All We Can Drink and Make Friend Can Come Alone Party in Shinjuku

Shinjuku is easier to enjoy when you have people to share it with. This Friday-night gathering at EXBAR TOKYO plus uses games, color-coded wristbands, and free-flowing drinks to help solo visitors meet Japanese locals and people from around the world.

I like the simple wristband idea, since you can signal that you want language partners, new friends, same-gender conversation, or something else. I also like the standing format, which lets you move around instead of being fixed at one table. The main consideration is that this is a social party, not a guided tour, so your enjoyment depends on your willingness to start conversations.

Key points at a glance

• Unlimited drinks from 7:30 to 10 PM: Alcoholic drinks are included in the $70 fee for the full event period.
• Color-coded wristbands: Choose a color based on your purpose, such as language practice, friendship, or conversation.
• Games make introductions easier: Uno and Jenga give you something to do while you meet people.
• Solo-friendly format: You can attend alone and still have a clear way to join conversations.
• International and Japanese crowd: The event is designed for language exchange and cross-cultural conversation.
• Friday night in Shinjuku: You get a social evening in one of Tokyo’s best-known nightlife districts without arranging a private group.

Why this Shinjuku party works for solo visitors

Going out alone in Tokyo can be a strange mix of freedom and hesitation. You can choose any bar you like, but walking into an unfamiliar place and starting a conversation is not always easy, especially when Japanese and English may be mixed together.

This event removes much of that awkward first step. You arrive at a scheduled international party, where meeting new people is the point rather than an interruption. The setting is social from the start, and the color-coded wristbands give you a natural opening line.

You might choose orange for fun, green for language friends, pink for meeting someone who is single, yellow for talking with the same gender, or blue for another purpose you can write down. The system is basic, but useful. Instead of guessing why someone came, you already have a possible topic.

I especially like that the event does not force you into a formal lesson or a strict round of introductions. You can practice Japanese and English, play a game, or simply chat. That gives the evening a more relaxed feel than a classroom-style language exchange.

The published score is 4.9 from 359 ratings, with 99 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong signal that the format usually delivers what it promises: an easy way to meet people and have a social night in Shinjuku. Still, no party can guarantee that every conversation will click, so bring a little initiative.

Arriving at EXBAR TOKYO plus at 7:30 PM

The evening takes place at EXBAR TOKYO plus, with the scheduled party running every Friday from 7:30 to 10 PM. The total experience lasts about two and a half hours, and the admission fee includes all fees, taxes, and alcoholic drinks during that period.

The timing matters. A 7:30 PM start gives you a full evening activity without using your entire night. You can attend the party, then decide afterward if you want to continue exploring Shinjuku. Since the event ends at 10 PM, it also avoids pushing you into a very late night.

You should plan to arrive ready to join in rather than simply observe. This is a standing-style party, so expect to move around the venue and speak with several people. The arrangement is better for circulation than a seated dinner, though anyone who prefers a quiet seat and a long conversation may find the format less comfortable.

The venue is near public transportation, which makes the meeting area practical for a Friday night in Tokyo. The available information does not specify a particular station exit or detailed meeting procedure, so check your mobile ticket and booking confirmation carefully before setting out.

Using the wristbands to find the right people

The wristband system is the most distinctive part of the evening. You select one color that matches your reason for attending, then look for people wearing the same color. The stated purpose is to make it easier to begin talking around 7:30 PM.

Here is the basic guide:

• Orange: looking for fun time
• Green: looking for language friends
• Pink: looking for someone who is single
• Yellow: looking to talk with the same gender
• Blue: another purpose, written by you

This does not mean you can only talk to people wearing the same color. It simply gives you a quick way to find people with a similar aim. If you want to practice Japanese, green is the obvious choice. If you are mainly hoping for casual conversation and games, orange may fit better.

The blue option is handy because not every social goal fits a fixed label. You can write your own purpose and use it as a conversation starter. That small detail makes the event feel more personal than a standard bar meetup.

