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Kyoto Nightlife
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Nightlife in Kyoto

Reviews and photos of Kyoto bars and nightclubs posted by real travelers and Kyoto locals.
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Kyoto NightlifeTips 11 - 20 of 69  
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Kiyamachi area of central Kyoto: Nicer cocktail bars for girls or couples
  • Tip Rating:
    • j-san
  • Updated By j-san on February 19, 2003
  • Kyoto Page by j-san
    • HATCH - Kyoto
    HATCH
    by j-san
    The information on the web about Kyoto nightlife in English, is geared toward foreigner bars and expensive clubs that have had the money to pay for a translation. There are however dozens and dozens of gorgeous little bars open into the wee hours of the morning. Here is one example: HATCH - Surreal all white interior. In the afternoon it is a cafe, while in the evening the food service begins and the cocktails start to flow. Enjoy the lights of the city, in a gorgeous bright open atmosphere. Open all year round til 4AM.

    Most of the bars you would dress neatly for. As the Japanese usually dress well. Shorts are pretty much unseen.

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  • Theme: Nightclub
  • Address: Maps in ENGLISH for all bars
  • Directions: http://www.geocities.com/jitkasan1/cocktail_bars.html
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

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    Sarasa - Cento Cento - Soware - Ask a Giraffe....: Late night cafes in central Kyoto
  • Tip Rating:
    • j-san
  • Updated By j-san on February 19, 2003
  • Kyoto Page by j-san
    • Sarasa - Kyoto
    Sarasa
    by j-san
    Unless you know someone who knows it, you will never find it.... An example here is Sarasa, as it is up a flight of stairs with no signs or any other indicators on the street. I passed my bicycle here hundreds of times, never knowing such a cool place existed! Friendly staff, huge servings of food and yummi lassi (!) in this spacious renovated old Kyoto tea-house. Many of the ingredients are organic even! And their menu is in English as well as Japanese. I have included this late night cafe along with 14+ more on my external webpage.

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  • Theme: Eating and Drinking
  • Directions: http://www.geocities.com/jitkasan1/cafes_late.html
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    "A" Bar: Great Place to meet locals
  • Tip Rating:
    • mortin21
  • By mortin21 on October 21, 2006
  • Kyoto Page by mortin21
    • Kyoto Nightlife
    by mortin21
    "A Bar" is a small bar in an area that has become a sea of bars. What makes it special, though, is the large tables invite everyone to sit and eat/drink together. Eventually you will find yourself in conversation with people from all over. The bar is really big with expats living in the area as well as locals who pop in for a cheap bite and beer.

  • Theme: Eating and Drinking
  • Address: Nis (west) Kiyamachi St, North from Sijyo St (2F)
  • Phone: 075-213-2129
  • Directions: Kiyamachi
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    very very popular on Saturdays with good reason: ING - A foreigner bar that isn't foreign
  • Tip Rating:
    • j-san
  • Updated By j-san on June 10, 2005
  • Kyoto Page by j-san
    • hanging out with friends at ING - Kyoto
    hanging out with friends at
    ING
    by j-san
    There are some well-known "foreigner" pubs in Kyoto, none of which I am too keen on. A little too much testosterone, bad service and bad music. This is a small cozy (although on Saturday nights VERY smoky!) pub. Hako-san and his wife are the friendliest owners who never forget a name or a favorite song. Yes, if you like rock classics, chances are it will be available to be played at your request. The beer is cheap at just around 500Yen for a large bottle. The food especially the salads and cheese-sticks (deepfried cheese!) are delicious considering the tiny cooking space out back. Another good thing is that as the night wears on and seating space becomes limited, you will be sharing tables with strangers who usually go on to become friends.

