KYOTO, Japan—Japan is well known for its themed bars and restaurants, including maid cafes, host clubs, butler cafes and vampire cafes.
These establishments are designed to offer a better experience to customers beyond just food and drinks. Instead, they offer a performance or an opportunity for immersive role-play. These places make Japanese nightlife feel more energetic and fun, especially in cities like Tokyo and Kyoto.
Enter Kyoto’s playful Macho Bar. The concept for this establishment is much different from maid cafes because it has men in white tank tops or collared shirts showing off their muscular, energetic personalities.
Instead of getting demure charm, you get power poses, princess carries to your seat and drinks juiced by raw muscles.
The bar’s motto—“The Bar of the Macho, By the Macho, For the Macho”—adds a touch of humor to what the employees clearly love to do. It’s a fun way to showcase energetic hypermasculine tropes, while still offering the food and drink service offered at traditional cafes.
My experience—from the “Irrashi-macho” greeting to the reservation system, which is only ¥1,319 for reserving a table and then a simple ¥980 yen when you leave—is that a trip to Macho Bar is perfect for a fun night out with friends.
It offers unique menu options with seven Macho Specials, each of which allows customers to select the staff member they want to create the special item. The chosen staff member receives a fee that helps defray their costs for gym fees, protein supplements and overall macho lifestyle.
The menu also includes a section called “Macho Comments,” which consist of fun, scripted phrases guests can say to the Macho men. Each comment triggers a different act of service. For example, if you say, “The polo shirt suits you!” the Macho man will respond with “Arigato-gozai-macho!” and then put your head inside his shirt, creating a moment that’s hilarious and endearing.
One of the most meaning parts of the Macho Bar experience for me was how it’s inclusive, open to all genders and identities. During my visit, I noticed a couple of male guests enthusiastically participating, donating to support the Macho services while also quite clearly enjoying it.
At one point, one of the Macho men picked up a male guest in a princess carry and began doing deep squats while holding him and even pushed him up against the wall. The crowd cheered and laughed loudly.
It was such a joyful moment that captured the bar’s spirit. I loved how everyone was welcomed and celebrated, regardless of gender. The staff didn’t hold back with any of the guests. They were committed to make sure all the customers felt welcomed and appreciated. It was heartwarming to see a space that’s fun and energetic but also inclusive and body positive.
If you ever visit Kyoto, I highly encourage you to check out the Macho Bar. It won’t disappoint.
