Absolute Blue
アブソルートブルー
1 Chome-15-6 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo. (03)5904-8576.
〒171-0021 東京都豊島区西池袋1-15-6 豊島会館B2F
Music nightly, though sometimes the club is reserved. Cover charge is mostly around 3,500 yen.Usually 2 sets from 19:30 and 21:00, but sometimes there is no live so better to check the schedule on the website.
Absolute Blue is a lovely club close to Ikebukuro Station, about one minute away from the west exit. That location makes it easy to drop by for a set or two, but you’ll want to stay longer. The cozy atmosphere of the club wraps around you and the very comfy seats let you drift into the music. Like many of the serious-about-the-music venues in Tokyo, the seats face the stage.
The music is the main thing, though drinks, especially cocktails, are great and the food limited but adequate. The stage itself is designed not be a club owner, but by musicians and sound tech guys. That means, even the small-ish space works well for musicians. The sound works well for the audience, and more than that, it’s impeccable. For music lovers that really pay attention to sound that makes a huge difference in the total experience.
While most evenings at Absolute Blue are jazz, the music often ranges to funk, blues, rock and jam bands. This is a great club that feels like home, a home where you can turn up the music loud and perfect and let it sink in to your bones.