PARTIES
Y not party?
New Year's in Japan is traditionally
a time for the family. Tokyo has always lacked public partying on the same scale as other
major cities. The most hyped second in history, the dawn of a new millennium - yet many of
us still have no idea what to do to celebrate. One thing is for sure, though: It will
happen in true Tokyo style - it will be BIG! Jamie Shea
Street parties
Yokohama will offer a spectacular setting, with fireworks and the awesome illuminations of
the Cosmo Clock Ferris wheel. In Tokyo, the vast new TV screen on the Q-Front building in Shibuya,
alongside the two other screens, promises a spectacular light show to mark the moment. For
the hands of time, the historic clock on the Wako Building in Ginza will
start to chime 45 seconds before midnight, when all twelve bells will ring and the
building will light up with a New Year's decoration. For dancing in the streets, throwing
your arms around anyone you see, it has to be Roppongi - you can be sure
that's where the love (and liquor) will flow most freely.
Bars
Every bar has a celebratory event to mark the occasion. Roppongi's Bar Isn't It?
is promising the most eclectic selection of music this century (from 8pm, JY2000 w/1d, tel
3746-1598), while the first fifty customers to Wall Street Lounge will
receive a free Millennium T-shirt (from 6pm, tel 5414-3251). Tokyo Sports Cafe
will have prize giveaways and half-price champagne (from 6pm, tel 3404-3675) and Dusk
Till Dawn promises "prizes, surprises and champagne" (from 6pm, tel
5771-2258). Rock City Noize has happy hour all night and a free shot of
sake for all, to complement its storming music (from 6pm, 3462-2983).
Cafe Ole in Shinjuku promises proprietor Miguel's normal cabaret as well
as Millennium Sangria (from 8:30pm, tel 3200-2249) and Clubhouse Sports Bar
has a JY10,000 "all-you-can-drink and bar snacks" deal until 3am (from 10pm, tel
3359-7785) Shibuya's Bar Isn't It? will have the same treats as its
Roppongi brother but with two free drinks (from 8pm, JY2000, tel 5489-3750). Belgo,
also in Shibuya, is offering Guinness at JY650 and Hoegaarden White at JY500 all night
(from 7pm, tel 3409-4442). The Fiddler in Takadanobaba will have the
Bottleneck Blues Band (from 9pm, tel 3204-2698) while the Warrior Celt in
Ueno promises bagpipes and haggis to celebrate Scottish style (from 5pm, tel 3836-8588).
Restaurants
In Roppongi, The Hard Rock Cafe has all-you-can-eat plus two drinks and a
Millennium T-shirt for JY8000, with the InterFM girls and the chance to win air tickets to
Europe (from 10:30pm till 12:30am, tel 3470-5307). At Grand Blue, the
champagne will be flowing, with jazz, prizes and a casino (from 10pm, JY8000/JY10,000, tel
5570-1570).
Symposion in Daikanyama will serve French food with a live jazz band
(from 8:30pm, JY6000/JY8000, tel 5458-6324) while Kai in Ebisu is
offering a New Year of ethnic food and healing music (from 6pm, JY3500 w/1d and food, tel
3473-8090). Roy's Aoyama will have dancing and live music alongside its
Millennium Menu (JY7000 dinner/JY3000 drinks service, tel 5474-8181). In Shinagawa, T.Y.
Harbor Brewery is holding a "TY2K" party with food, microbrews, wines,
bands, DJs and more (from 9pm, tickets JY8000/half price after 12am, tel 5479-4555).
Shamaim Israeli restaurant in Ekoda will have a band, belly dancers, DJs,
specialty cuisine and all-you-can-drink (from 9pm, JY3000, tel 3948-5333). Shibuya's El
Patio will host a Spanish New Year, including cocktails, dinner and dancing (from
8pm, JY5000, tel 3462-8700). In Nishi Azabu, Arty Arty will count down
with Koganei, the "Japanese Gypsy King," (from 10pm, JY1300 after 11pm, tel
5410-8540) and Chic is holding a '70s and '80s night, with a DJ till
12am, followed by a band, and with free champagne at the big moment (from 6pm, JY1000, tel
3796-1661. Saci Perere in Yotsuya will have a Brazilian "Reveillon
Countdown Party" (from 8pm, JY5000 with drinks/food, tel 3353-7521), while Harajuku's
Fonda de la Madrugada will have an African band for its celebrations
(from 11pm, JY3000 w/1d, tel 5410-6288).
Clubs
"Millennium Countdown 2000, Gift @ Millennium" at Ebisu Garden Place
will host almost any big-name Tokyo DJ you can think of: Ko Kimura, Mayuri, Mijk Van Dijk,
Nao Nakamura, Q-Hey, Shinkawa, Yo-C, Daily-F, Envy and many more (from 9pm, JY5500 (adv),
JY7000 (door), tel 3408-0230).
Sugar High in Shibuya will host a "festive New Year's romp"
with guest DJs Patrick and Tei, prizes, champagne and the Candy Girls (from 9pm, JY2000
w/1d, tel 3780-3022). Yokohama's Pure carries on its all-you-can-drink
tradition, with food, prizes and "Super Club Mix DJs" (from 7pm, JY3000, tel
045-663-8485) and Asa in Shinjuku will hold an "Asa All-Star
DJs" countdown (from 8pm, JY3000 w/2d, tel 3232-1892). In Kawasaki, Cinecitta
is presenting "Daybreak," an all-night techno/trance party in Cinepiazza (from
10pm, JY500, tel 044-233-1943).
Other events include "Millennium 2000 Liquid" at Shinjuku's Liquid Room,
with Takkyu Ishino, Wada and others (from 8pm, JY10,000, tel 3200-6831), "Drum'n'bass
2000" at Loft, with Dazzle-T, Doggy Sack, Force and Hutch (from
11pm, JY4000 w/1d, tel 3365-0698), and the Jingumae Studio A "Year
of the Dragon Countdown" with "Little" Louis Vega from NYC (from 7pm,
JY7000, tel 5468-0123).
And others
Royal Wing are promising "the biggest countdown cruise around Tokyo
Bay," including food, drink and a two hour live show (from 11pm, JY15,000, tel
045-662-6125). Something completely different will be New Year's at Sanrio
Puroland with Hello Kitty and friends (from 10am to 2am, JY2500, tel
042-339-1111), or a wet and wild party at the Wild Blue Yokohama
artificial indoor beach, where a stage show, Latin music, beach girls and indoor fireworks
will make it feel like summer (from 6pm, JY1500, tel 045-511-2323). Finally, spend New
Year's on the slopes at Naeba where all ski runs will be illuminated for
night skiing, including a couples' race and free sake (see www.skijapanguide.com for
information on Naeba and other resorts). |
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