Reviewed · MEET THE LOCALS EXPERIENCES
All We Can Drink and Make Friend Can Come Alone Party in Shinjuku
Solo nights in Tokyo can feel surprisingly awkward. This Friday-night party at EXBAR TOKYO plus gives you a simple way into the conversation, with unlimited drinks, casual games, and a crowd made up of Japanese locals and international visitors. You do not need to arrive with a group, and the event is designed to help you start talking quickly.
I like the color-coded wristbands, which give you an easy opening line without forcing a formal introduction. I also like the mix of Uno, Jenga, Japanese practice, and free-flowing drinks, since the activities keep the evening from becoming a room full of people staring at their phones. The main consideration is that this is a standing party, and the crowd, mood, and number of Japanese and international attendees can vary from Friday to Friday.
In This Review
- Key points to know before you book
- Why this Shinjuku party works for solo visitors
- Arriving at EXBAR TOKYO plus at 7:30 p.m.
- How the colored wristbands help you meet people
- Uno, Jenga, and easy conversation
- Language exchange with Japanese and international attendees
- What unlimited drinks are worth at $70
- The two-and-a-half-hour schedule
- Staff, organization, and the overall mood
- Who should book this experience
- Booking, cancellation, and practical details
- Should you book the Shinjuku party?
- FAQ
- Where does the party take place?
- What days and times is the event held?
- How long does the experience last?
- Is the party suitable for someone attending alone?
- Are drinks included in the ticket price?
- What is the price?
- What activities are available during the party?
- How does the wristband system work?
- Is transportation included?
- Can I cancel for a refund?
Key points to know before you book

- Friday from 7:30 to 10 p.m.: The fixed schedule gives you a clear evening plan in Shinjuku, with about two and a half hours at the venue.
- All-you-can-drink alcohol is included: Your $70 fee covers alcoholic beverages during the full party period, along with admission and taxes.
- Color wristbands start conversations: Choose a color linked to your purpose, such as fun, language exchange, meeting singles, talking with the same gender, or another goal.
- Uno and Jenga break the ice: The games give you something to do with new people, so conversation does not have to begin with a perfect Japanese phrase.
- A useful choice for solo visitors: You can come alone and still have a built-in social setting, rather than trying to enter a Tokyo bar by yourself.
- Near public transportation: Private transportation is not included, but the venue is close to public transit, making the journey manageable.
Why this Shinjuku party works for solo visitors

Tokyo nightlife is easy to admire from the outside and harder to join on your own. Shinjuku has plenty of bars, restaurants, and late-night venues, but walking into an unfamiliar place alone can leave you wondering where to stand and whom to approach.
This party removes much of that uncertainty. You arrive at one known venue, during a set time, with a clear reason to talk to people. The format is social by design, not simply a drink package with strangers scattered around a bar.
I especially like the fact that the event welcomes people from Japan and other countries. You may meet someone who wants to practice English, someone who wants to practice Japanese, or someone who simply wants a relaxed night out. That range makes the evening useful for more than one type of visitor.
The event also avoids a long formal program. You are not being marched through a list of activities or asked to perform in front of the room. Instead, the wristbands and games give you small openings to move around and meet people at your own pace.
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Arriving at EXBAR TOKYO plus at 7:30 p.m.

The party takes place at EXBAR TOKYO plus, with admission included in the fee. The scheduled hours are Friday from 7:30 to 10 p.m., so you should plan to arrive close to the start rather than treating this as an open-ended bar night.
That timing matters. Arriving early gives you time to get settled, choose your wristband, and begin talking before groups have already formed. If you arrive late, you can still participate, but you may need to make a little more effort to enter conversations already underway.
The venue is near public transportation, which is helpful in Shinjuku. You do not receive private transportation, so you are responsible for getting to and from the venue. A mobile ticket keeps the entry process simple, though you should have your booking available on your phone.
The party uses a standing format. This makes it easier to move from one conversation to another, but it also means you should not expect a reserved seat or a quiet dinner setting. If you prefer to sit comfortably for most of an evening, this may not be your ideal nightlife plan.
How the colored wristbands help you meet people

