Drinking & Nightlife - Kyoto - page 74

HOTEL BARS
Some of the best bars in Kyoto are inside hotels. These are usually very easy to enter and you will have no com-
munication problems. Here are our favourites:
» Orizzonte (Kyoto Hotel Ōkura; CLICK HERE ) This is a restaurant by day, lounge by night (usually from 8.30pm
to 11pm). The view over Kyoto here is stunning.
» Tōzan Bar (Hyatt Regency Kyoto; CLICK HERE ) We love this cosy and cool underground retreat below one of
Kyoto's best hotels. It's worth going just to marvel at the design.
DRINKING & NIGHTLIFE BY NEIGHBOURHOOD
» Southern Higashiyama ( CLICK HERE ) A mix of high-end (hard to enter) traditional
spots, hostess bars and approachable nightspots.
» Downtown Kyoto ( CLICK HERE ) Home to plebeian and raucous Kiyamachi and refined
and traditional Pontochō.
» Kyoto Station Area ( CLICK HERE ) Not much of a nightlife destination, but plenty of bars
and izakaya about if you need them.
NEED TO KNOW
Opening Hours
» Izakaya Around 6pm to midnight
» Bars and clubs Around 7pm to 2am or later
» Karaoke boxes Afternoon to midnight or later
Get the Scoop
» Kansai Scene ( www.kansaiscene.com ) This magazine has listings of foreigner-friendly bars
as well as detailed event listings. It's available at major bookshops and foreigner-friendly businesses. See the
website for places where you can grab a copy.
» Deep Kyoto ( www.deepkyoto.com ) This website has listings on little-known Kyoto bars, cafes
and restaurants, as well as some event information.