Okinawa Bars

[Oxmix]

How late can Okinawa bars stay open?

When I was there in the 60's the bars were suppose to close at Midnight. The bars on B.C. St. closed but the bars on Gate 2 Street stayed open and operated much like a Speak Easy. The lights were out but door boys would stand as lookouts and hustle you into the bar when the coast was clear.

Some of the bars still had entertainment some not, some were busy, some not. Sometimes they were raided by the local police and everyone was ushered out the back of the bar before the cops got in. Most of the time you just had a drink and left.

My last night on the Rock was spent at one of those bars on Gate 2. I went there with a bar girl I had known since I arrived on Okinawa, and we spent the night drinking, then we caught a cab and I dropped her off at her place just off of Moromi Street, then I went to try and find my old girlfriend to say goodbye for the last time before heading back to the base and back to the World.

It was a fun time.

Regards

Ox

[DoctorP]

The local bars don't even start jumping until 12am or later in most cases. I've often staggered out at 7am.

[Jazz]

Yeah, I've watched the sun come up from a bar stool more than a few times here.

[Oceandreamer]

It's funny to watch the bars or clubs transform as the witching hour approaches. All 'good' little Jr. enlisted roll out to be tucked into bed.

It is as wild and crazy as long as you make it that way. It's open like Vegas but doesn't entertain like Vegas-you have to keep the party going.

(and I have the pictures to prove it.) lol

[Crazysix]

last weekend SP came in and annouced all military must leave immediately......this happened at around 0300ish........ they hit every bar on the gate that was open

[P_chan]

last weekend SP came in and annouced all military must leave immediately......this happened at around 0300ish........ they hit every bar on the gate that was open

Air Force SP? I bet that was a laugh:D

[Crazysix]

Air Force SP? I bet that was a laugh:D

my bad Shore patrol...it was 6 marines and one navy officer, they had the owner make the annoucement then everyone left behind they questioned........lets just say all was left me , the bartenders, waitresses and security.......:crying:

[Trail]

Wow, that's odd. I wonder why Shore patrol cracked down? Even dependents bailed?

[P_chan]

Curfews are ******* gay.

[bli182_2001]

they are pretty gay and every branch has different curfew hours

[P_chan]

they are pretty gay and every branch has different curfew hours

I can understand in Kroea, but it's just unnecessary in Okinawa IMO. I really hope the AF goes back to giving people the option of getting a silver card with no restrictions.

[Haru-sa]

on what legal right were they questioning people? Yes, I am a foreigner, yes I am in a bar near the base, no, you don't have a right to demand identification from me. Yes, you can go get a JP and have them ask me, they have legal authority to inquire based on immigration status, but you Mr. Military Officer have no right to inquire at all of anyone in Japan as to their status. The military can get into trouble for denying service, that's why they answer up. What if I am a tourist from the US? Some nit-noid-deedle-dink shore patrol fool walks up and starts acosting me like one of his people and asking for my papers. Dumbass, this isn't Nazi Germany or the old Soviet State, this is a tourism based island and you have no right to even ask who I am and expect, nee demand an answer.

If you're lucky, you'll get to see my blue ID card that tells you that you have zero authority over me now.

[billhilly]

I stumbled home this morning around 3 ish. It was a small izakaya though. Q about the SP... What if you are not military/SOFA/dependent and you are accosted by the roving patrol? Should you call the JP and file a formal or contact their command? Will there be gomen money?:rolleyes:

[Alana]

Got home from sat night partying on g2 just before sunrise Sunday morn

[Godzilla]

on what legal right were they questioning people? Yes, I am a foreigner, yes I am in a bar near the base, no, you don't have a right to demand identification from me. Yes, you can go get a JP and have them ask me, they have legal authority to inquire based on immigration status, but you Mr. Military Officer have no right to inquire at all of anyone in Japan as to their status. The military can get into trouble for denying service, that's why they answer up. What if I am a tourist from the US? Some nit-noid-deedle-dink shore patrol fool walks up and starts acosting me like one of his people and asking for my papers. Dumbass, this isn't Nazi Germany or the old Soviet State, this is a tourism based island and you have no right to even ask who I am and expect, nee demand an answer.

If you're lucky, you'll get to see my blue ID card that tells you that you have zero authority over me now.

I had a similar situation happen to me about 3 years ago. I was walking down G2 drinking a beer and then the Shore Patrol stopped me. They happened to be a mix of all the branches and all of them senior enlisted. So they stopped and told me to throw away my beer and ask me for my ID. I just laughed and took a big swig off my beer. That’s when I told them that I wasn’t in the military or even SOFA status for that matter and I didn’t have to answer any of their questions or show them any ID. Well, they didn’t like this at all and some got really pissed. They then told me that I might not be SOFA but I am still representing America and I should do the right thing and not drink in the streets. I again just laughed and told them to mind their own business also that if they wanted to address my drinking in the street then call a Japanese Cop and I walked away. I could hear them making rude remarks as I walked away. What a bunch of douche bags!!!

