Tokyo horror-filled restaurant The Lockup to close for good July 31

Partners Dining announced that the last branch of its The Lockup, in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho, will close for good on 31 July.

While the restaurant's operators have not given an official reason for the closure, The Lockup was particularly popular with international tourists, so the pandemic's impact on overseas visitors likely played a role in the restaurant's closure.

The prison-themed restaurant first opened its doors in Kyoto in 1999 and has since expanded to over a dozen locations across Japan, including five in Tokyo.

Upon entering, diners are handcuffed and led to dining rooms that resemble prison cells by a staff member dressed as a police officer. Plus, three times a night, there's a surprise jailbreak, during which all the lights go out and staff dressed as clowns, monsters, and other terrifying characters terrorize patrons.

The restaurant is holding a closing event entitled “Everyone Jailbreak! Final The This final event includes a special "Goodbye Lockup Course," which includes 13 of the most popular menu items and costs US$22.41 for the food but no money for the "imprisonment" or the 550 yen entry fee.

During their meal, thirsty inmates can choose from a wide variety of strange beverages, with all-you-can-drink "beaker drink" cocktails priced at 690 yen until June 26.

The closing event will take place from June 13 to July 24, about a week before the restaurant closes.