    casual casual

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  • Theme: Eating and Drinking
  • Address: Kyoto Royal Bldg 2F, Takoyakushi, Nishikiyamachi
  • Phone: 075-255-5087
  • Directions: On the West side of Kiyamachi street, just south of the Kebab shop. Look for the young japanese pimps hanging out front (NO CONNECTION!) and the black and white ING sign among all the others on the outer wall. It's on the second floor.
  • Website: http://www.kansaiscene.com/2004_01/html/drink.shtml
  • Other Contact: Open 7days, 6pm -til very late!!
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    A Bar: bar with nice atmosphere
  • Tip Rating:
  • By brass.buttons on July 6, 2005
  • Kyoto Page by brass.buttons
    • Yes, you couldn't find a more generic name. But, A bar is really a great place to relax. The walls are made of shiny logs covered in layers and layers of Japanese and English grafitti, and the tables are huge and wooden as well. The customers are about as diverse as the city gets--- salarymen on their way home, college students, foreigners, guys in ripped jeans and afros.... The unique thing about this bar is that you are given a seat at the large tables as you come in, so you end up surrounded by (if it's a crowded night, almost pressed up against) anyone who happens to be around. It's interesting, and it sometimes makes for fun conversation (although if you are just looking to talk to the people you came in with, that's alright too). I recommend this place to anyone who visits Kyoto, especially if you're looking to chat with new people. The drinks are relatively cheap (cocktails I think are 550 yen).

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  • Theme: Eating and Drinking
  • Address: A bit north of Shijo/Kiyamachi
  • Directions: Get on to Kiyamachi and head north, staying on the left hand side. When you pass the Imagium building, you will see a narrow street ahead of you. Walk down that, and it's on the 2nd floor on the left hand side about half a block down.
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    Bar Monte Bello: HipHop Shot Bar
  • Tip Rating:
    • hundertmorgen
  • By hundertmorgen on October 1, 2004
  • Kyoto Page by hundertmorgen
    • Bartender at Monte Bello - Kyoto
    Bartender at Monte Bello
    by hundertmorgen
    This was absolutely the place we found on our night experiences... no cover charge and drinks (also food) for 300 Yen each... and best HipHop music guaranteed!

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  • Theme: Eating and Drinking
  • Directions: a small street between Kiyamachi-dori and Kawaramachi-dori, 7th street north of Shijo-St.
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Maruyama Park: Celebrating the Cherry Blossom
  • Tip Rating:
    • Ines28
  • By Ines28 on July 30, 2005
  • Kyoto Page by Ines28
    • Cherry Tree - Kyoto
    Cherry Tree
    by Ines28
    Of course this is only possible during the cherry blossom time. It seemed that half of Kyoto's population gathered in the park on their reserved spaces, picknicking, drinking beer, singing and laughing. At the many stands you can buy snacks, drinks or souvenirs, then find yourself a nice place and watch the beautiful cherry trees and of course the local people enjoying themselves. There is one special willow-like cherry tree in the center of the park which is lit by spotlights, most people gather around this place.
    We had an especially nice experience. We sat down next to some women, and one of them asked us some questions (in japanese, of course!). When she had her answer, she turned to her friends and told them what we had said. Then they all looked at us, smiling. Though understanding very little, we had much fun, and they even offered us some really strange snack and a cup of hot shoju.

    No dress code

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  • Theme: People Watching
  • Address: Maruyama Park, eastern Kyoto
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    By the river banks: Beautifully Lighted Up in the Evening
  • Tip Rating:
    • bkoon
  • By bkoon on May 31, 2004
  • Kyoto Page by bkoon
    • Restaurant by the River - Kyoto
    Restaurant by the River
    by bkoon
    It is wonderful to walk in the evening when the lights are on. Restaurants are usually beautifully lighted up in the evening. Very beautiful at night too. I simply love the place.

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  • Theme: Other
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Gion Area: Narrow Streets of Gion
  • Tip Rating:
    • bkoon
  • By bkoon on May 31, 2004
  • Kyoto Page by bkoon
    • Narrow Streets - Kyoto
    Narrow Streets
    by bkoon
    The narrow streets of Gion is pretty interesting. My guess is that this is the red light district which I took a picture off. It is because I saw a lot of pimps trying to get people to patronise teir joint.

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  • Theme: Other
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Restaurant: Unique Architecture - Gion
  • Tip Rating:
    • bkoon
  • By bkoon on May 31, 2004
  • Kyoto Page by bkoon
    • Nice shopfront at Gion - Kyoto
    Nice shopfront at Gion
    by bkoon
    This is a restaurant and we thought its design was pretty unique. So, we decided to take a shot of it.

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  • Theme: Eating and Drinking
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
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