The wristband system is one of the most practical ideas in the event. You choose a color based on why you came, then look for people wearing the same color. The suggested purposes include:
- Orange for fun time
- Green for language friends
- Pink for singles
- Yellow for talking with the same gender
- Blue for another purpose you can write down
This does not guarantee a perfect match, and the meaning of the colors may depend on who attends that evening. Still, it gives you a direct and low-pressure way to start.
A green wristband, for example, tells you that language practice may be welcome. You can begin with a simple Japanese greeting, ask where someone is from, or compare your reasons for visiting Tokyo. If you choose orange, the focus is more general socializing. Pink is aimed at single attendees, though you should treat it as a conversation guide rather than a promise of romance.
The blue option is useful if your goal does not fit the other categories. You might write a short purpose on the band and use it as a talking point. The system works best when you treat it as an invitation to chat, not as a strict rule about whom you can meet.
Uno, Jenga, and easy conversation

Games give the party its casual rhythm. Uno and Jenga are familiar, quick to explain, and suitable for people who do not share a first language. You can join a game before you know much about the people around you, then let conversation grow naturally.
That is a real advantage. A language exchange can sometimes feel like a one-on-one interview, with both people trying too hard to keep the conversation going. A game gives you something else to focus on. You can laugh at a bad card draw, help explain a rule, or comment on a risky Jenga move without needing advanced language skills.
The activities also help you move around. Since this is a standing event, the games can act as gathering points. You might begin with one group, then meet another when you change tables or join a different round.
You should not expect a carefully programmed team-building workshop. The appeal is the looseness of the format. If you are outgoing, you can make your own rounds. If you are shy, the activities provide a reason to approach people without having to announce yourself.
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Language exchange with Japanese and international attendees

The event has a clear language-exchange element. English and Japanese are both part of the social mix, and you can use the evening to practice either language. The atmosphere is not presented as a formal class, so you will need to take some initiative.
I see this as a good fit for someone who wants real conversation rather than grammar instruction. You can practice greetings, everyday questions, travel talk, and casual phrases. In return, you may be able to help someone with English or another language.
The quality of the exchange depends on the people at the event that night. Some attendees may be focused on language practice, while others may mainly want drinks and general conversation. The green wristband helps identify people with a language goal, but you should remain flexible.
Feedback about the event points to a mix of nationalities and backgrounds, including Japanese and international participants. One attendee specifically described returning for a second language-exchange evening after enjoying the chance to practice English and Japanese. That suggests the format can work for repeat participation, not only for a one-time holiday stop.
Age can vary as well. One piece of feedback noted that many people at one event were in their 30s. If you are looking for a very young student crowd or a narrowly defined age group, you should not assume this party will provide it.
What unlimited drinks are worth at $70

The price is $70 per person, and the main financial benefit is the all-you-can-drink arrangement from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Admission, taxes, and alcoholic beverages are included. Private transportation is not.
At first glance, $70 is a serious price for a two-and-a-half-hour social event. The value depends on how much you would otherwise spend on drinks in Shinjuku and how much you value the organized social setting. If you plan to have only one drink, the package may feel expensive. If you would normally buy several drinks and would also pay for a separate nightlife activity, the calculation looks better.
The larger value is not only the alcohol. You are paying for a fixed place to meet people, an event structure, staff support, games, and a crowd that has already agreed to socialize. For a solo visitor, that can be worth more than simply ordering a drink at a normal bar and hoping a conversation starts.
You should drink at a comfortable pace. Unlimited alcohol can make it tempting to treat the event as a race, but the best part of the evening is the conversation. Staying clear enough to remember names, ask questions, and move between groups will give you more from the ticket.
The drink selection is not described in detail, so do not book expecting a specific brand, cocktail list, or premium menu. The confirmed benefit is alcoholic beverages during the scheduled party hours.
The two-and-a-half-hour schedule

The event runs for approximately two hours and 30 minutes. That is long enough to meet several groups without taking over your entire night in Tokyo.
From 7:30 p.m., you can check in, select your wristband, and begin with the first conversations. Early arrivals may find it easier to get oriented before the room becomes more active.
As the party continues, the games and standing format encourage movement. You can spend part of the evening in a language-focused conversation, then join a game or meet people with a different color wristband. This flexibility is useful because not every conversation will click, and you do not have to remain with one group.
The 10 p.m. finish also leaves room for a later Shinjuku plan. You may choose to continue elsewhere, return to your hotel, or simply call it a night. The event gives you a social evening without requiring you to commit to a full late-night outing.
One practical tip: do not schedule a tight reservation immediately after the party. The event is scheduled to end at 10 p.m., but you will still need to leave the venue and reach your next stop. Give yourself some breathing room.
Staff, organization, and the overall mood

