Bars: Elephant's Nest, 2F 1-4-3 Sakae, Naka-ku, is a classic British-style pub in the heart of Nagoya. Shooters Sports Bar & Grill, 2F Pola Building 2-9-26, Sakae, Naka-ku and Dreams, Tsukasa Building, 4-24-24 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, another sports bar, are popular among locals, expats and tourists alike. More sophisticated (and expensive) is Ryurei, Sasajima YS Building 7F, Meieki 4-27-6, Nakamura-ku, a cocktail bar with a great selection of Scotch whisky. Barns, Amano Building B1, 2-3-32 Sakae, Naka-ku, is a pleasant basement bar with a similarly good whisky selection.

Clubs: The largest nightclub in Nagoya is iD, Mitsukoshi Building, 3-1-15 Sakae, Naka-ku (website: http://idcafe.info/), which constantly attracts big crowds with its DJs, loud music, bars, fun and action on six floors. Just as hectic, with dancing, pulsating beats and plenty of people enjoying the party atmosphere is Lush the Underground, Marumikanko Building 3F-4F (website: www.underground.co.jp). The Cipher and Soulground clubs are also part of the Underground complex. KG's Bar, GK Building, 3-11-13 Sakae, Naka-ku (website: www.kgsbar.com) is another dance club where the party never stops.

Live Music: Blue Note Nagoya, Manahausu B2F, 3-22-20 Naka-ku (website: www.nagoya-bluenote.com), is one of Nagoya's most famous jazz clubs, attracting both big stars and less established talents. Memory Lane, Tower Building B1F, 3-15-10 Nishiki, Naka-ku, is a jazz bar that is open until late (or early!) and offers live jazz and soul in a relaxed atmosphere. With a repertoire ranging from jazz to soul and R&B and even hip hop, Gary's, Koasa Building B1F, 4-2-10 Sakae, Naka-ku is a popular live music club attracting a diverse audience. A wide range of live music, from electro to rock to art pop, can be heard at the Plastic Factory, 32-13 Kanda-cho, Chikusa-ku (website: www.plasticfactory.jp), which also hosts a variety of art events and exhibitions. More mainstream rock and pop music takes centre stage at Diamond Hall and Apollo Theatre, B1F Flex East Building, 2-1-9 Shinsakae, Naka-ku (website: www.diamond-hall.com), which hosts big international artists at times. Zepp Nagoya, 4-60-7 Naka-ku (website: www.zepp.co.jp) is another concert venue that attracts big names.