History Main / HostClub

The SpearCounterpart of a host club is a hostess club. While the main market for hostess clubs are {{White Collar Worker}}s, frequent patrons of host clubs mostly consist of women who work in hostess clubs and other parts of the entertainment industry, looking to relax after a long hard night of being nice to inebriated, sexually-harassing [[{{Salaryman}} Salarymen]]. Since host clubs are mostly owned by the same people who own hostess clubs, this has the net effect of recouping some of the hostess' income, and thus hostesses are encouraged to partake of this form of entertainment.

* One is an important place in ''VideoGame/Yakuza1'', having a lot of plot-related events happening either in it or involving it. There are also a number of hostess clubs across the series that can be visited, though they aren't as important to the plot, provided they're even related to it at all.

A host club is an establishment with a roster of all types of attractive men who will offer flirting, flattery, pampering, and companionship in a congenial environment and at an exorbitant rate. A typical host will wear a suit and pointed toe boots, along with heavy eye make-up, circle lenses, and wild, improbable ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' hairstyles that are usually dyed. Besides service, most of the commission a host gets comes from expensive alcohol ordered by their customers, so expect hosts to try to get you to throw down thousands of yen for a bottle of champagne. [[HighClassCallGirl Hosts do not offer actual sex]], though it's pretty common for them to sleep with their clients after hours. Customers at host clubs are eventually expected to pick a favorite, known as a "tantou", who will eventually become their main entertainer.

The majority of host clubs are located in the RedLightDistrict and are closely affiliated with the {{Yakuza}}. If you ordered that bottle of expensive wine but didn't want to pay? Expect them to come after you. Host clubs also generally have a very sleazy reputation and it is heavily frowned upon to even go to one.

SpearCounterpart to the HostessClub.

A host club is an establishment with a roster of all types of attractive men who will offer flirting, flattery, pampering, and companionship in a congenial environment and at an exorbitant rate. A typical host will wear a suit and pointed toe boots, along with heavy eye make-up, circle lenses, and wild, improbable ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' hairstyles that are usually dyed. Besides service, most of the commission a host gets comes from expensive alcohol ordered by their customers, so expect hosts to try to get you drunk or throw down thousands of yen for a bottle of champagne. [[HighClassCallGirl Hosts do not offer actual sex]], though it's pretty common for them to sleep with their clients after hours. Customers at host clubs are eventually expected to pick a favorite, known as a "tantou", who will eventually become their main entertainer.

A host club is an establishment with a roster of all types of attractive men who will offer flirting, flattery, pampering, and companionship in a congenial environment and at an exorbitant rate. A typical host will wear a suit and pointed toe boots, along with heavy eye make-up, circle lenses, and wild, improbable ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' hairstyles that are usually dyed. Besides service, most of the commission a host gets comes from expensive alcohol ordered by their customers, so expect hosts to try to get you drunk or throw down thousands of yen for a bottle of champagne. [[HighClassCallGirl Hosts do not offer actual sex]], though it's pretty common for them to sleep with their clients after hours. Customers at host clubs are eventually expected to pick a favorite, known as a "tantou."

The majority of host clubs are located in the RedLightDistrict and are closely affiliated with the {{Yakuza}}. If you ordered that bottle of expensive wine but didn't want to pay? Expect them to come after you. Host clubs also generally have a very sleazy reputation and it is heavily frowned upon to go or even work in one.

A host club is an establishment with a roster of all types of attractive men who will offer flirting, flattery, pampering, and companionship in a congenial environment and at an exorbitant rate. A typical host will wear a dark suit and will have heavy eye make-up, circle lenses, and wild hair that is usually dyed. Besides service, most of the commission a host gets comes from expensive alcohol ordered by their customers, so expect hosts to try to get you drunk or throw down thousands of yen for a bottle of champagne. [[HighClassCallGirl Hosts do not offer actual sex]], though it's pretty common for them to sleep with their clients after hours. Customers at host clubs are eventually expected to pick a favorite, known as a "tantou."

Standard host clubs discourage male customers, and there are separate "host bars" aimed at gay men. Many host clubs also bar foreigners from entering and aren't interested in customers who don't intend to become regular paying clients.

A host club is an establishment with a roster of all types of attractive men who will offer flirting, flattery, pampering, and companionship in a congenial environment and at an exorbitant rate. A typical host will wear a dark suit and will have heavy eye make-up, circle lenses, and wild hair that is usually dyed. Besides service, most of the commission a host gets comes from expensive alcohol, so expect hosts to try to get you drunk or throw down thousands of yen for a bottle of champagne. [[HighClassCallGirl Hosts do not offer actual sex]], though it's pretty common for them to sleep with their clients after hours. Customers at host clubs are eventually expected to pick a favorite, known as a "tantou."

