Kyoto Drinking Guide

Tokyo is great, but Kyoto is where the party’s at for experiencing Japan’s traditions and history. Voted the world’s #1 city a few times over the past several years, Kyoto is a no-brainer for any tourist looking for culture and craftsmanship. Nestled between the city’s 2000+ temples and shrines are some great bars! Have a quick drink between attractions or unwind after a long day of sightseeing. Today and tonight, we’re drinking in Kyoto.

Our first stop is just outside JR Kyoto Station. On the first floor of Hatoya Zuihokaku Hotel is Annie Hall Bar. It’s been in its current location since 2015, but before that, the bar operated in a different location since 1979. I suppose the original owners liked Woody Allen?

Annie Hall Bar

Annie Hall Bar is open from 12PM daily and it’s only a 3-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station, so the convenience can’t be beaten. With 600+ bottles of whisky–including many rare Japanese whiskies–and very friendly, knowledgeable bartenders, there are plenty of options for any drinker. On a rainy autumn night I decided like a Spring Feeling.

A single cask release of Sakurao Single Malt, for The Whisky Crew. Matured in a sherry hogshead for just under 4 years and bottled at 57% abv.

Annie Hall Bar

Location: Google Maps

Hours: 12PM – 2AM daily

Smoking: Yes

Budget: 3000-5000 yen pp

Official website

Kyoto’s subway network is drastically more simplistic than that of Tokyo. The Karasuma Line runs north to south, and the Tozai Line runs east to west. And… that’s it! There are a ton of bars and izakaya in the Kawaramachi district, or basically “downtown Kyoto.” To get to Kawaramachi, get off at Karasuma Line’s Shijo station (a mere two stops from Kyoto station) and head east. Kawaramachi sits on the banks of the mighty Kamo River, but instead of crossing the Shijo Bridge, there’s a cluster of bars and izakaya along either side of the Takase River that runs just parallel to the Kamo River. Hard to go wrong in this area. It’s where our next bar is.

Bee’s Knees

Bee’s Knees just opened in 2018, so while it’s still a new bar, it’s made quite a name for itself in a short time. It hit the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars back in 2020 and received the “Highest New Entry” award that year, debuting at #21. Like many other bars on Asia’s 50 Best or World’s 50 Best, Bee’s Knees has an international clientele that comes not just for good cocktails, but for a great presentation and lively atmosphere. This isn’t a sleepy whisky bar where you can discuss the finer points of lactic acid fermentation in wooden washbacks. It’s a full-fledged cocktail entertainment experience. Go early to ensure you can get in!

Bee’s Knees

Location: Google Maps

Hours: 6PM – 1AM Mon-Thu, 6PM-2AM Fri-Sat. Closed Sundays.

Smoking: No

Budget: 3000-5000 yen pp

Official website

If you’re looking for a more relaxed and traditional “Japanese” bar atmosphere to enjoy great spirits–especially rum!–Rum and Whisky is only 250 meters away.

Rum and Whisky

Owner-bartender Sadamoto-san is probably the most proactive person in rum in Japan. He opened Rum and Whisky in 2009 because there weren’t any other bars dedicated to rum at the time. Private bottles, standard bottles, old bottles, specific vintages, Caroni, Nine Leaves single casks, it’s all here. There are over 200 varieties of rum, many of which are sitting on the bar right in front of you. If you’re unfamiliar with rum, he’s happy to help point you in the right direction. And yes, there’s plenty of whisky too.

Rum and Whisky

Location: Google Maps

Hours: 7PM – 1AM Wed-Mon. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Smoking: Yes

Budget: 2000-4000 yen pp. 500 yen charge.

Facebook page

The Kyoto Distillery launched KI NO BI gin in 2016, right around the same time I launched this website. If the Chichibu Distillery kicked off Japan’s craft whisky movement, then the Kyoto Distillery definitely kicked off Japan’s craft gin movement. One thing that’s struck me about the Kyoto Distillery over the years is how they’ve focused entirely on gin and the KI NO BI brand. With Japanese whisky being as successful as it is, one would think Japan’s first craft gin brand would want to get into Japanese craft whisky. But no, they’re entirely about gin. I can respect that! And apparently, Pernod Ricard can too.

Visits to the Kyoto Distillery itself aren’t permitted. Even to members of the press. The closest we can get is The House of KI NO BI. Let’s check it out.

The House of KI NO BI

Opened in spring 2020, the House of KI NO BI is a multi-purpose facility with a bar, seminar space, educational area, members-only lounge (“Gin Palace”), and a shop. The bar’s focus is clearly KI NO BI gin and its various expressions. Tasting flights, limited editions, KI NO BI cocktails, and non-gin options are available. Be sure to try the “House” gin because it’s only available here. Take note that in terms of pricing, this is a regular bar. There are no free tastings or deeply discounted limited-edition samplings like you might have after a distillery tour. That said. Given KI NO BI’s premium pricing, cocktails that call for it typically cost more than they do here!

The House of KI NO BI

Location: Google Maps

Hours: 12PM – 9PM Wed, Thu, Sun. 12PM – 10PM Fri, Sat. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Smoking: No

Budget: 2000-4000 yen pp. 

Official website

Unlike Tokyo, Kyoto has its fair share of rooftop bars. To close things out, we’ll visit a relatively new spot overlooking the famed Kiyomizudera.

cicon by Nogha Hotel

Perched atop Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto is cicon, a rooftop bar and restaurant that opened in April 2022. The signature “Perfume of Rose” features rose liqueur, Hendrick’s, Rosehip Hibiscus infused Sherry, three kinds of fruit juice, and grenadine syrup. The hotel is about a 10-minute walk away from Kiyomizudera. Go see the temple up close, then take in views of it from cicon while you have some drinks on your way out.

cicon by Nogha Hotel

Location: Google Maps

Hours: 3PM – 12AM daily. Open when weather conditions permit. 

Smoking: No

Budget: 2000-4000 yen pp. 

Official website

Whiskey Richard

Hi there! I created and run nomunication.jp. I’ve lived in Tokyo since 2008, and I am a certified Shochu Kikisake-shi/Shochu Sommelier (焼酎唎酒師), Cocktail Professor (カクテル検定１級), and I hold Whisky Kentei Levels 3 and JW (ウイスキー検定３級・JW級). I also sit on the Executive Committees for the Tokyo Whisky & Spirits Competition and Japanese Whisky Day. Click here for more details about me and this site. Kampai!

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