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Start here: decide your area, budget, and vibe fast

• Area: Shibuya (club cluster + late-night streets), Shinjuku/Kabukicho (big multi-floor venues), Roppongi (VIP/table culture), Omotesando/Aoyama (genre-focused, often ticketed).
• Arrival time target: “Before midnight” pricing is common; after midnight is when queues and stricter door decisions happen. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
• Budget reality: Door/cover + mandatory drink ticket(s) + locker is a normal baseline; tables add service charges and bottle minimums. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
• ID plan: Expect photo ID checks at entry; many venues are explicit about 20+ and what IDs are accepted. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
• Exit plan: Decide whether you’re leaving before last trains or paying for a taxi—this changes your real “night cost” more than one extra drink.

Tokyo club types and systems (what you’re actually buying)

• Look for how pricing is written: “DOOR,” “ADV,” “BEFORE 0AM,” and “1DRINK” are the terms that change your total. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• Some “free entry” nights still require a paid drink ticket at the door (effectively a cover). :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
• Multi-floor venues may have separate admission fees for specific floors/rooms even if the main entry is “free + drink ticket.” :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
• VIP/table systems are a different product: set time + bottle order + service charge. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Total cost: cover, drink tickets, lockers, VIP, and service fees

• Door price is not the whole story: some nights are “free entry” but require a paid drink ticket at the entrance. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
• Lockers/cloakroom are normal: even clubs with no dress code expect you to store bags; locker pricing is often stated. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
• Re-entry rules change your spend: if no re-entry, you’ll rebuy entry if you leave to grab food. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
• VIP math is different: table “set” fees can include entry for a certain number of people, but service charges can be added on top. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
• Cashless isn’t universal at the entrance: some venues accept cards inside but not at the door. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

Before you queue: age/ID, dress code, payment, and entry rules

• Age: Many Tokyo clubs run on 20+ rules because of alcohol; expect ID checks at entry. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
• Accepted IDs: Some venues clearly list passport/driver’s license/resident card; bring photo ID that matches you. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
• Dress code: Rules vary—some clubs say “no specific dress code,” others ask you to dress up and may reject overly casual footwear/clothing. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
• Re-entry: Some clubs explicitly do not allow re-entry once admitted. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
• Payment: Card acceptance differs at the entrance vs inside; don’t assume your card works at the door. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
• Prohibited items: Venues may ban outside food/drink and certain items (e.g., recording devices), and will enforce bag checks. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}

On-site flow: line → ID check → lockers → drinks → re-entry

• Queue strategy: If there’s a “before midnight” discount, the line will spike near the cutoff time. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
• ID check is real: Some venues explicitly check ID for all guests at entry. :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
• Pay attention to what you receive: wristband vs stamp vs drink ticket—this affects floor access and re-entry.
• Lockers/cloakroom: Many clubs expect you to store bags; some list coin locker prices and cloakroom fees. :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}
• Rules enforcement: outside food/drink can be confiscated; certain items may be prohibited. :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}
• Re-entry: if it’s not allowed, plan your “convenience store break” before you enter. :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}

Tickets, guest lists, and table reservations (what works in Tokyo)

• Door vs advance: Some venues explicitly say advance tickets aren’t required for most events, but door pricing is listed on each event page. :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}
• Priority entry tickets: Look for wording like “priority entry” (often higher price but shorter queue). :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}
• Non-resident ticketing issues: Some events use Japan-focused platforms; if you can’t buy online, default to door entry unless the event says “ticket required.” (This can happen with genre-focused nights.) :contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}
• VIP/table reservations: Expect time limits (often 2 hours), possible ID/card holds, bottle requirements, and service charges. :contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}
• Cancellation rules: VIP pages can state that late arrival may be treated as a cancellation (e.g., after a set number of minutes). :contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}

Areas and access: Shibuya, Shinjuku, Roppongi, Omotesando

• Shibuya: dense nightlife, easy to bounce between spots; mainstream and electronic options are common.
• Shinjuku/Kabukicho: big venues and bright all-night streets; some events have multi-floor “paid zone” rules—read the fine print. :contentReference[oaicite:34]{index=34}
• Roppongi: VIP/table culture is more prominent; dress-up expectations and table fees are more likely. :contentReference[oaicite:35]{index=35}
• Omotesando/Aoyama: more genre-focused nights (often techno/house) where ticketing and “before midnight” pricing show up often. :contentReference[oaicite:36]{index=36}
• Getting home: decide in advance if you’re leaving before last trains or budgeting for a taxi—this is the hidden “nightclub fee” people don’t plan for.

Five named Tokyo nightclub examples (for orientation, not a ranking)

• WOMB (Shibuya): Clear FAQ on ID (20+ during club hours), re-entry (generally not allowed), lockers/cloakroom prices, and card acceptance (with notes about the entrance). :contentReference[oaicite:37]{index=37}
• ZEROTOKYO (Shinjuku/Kabukicho): Event pages often state “entrance free” plus a mandatory drink ticket, and may note separate fees for specific floors. :contentReference[oaicite:38]{index=38}
• V2 TOKYO (Roppongi): VIP/table language is explicit (set fees, bottle requirements, service charge %) plus ID check and payment methods. :contentReference[oaicite:39]{index=39}
• VENT (Omotesando/Aoyama area): Frequently uses door pricing with “before 0AM” rates on official posts; good example of time-window pricing. :contentReference[oaicite:40]{index=40}
• TK NIGHTCLUB (Shibuya): Publishes time-slot pricing by day and details for VIP reservations (ID/card hold, time limits, cancellation timing). :contentReference[oaicite:41]{index=41}

FAQ

Appendix: Useful phrases

• 入場料金はいくらですか？ / Nyūjō ryōkin wa ikura desu ka? / How much is the entry fee?
• ワンドリンクは必須ですか？ / Wan dorinku wa hissu desu ka? / Is the one-drink purchase mandatory?
• この料金にドリンクチケットは含まれますか？ / Kono ryōkin ni dorinku chiketto wa fukumaremasu ka? / Does this price include a drink ticket?
• ロッカーはいくらですか？ / Rokkā wa ikura desu ka? / How much are lockers?
• 再入場できますか？ / Sai-nyūjō dekimasu ka? / Can I re-enter?
• 何時まで入場できますか？ / Nanji made nyūjō dekimasu ka? / Until what time is entry allowed?
• クレジットカードは使えますか？（入口でも） / Kurejitto kādo wa tsukaemasu ka? (iriguchi demo) / Can I use a credit card (even at the entrance)?
• パスポートでも大丈夫ですか？ / Pasupōto demo daijōbu desu ka? / Is a passport OK?
• このイベントは別料金のフロアがありますか？ / Kono ibento wa betsu ryōkin no furoa ga arimasu ka? / Are there floors that require a separate fee for this event?
• ドレスコードはありますか？ / Doresu kōdo wa arimasu ka? / Is there a dress code?