Okinawa Clubs :: Club Utopia

[The One]

Well I have been on Island for a week now. I went to one of the popular locations up on Gate 2 street called Club Utopia. I got there around 10:00 pm and it was dead. About around midnight is when the club started to get crowded. There were a lot of women there that were not interested into talking to people. Groups of girls in packs that danced with themselves. It didn't help any that the dance floor was covered with young guys hopping around together to the sounds of hip hop music. Overall I give the club on a scale of 1-10, It gets a 5. The 5 for the beautiful women and the good music.
To make that place better I don't think they could for me. It was for a younger generation. I did notice that there were a lot of older women with a lot younger men. Still beautiful though. I will like to hear others thoughts about this club.
The reason that I am writing this is for other newcomers to the island. They can come here and see what Okinawa nightlife is all about.

Directions to club Utopia: Coming off Gate 2 you will get to a four way stop I think the street is 330. Not sure, but there is a Wendys on the corner. From the Wendys cross the street diagnally. Legal over there. Just keep straight you will see an alley. The building has Blue Dragon written on the front. The you are.

[Guyjin]

Women dancing by themselves and not being interested in guys is nothing new at some clubs in Okinawa.:D

[DougP]

I'll be honest I hope you can find something other than going to clubs to fill your nights while here on Okinawa. Some of the best way to meet wonderful women here is to get away from the club scene a bit and intermingle with some okinawans. Of course if you more or less just want to bring home something to poke on then Club Red and Utopia are going to be your best bets. :D They are the current "meat market".

Seriously though if you leave this island only knowing "gate 2" or "kokusai street" as the nightlife of okinawa I feel bad for you. Some of the best times I've ever had here have been with my okinawan friends, none of which involved going to gate 2 or Naha.

[socalheart]

Sometimes the MWR type organizations on base have shows featuring music similar to those clubs mentioned above. (I don't listen to it, so don't know what it's called; never cared enough to learn.) If you're wanting to get out and listen to music and dance, ask people your age where to go. Gate 2 and vicinity mostly cater to young Americans who like to get their drunk on. Most of the local single girls who go do so to be seen, but not approached. They tend to have a Paris Hilton mentality. :shrug:

[atb35]

I would love to get to know some okinawas to enjoy what this island has to offer, but it is hard to do if you dont speak Japanese. I started trying to learn some conversation, but even still, where would you go to meet these...non paris hilton people at?

[DougP]

Here's what I did. There were a few izakayas and bars near by where I was living when I first got here. (Yomitan/ Torii area) If you live on a big base the "within walking distance" rule may not apply. The rule to remember is some of these things take time. You have to find a place you like going to. I like sitting at the bars in the more open izakays. It gave me more "public" access. I got to know the staff of the bars, izakayas and restaurants. Sometimes I'd even invite them on base for a BBQ, they loved this.

Some other tips. If you're a guy don't just try to talk to the women, it makes it look like you're only out to get some ass. If you get to know some locals( men and women ) pretty soon you might find them trying to get you laid. I've been on quite a few of those koumpa/ goukon (blind dates for groups) Also sometimes my male japanese friends were more than happy to take me to some japanese only bars in Naha and pay for everything. You gotta network :)

On the language thing. Here's a few things I did.

1.) I took out a small notebook to write down what I hear. To expand my vocabulary. Learning a few simple phrases are ok but I advise against learning phrases only. You have to bulk up on your vocabulary. The phrases will come more naturally to you later. Also learn some simple verbs and adjectives to get you started.

2.) If you have a book called "Making out in Janese" get rid of it!!

3.) Train your ears and they will help train you. Listen to how others talk to get the idea of how words are supposed to sound. Putting a gaijin accent to every word you speak will sometimes if not all times result in them not understanding you.

4.) Gestures, alcohol and kindness. Those three things can fill in the gaps in your conversation time. Ask others to teach you a thing or two. Also remember to be kind and understanding of the culture. There's more to it than how to use chopsticks and bowing.

* If you can I strongly suggest that you start learning and using Hiragana and Katakana asap. This will help you out more with vocabulary and pronunciation.

