The best thing about this Friday-night Shinjuku party is simple: you can walk in alone and have a built-in way to start talking. At EXBAR TOKYO plus, color-coded wristbands match people by purpose, from language exchange to making friends, while Uno and Jenga keep conversations moving.
I like the unlimited drinks from 7:30 to 10:00 PM, since the $70 price includes alcoholic drinks, fees, and taxes. I also like the standing format and international mix. You can move around instead of being stuck at one table, and the published 4.9 rating from 359 reviews reflects how well the friendly, organized setup works.
The main drawback is that this is a social party, not a guided tour of Shinjuku. The venue can only be as rewarding as your willingness to approach people, and the standing format may not suit you if you want a quiet evening or a seated dinner.
In This Review
- Key points before you book
- A social night built for solo visitors
- Finding the right people with a wristband
- What happens inside EXBAR TOKYO plus
- Drinks, games, and the two-and-a-half-hour schedule
- Language exchange without a classroom
- Who will get the most from this Shinjuku party
- Getting there and planning your evening
- How the event compares with a normal bar night
- Should you book it?
- FAQ
- Where does the party take place?
- When is the event held?
- How long does the party last?
- Are drinks included?
- Can I attend alone?
- How do the wristbands work?
- Can I cancel for a refund?
Key points before you book

- Color-coded wristbands make introductions easier: Choose orange for fun, green for language friends, pink for singles, yellow for talking with the same gender, or blue for another purpose you can write down.
- The party runs every Friday from 7:30 to 10:00 PM: Plan to arrive ready for a full two-and-a-half-hour evening.
- Unlimited alcoholic drinks are included: All fees and taxes are included, but private transportation is not.
- EXBAR TOKYO plus uses a standing-party setup: You can shift between conversations, games, and groups instead of staying in one seat.
- Games provide a low-pressure icebreaker: Uno and Jenga give you something to do while meeting people from Japan and other countries.
- The event suits solo visitors best: You can come alone, practice Japanese or English, and meet people without arranging your own group.
A social night built for solo visitors

Tokyo nightlife can feel hard to enter alone. Bars often work best when you already have a friend beside you, and casual conversation does not always come easily across language lines. This event removes some of that friction by giving you a clear place, a set time, drinks, games, and a reason to speak with people.
You are not signing up for sightseeing. You are signing up for company. The value comes from the social structure, not from a special performance or a famous attraction.
That distinction matters. If you want to see Shinjuku’s neon streets, visit a bar with a local guide, or sample Japanese food, this is not the right product. If you want to meet people from Japan and around the world during a solo trip, the format makes practical sense.
The atmosphere is intended to be relaxed and easygoing. One attendee described it as a good place to practice language, while another returned for a second language-exchange evening. That suggests the event is not limited to people looking for dates or late-night drinking. You can attend for conversation, friendship, Japanese practice, or a more social Friday night.
A few more Tokyo tours and experiences worth a look
Finding the right people with a wristband

The wristband system is the most useful detail in the whole setup. When you arrive, you can choose a color connected to your reason for attending:
- Orange: looking for a fun time
- Green: looking for language friends
- Pink: looking for singles
- Yellow: looking to talk with the same gender
- Blue: another purpose, which you can write down
The idea is direct. Find someone wearing the same color, then use that shared purpose to begin a conversation. You do not need to open with a clever question or interrupt an established group. The band gives you a natural first topic.
This system also helps you set expectations. If you select green, you signal that language practice matters to you. If you choose pink, you indicate interest in meeting singles. That does not promise a match, and you should still treat the color as a conversation aid rather than a guarantee. Even so, it is more useful than wandering through a bar and hoping the right person notices you.
The blue option is handy if your reason does not fit the other categories. You can write down your purpose and use it as an invitation to talk. I would choose your color before the event starts, especially if you feel shy. A small decision like that gives you a first task as soon as you arrive.
What happens inside EXBAR TOKYO plus
The party takes place at EXBAR TOKYO plus in Shinjuku, a convenient choice for an evening event because the area is close to public transportation. The available details do not provide a station name or a precise meeting-point description, so check your mobile ticket carefully before setting out.
The party uses a standing format. That means you can move between groups and avoid being locked into one conversation for the whole night. It also means you should wear something comfortable and expect less of the settled pace you would get at a restaurant.
Standing parties can feel awkward for the first few minutes, especially if you arrive alone. Here, the wristbands and games help solve that problem. You can look for a matching color, join an Uno game, or watch a Jenga round before stepping into a conversation.
The host team is there to keep the evening moving. One attendee specifically praised Quyn, and the event has been described as well-organized, with a smooth schedule and friendly staff. That is important at a social event. A host who explains the activities and helps people connect can make the difference between a lively room and a collection of isolated groups.
Still, the event is not described as a small-group experience. The number of people can change from Friday to Friday, and the social mix may vary. One evening may lean toward international visitors, another toward Japanese locals, and another toward people in their 30s. Go for the chance to meet a mix of people, not for a guaranteed age group or nationality.
Drinks, games, and the two-and-a-half-hour schedule

