If you are in Osaka and looking for a good party, you are in luck. Osaka have quite a few nightclubs located in the center of the city. Most of the clubs are walking distance from each other so if the first one wasn’t what you were looking for, then you can simply walk over to another one. Prices are usually quite fair. Even if you have to pay an entrance fee, you usually get at least a drink ticket included in the price.
When partying in Osaka you need to decide if you are going to pull an all-nighter or head home at midnight. The subway system doesn’t run between about midnight and 5 a.m. During the weekends any place you visit is going to be lively, all night. During weekdays you usually can find just as great parties as you would find during the weekends. However a lot of people catch the last train/subway home (1 a.m.). With that said, you can still find places to party until morning.
All clubs listed below are popular venues amongst locals in Osaka.
Namba/Shinsaibashi/Dotonbori Area
Giraffe
Giraffe is one of Osaka’s largest and most popular nightclubs. They close earlier than most other venues, but they make up for it by also drawing crowds earlier. It’s perfect if you want to party but also need to catch the subway home before it stops running for the night. There are 2 dance floors divided into hip hop on the lower floor, house & dance music on the upper floor.
Time: 19.00 – 01.00 every day.
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Cheval Osaka
This is another popular nightlife destinations for foreign customers on account of its distinct atmosphere and music. The sound here typically leans toward bouncy, energetic house and EDM. Also, smokers (and non-smokers) rejoice! Cheval is Osaka’s first club with separate smoking/smoke-free dance floors.
Time: Sunday to Thursday: 23:00 – 04:00, Friday & Saturday: 22:00 – 04:00
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G2
A night of clubbing often starts at Giraffe, and is just as likely to end at its sister club, G2. It’s an afterparty club with late hours high energy all-mix sounds to finish the night off right. It’s conveniently right above Nagahoribashi subway station so you can immediately catch a train and head home after a big night out.
Time: Monday to Thursday: 02:00 – 07:00, Friday to Sunday: 01:00 – 07:00
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G3
The newest of Giraffe’s sister clubs, G3, is actually located right next door to the original Giraffe… but don’t assume it’s just more of the same! G3 presents a much more intimate club experience with a sitting bar counter on the lower floor and all-genre dance parties up top.
Time: Monday to Thursday: 22:00 – 05:00, Friday to Sunday: 21:00 – 05:00
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Club Ammona
Ammona stands out for its unique design and atmosphere, especially the high ceiling over the dance floor. Music alternates between hip hop and all-mix depending on the night, changing things up with reggae on Sunday.
Time: Sunday to Thursday: 23:00 – 04:00, Friday & Saturday: 22:00 – 04:00
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Same & Dave (a.k.a. Bar One)
Formerly known as Bar One, this popular night club caters to an international crowd that likes to party. It’s certainly not the biggest venue but it can get pretty wild on the weekends. Same & Dave plays all kinds of music, so you will probably get your jam sometime during the night. It’s also conveniently located very close to Giraffe and Club Pure.
Time: Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: 23:00 – 05:00, Friday & Saturday: 22:00 – 06:00
Club Pure
Club Pure is known for primarly three things, Hip Hop, RNB & All You Can Drink. They charge a bit higher than the other night clubs but included in the price is free drinks all night. You can even exit the venue and come back. So if you like Hip Hop and don’t want to pay for drinks this could be for you. Price is usually around 3000-4500 yen for guys and about half price for girls. Finding the venue is quite easy even for non locals. Simply head for Dotonbori (bridge) and ask one the waiters that are trying to get people in to their restaurant, they will know.
Time: 22.00 – 5.00 (Closed Thursday & Sunday)
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Adam Lounge
Promoted as an “ultra-premium nightclub,” the rich interior of this venue draws inspiration from upscale hotel lounges. It’s a favorite afterparty destination among locals, typically heating up around 2-3 am just as other clubs begin to lose steam. Adam Lounge offers lavish VIP table service, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had on the dance floor.
Time: Monday to Thursday 02:00 – 07:00, Friday to Sunday: 22:00 – 07:00
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Club Bambi
Atracting a generally younger crowd, Bambi is the place for both students and young adults to get fired up and dance your cares away. Most nights the music is all-mix with a bit of an EDM twist on Thursday, plus guest appearances by some big name domestic DJs.
Time: Sunday to Thursday: 22:00 – 04:00, Friday & Saturday: 21:00 – 05:00
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Berg Osaka
Are you a hip hop lover? Then you need to check out Berg, the newest addition to Osaka’s robust lineup of hip hop clubs. This weekend-only venue opens a bit on the late side, so If you’re hopping from club to club this is a good spot to end the night.
Time: Friday to Sunday: 01:00 – 07:00 (Closed Monday to Thursday)
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Bar Heaven
Want to keep partying even after the nightclub close? Well then you should visit Heaven. It’s a gathering spot for people that want to keep partying even after other nightclubs close. People start pouring in between 5-6 am and party until the simply can’t dance no more. The club is usually lively until about 8-9 am on weekends. It’s located close to Dotonbori bridge. Dance & House music playing mostly.
Time: 23.00 – 09.00 every day.
Amerikamura (a.k.a. Ame-mura)
Between Shinsaibashi and Namba their is a district called Amerikamura. This neighbourhood houses Club Joule & Ghost ultra lounge, amongst other nightclubs.
Club Joule
Joule is fairly big venue with two levels and even a rooftop. On the first floor you will find a bar and a dance floor, second floor is a bit more relaxed. On the second floor you will find a bar and some tables. When it comes to venues this is probably the one with most potential. It’s a venue for serious music lovers. They frequently host anything from live hip hop to dubstep and even hardstyle parties, so be sure to check the event calendar beforehand.
Time: 22.00 – 04.00 every day.
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Ghost ultra lounge
You will find this chilled out hop hop-centric club right in the heart of Amerikamura. It’s named after the Rolls Royce Ghost, which tells you something about the kind of luxury atmosphere they’re going for. Sleek décor and ample VIP seating let you taste the high-roller life, but reasonable entry and drink prices mean you won’t break the bank.
Time: 22.00 – 05.00
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Circus
This is probably the biggest “underground” club in Osaka. The style of music varies quite a bit from night to night thanks to frequent guest artists and one-off parties, but if more obscure house and techno are your thing, there’s a decent chance you will find your place at Circus.
Time: Check event calendar
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Umeda
Owl
Umeda may have fewer proper nightclubs compared to Shinsaibashi, but there are still a few stand-out nightlife destinations worth checking out. Owl caters to a wide audience with popular dance music & all-mix parties throughout the week. The club is conveniently located just a couple minutes’ walk from Osaka Station/Umeda Station.
Time: 19.00 – 05.00 every day.
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Club Piccadilly
Piccadilly is a relatively new name in the Osaka club scene that’s already making waves with performances by high-profile guest DJs. Be sure to check their homepage for upcoming events and you might catch some world class talent. Note that Piccadilly is open only on weekends. Music ranges from all-mix on Friday, house & EDM on Saturday, and hip hop on Sunday.
Time: Friday to Sunday: 21:00 – 04:00 (Closed Monday to Thursday)
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Video from Giraffe Osaka.
(Page updated: 2018-05-02)