My Favorite Nichome (Sakippo)

I think the gay bar I visit most often is "Sakippo." It’s open from 6 a.m. until around noon, so if I go out for a drink after sending my kids off, it’s possible to balance it with parenting.

I’ve been close friends with the mama here, Acchan, since we worked together at a place called "Sick." Acchan’s bright and hearty laughter always lifts my spirits, and I often went to chat with her because it made me feel so happy. She’s very responsive, too—if I call her, she’ll come right away.

The reason we became close was that we went to the Nichome club "Artie" together. I asked them to play my favorite Nicki Minaj songs, and we chatted about our life stories while listening to the music. Acchan holds her Filipino mother in very high regard and cherishes her grandmother, who lives in the Philippines.

As a single mother, I’ve often felt unsure about whether I’m giving my children enough love. But seeing Acchan, who was raised in a similar situation, staying so positive gave me confidence. Since then, we’ve been really close.

At Sakippo, you can enjoy Acchan's homemade appetizers. Filipino home-cooked dishes like adobo are served, and sometimes there’s stew, stir-fry, or pickled vegetables, depending on the day. The flavors are a bit bold and perfect for enjoying with drinks—they're really delicious.

Before working at a gay bar, Acchan worked at an izakaya (Japanese pub). The skills she developed there, like her ability to oversee the entire restaurant and her talent for designing menus, have really come in handy. It's amazing, right?

If you want to chat with the cheerful, smiling Acchan, be sure to visit Sakippo♡

Yoshiko Kuno