Hi,I’m Keiko from Osaka!
Kyoto has a chic and traditional atmosphere,it’s the great place to start an evening.
There are a lot of good bars and clubs to go to.
It would be a great experience for you to visit very unique traditional kyoto bar.
I’m happy to share with you the Top 5 best bars in Kyoto!
Local tells Top 5 best bars in Kyoto!Go out for drinks at night!
1.L’Escamoteur Bar/レスカモトゥールバー
This one of a kind bar is on the 2nd floor in a very quiet area along the river in Kyoto.From the moment you step into the entrance,it’s like a magical world.
The name L’Escamoteur means magician in french.
As it’s name suggest,the owner is French magician and there is something special magic in his cocktails.
For example,the absinthe,one of the most popular cocktail is lit on fire when served,and the smoky old fashioned really gets smoked.
It’s really fun to see his magical cocktails.
L’Escamoteur Bar is a must-go bar while you’re in Kyoto.
Here is a video of L’EscaMoteur Bar.
Address:2F 138-9 Saisekidori, Shijosagaru, Saitocho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
Location: 5 minutes from Hankyu Kawaramachi station
Phone:075-708-8511
Open Hour:20:00～2:00
Closed:Monday
Price:2,000〜3,000yen
Map
2.Bar Rocking chair/ロッキングチェア
Bar Rocking chair is a renovated machiya(town house) style small bar which was established in 2009.The bartender,Mr.Tsubokura won the World Bartender of the Year 2016 at the World Cocktail Championships held in Tokyo.
There is no menus so they ask the type and flavor of drink you want and customize a drink to your tastes.
You can also ask Mr.Tsuboi’s award winning cocktails if you want.
The drinks taste amazing!
The staff are very attentive and friendly and they can speak English a little.
If you want to have the world’s winning best cocktails in the quiet atmosphere,this is the place to go.
Address:434-2 Tachibana-cho, Gokomachi-dori Bukkoji-sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
Location: 5 minutes from Keihan-line Gion-shijo station,5 minutes from Hankyu Kawaramachi station
Phone:075-496-8679
Open Hour:17：00～2：00
Closed:Tuesday
Price:3,000〜4,000yen
Table charge:500 yen
Map
3.FINLANDIA BAR/フィンランディア・バー
FINLANDIA BAR is a former geisha house in Gion which was established in 1982.It’s a bar named after a vodka from Finland.
There is no menu,so you can ask the bartender what you want to drink.
He will make a cocktail suited to your specific taste.
The staff can speak English only a little, but they do their best to keep your conversations interesting.
There is not so many food options, but they offer a very unique dishes including Reindeer salami and Reindeer sausage.
It is very quiet bar, and there is no music to interrupt your conversations.
Go here if you want to escape the loud music of other bars and clubs.
Address:570-123 Gion-machi,Minamigawa,Higashiyama-ku,Kyoto
Location: 5 minutes from Keihan line Gion-Shijo station
Phone:075-541-3482
Open Hour: Mon-Sun,18:00～3:00
Closed:-
Admission:500 yen, drinks around 900 yen
Price:3,000〜4,000yen
Table Charge:500yen
Map
Next,let’s go to the hidden bar in Kyoto!
4.Bar K-ya/バーK家
Bar K-ya is Kyoto town house style bar with traditional Japanese atmosphere.When you go into the entrance, you’ll see the stone pavement to the door.
They offer a wide variety of drinks including cocktails,wine and rare whiskies.
The popular items are seasonable cocktails.
You can enjoy water melon,kumquat and tomato cocktails in summer,and strawberry cocktail in winter time.
Of course they will customize the original cocktail based on your preference.
It’s a bit slow to serve but the taste of the cocktails are just perfect.
