Airstream - This is a brand new bar with a great atmosphere depending on the night.  It's quite literally in a basement and has that sparsely decorated "industrial" feel.  The bar is set up very well - rounded so as to accommodate more drunkards.  There's also a wooden bench built into the back wall that is handy when the place fills up.  The owner, Matsu, of Fujiyama  fame, is usually on hand to greet you as you walk in.  The music in the place is loud, a good place for a group before heading to Xelha's, etc, on a Saturday night.  Airstream is located on Komonji Dori below the karaoke parlor and new internet cafe on the corner between Muji and the Tokyo Daiichi Hotel. There's a big silver sign out front.  You can't miss it.    

Bar Gitane (+ Vamos) - This could possibly be the tiniest of the gaijin-visited bars in Kokura.  But what it lacks in size it makes up for in character.  All it takes is about 10 of your friends and the place is packed - instant party.  But more often than not it's a place to go to get away from a bunch of people, listen to some good music, and talk to the chilled out bar tenders or to the person you came with.  If you ask them, they will change the music to suit your tastes. . .usually you'll end up with The Fugees and some "ultimate fighting" on TV either way though.  Limited selection on the beer (cans only), but they have quite a few mixed drinks to choose from.  Upstairs from Gitane is Vamos - more of the same.  It's got a few square tables, dim light, and a dj booth.  There have been a few good nights here.  Gitane is easy to find, just take a left out of Xelha or Fellow and you will see a yellow sign on a white wall across the parking lot to your left.  (5)   

Fujiyama Mama - Fuji's is one of the staple hang-outs for many foreigners here in the city.  It's one of the more "colorful" places around - at least in character.  It's got a culture all it's own.  It's small, cluttered, loud, and usually a great time.  The style of music played is said to be "Rock-a-Billy" stylee, but the truth is you'll hear all types of music - usually more on the harder edge though.  This ain't no disco, but it's owned by DJ Crazy Ken - often hard at work on his turntables when you stumble in.  This is where, I'm guessing, all the "bad" yankee boys and girls in Kokura end up.  I think the place has a bad reputation among "upstanding" Japanese.  It must be Ken's tattoos!  It's harmless really, and a great place to go on a weekend.   It can get pretty crowded on some Saturdays though, so best get there earlier.  It can be a bit expensive at 600-900 yen for most drinks, but don't forget the bar's policy which states that topless women and nude men drink for free!  Ph: 093-521-1639.  On the street opposite Sogo's east entrance, Kyoumachi.  (8)

Gravity Crack - As the name suggests, this place is a hole in the wall and easy to miss if you happen to be walking down this narrow side street.  I always seem to forget where it is.  But when I do stumble upon it I find it very easy to get pulled in. (get it? gravity joke. . .eh. . .ok.)  The place is cool inside, has friendly staff, and makes a mean Greek ouzo.  Actually, it's the only ouzo I've ever had so you decide.  Beer 600 yen.  Cocktails start at 500 yen.  Open 8PM-5AM.  Located around the corner from Pangaea.  Ph: 093-533-3345.  (26)

Grassroots - Grassroots, y'all.  Our fearless, ever-smiling, ever-friendly, dread-lock having, leopard skin coat sporting, bar tending friend Murashima is probably there right now serving up the beverages as we speak.   He's waiting for YOU.  Don't disappoint him.  Grassroots is best visited as a late night bar if you have some energy left after Fuji's, Xelha, Fellow's, etc.   Although it could be a good place to start a night as well.  It's a little too brightly lit and and plays a painfully unpredictable array of music.  Could be Kenny Loggins, could be Marilyn Manson.  You just never know!  But that's half the fun.  A popular spot for young Japanese it seems.  Located around the corner from Ichiran and Cafe Bongo in the back streets just east of the Uomachi arcade.  Ph: 093-512-7722. www.es-web.net/grass   (13)

Hodge Podge -  It's small place with a good ambience.  Blues, jazz, reggae. . .that's how the owner Gen describes the music so it's a good place to go if you wanna relax and chat over a mixed drink. The place has a bit of everything as the name suggests. . .except people sometimes.  However on one particular occasion I've seen the place packed. . .and Gen even treated us to a guitar rendition of "No Woman Cry."  He's pretty good too.  Located on the sidestreet at the northeast exit to Tanga monorail station.  Opens 8PM.  Ph: 093-551-9999.  (24)

Kakapo Colony - If your looking for a place to have a quiet glass of wine or beer with friend or two this is definitely for you.  It's got a long wooden bar and couple tables in back, surrounded by the low glow of white Christmas lights.  I've never tried the food but I plan to - it looks very good.  I'd say this is one of best kept secrets on Kokura.  It's another one of those tiny, hole in the wall places that are great if you can find them.  The interior is really nice in contrast to the ugly exterior of the building with its inconspicuous entrance.  To get there, find the red wooden footbridge that spans the Murasaki River and get to the end opposite the Izutsuya side.   The sidestreet at the end of the bridge is where you want to be.  It's the one of the first doors on the right.  There's a small sticker on the mailbox with the name.  

