Ancient Capital, Modern Cocktails: 5 Best Cocktail Bars in Kyoto 2024

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

Whether you’re looking for a quiet spot to enjoy a carefully crafted cocktail or a resplendent rooftop venue with sweeping views of Japan’s ancient capital, this guide helps you find the best spots to unwind and enjoy a drink after a day of sightseeing.

Feast your eyes on their Botanical Garden cocktail, looking more like a nature-filled terrarium than the tantalizing cocktail it truly is. Blending premium spirits with fresh herbs and florals, you can expect an extravagant earthiness that creates a drink that’s more refreshing than it is overly sweet. In the words of Shizuka herself, “It’s too beautiful to drink!” 

If you like you cocktails with a little spice, ask for the titular, “The Root.” It’s a mix of burdock-infused gin, ginger ale and a few extra herbs and cucumber slices to create an altogether complex, fiery flavor combination. 

Pair your chic cocktails with their cheese platter and make more mouthwatering memories in the hidden gem that is the B1F level of the Kyoto Tower Building.

With the unique concept of the old-fashioned apothecary — complete with the vintage drawers that a medicine peddler of past centuries may have used — APOTHECA welcomes you into a contemporary cocktail bar of unique concoctions and herb-infused spirits. 

Opt for the Penicillin and you’ll have the pleasure of injecting your cocktail (literally) with a dash of peated whiskey. This means you can enhance its flavors with a whiskey that has been exposed to peat fires, giving it a naturally smoky flavor profile.  

For a cocktail that wears its smoky nature on its sleeve, ask for the 3023, walking the line between traditional and a taste of the future. First enjoyed in the traditional square drinking cup (known as a masu) before being poured into a covered glass filled with smoke, you can decide exactly how much of that signature smokiness you want to enjoy. 

This intimate whiskey-focused cocktail bar is named after the Scottish name for a classic cocktail: whiskey and water, with “branch” being a charming local term for water. In fact, this branch water used to come directly from the stream that the distillery would be built on.

Of course, you can experience the finest whiskey-based cocktails in their purest form with their Scotch and Branch Cocktail, elevating the classic cocktail with a branded ice cube, small branches and a secret ingredient even we couldn’t pry out of them. 

For those feeling a bit more adventurous and a lot more fancy, the Tipsy Tea Party has all the elegance of afternoon tea with all the lavish flavors of your favorite cocktail sours.

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

Before you even get to the innovative cocktails on display here, you can’t help but be mesmerized by the panoramic views of Kyoto — a sight that is perhaps even more breathtaking as the sun begins to set, and 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 to craft an eye-catching concoction.

Over on the classic side of the spectrum, Seiryu’s Old Fashioned provides a stronger beverage with equally picturesque presentation; you’ll be getting everything you love about this beloved beverage, paired with a few Seiryu twists.

Aptly named Bee’s Knees after the slang for something being the best — though actually named of the Prohibition-era cocktail of the same name — this Kyoto hideaway bar is well known on Asia's 50 Best Bars list, being ranked 21st in 2020 and still making the list with a space at #75 in 2024’s rankings.  

Based on the American Prohibition-era speakeasy bars of New York, you’ll soon be surrounded by 90s hip hop and a cozy, yet glamorous space. You’ll want to sip on the namesake Bee’s Knees, a concoction of gin, fresh lemon juice and and honey, but there’s so much more to be discovered.

This tasting adventure will take you to three of Kyoto’s most esteemed places for production. First, join a soy sauce and miso tasting at Sawai Shoyu Brewery and Honda Miso Honten — the latter of which has supplied miso to the Imperial Palace.

Next, you’ll visit Kotaro Vinegar Shop, where you’ll get to taste and create your own ponzu sauce, even having it bottled to take home as a souvenir. 

Finally, what you’re here for… Head to The Corner Bar for three signature cocktails that are created using the local creations of 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.

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

Like anywhere, prices can vary wildly depending on the cocktail bar you’re drinking it. However, as these are some of the best bars in Kyoto, you can expect a slightly higher price tag for some drinks. 

Many cocktail bars in Kyoto cater to international clientele and have staff who can speak English. Even if they don’t speak English, and your Japanese language skills need some work, the menus are often in English and you can simply point to whichever concoction catches your eye first.

For handy Japanese phrases for drinking, check out our blog on Japanese drinking culture and vocabulary.

Some Kyoto cocktail bars may have a dress code, but the majority are pretty relaxed. However, so that you feel comfortable in this stylish settings, we’d recommend avoiding anything too casual, like sandals and shorts. 

Bonus for throwing a smart jacket over your t-shirt, guaranteeing that you’ll look extra fancy while sipping your cocktails.

It varies by cocktail bar, so we’d recommend checking each bar’s website ahead of visiting to double-check whether you need to reserve a space. Some bars require a reservation, while others don’t accept reservations at all, preferring to work on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Yes! In fact, some recommend small plates and platters alongside their cocktails to elevate the depth of the flavors within.

Definitely. Did you see the gorgeous views from the K36 The Bar & Rooftop above? Look out over the city of Kyoto while sipping on classic cocktails with a modern twist.