5 Best Bars in Osaka: Where to Drink & Bar-Hopping Tours

Osaka is known for being the loud, unapologetic counterpart to Tokyo, where the people are a little bit chattier and the nightlife follows suit. But that doesn't mean the city doesn't know how to tone things down for a refined cocktail or two.

Join us as we explore the best bars in Osaka, pouring a selection of bars ranging from cozy izakaya and stylish cocktail lounges to lively pubs and hidden speakeasies, each offering a unique atmosphere and selection of beverages. 

Craftroom is the very first cocktail bar in Osaka to take a spot on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, and for good reason. This intimate, six-seat cocktail bar may be unassuming at first glance — beginning with the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it entrance — but this bar is a haven for lovers of whiskey and cocktails.

As the creation of Fujii Ryu, a renowned bartender who made his name at Osaka’s Bar K, you can expect twists on classic cocktails, equally impressive non-alcoholic cocktails and ingredients that change with the seasons.

Along with bar snacks and gentle jazz, there’s another element worth visiting for: freshly baked pies. Earl Grey, pumpkin and whatever other flavors take Fujii’s fancy that week — you just found another excuse to visit Craftroom soon.

Speaking of Bar K, this luxuriously moody basement bar in Osaka’s lively Kita Shinchi district is where whiskey connoisseurs raise a glass to the peak of Japan-produced spirits. 

You won’t be drinking on an empty stomach, either, with Bar K offering a surprisingly robust food menu of pizza, sandwiches and omuraisu (omelet rice).

Once more, this bar only fits up to 16 drinkers, making for an intimate experience that may see you leaving with a few new friends (and a favorite new cocktail).

If your personal peak of refined relaxation means pairing your chosen cocktail with a rich cigar, Bar Hiramatsu in Umeda is the place for you.

Even if you don’t smoke, the bar is said to be welcoming for people of all kinds, from groups of friends to solo drinkers, offering concoctions for every occasion and taste. Fitting with the elegant vibes you may be picking up on, there is, of course, a vast selection of Japanese and imported whiskeys, but there’s so much more.

Sip on everything from martinis and champagne to eye-catching, fruity concoctions, served alongside tasty bar nibbles.

With its stylish, steampunk-esque aesthetics, you wouldn’t be the first to be drawn into Bar Juniper after glancing through the glass doors at the entrance. Warm woods, chrome pipes, velvet stools and walls lined with the finest spirits — how could you resist?

With their specialty in gin, you can sample your way through Japanese labels and well-known imports from around the world. Whatever you order, expect each drink to be elevated to new heights with seasonal infusions of yuzu or cherry blossom and sensational ice-carving skills.

Take a seat at the uniquely tiled bar counter of Bar Nayuta and prepare for a bespoke cocktail, crafted specifically for your tastes. Select your spirit of choice, or the kind of tipple you normally enjoy, and watch the expert bartenders bring your boutique beverage to life.

Just like its patrons, no two drinks are the same; each cocktail will be a blend of its own infusions, liqueurs and even a unique serving glass, suited to the vibe of your drink.

Hunting for hidden gems is fun and all, but why not let an expert guide show you around the best bars in Osaka instead?

Osaka is known for its laidback vibes and welcoming bars, and nowhere is this more evident than this bar-hopping tour through the city’s most vibrant spots and drinking alleys.

You’ll first stop off at an izakaya in Namba, indulging on Japanese bar foods with a few drinks before ducking into the backstreets for a few hidden gems. Then, cut through the neon-lit Dotonbori area for the electric atmosphere of Shinsaibashi and Amemura.

You can’t come to Osaka without getting a taste for takoyaki, the city’s most famous street food of octopus dumpling balls, followed by fresh sushi and a cup of sake.

Save space for the luxuries of wagyu beef because you’ll be grilling up slices of premium meat at a Japanese yakiniku restaurant and stopping into another local joint for a rich bowl of ramen.

You will not be leaving Osaka hungry, that’s for sure.

Here’s another option for an unforgettable evening spent drinking and eating your way through the city of Osaka. Naturally, you’ll stop for a quick selfie with the famous Glico man in Dotonbori, then you’ll take a walk over to Hozen-ji Temple, giving your bar-hopping tour a touch of history and culture.

Rub shoulders with the locals as you’re guided into the best izakaya bars, filling up on Osaka’s best street foods and spirit-filled concoctions.

Need more nightlife in Osaka? Explore Osaka’s bar alleys, see what else Dotonbori has for you and take a look through our full list of Osaka bar-hopping tours.

With so many things to do in Osaka, the city is used to welcoming English-speaking travelers from all over the world. So, even if you haven’t been practicing your Japanese language skills, the expert bartenders may still be able to converse in English or offer English menus.

Yes! We have so many bar-hopping tours in Osaka, led by English-speaking guides with local knowledge of the best cocktail bars, stylish speakeasys and relaxed izakaya bars in the backstreets.