Shibuya is placing yet another public drinking ban over Halloween weekend this year, but over in Tokyo’s LGBTQ+ district of Shinjuku Nichome, the party rages on. And just as well, because nobody takes dressing up for celebratory all-nighters quite as seriously as this crowd of fun-lovers.
While the main focus of the city’s LGBTQ+ venues and events will always be to provide sexual minorities with a safe space to be themselves and connect with others, there are plenty of places that are open to heterosexual-identifying allies as well. Got your costumes and energy drinks ready? Here are the biggest LGBTQ+ events to check out for the ultimate Halloween weekend.
Eagle Tokyo Blue Costume Contest
Eagle Tokyo Blue – an extension of Nichome’s popular gay bar Eagle Tokyo – is preparing to host its first ever costume contest this Halloween. This event is perfect for anyone who loves to plan their Halloween outfits a few weeks in advance, as contestants will be asked to submit photos of their full get-up before the party so that voters will have time to judge the evening’s winner.
To enter, simply upload your photo to Instagram and tag Eagle Tokyo’s account so that the bar can repost the image on its profile for its followers to see. If you have a private account, you can send your photo to the bar via Instagram DM for a chance to score a prize. Applications will open on the morning of October 29 and the top three winners will be announced by drag queens Labianna Joroe and Vera Strondh at midnight on October 30.
Price: Admission for the event is free, but attendees are asked to buy at least one drink each.
Fancyhim: Fancy Halloween
Drag queen and pop icon Santi Storm returns to Aisotope Lounge for the first time in three years as the headlining act of Fancyhim's 2022 Halloween party. A regular occurrence in Nichome, Fancyhim is a popular queer dance party that welcomes just about anyone and everyone looking for a legendary night out, as long as you’re respectful of other attendees.
In addition to Santi Storm, talented performers to look out for include drag queen Mia Scandals, double act Okini and Kaguya, and Osaka DJ duo Shintaka (Shin and Taka). Expect a spectacular night of fierce drag shows, music and crazy costumes. The party will start at 9pm and finish at 5am, so make sure you’re well rested before rocking up to this lively all-nighter.
Price: Admission is ¥3,000 (including one drink) per person, but you'll get a ¥500 discount if you show up before 11pm.
Buff Fetish Heroes
The party organisers at Buff describe their upcoming Halloween event to be an underground fetish party, but this won't be a low-key affair by any means. This bawdy gay party will take place in not one, but two venues in Nichome – D-light and Boiler Room – and will run from 9pm until the first trains get going at 5am. The dress code for the event is superhero-themed, with an emphasis on skin-tight zentai (morphsuits).
Price: General admission is priced at ¥2,900 (includes one drink), but you can also get a VIP ticket for ¥5,100, which comes with a two-hour all-you-can-drink deal.
Switch Halloween
Switch is a queer techno party that regularly hosts events in Tokyo and Warsaw, Poland. This year, organisers are hosting Halloween in Aoyama’s nightlife venue Vent, where music lovers can swing by for an invigorating night of techno in an LGBTQ-friendly space. Anyone is welcome to join, but attendees are asked to refrain from taking any photos to protect the identity and comfort of fellow party-goers.
There will be two separate sets of DJs performing in each of the rooms within Vent. In the first room, Osaka-based DJ Daichi Wada will kick things off for the night, followed by DJs Kali, Yanny and Matrix3k. The second room will have an all-female line-up featuring DJs Mew, Shioriy Bradshaw and 7E.
Price: Admission is ¥3,000 per person, but you'll get a ¥500 discount if you show up before 11pm.
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