Circus Tokyo in Shibuya is the compact basement room opened in 2015 as the Tokyo arm of Osaka's Club Circus. Serious-music programming, often international touring techno bookings.
Tip: 20 and over only, smart casual. Cover 2,000-3,500 yen depending on lineup, doors usually 22:00. Limited capacity, queue early for big names.
Address: 3-26-16 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0002
Blue Note Tokyo in Aoyama is the 300-seat sister room of the New York club, open since 1988. Two sets a night of international jazz, soul, and R&B with hotel-grade service.
Tip: Two seatings nightly, table service with a music charge plus food and drink minimum. Book the early set for sound, late set for atmosphere.
Cotton Club in Tokyo's Marunouchi is Blue Note Japan's 180-seat sister room, open since 2005. Curated jazz, soul, and singer-songwriter bookings beside Tokyo Station.
Tip: Two sets nightly, music charge plus food and drink minimum. Reservations open about two months out via the Blue Note Japan site.
Billboard Live Tokyo in Tokyo Midtown is the 4th-floor terrace dinner-show room. Three-tier seating, big-name pop, jazz, and rock tours from Japan and abroad.
Tip: Service area tables face the stage but cost more; casual cocktail seats further back are cheaper. Two sets nightly, reservations via the official site.
Shinjuku Pit Inn is the basement jazz room running since 1965, the canonical Tokyo room for serious modern and free jazz. Two sets daily on a tight 100-seat counter.
Tip: Matinee at 14:30 is the bargain; evening set 19:30 is the marquee. Cash on the door, no reservations, no food.
Liquidroom in Tokyo's Ebisu is the 1,000-capacity live house that moved from Shinjuku in 2004. International indie, electronic, and alternative tours; the standing reference room.
Tip: Standing room only on the main floor; arrive 30 minutes early for the front rail. Time Out Cafe and Liquid Loft lounge on site for pre-show food.
Shinjuku Loft in Tokyo's Kabukicho is the basement live house anchoring the Loft Project network. Indie rock, punk, and noise tours, a 25-plus-year Tokyo touchstone.
Tip: Standing room basement, doors usually 18:00 or 19:00 on weeknights. Bar at the back stays open through the set, cashless accepted.