Osaka Nightlife Guide: TOP 20 Bars & Clubs + Pub Crawl
This is my ultimate Osaka nightlife guide featuring the best 20 bars, rooftop patios, speakeasies, date spots, cocktail lounges and nightclubs which I carefully selected including places Captain Kangaroo, Sam & Dave, OWL, The Pink, Gala Resort, Space Station and of course the epic Osaka Pub Crawl.
- Why: Second best nightlife in Japan after Tokyo
- When: Spring & Fall
- Last Call: Nightclubs stay open until the first train starts running
- Pocket Wifi: Stay connected across Japan with Pocket Wifi (10% OFF)
- Best Osaka Eats: Hatsuse Okonomiyaki
- Best Osaka Cocktails: Bar Nayuta
- Best Osaka Bar: Osaka Pub Crawl (Friday night)
- Best Osaka Nightclub: Gala Resort (Saturday night)
- Best Osaka Experience: Backstreet Osaka Tour just $52 USD (10% OFF)
- Accommodation: You'll find the cheapest hotels on Booking.com
- Book Now: Osaka Pub Crawl just $21 USD (10% OFF)
Buy Tickets for Osaka
Osaka, a vibrant city bursting with energy, offers a nightlife experience that's second to none, particularly for those keen to explore its lively party scene, interact with friendly Japanese girls, and revel in the city’s dynamic atmosphere. The nightlife here is primarily clustered in key districts, making your clubbing journey in Osaka incredibly convenient. Umeda, near Osaka Station, Amerikamura with its quirky vibe, and Shinsaibashi, the premier party hotspot, are the places to be for an unforgettable night out.
Osaka Map Download
Attractions • Restaurants • Rooftops
Bars • Nightclubs • Walking Routes
and Bonus Tips.
Best Places for Nightlife in Osaka
1. Captain Kangaroo
Great bar to start off your Osaka nightlife adventure. A laid back sports bar with happy hour and fun games! Map
2. Rock Bar Midian
A metal rock bar with a satanic atmosphere and creepy decoration. Quite unique in Osaka! Map
3. Christon Bar
Cleanse your sins at this Christian bar with incredible decor, cheap food and drinks and open until 5am Map
4. OWL Osaka
100% Japanese nightclub, you will not find many foreigners here. 3500 yen cover ($33 USD) includes 1 drink ticket. Packed and busy until 4am! Map
5. Moon Walk
Super cheap bar where drinks are only 200 yen ($1.80 USD) and food 300 yen. Map
6. Rooftop Bar OO
Most unique rooftop bar in Osaka with a outdoor pool, shishas and funky beats. Free entrance! Map
For those pressed for time but eager to experience the best of Osaka’s nightlife, Shinsaibashi is a must-visit. Here, you can dive into the heart of the city’s party scene, especially by joining the Osaka Pub Crawl. Held every Friday night in Shinsaibashi, this event takes you through three bars and culminates at an epic nightclub. Venues like DOMUS, LIFE, and Sam & Dave are on the list, offering a perfect introduction to the city’s vibrant nightlife. At just $20 USD, with a 10% discount, this four-hour extravaganza is a steal, providing a fantastic way to meet new people and discover the hottest spots in town.
7. Gala Resort
Previously known as Giraffe Japan and the most popular nightclub in Osaka with 3 floors, epic beats and a young crowd. This place has multiple floors. Map
8. Bettei Bar (大阪かに源 別邸 宗右衛門町店)
Almost impossible to find but 100% worth it! This hidden rooftop bar has the best view of the Dotonbori river. A romantic Japanese bar. Map
9. Osaka Pub Crawl
As a newcomer to Osaka, I highly recommend you join the Osaka Pub Crawl so you can familiarize yourself with the nightlife and most current nightclubs. Just $20 USD including many shots. 3 Bars + 1 Nightclub in 4 hours of epic fun! Map
10. The Blarney Stone
The Osaka Pub Crawl starts here, a great laid back international bar where you'll meet many travelers, expats and locals. Map
11. Domus
A fun bar in the Amerikamura district, one of the stops on the Osaka Pub Crawl with a cozy atmosphere, a great place to mingle. Map
12. Life
In a dodgy alleyway you'll find the Life Club dive bar in hidden basement. This place is actually super fun with foosball tables and darts. Entrance is FREE! Map
Post-pub crawl, venture into Shinsaibashi’s renowned nightclubs like Gala Resort, The Pink, Pure Osaka and Super Pink, where the party continues. While entry fees are steep—3500 yen ($33 USD) for men and 1500 yen ($13 USD) for women—they include drink tickets, adding value to your night out.
