IndieBeers Meetup: Networking for Indie Hackers in Tokyo [Jun 25]

Introduction

Indie Beers is a casual event held in the heart of Tokyo’s vibrant nightlife district—Shibuya. As part of the international Ramen Club group, this meetup is an ideal place for indie hackers to gather, network, and unwind among like-minded individuals.

Indie hackers are entrepreneurs who start and grow their own small online businesses, usually without much outside funding. They build innovative products, generate revenue, and share their experiences to help others succeed.

General Information

Event: IndieBeers (recurring event)

Meetup group: https://www.meetup.com/indie-tokyo/ (Part of Ramen Club)

Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/indie-tokyo/events/302031998/

Venue: Hobgoblin Shibuya British Pub

Date and time: July 25, 2024

Organizers: Taka Shirasu, Indie Hacker, founder of jotme.io.

Visit experience

This was my first time attending Indie Beers. Not knowing anyone, I headed straight to the pub. There were no signs or reception, so I identified the group by looking for a large gathering with a noticeable number of foreigners. Since it was a weekday, the pub wasn’t overly crowded, making it easy to locate the right group. I was warmly welcomed by the organizer, Taka Shirasu.

Before even getting a drink, I joined a round of self-introductions, learning about four individuals at various stages of their indie hacking journey—some juggling side-hustles alongside full-time jobs, others fully supporting themselves through their businesses.

After a while, I grabbed a drink and moved to another table, meeting even more fascinating people. The diversity was impressive, with attendees including a marketing agency owner, a B2B SaaS founder, a comedian, engineers, and infrastructure specialists.

Time went by very quickly, and between 9 and 10 p.m., attendees started to leave after exchanging contacts. In line with the casual atmosphere of the event, most people preferred to exchange contact information via X or LINE, with only a few opting for LinkedIn.

For me, the highlight was conversing with accomplished B2C SaaS builders, gaining valuable insights and a boost of motivation, as well as some fresh ideas.

Who Should Attend

The main audience for this event includes indie hackers, founders, and owners of small online businesses, as well as those aspiring to become one. Developers, marketers, designers, and other IT professionals often join to find potential business partners, job opportunities, or to explore indie hacking as a viable career path.

If you’re considering creating an app, building a SaaS product, or looking to collaborate with someone already in the field, this is a must-attend event.

Who Should Not Attend

This event might not be suitable if you’re looking to pitch your startup to investors. The majority of attendees are founders themselves, focused on their own ventures.

It’s also not the best venue for serious business discussions due to the lively and somewhat hectic atmosphere. However, it’s a great place to meet new people and arrange future business meetings.

Additionally, if you’re not interested in business, startups, or the indie hacking scene, this event might not be for you. The conversations mostly revolve around entrepreneurship, tech, and online businesses, which may not appeal to those outside this sphere.

Venue

The Indie Beers event takes place at Hobgoblin Shibuya British Pub, a popular British-style pub conveniently located near one of Tokyo’s largest stations. The atmosphere is lively and can get quite loud, especially with a large number of visitors. Be prepared to raise your voice to be heard.

The pub features tables for groups of 4-6 people, encouraging attendees to form small, conversational clusters. As a functioning pub, attendees are expected to purchase drinks or food, though there’s no minimum spend requirement and no pressure to make a purchase.

Conclusion

Overall, Indie Beers is highly recommended for those seeking casual networking in a relaxed atmosphere. It’s an excellent opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, share experiences, and potentially find collaborators for your projects.