I would not treat the bands as strict categories. People may wear one color and still be happy to talk about other subjects. Think of them as an icebreaker, not a rulebook.

Games that take the pressure off

Uno and Jenga are available to help people start talking. These are familiar games, and that is their strength. You do not need a detailed explanation or strong Japanese skills to take part.

A game gives you a shared focus during those first few minutes when conversation can feel forced. You can comment on a move, ask to join, or laugh at a bad decision. From there, it is easier to ask where someone is from or why they are in Tokyo.

The activities also help the party avoid becoming a room full of people standing with drinks and waiting for someone else to speak first. You can move between a game and a conversation as the evening develops.

The event is not presented as a competition or a scheduled game tournament. The games are there to support the social side of the night. If you prefer talking without structured activities, you can do that too.

Language practice with Japanese locals and international people

This party has a clear language-exchange angle. You can practice Japanese with local people, use English with international participants, or switch between languages as your conversations develop.

That makes the event useful for more than nightlife. A short, friendly exchange can give you a chance to test greetings, simple questions, and everyday conversation in a low-pressure setting. You may also meet people who want to improve their English or another language.

The event has attracted people from many countries and backgrounds, as well as Japanese participants. The mix appears to be one of its strongest features. One repeat participant specifically returned for the chance to practice both English and Japanese, which suggests the language element is not just a label attached to a regular bar party.

Your results will depend on how actively you participate. If you stand back and wait for someone to approach, the evening may feel slow. If you use the wristband colors, join a game, and ask simple questions, you have several built-in ways to get a conversation going.

You do not need advanced Japanese. The event is designed around international communication, and the games and color system help when words do not come easily.

What the two-and-a-half-hour schedule feels like

The party begins at 7:30 PM, when the wristband system helps people find others with similar interests. The early part of the evening is likely the most useful time to introduce yourself, since people are still forming their first groups.

From there, you can move through conversations, games, and drinks at your own pace. The standing format supports this movement. You are not committed to one table or one small group for the whole night.

The unlimited alcoholic drinks continue until 10 PM. That is a substantial part of the value, but it also calls for common sense. Pace yourself, drink water when available, and remember that the purpose is meeting people, not simply drinking as much as possible.

The event ends at 10 PM. That fixed finish is useful if you have early plans the next day or want to continue your own evening elsewhere. It also makes the experience easier to fit into a larger Tokyo itinerary.

Because the event lasts only one evening, do not expect a carefully planned tour of Shinjuku. You will not be taken through the district or given a detailed introduction to Tokyo nightlife. The attraction is the social setting at the venue.

Is $70 a good value?

At $70 per person, this is not the cheapest way to buy drinks in Tokyo. You are paying for more than beverages, though. The price includes admission, taxes, unlimited alcoholic drinks from 7:30 to 10 PM, and a ready-made social setting.

For a solo visitor, that can be worthwhile. A few drinks in a bar do not guarantee conversation, and joining a party alone can be difficult if you have to create the social atmosphere yourself. Here, the event is organized around meeting people, and the wristbands and games give you practical tools for doing it.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise spend the night alone or feel uncertain about entering Tokyo’s nightlife by yourself. It is weaker if you do not drink alcohol, dislike standing events, or already have a group of friends to go out with.

The all-you-can-drink element also makes the cost easier to understand. You know in advance that the fee covers the full drink period rather than requiring you to pay separately for each alcoholic drink. If you have only one drink and leave early, the price will feel less attractive.

I would view the $70 as a combined entry fee, social introduction, and two-and-a-half-hour drink package. That is a fairer way to judge it than comparing the fee with the price of a single drink at an ordinary bar.

The crowd and the social tone

The event is built for an international crowd, with Japanese locals and people from other countries sharing the same venue. The tone appears relaxed and easygoing rather than formal.

