Rocking Chair
Rocking Chair is a famous bar in Japan that attracts bar lovers from around the world.
Its reputation is such that people say, “If a bar like this exists, what should the other bars do?”
Bartender Tsubokura-san holds the title of world’s best, having won the “World Cocktail Championship” held in Tokyo in 2016.
The bar resides in a renovated 100-year-old machiya townhouse, and its vintage flavor somehow exudes a unique aura even before you even step inside.
ZAZAPUB
ZAZAPUB is a sports pub for those who want to spend a lively night in Kyoto with their friends. Since many foreigners gather here, you don’t need to worry about your Japanese language skills. There is also hookah and darts for your enjoyment.
Recommended for those who want to have a once-in-a-lifetime encounter in Kyoto!
Ki Bar Ki
A bar built in a townhouse whose owner is a foreigner.
Mr. Shahid is the owner. He is cheerful and fun, and of course speaks both Japanese and English.
The back bar is like a work of art with whiskey bottles hanging from the ceiling.
The hanging bottles, which are rarely seen these days, give off a retro atmosphere.
The at-home atmosphere often allows customers to become friends with each other.
Hello Dolly
Ed Sheeran once visited this Jazz bar, which has been located in Pontocho for about 50 years.
Records are played in the retro atmosphere.
On weekends and before holidays, you can enjoy authentic cocktails while listening to powerful live music performed by professional musicians.
From the lounge seats, you can see the Kamo River from the best location.
BEE’S KNEES
Voted one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, Bee’s Knees is a bar with a bookstore sign at the entrance.
The entrance is labeled “book store,” so at first you may wonder if you are really in the right place.
The bar offers a wide variety of stylish cocktails that will delight your eyes as well.
untitled [bar] at BnA Alter Museum
A bar attached to an art hotel that opened in 2019 which is stylish and minimalist in design with lots of art scattered throughout. The staff are all bilingual and there are usually many foreign customers. There are frequent DJ events on weekends, recommended for those who want to have a good time with friends.
Spring Valley Brewery Kyoto
Spring Valley Brewery Kyoto is a bar where you can drink craft beer.
The entrance has a Japanese atmosphere typical of Kyoto, but the interior is stylish and fashionable.
We recommend the Pairing Set, which includes 6 kinds of snacks to go with 6 kinds of beers.
It may be hard to decide which to taste first, but enjoy your encounter with Kyoto’s craft beers and snacks.
Calvador
Calvados, a brandy made from apples in Normandy, France, is also available at this bar.
Owner-bartender Hiroyuki Takayama is the only Asian ambassador among 16 ambassadors (as of 2014) certified by the Interprofession des Appellations Cidricoles, a French government agency!
Whether you are a Calvados novice or a lover, you will enjoy the aroma and flavor.
With a lineup of nearly 300 different types of Calvados, you will be greeted by a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere.
BAR TALISKER
This bar opened in 2016 after relocating from Tokyo.
The owner and bartender is Mr. Uchida, who is famous for his many admirers, having also nurtured numerous successors. The audio system is good, so we recommend coming early in the day when it is not as crowded in that regard. His speaker system is a JBL 4344, and his record collection is also impressive.
This is an authentic bar that you will want to return to again and again.
Bar K6
A famous long-established bar in Kyoto, located next to The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto. The short cocktails using seasonal fruits and highballs made with highly carbonated local soda water are excellent. The number of bartenders is large, and you can ask them many questions about their drinks if you don’t know where to start. The food as well as the drinks are of a high level, and the Ohara egg sandwiches are popular for their fluffy and delicious flavor.
