DEEPTOKYO
magazine
EN
DEEPTOKYO
magazine
EN
2025.11.05
A DJ Bar Where You Can Experience Shibuya’s Night Culture in a Dreamlike Setting
Nearest Station
DJ BAR OATH" is a DJ bar located in the basement of a multi-tenant building in Dogenzaka, Shibuya, and has been aiming to be "a place where anyone can enjoy music" since its establishment in 2005, maintaining the style of 500 yen per drink and charge-free. The music is mainly house, techno, and disco, and a wide range of DJs, from up-and-comers in their 20s to veterans who know the scene well, perform at the bar on a daily basis. The fantastic atmosphere created by mirror balls and antique decorations makes it a place where you can feel close to Shibuya's night culture.
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"DJ BAR OATH" first opened in 2005 on Miyamasuzaka in Shibuya. Adopting a charge-free style with drinks priced at ¥500—rare at the time—it quickly became a welcoming place for both first-time club-goers and dedicated music fans.
Even after relocating to its current underground space in Dogenzaka in 2018, the bar has continued this approach, maintaining its reputation as a “casual, approachable night spot” within Shibuya’s nightlife scene. The name “OATH” was chosen by the first manager’s wife, reflecting the wish to create “a music space open to everyone.”
After moving to its current underground space in Dogenzaka in 2018, this style has continued, maintaining its position as a "familiar nightspot" in Shibuya. The name of the restaurant, "OATH (oath)," was named by the wife of the first manager, and it expresses his wish for the restaurant to be a place of music open to everyone.
A few minutes’ walk from Shibuya Station, marked by a glowing neon sign.
Located underground in Dogenzaka, with walls covered in gold-framed mirrors that leave a strong impression.
The entrance sign reading “ENTRANCE ¥1000 / Can Re-entry” stands out against the red backdrop.
One of the main attractions of "DJ BAR OATH" is its distinctive interior design. A large mirror ball hanging from the ceiling reflects light in rhythm with the music, wrapping the entire floor in a dreamlike glow. Iconic pole-shaped chandelier objects carried over from the previous location, along with antique-style decorations around the bar counter and throughout the space, give the bar a warm, retro charm that blends seamlessly with its modern club aesthetic. Each decorative element contributes to the bar’s identity as a place where guests can get lost not only in the music but in the atmosphere itself.
The pole-shaped chandelier object inherited from the original OATH.
A mirror ball reflecting light in sync with the music, creating a signature “OATH-style” night.
Antique-style decorations placed throughout the venue.
A gold-themed restroom interior.
Mirrors and lighting reflections make the restroom a hidden photo spot.
Another feature that sets "DJ BAR OATH" apart is its flexible layout, allowing guests to choose between dancing or simply relaxing and talking. Speakers fill the floor with sound, but box seats in areas shielded from direct noise provide a calm space for conversation. The central bar counter serves as a middle ground, where visitors can enjoy “listening without dancing” with a drink in hand. There’s no single right way to enjoy the music—the freedom to experience the night at your own pace is part of what makes this bar so appealing.
Box seats placed away from direct speaker sound.
The bar counter positioned at the center of the venue.
Under chandeliers and mirror balls, music fans from Japan and abroad gather late into the night.
Conversations arise naturally on the sofa seats, whether among friends or first time visitors.
DJ BAR OATH" offers a nightly selection of house, techno, and disco music that is not bound by genre. Performers range from young DJs in their 20s to veterans of overseas festivals and labels. Each DJ brings his or her own unique groove, and three or four groups a day create the atmosphere as if they are passing the baton. Some young DJs use this as a "gateway to success" and take their first steps on the stage, while some veterans return to the booths as a "place to go back to their roots. To avoid overlap in booking and music selection with the affiliated "Red Bar," the staff share and coordinate "DJs I'm interested in these days" and "plays I want to listen to again" on a daily basis.
The peak time for DJ BAR OATH is after midnight, when the lights go down and the mirror ball begins to spin. The DJs are within arm's reach, and the audience is immersed in the sound. This is one of the best parts of being in a small box, where you can experience such heat and a sense of unity.
A diverse range of DJs, from young newcomers to veterans, raise the energy of the floor night after night.
DJs from Japan and abroad raise the temperature of the floor night after night.
During peak hours, many visitors gather in front of the turntables, creating a space filled with excitement.
DJs perform selections just beyond arm’s reach, creating a sense of intimacy.
As the lights dim, the intersection of sound and light creates an energy only a small club can provide.
The standard drink at DJ BAR OATH is the "Honey Whiskey Sour" invented by the manager. It has a good balance of sweetness and savory flavor, and has become a popular menu item with many repeat customers. The lemon sour is also popular among foreign guests, and the drink lineup is reviewed seasonally. The staff meets once a week to propose new drink menus, sharing "tastes that suit the current mood" and "ingredients that suit the atmosphere on the floor. The small size of the restaurant allows for such flexibility, which is one of its charms.
The counter lined with original drinks created by the staff.
Lemon sour (¥800), a favorite among international guests.
The bar’s signature “Honey Whiskey Sour” (¥900).
The information contained this article was correct as of November 05, 2025 (the time of publication)