The age mix may not be uniform. One evening had many people in their 30s, so do not book expecting a strictly young backpacker crowd. That can be a benefit if you prefer a broader age range, but it is worth knowing if you are seeking a specific demographic.

The social mood is helped by staff who encourage people to make friends. The event has also received positive comments about its organization, friendly support, smooth schedule, and good atmosphere. Those practical details matter when you are arriving alone in an unfamiliar city.

You should still bring realistic expectations. An international party may include lively groups, quiet people, language gaps, and periods when you need to introduce yourself. The staff can create the setting, but they cannot arrange a perfect match for every person.

What I like, and what may not suit you

I like the fact that the event tackles a real problem for solo visitors: how to meet people without relying on luck. The wristbands give you a purpose-based starting point, and Uno or Jenga can carry the first few minutes of a conversation.

I also like the mix of Japanese locals and international participants. You can use the evening for language practice, cultural exchange, or simple socializing. The relaxed format lets you decide how much structure you want.

The drawbacks are clear enough. It is a standing party, so it may not suit you if you want a quiet seated meal or a small, intimate group. Unlimited alcohol may also shape the tone more than a traditional language class would.

The event is only on Friday evenings, from 7:30 to 10 PM. If your Tokyo schedule does not include Friday night, this particular experience will not fit. You also need to be comfortable with a social event where the crowd and conversation quality can vary from week to week.

Who should book this experience

This party makes the most sense for:

• Solo visitors who want company for one evening
• People interested in meeting Japanese locals
• Anyone hoping to practice Japanese or English
• First-time visitors who find Tokyo nightlife intimidating alone
• People who enjoy casual games and moving between conversations
• Social drinkers who value a fixed-price evening

I would be more cautious about booking it if you do not drink alcohol, dislike standing for long periods, or want a detailed tour led by a guide. It is also not the best choice if your main goal is sightseeing, since the activity stays at the bar rather than touring Shinjuku.

Most participants can take part, and the venue is near public transportation. The experience is offered with a mobile ticket, and confirmation is received when you book.

Cancellation and planning tips

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the event are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows Tokyo local time.

For the smoothest evening, arrive with one or two easy questions ready. Ask where someone is from, what brought them to Tokyo, or which wristband color they chose. These simple prompts fit the purpose of the event and avoid the blank pause that can happen at a first meeting.

Choose your wristband honestly. If you want language practice, use the language-friend color. If you are mainly there to relax and meet people, choose the fun-time color. The band is there to help you find suitable conversations, not to label your entire evening.

The $70 fee covers alcoholic drinks from 7:30 to 10 PM, so keep the timing in mind. Arriving late reduces the time you have to meet people and reduces the value of the drink package.

Should you book the Shinjuku party?

Book it if you are alone in Tokyo on a Friday night and want a built-in social setting rather than another evening by yourself. The combination of color-coded wristbands, easy games, language practice, and unlimited drinks gives you several ways to join in.

I would book with the right expectations. This is not a guided Shinjuku tour, a private matchmaking service, or a quiet language lesson. It is a two-and-a-half-hour standing party where the best results come from moving around, starting conversations, and accepting that some connections will be brief.

For an outgoing solo visitor, the $70 price can be worthwhile because it buys access to a ready-made international social evening. If you want sightseeing, a seated dinner, or a calmer cultural activity, spend your money elsewhere.

FAQ

Where does the party take place?

The party takes place at EXBAR TOKYO plus in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

When is the experience available?

It is held on Fridays from 7:30 PM to 10 PM.

How long does the party last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic drinks are included on an all-you-can-drink basis from 7:30 PM to 10 PM.

Can I attend alone?

Yes. The event is specifically designed for solo visitors who want to meet Japanese locals and international people.

How do the wristbands work?

You select a color based on your purpose for attending, then look for people with the same color. Options include fun time, language friends, single, same-gender conversation, and another purpose that you can write down.

Are games available?

Yes. Uno and Jenga are used to help people break the ice and begin conversations.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.