For those who want to enjoy nightlife in Japan, I would like to recommend a host where you can enjoy drinking with cool men. However, there are many cases where you don’t know what kind of host it is or the pricing system, so some people may want to go but are unsure.
In this article, we will introduce how to enjoy hosting and the etiquette you should know for those who have enjoyed night leisure as a host.
If you are interested in hosting or want to become a host, please read until the end.
■What is a host?
Host, officially called a “host club,” is a restaurant where male employees (hosts) serve customers mainly for women. I will introduce the pricing system in detail later, but in most cases a free time pricing system is adopted.
They tend to be more expensive than restaurants such as izakayas. Due to legal regulations, there are rules such as prohibiting operations from midnight to 6 a.m. and prohibiting entry by persons under the age of 18, so please be careful when visiting the store.
■Host club fee system
The host club’s pricing system is a bit unique, so if you enter the club without knowing it, you may be confused by the unfamiliar pricing system. Here we will introduce the fee system adopted by many host clubs.
The name may be slightly different depending on the host club, so you may want to ask when you enter.
Reasonable and enjoyable initial fee
A reasonable and enjoyable initial fee is a fee system that you can choose when you first go to the host club. The price is reasonable, such as 3,000 yen for 90 minutes, and it usually comes with an all-you-can-drink house bottle.
TAX (service fee) is already included, so if you are going to a host club for the first time, it is a good idea to choose the initial rate.
There is a system for the initial fee, such as a name for sending guests off, and when you leave, you can designate one host of your choice who will see you off in front of the elevator or in front of the store.
Set fee that always occurs
Depending on the store, the set fee is also called a table charge or seat fee. In Kabukicho, the average price is 10,000 to 15,000 yen for a set of 60 to 90 minutes.
When it gets close to 60 to 90 minutes, you can choose to extend your stay or leave, and if you decide to extend your stay, you will have to pay the same amount as one set.
Nomination fee that allows you to nominate your favorite host
If you nominate your favorite host, a nomination fee will be required in addition to the set fee. If you want to nominate your favorite host, there is a one-time nomination fee of about 3,000 yen, and it will be more expensive if you nominate a popular host.
You can enter the store without any problem even if there is no host to nominate (free), and if you find a host you like after entering the store, you can nominate one in the store. The standard price for on-site nominations is 1,000 to 1,500 yen.
As mentioned in the initial fee, no fee will be charged if you nominate someone to see you off on your way home.
Food and drink expenses when eating and drinking
At host clubs, you can also order alcohol and food, and the prices are higher than at regular izakayas. Food and drink costs will vary depending on the location of the restaurant, etc., but the approximate food and drink costs are as follows.
Nowadays, there are host clubs that employ top-notch chefs and put a lot of effort into their food, and the prices of their food are often set at high prices.
Service charge (TAX) for enjoying your time at the host club
Service charge is sometimes written as TAX, and a service charge of 20 to 40% is required on the subtotal amount of set fee + designated fee + food and beverage charges. Please note that the higher the subtotal amount, the higher the service charge will be.
■Flow from joining the host club to accounting
Now, I will actually introduce the flow from joining the host club to accounting. The information introduced here is just an example and may vary depending on the store.
If you are unsure, please ask as soon as you enter the store and we will be able to help you.
■Decide which host club you want to go to
First, decide which host club you want to go to. When deciding which host club to go to, it’s a good idea to decide based on what you want to prioritize.
Prices vary depending on the host club, so we recommend choosing a host club that fits your budget.
Visit the host club
Please check the host club’s address and regular holidays before visiting the host club.
What you should pay attention to here is event information. If it’s a birthday or promotion festival, they may restrict new customers from entering the store, so you may not be able to get in even if you go.
Event information is always posted on the official website, so be sure to check it in advance.
ID check
When you arrive at the host club, your ID will be checked first. Host clubs mainly serve alcohol, so minors are often prohibited from visiting. ID cards will be checked to prevent minors from accidentally visiting the store.
Please be sure to bring an ID with a photo as it will be checked.
You will be guided to your seat and will be given an explanation of the system and your order.
If there is no problem with your ID card check, you will be shown to your seat, and after explaining the system, if there is no problem, you will be able to order drinks. The drink system may change depending on the pricing system you choose, so be sure to listen carefully to the explanation of the system.
If there’s something you don’t understand, keep asking until you understand.
If there is a host you would like to nominate, please nominate it.
If you want to nominate a host, you can nominate one, but if you nominate a host, you will need to pay a nomination fee. It is not necessary to specify a host.
If you want to talk to a variety of hosts, don’t force yourself to choose a host, just enjoy talking with them for free.
Enjoy conversation and drinks for hours on end
Once your drinks and food arrive, you can enjoy talking with your host and drinking to your heart’s content until your set time arrives. If it’s your first time or a freelancer, the host will change in about 15 to 20 minutes.
If you find a host you like along the way, we recommend that you nominate them in the venue.
When the time comes, table accounting
When it’s time for your set, the staff will come to ask if you would like to extend your stay or pay the bill. If you do not extend your stay, pay at the table and get ready to leave.
If you nominate a designated host at this time, the host will see you off outside the store. There is no nomination fee for sending nominations.
■Three manners to follow at host clubs
At host clubs, there are certain manners that must be followed in order to avoid causing discomfort to both the host and other guests. Here we will introduce three manners that we especially want you to follow.
Do not force the host to drink alcohol
Just because you’re paying money doesn’t mean you can do anything. It is bad manners to force a host to drink alcohol.
It is not okay to force the host to drink alcohol, and it is also not okay to force yourself to drink alcohol. If you go too far, you may be subject to compensation for damages or a ban, so be sure to enjoy the game to the extent that it’s within your means.
Once a permanent nomination is made, the nomination cannot be changed.
Many host clubs have rules such as a permanent nomination system that prevents you from nominating a different host in the future if you nominate a host.
Since sending nominations and on-site nominations are not actual nominations, there is no problem if you nominate a different host from next time onwards. If you are going to the same host club not only this time but also for the second time, you need to be careful when making this nomination.
No financial transactions with hosts
The act of handing money to the host because he or she is your favorite host, rather than paying money to the restaurant, is called backstabbing and is a no-no. If back-selling is discovered, the host will be subject to severe punishment, including being fired from the restaurant.
Please make sure to pay the money to the restaurant properly and refuse to exchange money even if the host asks you to do so.
■Enjoy night leisure at the host club!
A host club is a restaurant where male employees (hosts) mainly serve customers. Food and drinks tend to be more expensive than at izakayas, etc., and because they mainly serve alcohol, people under the age of 18 may not be allowed to visit them.
Also, there are some special parts of the pricing system, so be sure to listen carefully to the explanation of the system at the beginning.
If you want to enjoy drinking while talking with cool guys, or if you want to enjoy a night of leisure, please come and visit us.
【Q&A】
Q.What is the host fee system?
A. The fee system for hosts is different from that for restaurants such as izakayas, in that they are based on an hourly system and require a fee for the host’s nomination. The detailed pricing system may vary depending on the host club. There will be an explanation about the pricing system at the beginning, so listen carefully and ask about anything you don’t understand.
Q.What should I not do at the host club?
A. There are three main things you should not do at a host club:
Force the host to drink alcohol
Change the designated host
Financial transactions with hosts
Please enjoy your experience in moderation so as not to cause discomfort to not only the host but also other guests.