[The One]

These are all great tips. I have only been here a week and I just don't plan on just going to Gate 2 street. I guess one has to learn by trial and error. Utopia is definitely in error. I have noticed that the women in Utopia speak really good English and in Naha is the opposite. I already know the reason behind that. But just interesting. I did meet some girl last Tuesday in Naha and she is the one that told me about Utopia. She was supposed to meet me there. She didn't show. But she said that there will be a party at Utopia this coming Saturday and I should come. I don't think I will be there because I don't think I can go through that noise and smoke again. But really the women were easy on the eyes. We will see what happens this week.

[newvalor]

2 things happen on Gate2 St.

1. getting drunk
2. try to get laid (both guys/gals)


I've been to uptopia once, I wasn't empressed. Not trying to sound racist, but it was just another club where everybody thinks they're the next 50 cent.

Alot of the times thats why the girls go in groups, they are thier for 2 things. A sugardaddy or just to show off and get free drinks from guys. Most times they also have thier particular interest in certain types, even race plays a factor. They won't even talk to you if you white or black or latino, bad enough they won't do anything anyways.

I've done pretty good so far on my part getting out and meeting people locally. I've learned phrases but also learned words to help me understand better during the conversation so it goes part kanji/english sometimes. Yet I still can't speak fluently but I carry my little notepad to write down words or sentences, plus it has my kanji alphabet with the letters accent to help.

[Crazysix]

wow, I am black and I hate Utopia, I recommend some of the surfer bars ie Hard reef , sunabe or maybe even eclipse, tropical moon, But my rule of thumb is the less americans the better the time

[P_chan]

I agree with you there. I hate going places where there are a lot of americans. Especially once every other one tries to hit on my wife.

[atb35]

So there are some nice mellow bars down by sunabe? If so I may take a cab down there next weekend and check it out.

[P_chan]

There is one at the end of my street that's not bad. I can't remember the name but it's right next to hamaiya (sp) soba.

I haven't been to too many bars near me. I used to just go to the anzuya in ginowan city on 330 because they had a drinking plan. All you could drink for 960 yen for two hours. I would get wasted there and have something to eat, then go where ever else I wanted. But they closed that anzuya down and none of the other ones have the drinking plan.

[atb35]

I dont mind paying for the drinks, its not that big an issue to me if Im enjoying the atmosphere. Two times I went out and talked with a few ppl that spoke english...just BSing about Okinawa and the US for hours...was great. Would love to find a bar that has more Okinawans that speak at least some English.

[P_chan]

Just find yourself a group of okinawans that speak fairly good english. I go out with my wife and her friends and we have a blast all the time.

[socalheart]

that surfer type bar, hard reef?, was good. i went once with a couple friends. :thumbup1:

[TheLastDon]

I am not trying to brag by any means. I have got to know a ton of women just by being nice and not trying too hard.

[P_chan]

Or don't try and get in her pants right away.

[atb35]

LOL, I am not trying to get in anyones pants....all I want to do is interact with locals and just BS with them. The problem is I am too cheap to pay for a taxi to go anywhere away from Futenma, and every bar I go to the only women in there are bar whores looking to make money...and a shit load of American men.

[DougP]

Try going somewhere by bus first and then save a little for a taxi later :)

[Crazysix]

Yeah I am at the there every fri, its where me and my pld friends always go, nice atmosphere and locals are awesome.

[The One]

Well I took Doug P advice and I went to Naha last night. I went into a small bar called Soul to Soul. Not many people. I got there around 1030. It was me and a buddy and a local girl that my buddy likes. At first I felt like the third wheel until a group of locals came in. Three guys and one girl. The girl actually said hi and they were drinking like it was cool. Then I thought of this blog. I gues they could see that I was in the way of my friend progessing with this girl. So the lady called me over and wanted to do cheers (Kompai). That was it, they were really nice. I didn't hit on her I just hung with them. By the end of the night they were calling me family. I guess we will meet every Monday after they get off work. They all wrote there numbers down and told me to call them. Although I did want to hit on the woman I didn't. I just had fun. Got a lot of free drinks as well. Pretty good for the second week here.

[DougP]

Right on! :) Glad you had a good time :D

[Guyjin]

wow, I am black and I hate Utopia, I recommend some of the surfer bars ie Hard reef , sunabe or maybe even eclipse, tropical moon, But my rule of thumb is the less americans the better the time

When Dragons would be the exception on lesbian nights LOL
Went there with my girl and her friend who kept getting fondled by some AF chicks!:ohmy:

[slickmetal]

hopefully I can revive this thread.

