Rocket: a Nightspot with Potential

By Daniel Ostrander

Around the corner from some of Nagoya's most popular night spots, you will find Rocket, one of the newest. Located in the heart of Sakae, I managed to find it during one of my [Nightly? - Ed] drunken bar crawls, and I was very pleased that the gods of libation had steered my course so. Of all the things, good and bad, that I could say about this self-proclaimed "Sports Bar & Café", the one word bouncing around inside my mind is "potential". But what it has the potential to become isn't particularly obvious: it seems to have been designed to be many different things all at once, the Swiss Army Knife of Nag bars.

Rocket has a decent stage and sound system, so it could be a live house. But there is also a DJ booth and a dancefloor, so perhaps it's a club. Then again, there are ping-pong tables over in the corner and a dartboard, so maybe it IS a sports bar (as advertised). A peek at the menu leads me to believe that "café" isn't out of the question either. And oh look - now there's a bartender show starting up! Whatever next?

The place is a bit of sensory overload, and the second floor is full of comfortable seating that provides a great vantage point from which to peer at all the action below. While you're up there, you might as well order some of the typical-yet-delicious menu items (great pizza and pasta) and some of the affordable drinks. However, if you want to sample one of the mixed-in-the-air cocktails of resident flair bartender Issei Shinjo, you'll have to call ahead to check his schedule.

Rocket employees are welcoming and helpful, but it's not yet an English-friendly kind of venue. This was no biggie for me, because I always travel with a translator when I'm on-assignment (thanks, Yoshimi!). Still, those of you without that luxury needn't worry. The manager tells me they are working on an English menu, so hopefully you won't be limited to my usual method of pointing at pictures and speaking v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y.

Asking to play table tennis was easily accomplished with a quick gesture, though you really have to be careful when making the international sign for S&M. Table rental is quite easy on the wallet, and having two tables ensures that you should have no trouble getting in on a game. It's just too bad that my attempt to start a round of "beer-pong" didn't go over too well...

Rocket were kind enough to let me give the DJ equipment a spin, and I was surprised to find the booth full of top-of-the-line machines, as well as a computerized lighting system. The end result is a booming sound with enough lasers and smoke to help you overlook the ping-pong tables (which can be folded up and put away to make more space for dancing). The stage is big enough to hold an average-sized band, but it tends to be used for private parties and local comedians. The management is currently working to bring more talent and entertainment to Rocket, the first of which will be the infectious "H1Dance1" event, featuring a performance by local electro rockers Sonicland Peace Makers with several DJs and the live art of David Mazzuchi on Saturday, November 21st (¥1,000 w/ one drink).

Having only opened last December, Rocket has yet to make a huge impact on the foreign community, but its versatility could change all that. Where else in Nagoya can you get your pong on, scarf down some grub and watch the game, all while the dancefloor is bumping and Shinjo-san is making a flaming cocktail? Where else in the world, for that matter?

Rocket is located in Sakae around the corner from iD, just down from C.R.E.A.M. on the 8th floor of the Renaissance Building. Check www.1137.jp/rocket for more details.

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