Downtown Kyoto
Spread over two floors with an open-air downstairs bar, Bungalow serves a great range of Japanese craft beer along with natural wines in a cool industrial…
Must-see nightlife in Downtown Kyoto
Downtown Kyoto
Weekenders is a tiny coffee bar tucked away in a traditional-style building at the back of a parking lot in Downtown Kyoto. Sure, it's a strange location…
Downtown Kyoto
Tucked away in the quiet backstreets of Downtown Kyoto, this dimly lit, dark-wood cocktail bar is a good choice for an upscale drink (though at upscale…
Downtown Kyoto
Sama Sama is an Indonesian-owned bar that feels like a very comfortable cave somewhere near the Mediterranean. Grab a seat at the counter or make yourself…
Downtown Kyoto
Speakeasy-style cocktail bars have been popping up in Kyoto of late, and this one hits the mark with its 'secret entrance' (look for the subtle bee sign),…
Downtown Kyoto
The sign inside says 'Kyoto Loves Gin' and if you do too, you won't want to miss this quirky little bar. Owner Tomo infuses gin with interesting…
Downtown Kyoto
This is a slick Ponto-chō bar that welcomes foreigners and draws a fair smattering of Kyoto’s beautiful people, and wannabe beautiful people. In summer…
Downtown Kyoto
Named for Yoramu, the Israeli sake expert who runs Sake Bar Yoramu, this bar is highly recommended for anyone after an education in sake. It’s very small…
Downtown Kyoto
This intimate whiskey bar is a good place to go for a quiet drink when downtown. It can only seat a handful of guests around the small wooden counter. The…
Downtown Kyoto
This chain is a Kyoto institution and has branches across the city. Though slightly expensive, the old-Japan atmosphere makes it worth a try, especially…
Downtown Kyoto
Looking out on scenic Kiyamachi-dōri, Taigu (formerly Tadg's Gastro Pub) is a good spot for an evening drink. Choose from an extensive selection of craft…
Downtown Kyoto
On a pretty stretch of canal on scenic Kiyamachi-dōri, Kiln's big windows frame the view and make it the perfect spot to stare lazily while waiting for…
Downtown Kyoto
The modern tearoom here is a great place for a break in a quiet spot in Downtown Kyoto. You can enjoy a nice cup of matcha served with a delicious Kyoto…
Downtown Kyoto
Overlooking one of the prettiest stretches of Kiyamachi-dōri, this upscale modern Japanese bar has a great selection of single malts and some of the best…
Downtown Kyoto
A casual tearoom attached to the Ippōdō Tea store, Kaboku serves a range of teas and provides a great break while exploring the shops in the area. Try the…
Downtown Kyoto
World is Kyoto’s largest club and it naturally hosts some of the biggest events. It has two floors, a dance floor and lockers where you can leave your…
Downtown Kyoto
This izakaya-cum-bar on Kiyamachi-dōri is a great choice for a drink in Kyoto and attracts a mix of locals and foreigners. It offers cheap bar snacks (…
Downtown Kyoto
If you're in need of a coffee break while boutique shopping downtown, stop in at this small cafe that does excellent single-origin brew from locally…
Downtown Kyoto
This is the only Korean teahouse we’ve ever seen in Japan. It’s a good place to go when you need a change from the creeping monoculture of coffee chain…
Downtown Kyoto
This is a raucous student izakaya (Japanese pub-eatery) with a log-cabin interior located in the Kiyamachi area. There’s a big menu to choose from and…
Downtown Kyoto
If you prefer your clubs on the smaller scale, Butterfly's a good choice. It's on the quiet side during the week but on weekends it gets jumping with a…
Downtown Kyoto
This fruit-juice specialist in Nishiki Market whips up all the usual favourites plus some exotics, such as dragonfruit juice. Look for the fruit on…
Downtown Kyoto
At the northern end of Kiyamachi-dōri, this little reggae bar is a decent place for a drink on weekdays, but on Friday and Saturday nights you’ll have no…