Lucky Moon - Do you wanna go where everybody knows your name? Norm!! Owned and operated by the ever-cheerful American barman Bob, this is perhaps the friendliest bar in all of Kokura.  It's a bit small by western standards, average size for Japan, but that's what makes it a cozy place to come during the middle of the week and talk with friends.  Dubbed an "international" bar, it has long been a hang-out for gaijin in Kitakyushu.  It's got a log cabin style about it and is on the quiet side.  Sometimes Bob has quiet blues or jazz playing.  Sometimes he provides videos of current football, American football, basketball, and baseball.   But the best thing about coming to Lucky Moon is the price of beer.  It's 450 yen per hefty draft beer during happy hour(s) and as of recently it's happy hour all the time!  You must say hello to Bob though. Bar and table seating. Right next to southeast exit of Heiwadori Monorail Station.  Opens 7:30PM.  Ph: 093-533-5776.  (17)

Marvin's - The boys at Marvin's have been busy giving the place a image makeover.  The entrance now has a cool new wooden look, complete with new logo and sometimes a surfboard hanging above.  It too is a bit small, but very warm and enjoyable.  It's got a good atmosphere, but yet I've never seen it all that busy.   Perhaps that is why they have not opened up the 2nd floor space they have available.  Like many of the places here, it has loads of potential. If you see a friendly dude wearing a black cowboy hat, say hello.  He runs the bar. Marvin's has a small bar and a few tables. On same street as Fuji's and Xelha, Kyoumachi.  (7)

Mix - Located near Mihagino Monorail Station, this little spot is a good place to start a night. It's decorated well and has a really comfortable feel to it.  They offer decent food and sometimes have a promoted event with dj's.  This is the type of place that just needs a few more patrons.  So if you get a chance, check this place out.  It's located on the side of an apartment building around the corner from the Lawson at the south east side of Mihagino Station.   

Pangaea - Here we have the only "reggae" bar in Kokura (that I know of).  It's a bit small as most bars are but has a couple tables in addition to the bar.  The music is usually great and there's plenty of cool drums and strange instruments to play with.  It's got lots of red, yellow, and green and plenty of Jamaican, island style.  The one draw back is that drinks are a bit expensive, even the beer.  They do, however, offer Red Stripe Beer - as any reggae-themed bar should.  Drinks and food start at 600 yen.  Pangaea is located on the sidestreet to the northeast end of Tanga Monorail Station.  Ph: 093-533-3555.  (27)

SDR - "Sex,Drugs, & Rock'n'Roll," need I go on?  This is another late night bar - really late! It's small, noisy, loudly decorated. . .and rather cool.  It's got a couple laid back bar tenders to talk to while listening to rock'n'roll, or death-metal. . .in my experience the latter.  If you don't mind sexually positioned, devilish anime lining the back wall, then you should enjoy 1-2 of the wee hours here. Beer and cocktail - 600 yen.   On the next side street north of Pangaea.  (28) 

Skull Top - This is a chilled-out little place on the street behind "Popura" convenience store to the north side of Kokura Station.   It sells some clothes and gifts during the day, but don't be fooled, it's turns into a dimly lit bar/restaurant at night.  Draft beer is pretty cheap while mixed drinks are the same as anywhere.  They play decent music, and would probably take requests if you asked them.  The owner, Kumiko, is very cool, speaks perfect English, and just may sit and have a drink with you over popcorn.  Open 7PM-2AM, closed Wednesdays.  Add: Kiyohara Bldg. 1F 2-10-13  #17 Asano, Ph: 093-531-7191.

Soap Bar - Not far from Sogo, this place is a fairly convenient alternative to some of the other bars in the area.  It seems to be affiliated with an art house and has it's own arty ambience as well.  It's a rather large place set up on the second floor with one small bar, some small tables and, more interestingly, a large mattress with low tables.  Above the mattress is a huge screen projection of movies, videos, etc.  It gives the place very relaxed atmosphere.   Their music selection is on the obscure side, but usually good.  The small TV screen in front of the toilet displaying trippy designs is probably the most intriguing feature of the place.  Still not sure what that's all about.  Drinks are about average price.  They have kuronama (black beer) available in cans if you ask for it.   On KyuDensha Dori very close to Fukuoka City Bank.  (15)

