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Doyama is Osaka's largest and most varied gay district, and the choice of bars and clubs can at times bewilder. Yet there can only be one King, and this King, unusually, exists to serve you, the people.

Servitude is just a short walk from the center of Umeda, and begins nightly at 8pm every night of the week except Mondays. The entrance to the bar, once you find the small side street that it is on, is easy to find. Just look for the sign that says "KING" in big letters.

Upon entering King's 2nd floor domicile, you will be struck by just how kingly the proportions of the space are. There's plenty of space to comfortably mingle, which is not often the case at gay bars in Japan. Seating too -- at the bar, in loungey enclaves, and in settings even better suited for a grand mingle -- allows you to kick it exactly as you like.
The layout is set out smartly, with the bar in back, various seating clusters spread about the middle, and a small stage in front. The place is decked out with all sorts of mood lighting, but it all just manages to stay tasteful and fun without being cheesy or over the top.

King keeps their drinks menu simple and affordable, which naturally keeps the royal subjects pleased. There is no cover charge, and drinks are 500 yen each. Be it a mixed drink, a beer, or something a little more Japanese, King helps you get your gay on for only 500 yen a pop.

Unless you are popping Champagne, which, alas, takes you somewhere far, far away fro...