Village

Come to the neon party at Village with wild live shows weekly and cheap drinks nightly. Run by a man known as the “godfather” of gay in Osaka, Village has an illustrious reputation. Its near-legendary status is based partly on its long history and atmosphere, which have attracted open-minded and light-hearted people for nearly 20 years.

Mixed crowd at Village

Village is a safe haven in the midst of Osaka’s sprawling and exclusive LGBT district, Doyamacho.  Though it caters primarily to gay men, everyone is welcome. Not only has the bar become a gathering spot for men, women, straights and foreigners alike are also welcome here. The bartenders generally speak a bit of English or are willing to try. Even if you don’t share a common language with the staff, the other customers will likely be able to communicate with you, if not by speaking English than through the power of alcohol.

Village is spacious, especially by Japanese standards, where customers are often crammed into a tiny space while partying. Not here! Village entices with its colorful and sparkly interior, speckled with neon lighting, chandeliers and disco balls. The long bar wraps around most of the room. A section of tables and chairs is off to the side, providing a space for more intimate conversation. The room also has poles (of the entertainment sort) and a large stage.

Photo by: village.jpn Just a taste of the antics at Village.

Showtime

On this stage, the venue’s famous cross-dressing performances happen every Saturday night. Drag queens and pole dancers strut their stuff for all to see. The shows are campy, comedic, and clean. The first show always starts at 11 p.m. followed by another one a few hours later, usually at around 2 a.m. The stage is positioned behind the bar, so it’s actually the bartenders who double as the entertainers. On nights without shows, Village tends to be quieter. However, there is always free karaoke to indulge in.

With the right crowd Village is a riot, and considering they draw a diverse crowd of people who share a love of fun, it’s safe to say this is an entertaining nightlife hangout any night of the week.