Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DRINKING & NIGHTLIFE
| BAR
MCLOUGHLIN'S IRISH BAR & RESTAURANT
OFFLINE MAP
(
マクラクランズ
アイリッシュバー
&
レストラン
; 212-6339; 8F The Empire Bldg, Kiyama-
chi, Sanjō-agaru, Nakagyō-ku; 6pm-1am, closed Tue; ; 5min walk from Kyoto-Shiyakusho-mae Station,
Tōzai subway line)
This is our favourite expat bar in town. It has ripping views over the Hi-
gashiyama mountains, great craft beers on tap, good food and a nice, open feeling. It also
hosts some excellent music events and is an ideal spot to meet some local folks, both expat
and Japanese. There is wi-fi internet access in case you want to do some surfing while
drinking your beer.
| BAR
SAMA SAMA
OFFLINE MAP
(
サマサマ
; 241-4100; 532 Kamiō-saka-chō, Sanjō-agaru, Kiyamachi, Nakagyō -ku; 6pm-2am, to 4am Fri
& Sat, closed Tue; 5min walk from Kawaramachi Station, Hankyū line)
This place seems like a very com-
fortable cave somewhere near the Mediterranean. Scoot up to the counter or make yourself
at home on the cushions on the floor and enjoy a wide variety of drinks, some of them from
Indonesia (like the owner). It's down an alley just north of Sanjō; the alley has a sign for
Sukiyaki Komai Tei.
ING
OFFLINE MAP
(
イング
; 255-5087; Nishikiyamachi-dōri, Takoyakushi agaru, Nakagyō-ku; 6pm-2am Mon-Thu, to 5am Fri-
Sun; 5min walk from Kawaramachi Station, Hankyū line)
This
izakaya
- cum-bar on Kiyamachi is one
of our favourite spots for a drink in Kyoto. It offers cheap bar snacks (¥250 to ¥700) and
drinks (from ¥500), good music, and friendly staff. It's in the Royal building on the 2nd
floor; you'll know you're getting close when you see all the hostesses out trawling for cus-
tomers on the streets nearby.
| BAR, IZAKAYA
YORAMU
OFFLINE MAP
(
ヨラム
; 213-1512; 2F Ōtō Bldg, Nijō-dōri, Nakagyō-ku; 6pm-midnight Wed-Sat; 10min walk from
Karasuma-Oike Station, Karasuma & Tōzai subway lines)
Named for Yoramu, the Israeli sake expert who
runs it, this place is highly recommended for anyone who wants an education in sake (sake
tasting sets cost from ¥1200). It's very small and can only accommodate a handful of
people. By day, it's a soba restaurant.
| BAR
