Ask anyone who's ever visited Osaka, and it's likely they'll tell you the same thing. As amazing as the city is during the daytime, It's from the early evening onwards that the city really comes into its own.

It's not difficult to have a great night out in Osaka. However you choose to spend an evening, you can hardly go wrong with all of the thousands of fantastic izakayas, bars, clubs, however, if time is of the essence and you don't have too much time to explore, it's important that you're aware of some of the city’s more unique offerings.

In this article, we shall introduce eight nightlife options that offer something for everyone, and whether you visit just one, or all of them, we are absolutely certain that your night in Osaka will be as memorable as it was fun!

1.) La Potcha Potcha

La Potcha Potcha is a bar/restaurant which offers HUGE portions of food, from a fried chicken tower to a rice ball bigger than your head, everything about La Potcha Potcha is of the large variety, including their staff members.

Whilst sitting at La Potcha Potcha, you will be joined by a female staff member, who will sit with you and chat about things such as where you’re from and your favorite foods. The difference between La Potcha Potcha and bars with similar business models is that each member of La Potcha Potcha weighs over 80kgs!

Whilst in mid-conversation with one of the girls, you may hear a sound which signifies the start of the dance show, a performance where all staff members stand and dance in unison to the store’s theme tune.

Although this bar offers a very different experience to most, it is a great opportunity to sit and have a chat with some very interesting people while enjoying some of the best (and largest) desserts in Osaka!

＜Location＞
7-11 Souemoncho, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0084

2.) The Magic Bar

If clubs are not really your thing, and you're looking for more of a show or performance, we would be hard-pressed to find something better to recommend than a magic show at The Magic Bar.

After entering and ordering your drinks, you'll be treated to a private tableside magic show by one of the bar’s extremely talented magicians, before witnessing the main event, a stage show featuring several mesmerizing acts.

The nightly show is both very funny and highly impressive, showcasing a number of magic tricks that are sure to leave you completely flabbergasted, including a big finale that we’re still all scratching our heads at!

With all of the above and a 90 minute ‘all you can drink’ menu for just ¥3,850, The Magic Bar can be a great way to start your evening or the best way to end it!

＜Location＞
8-17 Taiyujicho, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0051

3.) Osaka Merhen

Are you familiar with Japanese Idol culture? Groups such as AKB48 have popularised the musical genre in recent years, turning it into a billion-dollar industry. One of Osaka’s leading Idol groups is ‘Osaka Merhen’, who put on a live performance five times a day.

The group has over 40 members, with around 7-10 performing each night. Come along and witness first hand their highly choreographed dance routines and be amazed at how well they all sing and perform together.

＜Location＞
1−26 Komatsubaracho, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0018

4.) Burlesque Osaka

The next location on our list is also a live show, but of the more provocative variety. Burlesque Osaka is a highly reputable burlesque club, where three exciting performances a night take place.

The atmosphere of the performances is a mixture of fun, cute and sexy, however, what stands out above everything else is the talent of girls who perform here. With highly energetic singing and dance performances throughout the show and top of the line lighting/visual effects, you are sure to be amazed by not only the girls themselves, but the overall production efforts involved.

It’s important to point out, that although Burlesque Osaka is an adult-themed establishment, the performances are tasteful and include no nudity. The emphasis here is fun and crowd interaction via singing and dancing, so if that kind of energy is what you’re after, we think this is the place for you!

＜Location＞
1−3−8 Sonezakishinchi, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0002

5.) Maharaja

The following two locations on our list are both nightclubs, however, they offer quite different experiences.

Firstly, Maharaja, a staple of the Osaka nightlife scene since first opening in 1982. Maharaja is a 600 person capacity, spacious, luxurious night club which caters primarily to a more mature audience and often has 80’s and disco nights. Maharaja ensures that everyone, no matter their age, feels comfortable having a great night out!

With multiple dance floors and ample space to sit and chat as well, Maharaja is a great location to meet people and have a fantastic evening, free from any social pressures.

＜Location＞
4−10−13, Minamisenba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0081

6.) Giraffe

Situated just across from Glico Man on the Dotonbori river, locations in Osaka don’t come much more central than this!

One of the largest, and probably the most famous nightclubs in Osaka, Giraffe has an impressive four floors, each with DJs playing a wide variety of music. Popular with both local residents and foreign guests, Giraffe often hosts popular DJs from across the world for events that sell out fast!

The crowd at Giraffe is mixed, but overall quite young, with most patrons in their 20’s. Although a range of music genres are played here, it is EDM which is the most popular, followed by hip hop (2nd floor) and techno/house (1st floor).

If you’re traveling with friends, Giraffe offers some very affordable VIP table options and if communication is a worry, fear not, as all of the menus have an English version and many of the staff speak several languages.

＜Location＞
7-9 Souemoncho, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0084

Also, if you find yourself looking to satisfy your hunger after a long night of clubbing, you couldn’t be in a more convenient location, no matter the time of night (or morning!). Situated close by, the 24-hour Ichiran Ramen offers delicious ramen which customers can enjoy within their own private booth!

＜Location＞
1-4-16 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071

7.) ROUND1 STADIUM Sennichimae (Spo-Cha)

If nightclubs and bars are not really your thing, or If you’re simply looking for some more active ways to spend your nights in Osaka, don’t worry our final two suggestions have got you covered.

Located in the Osaka city center, Round One Sennichimae (or ‘Spotcha’ as it’s commonly known) is a 24-hour complex providing a wide and diverse range of sports and activities for its guests to partake in.

Activities include karaoke, darts, basketball, badminton, segway racing, table tennis, miniature motorbike racing, bubble suit soccer, mechanical bull riding, trampolining, video game arcades, pool plus many, many more!

Being 24 hours, Spotcha is a great place to visit any time of day and especially fun when enjoyed as a group, just be careful though, the range of games and activities is enough to bring out anyone’s competitive spirit!

With three hour packages from ¥2,280 per person (all activities, including video games, require no extra cost), Spotcha is an affordable way to get in some extra exercise in some of the most fun ways imaginable!

＜LOCATION＞
1-3-1 Nanba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0076, Japan

8.) The Umeda Batting Dome

Our final recommendation is another sporty one, where you can have a great time and blow off a little steam whilst enjoying one of Japan’s most beloved pastimes. Whether you want to enjoy this facility by yourself, or with a group of friends, we’re sure you’re going to have a lot of fun at The Umeda Batting Dome.

The retro batting dome is as photogenic as it is fun and offers batting cages, pitching practice, table tennis, and basketball hoops. Use of the center’s most popular activity, the batting cages, costs ¥400, and for that you will then be on the receiving end of 20 automatically pitched baseballs to attempt to hit.

There are several different cages, which allow the user to select the speed of the balls being pitched, starting from 80km an hour.

＜LOCATION＞
2-1-13 Nakazakinishi, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0015, Japan

We hope that this guide has been of help in making your Osaka nightlife experience one to remember! Whether you check out one of the shows, dance the night away at one of the nightclubs, or hit baseballs long into the night, we hope that you have a truly wonderful time.