The Beat goes on!
Beat Cafe has grown to become a Tokyo institution in the truest sense of the word. The small, dimly lit late-night watering hole at the top of Centre-Gai in Shibuya has become a mecca for music lovers and party animals alike, with more than it’s fair share of celebrity clientele. Frequented by visiting Western musicians, Beat Cafe has been the go to place if you want to prop up the bar with the likes of Soulwax or queue for the toilet behind DFA’s James Murphy.
Unfortunately, as it always seems to be the way in Tokyo, Beat Cafe is being forced to close due to the demolition of the building it has lived in for the last 6 years. The final drinks will poured at both Beat and it’s sister venue Echo on December 31st 2012 before they close their doors for one last time, bringing a eventful chapter in Tokyo’s nightlife to a close.
However, the good news is that as of January 4th 2013 Beat Cafe will have a new home in Dogenzaka (see map above) to continue serving it’s own inimitable brand of drinks, music and debauchery. Whilst our old friends Kato-man and Gensho will be unable to take the legendary graffitied walls of the old venue with them, I am sure they will take all of the charm and atmosphere to their new home. Tokyo Indie hopes to see you in there for a drink to celebrate the new bar sometime soon!
Words: Mark Birtles
Translation: Asuka O.
January 10, 2013
