
Companies collaborating to earn all of the disposable income from 20 and 30-something males in Japan.
Asked to complete a checklist of their interests, just about any young man could put a mark next to “beer,” “breasts,” or “video games,” and many would be asking where the “all of the above” option is. So perhaps it was inevitable that Namco, one of Japan’s biggest video game companies, would eventually partner with Hooters, the American restaurant chain with busty waitresses and five locations in Japan.
This month, the companies are opening a new joint venture called Gaming Bar Side-B. Located on the premises of Hooters’ branch in Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood, Gaming Bar Side-B is being billed as an “interactive sports bar.” Along with drinks and light fare, including Hooters’ signature chicken wings, Gaming Bar Side-B will have video games, foosball, slot car racing, and Pop-A-Shot-style basketball shooting games. In addition to 18 different gaming stations, customers can watch sports being televised on screens mounted around the facility.
The aesthetic is described as “downtown New York,” which in this case seems to mean concrete floors, chain-link, and comfy sofas, at least judging from artist renditions.
Namco has announced that the facility will offer all-you-can-drink-and-play packages for 1,500 yen (US$12.50) for the first 30 minutes, with 30-minute extensions available for an additional 500 yen, which represents a decent value as long as you’re drinking and gaming at a brisk pace.
Gaming Bar Side-B opens December 18.
Restaurant information
Gaming Bar Side-B
Address: Tokyo-to, Shibuya-ku, Dogenzaka 2-29-5, Shibuya Prime 4th floor
東京都渋谷区道玄坂2-29-5渋谷プライム 4F
Open 5 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5 p.m.-4 a.m. Friday, noon- 4 a.m. Saturday, noon-11:30 p.m. Sunday



Giant 1,431-square meter arcade and bar opening in downtown Tokyo from Bandai Namco
Our writers show you how to have the most fun at the new Hooters in Tokyo 【Pics】
Sonic the Hedgehog goes to Hooters in Japan to celebrate the release of his new video game
Tokyo Hooters now offers rental work spaces, and they’re free for students
Try curling in the heart of Tokyo at this unusual rooftop hideaway bar
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Nearly half of Japanese women in survey have an idol singer or anime crush
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
Dom Dom Burger releasing Power-Ranger-themed Super Sentai Burger
Cup Noodle releases new Tomica “car” collection
Uniqlo opens its first-ever cafe at newly revamped Ginza store
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
“Denki Anma”: The Japanese traditional torment that you’ll be glad stays in Japan
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Bandai Namco is opening a chain of gigantic megastores for mega otaku joy
Get your Insta on with pop-up bar’s sakura pool and sakura-flavored sake【Photos】
Tokyo’s Persona Cafe is the latest addition to the city’s video game-themed dining scene
Akihabara arcades aren’t dead yet! New six-floor game center opens in Tokyo otaku quarter next month
Dragon Ball anime cafes set to open in Tokyo and Osaka next month
Ridiculously awesome cherry blossom bar with sakura pool opening in Tokyo【Photos】
Japan unveils world’s first chu-hai with fresh lemon slice in can so every drink tastes different
Tokyo convenience store has full bar inside with Japanese whiskey, will smoke your combini snacks
A haunted house for the information age opens in Tokyo for a limited time
Trying Virtual Reality for the first time at Bandai Namco’s VR Experience in Odaiba, Tokyo
New bar catering to Pokémon GO players who want to make friends opens in Tokyo
Grab a free ice cream treat on “Azuki Bar Day” (July 1st) in three major Japanese cities
Amazon is opening a brick-and-mortar bar in Tokyo, giving us a reason to leave our homes
Evangelion Bar opening in Tokyo to soothe the rattled nerves of fans of the traumatizing anime
Nintendo announces grand opening date for new official shop in Tokyo, shows off exclusive merch
Leave a Reply