[Haru-sa]

I again just laughed and told them to mind their own business also that if they wanted to address my drinking in the street then call a Japanese Cop and I walked away. I could hear them making rude remarks as I walked away. What a bunch of douche bags!!!

I'd have turned it around on them, gone back and asked "what did you just say?" then taken names off of nametages and cellphone pics (the f-in' HATE that shiiiiit!) and let them know that you were going to file a complaint with the base and with the JPs for harassment and the like. Why? just to have them crapping bricks the rest of the night.

When a cat plays with a piece of string, does the string really ever do anything wrong? Of course not, but the cat has fun for a while, right? Some people are just destined to live their lives as my string.

[Oceandreamer]

they are pretty gay and every branch has different curfew hours

umm do you follow them?

didn't think so....

[Oceandreamer]

I had a similar situation happen to me about 3 years ago. I was walking down G2 drinking a beer and then the Shore Patrol stopped me. They happened to be a mix of all the branches and all of them senior enlisted. So they stopped and told me to throw away my beer and ask me for my ID. I just laughed and took a big swig off my beer. That’s when I told them that I wasn’t in the military or even SOFA status for that matter and I didn’t have to answer any of their questions or show them any ID. Well, they didn’t like this at all and some got really pissed. They then told me that I might not be SOFA but I am still representing America and I should do the right thing and not drink in the streets. I again just laughed and told them to mind their own business also that if they wanted to address my drinking in the street then call a Japanese Cop and I walked away. I could hear them making rude remarks as I walked away. What a bunch of douche bags!!!

you are such a BAD BOY! you SO need to be spanked
:14a::14a::14a::14a:

[Richard Burns]

The whole cerfew thing is ridiculous.

[Richard Burns]

Im not stickng up for the Shore Patrol per se but just think how would you feel if you had to walk up and down the street all night in chucks watching eeryone else have fun? Of course they're gonna be pissy.

[Spadesy]

I once had some SP guys ask me where my libo buddy was, seeing as how I look young for an NCO. In my drunken boldness, I just pointed at Jimmy and kept walking. No pursuit.

[Sex Wax]

It's funny to watch the bars or clubs transform as the witching hour approaches. All 'good' little Jr. enlisted roll out to be tucked into bed.

It is as wild and crazy as long as you make it that way. It's open like Vegas but doesn't entertain like Vegas-you have to keep the party going.

(and I have the pictures to prove it.) lol

Yeah, there's usually a little dead spell while those people leave, then another crowd of locals and people who blow off the curfew come in.

[Crazysix]

just dont be jackass they usually cool about it!!!!

[Alana]

Im not stickng up for the Shore Patrol per se but just think how would you feel if you had to walk up and down the street all night in chucks watching eeryone else have fun? Of course they're gonna be pissy.

before he left my husband had to do this like twice a month, it sucked. he was always pissed.

[Haru-sa]

before he left my husband had to do this like twice a month, it sucked. he was always pissed.

did you help him fix that attitude? nothin' says "thanks for your service" like a note that says "I'm waiting in the bedroom"

[bli182_2001]

Shore patrol sux donkey balls, and so does the curfew

[Godzilla]

did you help him fix that attitude? nothin' says "thanks for your service" like a note that says "I'm waiting in the bedroom"

It all depends on who is waiting for you in the bedroom.

[Haru-sa]

It all depends on who is waiting for you in the bedroom.

that IS true. What if it was RB? :scared: :barf:

[Richard Burns]

Hey you keep RB out of it.

[Haru-sa]

Hey you keep RB out of it.

trying to keep that SOB out of it, but he keeps butting in...

[Richard Burns]

Hey that SOB was out of it til he was brought in.

[Haru-sa]

Hey that SOB was out of it til he was brought in.

He's free to walk out at any time too... :old: or, we can call him a Daiko if he's been drunk since noon...

[OtisPMerriweather]

You know what I find funny? How people, especially ex-military, can't WAIT for an opportunity to say "Hey! I'm not in the military!"

It's like they feel like they're in some kind of special little cool kids club or something.

Just a thought.

[Richard Burns]

You know what I find funny? How people, especially ex-military, can't WAIT for an opportunity to say "Hey! I'm not in the military!"

It's like they feel like they're in some kind of special little cool kids club or something.

Just a thought.


