Deathmatch in Hell
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Shinjuku-sanchome Station · 3 min walk (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line, Toei Shinjuku Line)
- Hours
- 20:00–03:00 (closed Sundays and public holidays)
- Admission
- Free (no cover charge; drinks typically ¥666)
- Time needed
- 30–60 min
- Best time to go
- 20:00 at opening, when counter seats are easiest to secure before the micro-bar fills to capacity
Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.
About
Tucked away in Shinjuku's Golden Gai, Deathmatch in Hell is a legendary micro-bar dedicated entirely to heavy metal and classic horror movies. Expect a wall-to-wall collage of slasher posters, a roaring soundtrack of death metal, and a famously friendly, English-speaking bartender who curates the chaos. It is a welcoming, delightfully intense sanctuary for counter-culture lovers looking to drink amidst vintage gore aesthetics.
What Japanese guides note
Japanese nightlife sources highlight Deathmatch in Hell for its rare policy of charging no seating fee (no otōshi or table charge) and offering most drinks at a flat 666 yen. The bar contains only a handful of counter seats, meaning groups larger than two or three will struggle to fit together during peak evening hours. Because it closes on both Sundays and Japanese public holidays, visitors planning an itinerary around long holiday weekends should verify the calendar beforehand.
Details from local sources
- Most drinks on the menu are priced uniformly at 666 yen. [source]
- The bar charges no table cover or seating fee, a rarity among venues in Golden Gai. [source]
- Transactions are cash only, so foreign visitors must bring Japanese yen currency. [source]
- All seating inside the bar is strictly non-smoking. [source]
- Monitors behind the bar continuously screen classic horror movies while heavy metal music plays. [source]
- The bar is closed on Sundays and Japanese national public holidays. [source]
Insider Tip
There is a small cover charge, but with no charge for request-friendly metal tracks, it is well worth the entry price.
Frequently asked
Is there a cover charge or table fee?
No, Deathmatch in Hell does not charge a cover or seating fee (otōshi), which is unusual for Shinjuku Golden Gai establishments. Visitors only pay for the drinks they order, which are priced at 666 yen for most selections.
What payment methods are accepted?
The bar accepts cash only in Japanese yen. Credit cards, IC transport cards, and mobile payment apps are not accepted, so patrons should withdraw cash before entering the Golden Gai alleyways. Nearby convenience stores along Yasukuni-dori offer international ATM access.
Can visitors smoke inside the bar?
No, smoking is prohibited inside the bar; all seats are strictly non-smoking. While Golden Gai has traditionally featured many smoking-friendly drinking dens, this venue enforces a smoke-free policy indoors. Guests who wish to smoke must locate designated public smoking areas outside the district.
Where is the bar situated inside Golden Gai?
Deathmatch in Hell is located on the ground floor along 3-bangai (3rd Street) in Shinjuku Golden Gai, Kabukichō 1-chome. The alleyway is accessible within a three-minute walk from Exit E1 of Shinjuku-sanchome Station, situated directly behind the grounds of Hanazono Shrine.
Our Tokyo walking tours
Photos