There are two branches of bar K-ya, one is K-ya Honkan(main) and the other is K-ya bekkan(Bekkan)
1.Bar K-ya Honkan(Main)
Address:103 Yaoyacho, Gokomachi Nishi-iru, Rokkaku-dori, Nakagyo-ku,KyotoLocation:10 minutes from Hankyu Kawaramachi station,10 minutes from Keihan-line Sanjo station
Phone:075-241-0489
Open Hour:Sun, Mon, Wed, Thu 18:00〜2:00,Fri-Sat 18:00〜3:00
Closed:Tuesday
Table charge:500 yen
Price:3,000〜4,000yen
Map
2.Bar K-ya Bekkan(Annex)
Address:297 Shimohakusancho, Sanjo Agaru, Fuyacho, Nakagyo-ku, KyotoLocation:5 minutes from Subway Tozai-line Shiyakusho-mae Station
Phone:075-255-5244
Open Hour:18:00〜2:00
Closed:Wednesday
Table charge:500 yen
Price:3,000〜4,000yen
Map
5.Gion Samboa/サンボア 祇園
Gion Samboa is an old classic bar which was established in 1918.
It’s a very quiet bar with nostalgic atmosphere.
They offer a wide variety of drinks including cocktails, Japanese sake highball(whiskey and soda).
You can select from their list of more than 500 imported and domestic whiskies.
They don’t have menus so you can look at the battles lining up along the wall, and order what you want to drink.
It’s the best place to visit if you like whiskies.
Address: 570-186 Minamigawa Gion-machi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Location:8 minutes from Hankyu Kawaramachi station,5 minutes from Keihan-line Gion-Shijo station
Phone:075-541-7509
Open Hour:Tue-Sat 18:00～1:00,Sun,Public holiday 18:00〜24:00
Closed:Monday
Table charge:500 yen
Price:2,000〜3,000yen
Map
I hope you have a great time at a bar in Kyoto!
Click here for related information:
Local tells Top 5 best bars in Osaka!Enjoy the Nightlife with locals!
Local tells 5 Things to Do in Gion,Kyoto at night!
Local tells Top 5 best restaurants in Gion,Kyoto!The Ultimate Dining Experience
Related posts(Including ads)
It’s a very quiet bar with nostalgic atmosphere.
They offer a wide variety of drinks including cocktails, Japanese sake highball(whiskey and soda).
You can select from their list of more than 500 imported and domestic whiskies.
They don’t have menus so you can look at the battles lining up along the wall, and order what you want to drink.
It’s the best place to visit if you like whiskies.
Address: 570-186 Minamigawa Gion-machi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Location:8 minutes from Hankyu Kawaramachi station,5 minutes from Keihan-line Gion-Shijo station
Phone:075-541-7509
Open Hour:Tue-Sat 18:00～1:00,Sun,Public holiday 18:00〜24:00
Closed:Monday
Table charge:500 yen
Price:2,000〜3,000yen
Map
Summary
Top 5 best bars in Kyoto
- L’Escamoteur Bar・・・A Magical bar with tricks and other surprises
- Bar Rocking chair・・・You can enjoy award winning cocktails
- FINLANDIA BAR・・・A Finnish-themed bar
- Bar K-ya・・・You can enjoy seasonable cocktails
- Gion Samboa・・・The best place to visit if you like whiskies
I hope you have a great time at a bar in Kyoto!
For your information
If you’re looking for unique activities and experiences in Kyoto,you can find them here:
There are also a variety of unique food tours in Kyoto.
If you are a foodie looking for a nice hang-out plan out in the city with the locals, these tours will truly delight you!
Kyoto Night Foodie Tour:
If you want to explore the back-streets of Gion and Ponto-cho, Try Kyoto Bar Hopping Food Tour with MagicalTrip.
They will help you navigate through hidden izakaya bars in the backstreets that hard to find and enjoy various types of Kyoto local food and drinks!
Kyoto Bar Hopping Night Tour:
There are also a variety of unique food tours in Kyoto.
If you are a foodie looking for a nice hang-out plan out in the city with the locals, these tours will truly delight you!
Kyoto Night Foodie Tour:
If you want to explore the back-streets of Gion and Ponto-cho, Try Kyoto Bar Hopping Food Tour with MagicalTrip.
They will help you navigate through hidden izakaya bars in the backstreets that hard to find and enjoy various types of Kyoto local food and drinks!
Kyoto Bar Hopping Night Tour:
Click here for related information:
Local tells Top 5 best bars in Osaka!Enjoy the Nightlife with locals!
Local tells 5 Things to Do in Gion,Kyoto at night!
Local tells Top 5 best restaurants in Gion,Kyoto!The Ultimate Dining Experience
