I think the main reason for venues not allowing reentry isn't so much the venues wanting to keep people cooped up inside as the problems caused by multiple occupancy of Tokyo buildings.
Sometimes there are apartments located above or near the venue whose residents don't want to be disturbed by a lot of scruffy youths lurking around outside, drinking. Also, often there are hostess bars and the like on different floors of the building (frequently with the associated mobsters looking after them), as well as other local businesses who feel their customers would be discouraged by those selfsame scruffy, hairy youths.
Anyone who's lived in Tokyo for any amount of time knows how suspicious the town is of people who stand still in one place for any amount of time.
Also, I should add that many venues, while nominally having a no-reentry policy, actually couldn't give a toss what you do.
Good point, I've had my share of being urged to 'keep on moving' after shows, outside of the Que, Garage, etc.
I do think it's usually a combination of things: wanting to sell more drinks, keep the neighbors happy, and, at least for some live houses, a genuine desire to get people to listen to all the bands. ...Or not, for the last one? Hmm, maybe is that just the 'tatemae' and the 'honne' is money & peaceful coexistence with the neighbors?
I've noticed that with Shinjuku Jam you can just escape out of the side entrance that the bands use and there's no one there to stop you. In fact, there's no reason why you can't use that way to get in to start with!
Commenting by HaloScan
