A Beginner’s Guide to the Nomination System in Japanese Cabaret Clubs

Hi, it’s Luna 🌙
In this guide, I’ll explain one of the most unique parts of Japanese cabaret culture — the “nomination system.”
It may sound unfamiliar at first, but once you understand how it works, you’ll enjoy cabaret clubs even more✨

💡 What Is the Nomination System?

In a Japanese cabaret club, guests can choose which hostess they’d like to spend time with.
This is called a “nomination” (shimei / 指名).

There are two main types:

Both types require a nomination fee, which is added to your bill.
However, for hostesses, the main nomination is much more important, because the number of main nominations directly affects their ranking and salary.

Sometimes, a hostess may give you her name card first — it’s a friendly gesture and often the start of building a connection.

💖 Why Being Nominated Means So Much

In the cabaret world, a nomination means “I chose you.”
That’s why being nominated makes a hostess genuinely happy 🥰

It tells her, “He enjoyed my company,” and it boosts her motivation to make the night even more fun.
Meanwhile, free guests (those who enter without nominating anyone) are seen as potential new fans — someone she might connect with in the future.

By the way, if a hostess eagerly asks for your contact info, it’s often her way of saying:

Please come back and nominate me next time♡

🌀 What Happens When a Hostess Gets Multiple Nominations?

Popular hostesses are often nominated by several customers at the same time.
When that happens, she rotates between her nominated tables in turn.

Here’s what it looks like during a 60-minute set with three customers who nominated the same hostess 👇

If you’re the only one who nominated her, she’ll stay at your table for the full 60 minutes.
If two other guests nominated her as well, she’ll spend about 20 minutes with you before rotating.

Even if the time she spends with you becomes shorter due to overlapping nominations,
👉 the nomination fee stays the same.

While she’s away, another hostess — called a “helper” (ヘルプ嬢) — will sit with you instead.
If you prefer to talk to the same hostess the whole time, try visiting on weekdays or earlier in the evening,
because these times are usually less crowded and overlapping nominations are less likely.

Also, remember to be kind to the helper hostess who fills in while your nominated hostess is away.
That’s part of being a gentleman — and the smart way to enjoy cabaret clubs. ✨

🍸 What Does “Free Entry” Mean?

“Free” entry means coming into the club without nominating anyone.
This is the best option for beginners, since you can meet several hostesses and get a feel for the atmosphere first.

🙆‍♀️ Do You Have to Nominate Someone?

Not at all.
It’s perfectly fine to visit a cabaret club without nominating anyone — especially on your first time.
No one will treat you coldly just because you’re a free guest.

However, if you visit again and find yourself thinking,

“I’d like to see her again,”
then that’s the perfect time to nominate her.

For the hostess, that simple action means a lot 💐

🌙 Final Thoughts: Nomination Is About Sincerity

In short, nomination isn’t something you must do — it’s something you do when you truly want to.
There’s no need to rush.

But if you feel a real connection and want to see a particular hostess again,
go ahead and nominate her. She’ll remember that gesture warmly.

At the end of the day, the best cabaret experiences come from genuine, respectful feelings —
and that’s what makes the night special for both of you🌷

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Written by Luna
A working Japanese cabaret club hostess, sharing real insider tips. Read more about Luna