Best Bars and Cocktail Bars in Kyoto: Top 8 Places

Kyoto is not only famous for its historical landmarks and temples, but also for its sophisticated cocktail bar scene. From high-end mixology spots to hidden speakeasies that offer unique drinking experiences, each bar blends traditional Japanese hospitality with modern cocktail culture, serving innovative drinks crafted by some of Asia’s best bartenders.

From sleek rooftops to cozy hideaways, Kyoto’s bar scene has something for everyone. Here are eight standout spots where craftsmanship and creativity meet, with their Google rating:

1. The Roots of all evil (4.7) — Botanical cocktails with earthy twists. 

2. APOTHECA (4.8) — Apothecary-style bar serving herb-infused drinks.

3. Scotch & Branch (4.9) — Whiskey lovers’ haven with creative, elegant sours.

4. K36 The Bar & Rooftop — Rooftop cocktails with stunning Kyoto sunsets.

5. Bee’s Knees (4.3) — Award-winning speakeasy with Prohibition vibes.

6. Bar K6 (4.4) — Upscale whisky bar boasting 1,200+ rare bottles.

7. Bar Rocking Chair (4.5) — Where bartenders craft drinks to your taste.

8. Cave De K — Chic bar pairing cocktails with wine, cheese, and desserts.

Whether you’re looking for a quiet corner to enjoy a carefully mixed cocktail or a resplendent rooftop venue with sweeping views of Japan’s ancient capital, this guide highlights the best spots to unwind after a day of sightseeing.

Now, let’s dive deeper into each of them. This list also includes some of the best bars in Kyoto for foreigners, with a number of establishments offering menus in English or bartenders with some fluency in English.

Feast your eyes on the Botanical Garden cocktail, which looks more like a miniature terrarium than a drink. Blending premium spirits with fresh herbs and florals, it delivers an extravagant earthiness that’s refreshing without being overly sweet. As Shizuka herself once said, “It’s too beautiful to drink!” 

For something with a little spice, try  “The Root.” It’s a mix of burdock-infused gin, ginger ale,  herbs, and cucumber slices, creating a complex, fiery flavor. Pair your chic cocktails with their cheese platter and make more mouthwatering memories in the hidden gem on the B1 level of the Kyoto Tower Building.

Styled after an old-fashioned apothecary — complete with vintage drawers once used by medicine peddlers of past centuries — APOTHECA invites you into a contemporary cocktail haven of unique concoctions and herb-infused spirits. 

Order the Penicillin and you’ll literally inject your cocktail with a dash of peated whiskey that has been exposed to peat fires, enhancing its naturally smoky profile.  

For a drink that embraces smoke even more, try the 3023. First served in a traditional square wooden drinking cup (masu), it’s then poured into a covered glass filled with smoke, which lets you decide just how smoky your sip will be.

This intimate, whiskey-focused cocktail bar is named after the Scottish name for a “whiskey and water,” with “branch” once being a charming local term for water. In fact, this branch of water was once drawn directly from the stream from which the distillery would eventually be built.

Sample the finest whiskey-based cocktails in their purest form with their classic Scotch and Branch Cocktail, elevated with a branded ice cube, small branches, and a secret ingredient the bartenders won’t reveal.

Feeling adventurous? The Tipsy Tea Party combines the elegance of afternoon tea with all the lavish flavors of your cocktail sours.

Walk — or perhaps merrily skip, by this point — to The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu in the Higashiyama District and you’ll discover K36 The Bar & Rooftop.  

Even before tasting a cocktail, you’ll be mesmerized by the panoramic views of Kyoto — even more breathtaking at sunset, when the skyline begins to twinkle with lights.

Named after the hotel itself, the Seiryu isn’t afraid to fight for your attention, blending rum, elderflower liqueur, pineapple juice, blue curacao, and rosemary into an eye-catching concoction.

Prefer something classic? Try Seiryu’s Old Fashioned, a strong yet stylish twist on a timeless beverage.

Aptly named Bee’s Knees after the Prohibition-era cocktail, this Kyoto hideaway bar had also earned its place on Asia's 50 Best Bars list, ranking 21st in 2020 and 75th (on the extended 51-100 list) in 2024.

Inspired by New York’s speakeasies, the bar pairs 90s hip-hop vibes and cozy, 90s glamor. Start with the namesake Bee’s Knees — a refreshing concoction of gin, fresh lemon juice, and honey — or dive deeper into their innovative menu.

K6 is everything you’d want in an upscale whisky bar, boasting over 1,200 bottles, including 600 single malts –  some extremely rare. While approachable whisky-based cocktails are available, this is the go-to place for connoisseurs seeking personal new favorites.

Alongside Scottish whisky, K6 also serves unique and interesting regional dishes, like their innovative haggis pizza.

Find out more: A Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Whisky

As the name suggests, Bar Rocking Chair is a warm, wood-paneled hideaway complete with a few actual rocking chairs. Tucked into the backstreets of downtown Kyoto. The team behind the bar waits to welcome you in white shirts and waistcoats. The place truly exudes quiet sophistication.

Instead of ordering from the menu, chat with the bartenders about your preferences and watch as they craft a bespoke cocktail tailored to you. Pair your drink with bar snacks like tangy pickles and cured meats.

With room for 30 guests – but only four rocking chairs — you'll want to get there early to claim one of the prized seats.

Located near the glamorous Ritz-Carlton, Cave De K is known for its collection of European wines, cheese, and desserts.

Indulge in luxurious Iberico ham while exploring their cocktail and spirits menu, or head upstairs if whisky is more your style. As you take a seat, it’s easy to see why Cave De K is considered one of Kyoto's finest bars.

Find out more: NIKKA WHISKY: The Untold Origin of Japanese Whisky

This tasting adventure takes you to three of Kyoto’s most esteemed producers. Start with a soy sauce and miso tasting at Sawai Shoyu Honten and Honda Miso Honten — the latter having supplied miso to the Imperial Palace.

Next, visit Kotaro no Su (vinegar shop)  to taste and create your own ponzu sauce, even having it bottled to take home as a souvenir. 

Finally, head to The Corner Bar for three signature cocktails crafted with local soy sauce, miso, and ponzu. Bottoms up!

For a taste of the finest things in Kyoto, experience the best wagyu, Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants and our guide to the best things to do in Kyoto. For a few more of the best bars and cocktail bars in Kyoto, try our Kyoto bar-hopping tours.

Heading to Tokyo next? Sip your way through our guide to the best cocktail bars in Tokyo.