Standard host clubs discourage male customers, and there are separate "host bars" aimed at gay men. Many host clubs also bar foreigners from entering and aren't interested in customers who aren't interested in becoming regular paying clients.

A host club is an establishment with a roster of all types of attractive men who will offer flirting, flattery, pampering, and companionship in a congenial environment and at an exorbitant rate. Besides service, most of the commission a host gets comes from expensive alcohol, so expect hosts to try to get you drunk or throw down thousands of yen for a bottle of champagne. [[HighClassCallGirl Hosts do not offer actual sex]], though it's pretty common fo them to sleep with their clients after hours. Customers at host clubs are eventually expected to pick a favorite, known as a "tantou."

Like hostess clubs, most host clubs [[HighClassCallGirl do not offer actual sex]]; only flirting, flattery, pampering and companionship in a congenial environment (and at an exorbitant rate). Unlike hostess clubs, the main market for host clubs is not {{White Collar Worker}}s, but, instead, women who work in hostess clubs and other parts of the entertainment industry, looking to relax after a long hard night of being nice to inebriated, sexually-harassing [[{{Salaryman}} Salarymen]] (since host clubs are mostly owned by the same people who own hostess clubs, this has the net effect of recouping some of the hostess' income, and thus hostesses are encouraged to partake of this form of entertainment).

Standard host clubs discourage male customers; there are separate "host bars" aimed at gay men.

[[AC:{{Anime}} and {{Manga}}]]

[[AC:{{Film}}]]

[[AC:LightNovels]]

[[AC:LiveActionTV]]

[[AC:{{Music}}]]

[[AC:VideoGames / VisualNovels]]

[[AC:WebVideo]]

[[AC:{{Music]}]]

* ''OuranHighSchoolHostClub'' - A PG version.
* ''TheGreatHappinessSpace'' - A documentary about host clubs.

* ''Seoul After Dark'' (aka ''Beastie Boys'') - A movie about the host/hostess club lifestyle in Korea.

* In the third ''WebVideo/WhereTheHellIsMatt'' video, Matt dances with the waitresses at a {{Meido}}-themed hostess club when he goes to Tokyo.

* Ryuuji's mother in ''LightNovel/{{Toradora}}'' works at a hostess club.
* ''FinalFantasyThe4HeroesOfLight'' have these as a character class. They give party members the "Psych Up" that increases their strength and allows for combo attacks.

* Kagari from ''{{Sekirei}}'' works as a Host, and is mentioned to hold the #1 ranking. [[GenderBender Certain issues]] result in him taking long periods of time off from his job, with the excuse of a "serious illness". He's shown going on a [[CompensatedDating compensated date]] and taking calls from his many female clients.
* Ryusei Mitarashi in ''VisualNovel/SweetFuseAtYourSide'' introduces himself as the number one host at the Ulysses host club in the Ginza district. It's a source of constant humor on his route, particularly since he initially just comes across as a dumb meathead.
* In Manga/{{Bokurano}}, Miko Nakarai is an ex-prostitute who works now in a hostess club. [[SonOfAWhore Her daughter]] Mako alias Nakama is bullied because of this.
* in Manga/SuperLovers, Haru used to work as a host, and Natsuo still does.
* With no relation to ''Manga/SuperLovers'', the lyrics and music video for Music/{{Winds}}'s "Super Lover ~I need you tonight~" hints that it takes place at a host club.

----
<<|UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}|>>
<<|SexTropes|>>

* Keith Goodman from ''TigerAndBunny'' regularly visits one, because he [[VirginityMakesYouStupid thinks it's a normal cafe]].

* Masamune Matsuoka of ''Manga/AoharuXKikanjuu'' works at one.

* In {{Bokurano}}, Miko Nakarai is an ex-prostitute who works now in a hostess club. [[SonOfAWhore Her daughter]] Mako alias Nakama is bullied because of this.

* In the third ''WhereTheHellIsMatt'' video, Matt dances with the waitresses at a {{Meido}}-themed hostess club when he goes to Tokyo.

* Ryuuji's mother in ''ToraDora'' works at a hostess club.

* ''WelcomeToTheNHK'' - In the manga [[spoiler: Yamazaki]] ends up working at one.