Caoff Discovery
Otaku Bar Review
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Rating /5
Review
This version of Caoff Discovery was closed on December 31st 2024! It relocated to...
The daddy. Located in the legendary Misono Universe Building, this is a decent-sized bar (as far as these things go) where you'll rarely be alone. It's linked to the Caoff West anime song club night, which has been running since circa 2001. Discovery has plenty of rotating staff members, so when one of those nights is on, you'll still find it open. I usually go on Saturday, when the mama is Miu McCartney, but she also does a fair bit of DJing. She only knows a little English. Another called Eri is good at English, and stops in from time to time. You'll know her by the dog-themed clothing and hair that is never black XD. A few of the regulars know English, too. I once met a guy who does art for Capcom in there. They have occasional standing-only events with DJ's, these usually have a higher cover charge and a limited drink selection (and may also be "cash on", IE pay when you get it).
The beer is the ubiquitous Asahi Super Dry, served in the small cans, which some will find overpriced (just be a lightweight and drink slowly). They also have cocktails with a katakana-heavy menu.
Aside from the usual array of figures that characterises most anime bars, this place also has a bunch of Caoff West merch from down the years. On the counter there's a Gamecube and Game Boy Player set up, they usually have either Mario Party 4 or Mario Golf in it, but they do have other games if you ask.
They take anime song requests, too, and play them on a giant TV that dominates one end of the room.
Getting There
Misono Universe is a pretty legendary part of Osaka's bar / live scene, that's been around since the late 1950's (which may make you nervous about it's level of earthquake proofing - hey, hasn't collapsed yet!). The small bars are all on floor 2, there's a looping ramp at the main entrance, and stairs at the side entrance, to get up there. It even featured in a movie literally called "Misono Universe"... except it was released in English as "La La La at Rock Bottom", for some reason.
Details
Open 20:00 to "Last" (I've seen it stay open until gone 3:00 some nights), Cover charge ¥300. The small beer cans are ¥600 each. These are pretty standard prices for the Misono Building.
In Conclusion
Basically, if you can only visit one otaku bar in the Kansai region, make it this one. Or Anna!
Useful Stuff
Blahblah
Bonuses
The (not so-)last night!
Because the Misono Building is closing at the end of 2024 (hopefully to be replaced by something similar, preferably named V! But I doubt it, will probably be a whole block of smaller buildings), Caoff had to move. I went to the last night... before the new Caoff opened! So here's some footage of the pre-party for the new Caoff. The old one actually closed on Dec 31st 2024, so for a while there were two Caoff Discoveries running!
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The (actual) last night!
I didn't break up the beers with non-alcohol, and had to leave about 1:30 (the event ended at 4:30). It was a bit of a bust in the end... for me, anyway. People who drank sensibly probably had a great time. Here's to New Caoff!
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