13. Sam & Dave
Considered the most popular bar in Osaka, Sam and Dave has been around for decades and feature a large dance floor, great drinks and sexy Japanese pole dancers. Map
14. Club Candy
A new, sexy, hot nightclub in Osaka, not known by many foreigners but many pretty Japanese girls party here and music is pretty good as well. Map
15. The Pink
Latest nightclub in Osaka, the Pink, as the name states, is a completely pink nightclub with a large dance floor, bottle service, dancers and good modern music. Bucketlist worthy! Map
16. Super Pink
My favorite nightclub in Osaka, this place is pumping! Often considered the after party after Giraffe and stays open until 5am. DO NOT MISS THIS PLACE! Map
17. Berg
The best hiphop and rap nightclub in Osaka, best time to visit is on Thursday night.
18. Bar Heaven
If you still have energy at 5am and want to continue partying go checkout Bar Heaven which is open until noon. Map
Connectivity is key in Osaka, and you’ll likely need to use LINE, Japan’s popular chat app. To stay connected without a local data plan, consider renting a Pocket Wifi Station or eSIM from the airport. It's affordable and essential for navigating the city and staying in touch with new friends. Don't forget to claim a 10% discount on your pocket Wifi rental for an even sweeter deal!
19. Space Station
Do you love video games? Space Station Osaka is your spot! Incredible cocktails and every retro console you can dream off, mostly visited by expats and travelers. Entrance is FREE! Map
20. Garden Bar
Do you like Japanese ParaPara dancing? Visit Garden Bar on Thursday night for their weekly SEN: Super Euro Night event. Map
21. SECRET: Backstreet Osaka Tour
Join the Backstreet Osaka Tour for an unforgettable night through the underbelly of Osaka including the secret Red Light District!
For a less conventional experience, Umeda East Street offers unique bars like the church-themed Christon Cafe and the hidden gem Midian, a rock bar with a moody ambiance. In Umeda, nightclubs like OWL Osaka and Piccadilly promise an authentic Japanese party experience.
Begin your Osaka nightlife adventure at Captain Kangaroo, a friendly sports bar near Osaka Station, or Space Station, a nerd paradise with nostalgic games and themed cocktails. Both venues offer a relaxed setting to kick off the evening.
No visit to Osaka is complete without exploring Dotonbori, the city’s gastronomic heart. This district is famous for its street food, including takoyaki and okonomiyaki, and iconic sights like the Glico running man sign.
For a unique daytime experience, Universal Studios Japan offers Halloween-themed festivities in October, complete with zombie walks and street parties. Also, after a night of partying, satiate your hunger with treats from FamilyMart, like the succulent Famichiki, or explore the myriad of late-night ramen spots available.
For an immersive experience, consider the Backstreet Osaka Tour, which delves into the city’s hidden corners, including Shinsekai and the Tobita Shinchi Red Light District, complemented by a street food journey.
In summary, Osaka’s nightlife is an underappreciated treasure, offering a plethora of opportunities for partying, dining, and exploring. To make the most of your visit, especially if you're new to the city, the Osaka Pub Crawl is an excellent starting point, providing a fun-filled introduction to the best of Osaka’s nightlife at an unbeatable price.
Do you want more travel tips for Osaka?
- In Dotonbori, checkout these great tourist bars; Voyager Stand Osaka and Pure Osaka
- In Shinsaibari, checkout these fun bars as well; Safari bar, Absinthe and The Australian
- Rent a Pocket Wifi Station or eSIM at the aiport (10% OFF)
- Jump into a wine, coffee and green tea spa at Yunessun Waterpark in the Hakone region
- Real Life Mario Kart in Osaka, only $79 USD (10% OFF)
- More tips in my Tokyo Nightlife Guide
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