggests, this is the ultimate spot for Craft Beer. The modern interior expresses a DIY culture that will make you immediately feel right at home. Tell the friendly staff your preferences and you will receive professional advice on your perfect match which can be drunk on site or as a take out. Beer-enthusiasts won't want to miss sticking this pub on their travel itinerary.

If you are looking for a more luxurious nightlife experience, check out this self proclaimed adult playground where the absurdly surreal can become real. Between live performances and theme parties at Club Ammona you can get beauty treatments, haircuts and even your nails done within. Give yourself a new look and drop directly into the action to show it off at its freshest.

The second and third floors of this somewhat dilapidated building in the Ura-Namba district hide some of the most unique and interesting bars in Osaka. The long narrow halls are lined on either side by tiny, intimate venues, many of which have an interesting theme such as retro video games and some of which hold live events such as quiz nights and theatrical performances.