How to Unlock and Enter the Dark Matter Club in Cyberpunk 2077

Night City is a place of extreme contrasts, where the neon-soaked streets of Watson meet the sterile, high-altitude luxury of Westbrook. Among the most exclusive locations in the game is Dark Matter , a high-end lounge that caters to the city's corporate elite and celebrity icons. For many players, the frustration of finding a locked elevator in Japantown is a common experience. This guide provides a comprehensive roadmap to gaining entry, troubleshooting common bugs, and exploring the unique features found within this elite establishment.

Which Quests Do You Need to Complete to Reach Dark Matter?

Accessing Dark Matter is not a standalone task; it is the culmination of a lengthy narrative arc involving Johnny Silverhand and his former bandmate, Kerry Eurodyne. According to official lore , the club is reserved for those with significant social standing, which V only achieves by associating with Night City legends.

To unlock the club, you must follow a specific 8-step quest chain. Skipping any of these steps or failing to complete Johnny's requests will prevent the "Off the Leash" quest from ever appearing in your journal. Here is the definitive sequence you must follow:

1. Tapeworm (Main Quest): This is the foundational requirement. You must progress the main story until Johnny Silverhand begins sharing his personal history and requests with you.
2. Chippin' In (Side Quest): After the main story reaches a certain point, Johnny will ask to take control of your body to tie up loose ends. Completing this quest is essential to unlocking the Kerry Eurodyne saga.
3. Holdin' On: This is the first official Kerry quest. You will track down the reclusive rocker at his mansion in North Oak.
4. Second Conflict: You will help Kerry reunite the members of the band Samurai for one last show. This involves navigating a tense situation at the Totentanz club.
5. A Like Supreme: The band performs at Red Dirt. This quest solidifies your relationship with Kerry and moves the timeline forward.
6. Rebel! Rebel!: Kerry asks for your help with a more personal (and destructive) task involving a rival band's equipment.
7. I Don't Wanna Hear It: You assist Kerry in a confrontation with the Japanese pop group Us Cracks. Your choices here can influence future interactions, but the quest must be completed to proceed.
8. Off the Leash: This is the key. Kerry will eventually call you to meet him at a "fancy place" in Japantown. This call triggers the elevator access to Dark Matter.

Many players find themselves stuck because they haven't waited long enough for Kerry to call. In the 2.1 update, quest triggers can sometimes take 24 to 48 in-game hours to activate. If you have completed "I Don't Wanna Hear It" and haven't heard from Kerry, try using the "Skip Time" feature in the main menu to push the clock forward.

Where Is the Dark Matter Club Located in Night City?

Dark Matter is situated in the heart of Japantown, Westbrook . This district is known for its verticality, and Dark Matter is a prime example of this architectural style. The club occupies the upper floors and an expansive outdoor balcony of a massive corporate skyscraper that dominates the Japantown skyline.

Finding the physical entrance can be tricky because the club does not have a street-level storefront. Instead, you must locate the lobby of the building, which is heavily guarded by private security. The nearest fast travel point is Japantown West . From there, head south toward the cluster of large towers. Look for the building with prominent neon signage and a sleek, modern lobby area.

How to Find the Dark Matter Elevator

Once you are inside the lobby, you will see a bank of elevators. During the "Off the Leash" quest, one of these elevators will become interactable. A quest marker will guide you directly to it. You will need to select the "Lounge" or "Club" floor from the interface.

The transition from the lobby to the club is a scripted sequence. As the elevator ascends, you will get a brief glimpse of the scale of the building. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a luxurious interior featuring gold accents, dim lighting, and a clear view of the city through floor-to-ceiling windows. This area is widely considered one of the most visually impressive interior spaces in the game, showcasing the "Neo-Kitsch" aesthetic prevalent in Westbrook.

What to Do If the Dark Matter Elevator Is Locked

The Dark Matter elevator is one of the most frequently reported "bugs" in the Cyberpunk 2077 community. Even when players are on the correct quest, the button sometimes remains non-responsive. According to community discussions on Reddit , this is often due to a script failing to load the elevator's interactable state.

If you encounter a locked elevator during the "Off the Leash" quest, follow these troubleshooting steps:

• The Save/Reload Trick: Stand directly in front of the elevator keypad, save your game, and then immediately reload that save. This often forces the game engine to re-evaluate the state of nearby objects and can "wake up" the elevator script.
• The 24-Hour Wait: Exit the building lobby entirely, walk a block away, and use the "Skip Time" feature to wait for 24 hours. Return to the lobby to see if the quest marker has updated.
• Check Active Quest Tracking: Ensure that "Off the Leash" is your currently tracked quest. Sometimes, having a different quest active can cause the elevator in Dark Matter to remain in its "default" (locked) state.
• Verify NPC Location: If Kerry is not yet at the club, the elevator may not open. Check your map to ensure his icon is actually located at the Dark Matter lounge before you attempt to enter.

