Corporate Entertainment

Settai has two meanings. The first is the business practice of a company entertaining clients or customers at a restaurant or club: the host side pays the whole bill and books it as a company expense. When a Ginza club or an upmarket lounge is described as suited to settai, this is what is meant.

The second is the legal sense. The Amusement Business Act (Fueiho) defines settai as entertaining a guest by sitting beside them, chatting and pouring drinks, and any business that serves food and drink with settai, such as hostess clubs, lounges and host clubs, needs a public safety commission licence as a hospitality venue. Most girls bars and concept cafes do not hold that licence, which is why their staff serve you across the counter.

Japan has no tipping custom, so no tip is given even at a business dinner. Ask the venue whether a service charge is added separately.