A bit off topic but when I was a Marine I used to pretend to be a civilian at times. :grin1:

[Richard Burns]

Another note I know they're just doing their job. But if they choose to act like a dick the look on their face is priceless when they find out you're not military. It's not about a "cool kids club" as much as it's just nice to be free.

[Lowerdeez]

You know what I find funny? How people, especially ex-military, can't WAIT for an opportunity to say "Hey! I'm not in the military!"

It's like they feel like they're in some kind of special little cool kids club or something.

Just a thought.

I CAN'T WAIT to be one of those people that say that Im not in the military. As soon as I get out I WILL be apart of the cool kids club and I will wake up every single morning and shout to the world how Im not in the military anymore. Why you ask? Because I already know that I'll be much happier with this part of my life behind me.

[Spadesy]

You know what I find funny? How people, especially ex-military, can't WAIT for an opportunity to say "Hey! I'm not in the military!"

It's like they feel like they're in some kind of special little cool kids club or something.

Just a thought.

It's just a rebellion thing.

Buncha contractors I used to work with, a lot of them had crazy-styled beards going on, fluffy curly hair, beer-bellies that stuck out like no other, unconventionally dressed, wore sunglasses whenever the hell they felt like it...

Yep. Just pure rebellion, an expression of being outside of an organization that so tightly regemented your appearance.

Now that they're out, and out for good, they want to "stick it to the man" as hard as they can.

A few others are modest about their prior service though, no matter how long it's been, and just take the high road and be polite whenever being questioned by other military members. I think I like that path better.

[Richard Burns]

But there is one thing about the military that you can't find anywhere else. When you're in the military every morning you wake up knowing you still have a job.

[Spadesy]

^ Drug pushers have the same thought.

[Jazz]

I CAN'T WAIT to be one of those people that say that Im not in the military. As soon as I get out I WILL be apart of the cool kids club and I will wake up every single morning and shout to the world how Im not in the military anymore. Why you ask? Because I already know that I'll be much happier with this part of my life behind me.

It's a GREAT feeling! I thought I'd at least miss the comeraderie (sp) a little but I really don't. I'm happier than I've ever been in life.

[Richard Burns]

^ Drug pushers have the same thought.



Yea but 9 times out of 10 you're gonna get caught. Either in a sting or some POS tatting you out. I only know 1 person that actually retired.

[Haru-sa]

You know what I find funny? How people, especially ex-military, can't WAIT for an opportunity to say "Hey! I'm not in the military!"

It's like they feel like they're in some kind of special little cool kids club or something.

Just a thought.

That's the "I always wanted to say..." factor kicking in. I dealt with their idiotic BS for 20+ years, 14 of it on island and don't wanna deal with it anymore. so, yeah, funny to you is stress relieved to me.

not special, not cool, just no longer part of that BS, move along Lt. there's nothing for you to "fix" here...

[DougP]

You know what I find funny? How people, especially ex-military, can't WAIT for an opportunity to say "Hey! I'm not in the military!"

Sometimes it just sort of comes out. Like a sigh of relief. When some service member says something like "Damn, tomorrow's 12 mile road march is going to suck." usually an ex-mil civilian can't help but exclaim "Damn it feels great to be out of the military!" :D :first:

[Haru-sa]

Now that they're out, and out for good, they want to "stick it to the man" as hard as they can.

A few others are modest about their prior service though, no matter how long it's been, and just take the high road and be polite whenever being questioned by other military members. I think I like that path better.


See, that's how this shit gets started. You assume you know "why"; you don't, period, end of story. Deal with 20+ years of what I dealt with, then retire, then face the same BS from some know-it-all zoomie lieutenant that thinks we all cower at the sight of his butter bar or better yet, some ate up captain that thinks the sun rises and sets based on his movements; then come talk to me about "what you know"...

What happens when these same stroll patrol idiots try to puff up that they have rank and position when they have none over me? I'll tell you what happens; they get a relatively friendly reminder that not all are under their jurisdiction. When they do the "win at all costs" thing like trying to say" well, you're an ambassador anyways" the reminder gets more blunt and forceful.

[Richard Burns]

One thing that's cool is when te new troops find out you're prior service they buy you drinks and shit!!

[Spadesy]

Haru-sa, I understand your frustration, I really do, having been on the receiving end of the stick. Of course I haven't done 20+ and got out, but "sticking to the man" was the best way I could describe it.

On the other hand, I have witnessed those that just keep walking whenever questioned, and keep walking if the question is repeated. Consider that some of these cats are guys just doing what they're told and don't know any better. Now if they start getting pushy or arguing with your status living in Japan, then yeah, the gloves should come off.