The strongest impressions of the event center on its friendly staff, smooth schedule, and relaxed atmosphere. The evening is described as engaging from beginning to end, with activities that help people connect instead of leaving the room to figure everything out alone.
Quyn is singled out by name in the feedback, which suggests that personal staff interaction can be part of the experience. The staff are described as helpful, and that matters in a social event where a small nudge can help a nervous solo attendee join a group.
The mood appears easygoing rather than formal. You can talk, play, practice language, and drink without following a strict sightseeing schedule. Some people may come mainly for friendship, some for language exchange, and some for the dating-oriented pink wristband. That mix gives the party energy, though it also means you cannot control the exact character of the crowd.
The event has a 99 percent recommendation rate and a 4.9 rating from 359 reviews. Those numbers point to consistently strong satisfaction, especially for people seeking an international social night. They do not mean every conversation will be memorable, so keep your expectations practical: the event creates opportunities, but you still need to participate.
Who should book this experience
I would recommend this party most strongly to:
- Solo visitors who want company for one evening
- People staying in Tokyo who want to meet Japanese locals
- Anyone interested in practicing Japanese or English
- Visitors who enjoy casual games and standing social events
- Single attendees who want a setting that makes introductions easier
- People who like a planned nightlife option instead of wandering from bar to bar
It may be less suitable if you want a quiet cocktail lounge, a seated meal, a private group experience, or a tightly planned cultural activity. It is also not the best choice if unlimited alcohol is not useful to you, since that is a major part of the price.
You should also be comfortable making at least a little effort. The wristbands, games, and staff help, but you still need to smile, ask a question, join a game, or move toward a new group. This is social assistance, not a guaranteed friendship service.
Booking, cancellation, and practical details
The experience is offered on Fridays from 7:30 to 10 p.m. The listed operating period runs from September 8, 2023 through February 18, 2027. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the ticket is available on your mobile device.
Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. If you cancel within 24 hours, you will not receive a refund, and changes made within that period are not accepted.
Most people can participate, and the venue is near public transportation. Since private transportation is not included, check your route to EXBAR TOKYO plus before Friday evening, especially if you are coming from another part of Tokyo.
The event is provided by Welcome Tokyo. With more than five bookings recorded in the last month, it continues to attract regular interest, though that figure does not tell you how large any individual Friday will be.
Should you book the Shinjuku party?
Book it if you want a structured way to meet people alone in Tokyo, especially if you enjoy drinks, simple games, and casual language practice. The strongest features are the color wristbands, international mix, friendly organization, and the fact that you can walk in without bringing a group.
Think twice if you dislike standing parties or if you would not drink enough to make the $70 package worthwhile. You should also remember that the crowd changes from week to week, so the exact balance of ages, nationalities, and dating or language interests is not fixed.
For the right person, this is a practical answer to a common Tokyo problem: how to turn a solo night in Shinjuku into a social one without having to force your way into a random bar.
FAQ
Where does the party take place?
The party takes place at EXBAR TOKYO plus in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
What days and times is the event held?
It is held on Fridays from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
How long does the experience last?
The party lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes.
Is the party suitable for someone attending alone?
Yes. The event is specifically designed for solo visitors who want to meet Japanese locals and people from other countries.
Are drinks included in the ticket price?
Yes. Alcoholic beverages are included on an all-you-can-drink basis from 7:30 to 10 p.m.
What is the price?
The listed price is $70 per person.
What activities are available during the party?
The party includes social games such as Uno and Jenga, along with opportunities to practice Japanese and other languages.
How does the wristband system work?
You choose a wristband color based on your purpose for attending. Options include fun time, language friends, singles, talking with the same gender, or another purpose written on a blue wristband.
Is transportation included?
No. Private transportation is not included, but the venue is near public transportation.
Can I cancel for a refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted.
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