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club gamos
by Chip Daniels
In a community like Ni-chome, where bars number in the hundreds and are just as quick to shut down as they are to open, a new bar must quickly finds its own niche if it's going to survive. Fuji Bar has karaoke, Club Zinc is gay/lesbian mix, Dragon has dancing and heavy cruising, GB has its horny foreigners, and Kinsmen is known to be more quiet and relaxing. So what is it about Club Gamos that has crowds lining up on the weekends?
Club Gamos stormed onto the Ni-chome scene only three years ago and has become known to many for its parties. Unlike its neighbors, Club Gamos holds a different event every night, from XL parties for debusen (men who chase fat men), Super Gachirikei (muscleman) parties, and at least once a month Club Gamos offers Bravissima, a women only event. Like its parties, Club Gamos changes its DJs and music every night to include evenings of House, Techno, Rock, J-Pop, or Eurobeat. Club Gamos is not gay exclusive and welcomes everyone; however, it is mainly a young crowd and primarily Japanese. The bar staff are friendly, cute (Kasuya is delicious!) and most speak English fluently.
"It all depends on the party," says Club Master Koseki-san when asked about the atmosphere of the place. "Some nights Gamos can be really cruisy especially when we have events attracting really masculine men. When we have our Upper Camp drag show, the evening can be really light and a lot of fun." He suggests that you pick up one of the bilingual calendars for Glub Gamos or mark your calendar with the colorful, postcard-size flyers located around town that announce upcoming events and theme parties. You can also get a look at the monthly calendar on-line at, http://www2.airnet.ne.jp/gamos/ GAMOS.html. (Interesting links to G-men!)
And if you have ever considered hosting your own event in Ni-chome, here's your chance. Depending on the time and day of the week, you can lease Club Gamos for as little as ¥15,000 per hour. (Hell, someone should invite the Chicago Meatpackers over for a strip show!) Give Koseki-san a call and please . . . remember to invite me.
As usual, July is an action-packed month at Club Gamos. Ladies check out Bravissima on July 9th. Dress lightly guys for an evening of J-Pop on the 23rd, but wear very little for the macho-man party, Frame Festival on the 30th. Gay men can party at Club Gamos every Saturday night at its Otoko Club and just by mentioning the Tokyo Journal, the ¥1,500 cover is slashed by ¥500!
Club Gamos
B1F 2-11-10 Shinjuku
Shinjuku-ku
Tel: 3354-5519
One street up from GB, look for the large, green neon sign. Club Gamos is located in the basement. While there is always a cover charge at Club Gamos, one or two drinks are included. But even without the monthly schedule, you can be sure that Gamos will be packed every Saturday night wall to wall with men. See you there!