

However a red-light district version of the host/hostess club exists, called seku-kyabakura or ichya-kyabakura, where patrons are permitted to touch their host/hostess above the waist and engage in sexual conversation topics or kissing, although this type of establishment is not common. Hostess clubs have a strict "no touching" policy, and patrons are removed who try to initiate private or sexual conversation. While hostess clubs are clearly gendered in the way that women serve men, research has also revealed the complexity of intra-gender dynamics and sometimes tension among hostesses as well, and the ways that male customers often work to mitigate problems among hostesses as well as between hostesses and Mama-san. While most establishments have male touts outside to bring in customers, it may also fall upon a (usually new) hostess to do so. In either case, the hostess will leave after a certain amount of time or number of drinks, offering the customer a chance to see a fresh face. In some instances, a customer is able to choose with whom he spends time, while most often that is decided by the house. Patrons are generally greeted comfortably at the door and seated as far away from other customers as possible. At one establishment, about 90% of all tabs were reportedly paid for by companies. īusinesses may pay for tabs on company expense with the aim of promoting trust among male co-workers or clients. The light or no alcohol content of the drinks maximizes profits and ensures that the hostess does not become intoxicated after only a short time at work. The hostess then splits the proceeds of the sale with the bar 50/50. For example, a patron purchases a $20 drink for the hostess, these are usually non-alcoholic concoctions like orange juice and ginger ale, and the patron has purchased the hostess's attention for the subsequent 30–45 minutes. Most bars use a commission system by which hostesses receive a percentage of sales. These problems are derived from mass consumption of alcohol by which many consequences may arise.

Hostesses often drink with customers each night, and alcohol problems are fairly common. Hostess clubs are distinguished from strip clubs in that there is no dancing, prostitution or nudity. The clubs also often employ a female bartender usually well-trained in mixology, and who may also be the manager or mamasan. They can be seen as the modern counterpart of geishas, providing entertainment to groups of salarymen after work. They light cigarettes, provide beverages for men, offer flirtatious conversation, and sing karaoke to entertain customers. Kyabakura hostesses are known as kyabajō ( キャバ嬢) ( cabaret girl), and many use professional names, called "genji name" ( 源氏名, genji-na). In Japan, two types of bars are hostess clubs: kyabakura ( キャバクラ), a portmanteau of kyabarē ( キャバレー, lit. Signage for hostess bars in Kabukichō, Tokyo.
