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Womb (Map; 5459-0039; www.womb.co.jp; 2-16 Maruyamachō, Shibuya-ku; admission ¥1500-4000; 8pm-late; JR Yamanote line to Shibuya, Hachikō exit) A perennial favourite, ‘Oomu’ (as pronounced in Japanese) has DJs spinning house, techno and drum ‘n’ bass, and the four floors get packed on weekends. Picture ID required at the door.

KARAOKE

Karaoke is ever popular in the land of its birth, and Tokyoites love belting out a few tunes at their local karaoke bars. There’s no shortage of them in Tokyo, and most offer at least a limited selection of songs in English and even a few in Spanish, French and Chinese. Oh, by the way, it’s not ‘carry-okie’ in this country, so watch your pronunciation if you’re asking the way to ‘kah-rah-oh-kay’.

Lovenet (Map; 5771-5511; www.lovenet-jp.com; 3rd fl, Hotel Ibis, 7-14-4 Roppongi, Minato-ku; private ste ¥4000-60,000; 6pm-5am; Hibiya, Toei Ōedo lines to Roppongi, exit 4a) If you’re going for a more unique, upmarket experience, you can rent one of the gajillion-themed rooms at Lovenet – one even has a hot tub from which you can warble.

Smash Hits (Map; 3444-0432; www.smashhits.jp; B1 fl, M2 Bldg, 5-2-26 Hiro-o, Shibuya-ku; admission ¥3500; 7pm-3am Mon-Sat; Hibiya line to Hiro-o, exit B2) You’re spoilt for choice at Smash Hits, where it has thousands of songs to choose from. There’s no time limit, and entry includes two drinks.

LIVE MUSIC

Tokyo’s homegrown live music scene has turned out some good live acts, often found playing around Shibuya and Ebisu. If you’re willing to wander a bit farther, tiny bars and clubs in Shimo-Kitazawa and Kichijōji (see Off the Beaten Dōri, Click here) often have live shows featuring local talent.

Cavern Club (Map; 3405-5207; www.cavernclub.jp; 1st fl, Saito Bldg, 5-3-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku; admission women/men ¥1575/1890; 6pm-2.30am; Hibiya, Toei Ōedo lines to Roppongi, exit 3) Eerily flawless renditions of Beatles covers have to be heard to be believed, sung by four Japanese mop-heads at this club named for the place the originals first appeared at in Liverpool. It’s best to reserve a table.

Crocodile (Map; 3499-5205; B1 fl, New Sekiguchi Bldg, 6-18-8 Jingūmae, Shibuya-ku; admission from ¥2000; 6pm-2am; Chiyoda line to Meiji-jingūmae, exit 4) Crocodile has live music seven nights a week, with enough room for dancing if the music moves you – though you may be the only one. Tunes cover the gamut from one night to night, be it jazz, reggae or rock and roll. Admission includes one drink. It’s directly on Meiji-dōri.

Eggman (Map; 3496-1561; www.eggman.jp; 1-6-8 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku; admission ¥1000-3000; 6.30pm-late; JR Yamanote line to Shibuya, Hachikō exit) Follow the spiral staircase down to this basement spot to hear blues, rock or hip-hop. A smaller venue compared with Shibuya’s bigger clubs, Eggman features a good mixed bag of mostly local musicians.

La.mama (Map; 3464-0801; www.lamama.net; B1 fl, Primera Dōgenzaka Bldg, 1-15-3 Dōgenzaka, Shibuya-ku; admission from ¥2000; 6pm-late; JR Yamanote line to Shibuya, Hachikō exit) For a dose of current local-centric music, this is a good bet for catching live, mainstream Japanese acts who’ve arrived or are rocking their way up. The room is fairly spacious, and even when the place gets crowded you’ll never be far from the stage.

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GAY & LESBIAN TOKYO

Tokyo’s gay and lesbian enclave is Shinjuku-nichōme, the area east of Shinjuku sanchōme station’s C8 exit. There are lots of little bars here; the following venues have been around a while and are friendly. For more options, check out www.utopia-asia.com or www.fridae.com.

If you’re in Tokyo during the summer, the Tokyo International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (www.tokyo-lgff.org) hits screens in July.

Advocates Bar (Map; 3358-3988; 1st fl, 7th Tenka Bldg, 2-18-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku; 8pm-5am Mon-Sat, to 1am Sun; Marunouchi, Toei Shinjuku lines to Shinjuku-sanchōme, exit C8) Advocates Bar is so small that as the crowd gets bigger during the course of an evening, it becomes more