Tab Charge

Tab Charge (tsuke) is a deferred payment system common in Japanese nightlife, particularly in table-service venues such as hostess bars and cabaret clubs.

Customers do not pay cash upon entry. Instead, drinks, nomination fees, and other services are added to a running tab, which is settled in full upon departure. This system evolved in Japan's cash-based society and is a distinctive cultural feature of the nightlife industry.

The mechanics vary by establishment, but typically a tab is opened with the first drink order, and all subsequent charges are recorded. When you are ready to leave, a staff member brings the itemized bill for your review before payment.

As a matter of etiquette, it is wise to keep a mental note of your running total, especially as nomination fees and bottle-keep renewal charges can add up quickly. Regularly checking your tab is perfectly acceptable and shows responsibility. Never leave without settling your bill—this is considered a serious offense.

Pricing-wise, there is rarely a fee for using the tab system itself, though some venues may add a service charge for deferred payment. When visiting a new establishment, simply saying "tsuke de onegaishimasu" (please put it on my tab) at the start sets the process in motion.