[Haru-sa]

Haru-sa, I understand your frustration, I really do, having been on the receiving end of the stick. Of course I haven't done 20+ and got out, but "sticking to the man" was the best way I could describe it.

On the other hand, I have witnessed those that just keep walking whenever questioned, and keep walking if the question is repeated. Consider that some of these cats are guys just doing what they're told and don't know any better. Now if they start getting pushy or arguing with your status living in Japan, then yeah, the gloves should come off.

more like "reminding the man that you don't work for him..."

I'm likely to be one to just keep walking; I got no time for them nor interest in their games. My biggest problem is that many forget that they are in another country and want to just "handle that shit". That don't work here. In Kin, the patrols are welcomed by the local authorities, in Okinawa city, they aren't. The JPs have jurisdiction over the area and the stroll patrol is simply a stopgap attempt by the military to prevent incidents from getting as far as the JPs to keep themselves out of the papers. This is the base forcing their will on the local community. That's why there are no special markings or functional gear on these guys; they are just in a non-utility uniform to stroll around. Beyond their charge as NCOs, they have NO AUTHORITY off base. If someone denies service, that's the end of it, until they see that person on base with an ID card or crawling into their Y plate.

[Richard Burns]

I do wonder why they wear chucks and not cammies. I mean if a military cat does something bad how the hell can they chase him down wearing chucks? Lmao.

[Haru-sa]

I do wonder why they wear chucks and not cammies. I mean if a military cat dies something bad how the hell can they chase him down wearing chucks? Lmao.

now you know; it's for the "sobering effect" of seeing someone in chucks or a dress uniform (AF) and the "instant respect" that it commands. :barf: It's also because the only way the USMC can go utility downtown is in performance of their official duties; and this my friends, is not an official duty. PMO has official duties downtown with traffic, etc, the strollers don't. As far as the local community is concerned, it's just four badly dressed GIs out for an evening walk.

As far as going into bars and telling the owner to announce that people need to leave, that's not done with authority, it's intimidation because the head zoomie or the CG will put the bar off limits and they die. More fear and intimidation...

[Spadesy]

Marine MPs at Kin wear utilities, but then again, they're MPs and routinely have to go off base in cammies to handle some incidents anyway. Plus it's easier to pack heat in that uniform.

Shore patrol are just random types pulled from any MOS that just have to "serve a duty" for the night, and most don't enjoy it, naturally. As service members that don't have the training or authority as MPs, and because of the order of having to wear cammies only on base, they're kinda stuck in monkey suits.

[Haru-sa]

Marine MPs at Kin wear utilities, but then again, they're MPs and routinely have to go off base in cammies to handle some incidents anyway. Plus it's easier to pack heat in that uniform.

Shore patrol are just random types pulled from any MOS that just have to "serve a duty" for the night, and most don't enjoy it, naturally. As service members that don't have the training or authority as MPs, and because of the order of having to wear cammies only on base, they're kinda stuck in monkey suits.

exactly, in Kin, they are welcomed and it's an actual lawful duty. All other places it's a stopgap and not a lawful duty in terms of host nation. Okinawa city has made it unwelcome for them to stroll either armed or in official capacity. Thanks to both mayor Tomon and her predecessor...

[GarryK]

I CAN'T WAIT to be one of those people that say that Im not in the military. As soon as I get out I WILL be apart of the cool kids club and I will wake up every single morning and shout to the world how Im not in the military anymore. Why you ask? Because I already know that I'll be much happier with this part of my life behind me.

And when you are old and sitting around with your coffee clatch buddies you will start remembering about your days in the service and start doing some bragging. Human nature. If you've ever had a run in with the MP's on Okinawa, each time you tell the story you will be braver and braver. But that's okay, its your story.

Respectfully, Garry

[Bones]

Wow, that's odd. I wonder why Shore patrol cracked down? Even dependents bailed?

It has to do with the CO (Commanding Officer), or perhaps the Command Master Chief, in regards to the Navy. On Camp Shields, they have a "Courtesy Patrol" that comes around several times during the evening. They visit more frequently on Friday/Saturday evenings. Those are our busiest days.

Navy folks, their dependents, as well as contractors, are subject to the same rules off-base. Each of the other services, have those kinds of rules in place as well, with some differences.

Those within the military are somewhat protected by SOFA status, everyone else living on the island is subject to local law, so if the local police is called....

Being a kid who was born in Germany, to German parents, having served my 20 years in the military, and now living on Okinawa, I'm living my dream.

I hear the cries from those guys who refused man up to the task:

"I couldn't take the pressure, so after I got out, I made it a point to kill myself with irresponsible behavior."

Yeah.:thumbdown:

That's really showing them, folks.:rolleyes: