
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
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Japan manners debate: Is it OK to put a Mister Donut donut back on the shelf after taking it?
7-Eleven Japan sells freshly baked pizzas…but are they any good?
Japan has omurice chocolate, and the weirdest thing isn’t how it tastes
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
Hunter x Hunter teams up with Shimamura clothing chain for clothing and more treasures galore
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Samurai Vader: a historical take on a favorite from a galaxy far, far away
20 things to buy at the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo store
A sad Oden Day in Japan as stores seem to be steadily stopping self-service pots
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Family Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
Japan’s most famous Mt. Fuji view park cancels cherry blossom festival because of overtourism
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
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
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
Add a little magic to your meal at Mahou Dining Bar Osmand in Tokyo, now with escape rooms
Leave a Reply