It’s time to unleash your inner metal head! When I went to Japan, one of the highlights of the trip was for sure our night out in Shinjuku, notably this bar Deathmatch in Hell. Now it’s a little hole in the wall (literally) in Shinjuku’s Golden Gai district/area. For those not familiar with what the Golden Gai is, like I was not, Shinjuku’s Golden Gai is a famous nightlife district in Tokyo, known for its narrow alleyways packed with seemingly thousands of tiny, atmospheric bars which all offer something different.
Now most of those bars require cover fees and if you’re not feeling that then Deathmatch may be perfect for you…especially if you’re into the metal or horror movies. So this is a super tiny spot with maybe 6 seats but if you squeezed you could fit a few more people standing. Drinks are all ¥666 which is not bad, coming to as of today $4.45 USD, and makes sense with the theme of the bar, it being the Satan number. The owner/bartender/the guy there, he loves his Waynes World Hat which at this point based on everything online about the bar and even the merch he sells is iconic. The main merchandise for the bar is a t-shirt with a big chested woman and in front of her is none other than him, in his Wayne’s World hat.
Now this may not be for everyone, like me personally I enjoy some heavier music but I wouldn’t exactly say that I love some of the really black or heavy metal. And well, this tiny, chaotic bar is plastered with posters of metal bands, horror movie memorabilia (including a copy of The Ultimate Weapon which stars none other than the controversial Hulk Hogan), and somehow dim red neon lights, resulting in a dark yet immersive atmosphere. The playlist is non-stop death metal, thrash, and black metal, blasting at full volume, making it almost a haven for hardcore metal fans but making it almost obnoxious to those who are not fans.
But all in all, despite this intense theme, the bar felt welcoming and had a laid-back vibe, where both metalheads, people who don’t love metal and curious visitors like me and my pals alike can enjoy cheap drinks while soaking in the over the top decor. It was fun and I’d recommend it if anyone finds themself in the Golden Gai.
SebastianMParente.com 
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