Best Bars in Kyoto
Wanting a relaxing night to relieve the tiredness of traveling? Then Kyoto offers both western bars and Izakaya – a kind of traditional Japanese bistros. You can spend a refreshing night with your friends with soothing music, cool drinks, and delicious snacks & dishes. Here are 5 best Bars in Kyoto.Read more: 5 Best Izakayas in Kyoto
5 Best Bars in Kyoto
1. Rocking Chair – Cocktail
Budget: 3,000 yen – 4,000 yenLocation: 434-2 Tachibanacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto
How to get there: Take Kyoto Subway’s Karasuma Line, get off at Shijo Station, and then walk for 10 minutes to get there.
Opening hours:
17:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. closed for every TuesdaySpecialty: cocktail
Must-taste: Cocktail “Best Scene”
For cocktail lovers, Bar Rocking Chair can never be missed as you can taste the top cocktail: Best Scene – the champion in the 2016 World Cocktail Championship. You can also tell your preference to waiters to order a cocktail drink exclusive to yourself. In addition, the bar sells whisky and beer, snack food, and desserts as well, like chocolate, tiramisu, and nuts.
2. Talisker
Budget: 4,000 yen – 5,000 yenLocation: 570-88 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
How to get there: Take Hankyu Railway, get off at Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, and then you can walk there in 10 minutes.
Opening hours:
Monday – Tuesday & Thursday – Saturday: 16:10 p.m. – 24:00 a.m. Sunday & holidays: 15:10 p.m. – 23:00 p.m. Closed for Wednesday
Must-taste: cocktail – Moscow Mule; Gin and Tonic
Bar Talisker had been popular in Tokyo’s Ginza for about 20 years and then moved to Kyoto. In the bar, you can also taste cocktail and all kinds of western spirits. Among them, 4 different tastes of Moscow Mule can’t be missed. In addition, this bar is featured by its quiet and graceful atmosphere created by soothing Jazz music.
3. Bar K6
Budget: 4,000 yen – 5, 000 yenLocation: Higashiikesucho, 481, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto
How to get there: Take Kyoto Subway’s Tozai Line, get off at Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station, and then walk for 4 minutes to get there.
Opening hours:
18:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. on Monday & from Wednesday to Sunday Closed on every TuesdayMust-taste: Champagne - Krug Grande Cuvee
Opened in 1994, Bar K6’s a variety of alcoholic drinks can satisfy your needs: red wine and white wine on the ground floor and whisky on the second floor. In addition, this bar also sells champagne, cocktails, and Martini. Their champagne Krug Grande Cuvee is top-rated for its multiple tastes created by the 13 champagne produced in different years, and you can smell the aroma of nuts and fruits. In addition, the bar’s products are featured by creativity. For example, you can taste Moscow Mule combined with chill.
4. L’Escamoteur
Budget: 3,000 yen – 4, 000 yenLocation: 138-9 Saitocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto
How to get there: Take Hankyu Railway, get off at Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, and walk for 3 minutes to get there.
Opening hours:
20:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. from Tuesday to Sunday Closed on every MondayMust-taste: Kyoto Garden
Just as its name suggests, L’Escamoteur is a bar themed by the magical and mysterious western world 100 years ago. There is a mysterious air filling in the bar, and this mainly comes from the distinctive decoration items and furniture style: the dim light, the old poster on the wall, the old-fashioned kerosene lamp, and the hanging bird cage. All of these make the bar more like a magician’s stage. Coming here, you can’t miss the bartending performance. The burning fire and thin white fog swift through bartenders’ fingers will make you feel like watching a magic show. While watching it, it’s better to feel the tipsy of the bar’s cocktail Kyoto Garden, which combines the sweetness of peach and Matcha’s freshness.
5. Bar Kingdom
Budget: 4,000 yen – 5, 000 yenLocation: 151 Sujiyacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto
How to get there: Take Kyoto Subway’s Karasuma Line, get off at Shijo Station, and walk for 8 minutes.
Opening hours:
20:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. from Tuesday to Sunday Closed on every MondaySpecialty: cocktail and Martini
Bar Kingdom is also a good choice to taste cocktail. It is well-rated by its cocktail made with seasonal fruits. In addition, you can drink Japanese, Irish, and Canadian whisky.