The party lasts about two hours and 30 minutes, from 7:30 to 10:00 PM each Friday. Alcoholic drinks are included throughout that period, along with all fees and taxes. You do not need to calculate a separate bar tab as the evening goes on.
At $70 per person, the price is not low if you are judging it only as a drinks deal. You may find cheaper drinks elsewhere in Shinjuku. The better question is what you would otherwise spend to find an international social setting, language partners, games, and a host who helps solo people connect.
For someone who wants only a couple of drinks, the value is weak. For someone who plans to stay the full 150 minutes and actively meet people, the included drinks make the price easier to justify. You are paying for the organized social setting as much as for the alcohol.
Uno and Jenga are especially useful because they create short, shared activities. You can join a game without needing a long personal introduction, then continue talking once the game gives you common ground. This is a better fit for casual conversation than a formal language lesson, so expect practice through ordinary social exchange rather than structured teaching.
Drink responsibly. Unlimited service can make it tempting to drink quickly, but the best part of this event is meeting people. Pace yourself so you can keep conversations going and make sensible decisions at the end of the evening.
Language exchange without a classroom

The event supports conversation in both Japanese and English, with Japanese locals and international participants in the same room. You might use the evening to practice basic Japanese, help someone with English, or simply compare life in Tokyo with life elsewhere.
I like this informal approach because it gives language practice a real purpose. You are not repeating phrases from a worksheet. You are asking where someone is from, discussing travel, explaining a hobby, or deciding who should take the next turn in Jenga.
The green wristband is the clearest choice for this goal. It helps you find people who also want language friends, and it can prevent a common problem at international meetups: people gathering only with those who speak their strongest language.
You should keep your expectations practical. The event does not promise lessons, translators, or equal time in each language. Some conversations may be mostly English, while others may switch back and forth. If your goal is serious Japanese study, look for a dedicated class. If you want a friendly place to try Japanese in real conversation, this format may suit you well.
Who will get the most from this Shinjuku party

This experience is a good match for you if:
- You are visiting Tokyo alone and want company for one evening.
- You enjoy meeting people from different countries.
- You want an easy way to practice Japanese or English.
- You are comfortable with a standing party and casual games.
- You like a social night more than a formal tour.
- You want drinks included in one upfront price.
It may not suit you if you prefer a quiet bar, a seated meal, or a tightly planned activity. It is also not the best choice if you want a sightseeing component. The event stays focused on conversation and nightlife.
The pink wristband means singles can make their purpose clear, but you should not book it expecting a guaranteed romantic connection. The same applies to every color. The bands guide conversation; they do not promise a particular result.
The age mix may also vary. One evening had many people in their 30s, but no fixed age range is provided. You will need to be open to meeting people from different age groups and backgrounds.
Getting there and planning your evening

The venue is near public transportation, which is useful in Tokyo, but private transportation is not included. You will need to make your own way to EXBAR TOKYO plus and return afterward.
Because the event begins at 7:30 PM, leave enough time to find the venue. The information provided does not include a precise station exit or a detailed arrival procedure, so your mobile ticket is important. Confirmation is sent at booking, and the ticket is mobile rather than printed.
Think about what you want from the night before you arrive. Choose your wristband purpose, prepare a few simple conversation starters, and decide how long you want to stay. Questions about favorite Tokyo neighborhoods, Japanese food, travel plans, or language goals are easy ways to get past the first hello.
You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the event, along with late changes, are not accepted for a refund.
How the event compares with a normal bar night

A normal Shinjuku bar gives you more freedom. You can choose your drinks, leave whenever you want, and settle into a seat. It may also cost less, especially if you do not drink much.
This event gives you more structure. You know where to go, when the social period begins and ends, and how to signal your reason for attending. The host team, games, and wristbands reduce the effort required to meet people.
That structure is valuable for a solo visitor who does not want to spend an hour trying different bars. It is less valuable for a confident socializer who already has friends in Tokyo or enjoys starting conversations without help.
The high published rating and 99 percent recommendation figure suggest strong satisfaction with the event’s main purpose: making connections. The specific praise centers on the international crowd, friendly staff, good mood, language practice, and drinks. Those are the areas where you should expect the strongest experience.
Do not expect the party to show you a secret side of Shinjuku. Its authentic element is human rather than historical. You get a chance to speak with Japanese locals and international people in a casual nightlife setting, which can become one of the more memorable parts of a solo visit.
Should you book it?
Book this party if your priority is meeting people on a Friday night and you are willing to take part rather than stand at the edge of the room. The color wristbands, games, and unlimited drinks give you several ways to begin, and the language-exchange angle adds more purpose than a standard bar visit.
Skip it if you want sightseeing, a seated dinner, a small private group, or a guaranteed romantic match. At $70, the value depends on using the full two-and-a-half hours and taking advantage of the social setup.
For a solo visitor who wants a ready-made night out in Shinjuku, this is a sensible choice. Arrive with an open attitude, choose your wristband carefully, pace your drinks, and let the games do some of the conversational work.
FAQ
Where does the party take place?
The party takes place at EXBAR TOKYO plus in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The venue is near public transportation.
When is the event held?
It is held every Friday from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM.
How long does the party last?
The experience lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes.
Are drinks included?
Yes. Alcoholic drinks are available on an unlimited basis from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM. All fees and taxes are included.
Can I attend alone?
Yes. The party is designed for solo visitors who want to meet people from Japan and around the world.
How do the wristbands work?
You choose a color based on your purpose for attending, then look for people wearing the same color. Orange is for fun, green for language friends, pink for singles, yellow for talking with the same gender, and blue for another purpose you can write down.
Can I cancel for a refund?
Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the event are not accepted for a refund.




























