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Though Kyoto's nightlife is more sedate than Osaka's, the areas around the old geisha quarters downtown thrive with nightclubs and bars. The Kiyamachi area along the small canal near Ponto-cho in central Kyoto is packed full of bars, restaurants, and a few dance clubs and is as close to a consolidated nightlife area as you'll ge
Though Kyoto's nightlife is more sedate than Osaka's, the areas around the old geisha quarters downtown thrive with nightclubs and bars. The Kiyamachi area along the small canal near Ponto-cho in central Kyoto is packed full of bars, restaurants, and a few dance clubs a
Though Kyoto's nightlife is more sedate than Osaka's, the areas around the old geisha quarters downtown thrive with nigh
Though Kyoto's nightlife is more sedate than Osaka's, the areas around the old geisha quarters downtown thrive with nightclubs and bars. The Kiyamachi area along the small canal near Ponto-cho in central Kyoto is packed full of bars, restaurants, and a few dance clubs and is as close to a consolidated nightlife area as you'll get in Kyoto. It's full of small watering holes with red lanterns (indicating inexpensive places) or small neon signs in front. It's also fun to walk around the Gion in eastern Kyoto and Ponto-cho in central Kyoto to try to catch a glimpse of a geisha or maiko stealing down an alleyway on her way to or from an appointment.
This wood-paneled one-room izakaya pub doesn't look like much, but it regularly fills up with expats and locals. Visitors and regulars sit around the communal tables to swap stories and adventures. Watch out for flying bottle caps, though—the staff have a knack for popping open beer bottles with chopsticks.
Nishi Kiyamachi-dori, Shijo-agaru, Kyoto, Kyoto-fu, 604-8024, Japan
Performances almost nightly with Japanese and non-Japanese musicians. Seat charge is ¥600, but the cover charge changes with the acts. The venue is on the 3rd floor of the Ohto Building (also read as Kamo-higashi Building), a few buildings north of Shijo-dori on the west side of Yamato-oji-dori. Doors open at 6:30 and performances start at 7:30.
234 Nijuikkencho Nawatedori, Kyoto, Kyoto-fu, Japan
Trestle tables line the graffiti-covered walls of this basement café-bar that hosts indie rock, jazz, and blues musicians. It's a good place to tap into Kyoto's underground music scene. In the evening you can order simple plates to accompany your beer or wine.
Sanjo-dori and Gokomachi-dori, Kyoto, Kyoto-fu, 604-8082, Japan
An enduring live-music venue that generally presents rock and blues acts, Taku Taku occasionally hosts well-known Japanese performers. You can find it in an old kura, or storehouse, in the backstreets southwest of the Takashimaya department store.
The atmosphere is very “New York experimental theater” at this multidisciplinary venue for music, dance, video, and other performances about 20 nights a month. Events are from ¥2,000 and the cover charge includes a drink; you can also order snacks and light meals.
Nakagyo Ku, Kiyamachi, Sanjo Shita, Kyoto, Kyoto-fu, Japan
An Israeli sake aficionado named Yoram stocks an extensive selection of the delicate rice wine, from unfiltered to aged, fruity to dry, all available by the glass. A tasting set of three kinds of sake starts at ¥1,200. The dishes on the menu have all been chosen to complement the libations. By day this cozy bar is a soba shop run by Yoram's partner.
Nakagyo-Ku, Higashinotoin, Nijo-dori, Higashi-iru, Kyoto, Kyoto-fu, 604-0831, Japan
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