Advocates Café

Shinjuku Ni-chome is Japan's largest gay nightlife district, with about 300 bars, lounges, pick-up spots, restaurants, and dance clubs. But where to start? This is a good bet, right on Ni-chome's main drag, Naka-dori, and with an open facade that overflows with both gays and straights (but mostly gays) extending past the sidewalk to the street most nights. Open since 2000, it's a good place to gain bearings, check out the people parading past, and network with the friendly crowd around here. A few drinks here, and you'll probably have a list of several places you want to hit next.