Well I have been on Island since July 2006....Then in March 2007, my wife left for basic/tech school. She just got back this late October. I pretty much never really went out to clubs when she was here, and the time she was gone I was either TDY or too busy to go out and didn't want to get into that scene with my wife away.

Well maybe I should have, but not to get into anything, lets just say we won't be hanging out with each other..so I'm looking to explore that scene a little more now...but not for girls, but friends and good times while I am still on the island.

[socalheart]

... not for girls, but friends and good times while I am still on the island.
Then, I don't recommend Club Utopia or whatever they're calling it these days. It really depends on what kind of music and atmosphere you like and where you are located.

AL'S PLACE on Gate 2 street near the 330 intersection has live music and a more "mature" group. PADDY MAC'S on BC street is an Irish bar with an actual Irish guy ;) and is good for relaxing, maybe chess. That's the area I'm most familiar with these days. There are several regular bars near Foster and Kadena, if you're in that area. Sometimes, you simply need to walk through them to find one that fits your tastes. Good luck!

[Crazysix]

Then, I don't recommend Club Utopia or whatever they're calling it these days. It really depends on what kind of music and atmosphere you like and where you are located.

AL'S PLACE on Gate 2 street near the 330 intersection has live music and a more "mature" group. PADDY MAC'S on BC street is an Irish bar with an actual Irish guy ;) and is good for relaxing, maybe chess. That's the area I'm most familiar with these days. There are several regular bars near Foster and Kadena, if you're in that area. Sometimes, you simply need to walk through them to find one that fits your tastes. Good luck!
Definitely good suggestions, Martin from PM is hilarious

[slickmetal]

Then, I don't recommend Club Utopia or whatever they're calling it these days. It really depends on what kind of music and atmosphere you like and where you are located.

AL'S PLACE on Gate 2 street near the 330 intersection has live music and a more "mature" group. PADDY MAC'S on BC street is an Irish bar with an actual Irish guy ;) and is good for relaxing, maybe chess. That's the area I'm most familiar with these days. There are several regular bars near Foster and Kadena, if you're in that area. Sometimes, you simply need to walk through them to find one that fits your tastes. Good luck!

well, hanging out with girls is fine and what I prefer...lol....

[Chopper]

Try going somewhere by bus first and then save a little for a taxi later :)

Hey ...a bus is as expensive as a taxi for slightly longer distances.

[Sex Wax]

Dont go to Club Fujiyama. That place is a dive. They play all the Metal and Punk. And some of those crazy Metal chicks like to have sex in the bathrooms. The place is nuts.

[eelecurb]

Dont go to Club Fujiyama. That place is a dive. They play all the Metal and Punk. And some of those crazy Metal chicks like to have sex in the bathrooms. The place is nuts.
When are you gonna tell us about the down side of going there?

[ks4985]

Well I have been on Island for a week now. I went to one of the popular locations up on Gate 2 street called Club Utopia. I got there around 10:00 pm and it was dead. About around midnight is when the club started to get crowded. There were a lot of women there that were not interested into talking to people. Groups of girls in packs that danced with themselves. It didn't help any that the dance floor was covered with young guys hopping around together to the sounds of hip hop music. Overall I give the club on a scale of 1-10, It gets a 5. The 5 for the beautiful women and the good music.
To make that place better I don't think they could for me. It was for a younger generation. I did notice that there were a lot of older women with a lot younger men. Still beautiful though. I will like to hear others thoughts about this club.
The reason that I am writing this is for other newcomers to the island. They can come here and see what Okinawa nightlife is all about.

Directions to club Utopia: Coming off Gate 2 you will get to a four way stop I think the street is 330. Not sure, but there is a Wendys on the corner. From the Wendys cross the street diagnally. Legal over there. Just keep straight you will see an alley. The building has Blue Dragon written on the front. The you are.

If you aren't looking for a club that is more "younger generation" maybe try eclipse by the seawall...it's pretty chill...laid back...sometimes there are a lot of people there...but it's not a club or anything...just a nice little bar...they do bar tricks and stuff with the bottles...it's pretty neat

[OtisPMerriweather]

Eclipse = Officer bar

[ks4985]

Eclipse = Officer bar

Really? I didn't know that...a group of us always go out there...all are enlisted...i hadn't really heard anything about it except that a lot of people like to go there b/c it's close. What about the other bar that is close to it? I forget the name?