Xelha - And then there is Xelha.  This is easily the largest and most well-known bar/restaurant among gaijin residents.  Along with Lucky Moon and Fuji's, it's been a major meeting place for foreigners.  It's ambitious owners, a Scottish expat named named Colin and his wife Miyuki, give the place its character.   Just remodeled, the bar has an even more exotic d馗or than before, complete with masks and tapestries from various places.  There's even a jungle cave style hallway entrance you might need a machete to hack through.  It's a great place to go on a Saturday night when the place is in full swing and everyone is dancing to the soundtrack, oops, I mean music, or during the week for chatting over good food.   There's also a mounted TV and large TV screen projector that's perfect for watching occasional must-see soccer/football games. Its full name is "Tropical Oasis Xehla." Don't let Colin hear you calling it "Xehla's."  The first entrance on your left on the street opposite the east entrance of Sogo (Kyoumachi).  You can't miss it.  Ph: 093-551-8683.  www.es-web.net/xelha  (3)

52nd Street - A jazz bar in Kokura?  Yup.  This is one of the lesser known bars in the area despite its good location.  You may have walked by its sign 100 times and never noticed.   Situated opposite Maruwa grocery store and Tanga market entrance on Komonji Dori (the Uomachi side), this tiny hole in the wall is a bit classier than most.  And the prices reflect that which could be the reason why there's rarely anyone there.  But it's comfortable, well decorated, and has a huge collection of jazz on vinyl if you wish to request something.  Take a couple friends here when you wanna just chat, drink some good wine, and act pretentious.  (20)  

Moon Shan - Here's a place that's tucked away where most folks would never look.  But if you wanna get away for a quiet drink where no one else will ever find you then this is an interesting place to go.  It's absolutely cluttered with assorted toys to play with while you drink - perfect for the child in all of us.  All kinds of pop culture memorabilia occupy available wall space.  It's a tiny place seating only about 6 people at the bar, however there is a larger tatami room upstairs. . .though you will have to share it with two 3-foot Jake and Elwood, "Blues Brothers" dolls.  They were there first.  Best thing about the place: they have original Czech Budweiser and Bass in bottles.  Located on the narrow alley off of Komonji Dori, just east of Maruwa and Tanga Market entrance.  Look for a red sign on right side.  (32)

Bar Marquesas Is. - Simply called "Marquesas" by the local foreigners, this hole in the wall is one of the best places in Kurosaki for drinking and eating.  Just as much a restaurant as it is a bar, you could feel just as at home throwing back a few at their long wooden bar as you would having a bottle of wine and some great curry at one of their tables.  They have an English menu, so it's simple to choose from a large number of mixed drinks, beers, and foods.  The have a "red" beer and even a "mint" beer (aak!) but you're best bet is the draft beer at a relatively cheap 400 yen.  You would never know it from the entrance on the street, but this place is quite large with 2 floors.   The place seems dimly lit and worn a bit but that's what makes it cool really.   You can find it by walking from the stairs at the station through the covered arcade and take your second right.  It should be right there on the left next to the book shop.  There will be a statue of a man holding the sign.  Open 7PM-4AM.   Ph: 093-645-2032.    

King Kong - This is a great option especially if Memphis Train (below) is too crowded.  This is a square shaped, supposedly American-style bar that can be a good time depending on the night.  It's got enough seating for 15 people easily, probably more.  There is usually a steady stream of Japanese patrons so you won't feel alone here.  The music can vary from Rock-a-Billy to Madonna pop.  They serve some finer alternatives to watered down Japanese drafts, such as Bass Ale. Located in the Kurosaki arcade maze. Call for directions.

Memphis Train - Though there is a real shortage of "cool" night spots in Kurosaki (by gaijin standards), this little bar is probably the best place around.  Memphis Train is all about the blues, a rarity in Kitakyushu, or all of Japan for that matter.  Ben the owner, an accomplished blues musician himself, lays down a chilled out mix to go along with the overall atmosphere of the place.  It's got some great big red cushioned seats at the bar. . .which makes for a very comfortable night assuming you can get one of these seats.  It's a popular place and can get a bit too crowded for a big group of gaijin at times.  Drinking here can be expensive, especially if you keep ordering imported bottles of England's Samuel Smiths Pale Ale like I do (Oh so worth it though. . .can't find it anywhere else).   They also make a MEAN Hurricane.  You'll know what I MEAN in the morning!   Also located in the Kurosaki arcade maze.  Call for directions. 

Mighty Mouse - (coming soon)

Morry's - This place is to Kurosaki what Pangaea is to Kokura - the only place to go if you like reggae.  Bob Marley rules the sound waves in this small, smoky, but warm bar.  The bartenders are cool and don't seem to mind if you beat on the drum or strum on the guitar in the back (well-tuned I might add).  A good place to go on a cold night for a few drinks.   Note: The owner has an affinity for skulls.  The place it just cluttered with bony-faced images which is a strange twist on the reggae theme.  But hey this is Japan, not Jamaica.  They're gonna do it their way whether you like it or not!   Morry's is two doors down from Marquesas, next to the flower shop.  Look for the sign and follow the long staircase upward.  Ph: 093-622-4456.