This December, good old Roppongi was graced by the arrival of another new club: DiA Tokyo. If their website alone is anything to go by, this latest venture looks to attract a very international crowd: it has listings in Japanese, English, Korean and Chinese. We recently spent a Saturday night there to find out just what sets it apart.
DiA Tokyo is split across three floors, each of which has its own distinct identity and atmosphere, making it a one-stop shop for you to wine, dine, dance and flirt. It’s worth noting that it primarily functions as a club/bar, though – it’s not a spot for early birds, as things don’t get pumping properly until after midnight on weekends.
After a short walk from Roppongi Station, we entered the first floor restaurant, Bar & Grill Emiliano, around 9pm, and were definitely a bit early. The staff were welcoming regardless, and were happy to give us their food and drink recommendations.
The owners have jumped on the Latin American-inspired bandwagon, and have created an extensive menu heavy with Latin-style appetizers, including tacos, fritters and a ceviche-esque fish carpaccio (though a not-so-Latin small fish and chips made it into the fold here too). With most dishes going for ¥350 to ¥550, they’re good value for money, which is unexpected when you first take in the restaurant’s upscale interior and atmosphere.
The same goes for the drinks on offer, which come in around the ¥500 mark – but if you feel the need for something a bit more sparkly, they also offer very decent bottles of champagne. The dining section itself has a variety of seating options, from high booth-style tables to sofas placed around low tables in the back to a standing bar, where you can drink and graze while chatting away.
Once we’d finished our food, we made our way to the second floor, which functions as a lounge/bar named Ruby for those wanting to see, be seen, or simply recuperate from dancing on the third floor, the actual Club DiA. Prices here are slightly higher than at the restaurant below, but about the same as other Roppongi joints. Somewhat surprisingly for a club, the gender split was about 50/50 when we visited, with groups of girls sitting around and bobbing away with their friends, while others lounged away on the couches dotted here and there, and not just in the form of the mandatory ultra-thin cigarette ladies.
Finally, up to the third floor it was, where the main events of the night were set to unfold. Before they even opened their doors for the first time, the talk of the town was that DiA managed to pin down as resident DJ the Netherlands-born Dannic, known for his sets at Tomorrowland and Japan’s Sensation, as well as having been nominated by DJ Mag for best DJ two years running. Considering the Dutchman’s packed schedule and non-Japanese residence, however, you’re unlikely to catch him in the flesh that often, but his style is reflected by a range of homegrown talent. Add a myriad of projection mappings with at least 50 lasers, and burlesque shows from a stage suspended above the bar on weekends, and you have enough ingredients for a spicy night out.
Head here after your last train to get down, and be sure to dress to the nines – there’s a strict dress code: smart chic for men and elegant for women.
Ropponginittaku bldg. 1F-3F
3-8-15 Roppongi, Minato-ku (click here for map)
03-6721-1515 (Emiliano), 03-6447-4416 (DiA Tokyo)
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