In rare cases, players using older versions of the game (pre-2.0) may experience persistent issues. Ensuring your game is updated to the latest version (2.1 or higher) is a significant step toward resolving these technical hurdles.

What Awaits You Inside the Dark Matter Club?

Once you successfully navigate the elevator, the club offers a unique experience unlike the grittier bars found in Watson or Santo Domingo. The atmosphere is one of quiet, expensive luxury. You will find corporate executives, famous musicians, and socialites mingling in the lounge.

The primary reason for your visit is to meet Kerry Eurodyne on the outdoor balcony. This conversation is a pivotal moment in his character arc, where he discusses his feelings about his fame and his relationship with the late Johnny Silverhand. The balcony itself offers a top-tier vantage point for Photo Mode enthusiasts, providing a panoramic view of the Japantown neon lights and the distant corporate towers of City Center.

"Dark Matter isn't just a club; it's a statement of power. In Night City, the higher you are above the ground, the more you matter." — In-game lore description.

How to Find the Premium Joytoys in Dark Matter

One of the most sought-after features of Dark Matter is the presence of two "premium" Joytoys. Unlike the standard Joytoys found on Jig-Jig Street, these NPCs offer a more exclusive experience and are widely regarded as having higher-quality character models and unique animations. However, they are not available immediately.

To access the premium Joytoys, you must first complete the conversation with Kerry on the balcony. Once the quest objective updates or the quest is completed, you can find the Joytoys (one male, one female) located in the lounge area. They are marked with the standard white "lips" icon on the mini-map. Be prepared to pay a premium price: while a standard interaction on Jig-Jig Street costs 100 Eddies, the services at Dark Matter will set you back 3,000 Eddies . This pricing reflects the club's elite status and was a point of discussion in the CD Projekt Red forums following the 1.5 and 2.0 updates.

Can You Return to Dark Matter After the Quest Ends?

A common point of confusion is whether Dark Matter remains open after the "Off the Leash" quest is finished. In the vanilla version of the game (Update 2.1), the elevator often relocks once the Kerry Eurodyne questline is fully concluded. This makes Dark Matter a "semi-missable" location for those who want to visit it repeatedly.

For players on PC, the modding community has provided a solution. The "Dark Matter Club (with Apartment)" mod , available on Nexus Mods , allows players to maintain permanent access to the club. Some mods even go as far as turning the lounge into a functional player apartment, complete with a wardrobe and stash access. If you are playing on a console (PS5 or Xbox Series X), your best bet is to make a manual save while inside the club so you can return to that moment whenever you wish to enjoy the view.

Comparison of Night City Nightclubs

Dark Matter stands out among the various social hubs in Night City. The following table compares it to other notable clubs to help you understand its unique position in the game's world.

Club Name	Location	Access Requirement	Unique Feature
Dark Matter	Japantown	"Off the Leash" Quest	Premium Joytoys & Balcony View
Afterlife	Little China	Story Progress	Mercenary Hub / Unique Cocktails
Riot	Little China	None / Side Quests	Live Music & Dance Floor
Totentanz	Northside	"Second Conflict"	Maelstrom Lore & Industrial Music
Lizzie's Bar	Kabuki	Early Main Quest	Braindance Tech & Mox Lore

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sneak into Dark Matter early using a double jump?

No, sneaking into Dark Matter early is not possible through standard gameplay. The club is located at the top of a skyscraper that is far beyond the reach of the Reinforced Tendons (double jump) or Fortified Ankles (charge jump). Furthermore, the interior of the club is a separate "cell" in the game engine, meaning it only loads once you interact with the elevator during the specific quest trigger.

Is Dark Matter part of the Phantom Liberty DLC?

Dark Matter is part of the base Cyberpunk 2077 game and is not exclusive to the Phantom Liberty expansion. However, the 2.0 and 2.1 updates, which were released alongside the DLC, introduced several changes to the Japantown area and fixed many of the elevator bugs that previously plagued the club's entrance.

Why can't I see the Joytoys in Dark Matter even after entering?

The premium Joytoys only spawn after you have progressed the "Off the Leash" quest to a certain point. Specifically, you must finish the dialogue with Kerry Eurodyne on the balcony. If you leave the club immediately after the conversation, you might miss them. Try walking back into the main lounge area after Kerry leaves to see if the icons appear on your mini-map.

How many Eddies do I need to fully experience Dark Matter?

To interact with the premium services in Dark Matter, you should have at least 3,000 Eddies. Unlike other bars where drinks are relatively cheap, the "premium" nature of this club is reflected in the high cost of its exclusive interactions. It is one of the most expensive social interactions in the game outside of purchasing high-end vehicles or apartments.

Is there a fast travel point directly inside Dark Matter?

There is no fast travel point inside the club itself. The closest point is Japantown West. You must always enter through the ground-floor lobby and take the elevator up. This adds to the "exclusive" feel of the location, as it requires a deliberate effort to reach the lounge.