On the last night in Osaka, I stopped by to conclude my Osaka bar hopping adventure. I walked from Umeda and my throat was parched. Since they didn't have Scotch, I opted for a Gin and Tonic. It was a reliable drink that can bring you back to life. After a bit of hustle and bustle with new customers coming in, I decided not to overindulge and headed back to the hotel.

I visited the bar "Hasu" located on the basement floor of the same building as Sushi Shizuku Nishi-Tenma to freshen up my slightly fishy breath. It is a hidden gem with a sophisticated atmosphere and skillful lighting. Hasu is a bar that has been selected as one of the top 100 bars, showcasing a variety of vintage and rare bottles. Today, I enjoyed a refreshing Moscow Mule made with vodka, ginger ale, soda, and lime. As a dessert alternative, I also tried a cute-looking passion fruit cocktail, both of which were delicious. The bill for today's menu was 5,900 yen.

BAR Ren, located a 5-7 minute walk from Oehashi Station, is a stylish and popular bar with a simple and chic atmosphere, yet with attention to detail evident in antiques and glassware throughout. It was selected as one of the top 100 bars in 2022. The experienced and knowledgeable master subtly directs conversations between guests at just the right moments, with interesting topics that create a calm yet enjoyable atmosphere. I tried the Sidecar, Carol, and Champagne in a Glass. The bar is lined with whiskey and brandy bottles, so I started with the brandy-based Sidecar. The master is conscious of cocktail shaking and temperature control based on the season and humidity, resulting in a well-balanced drink with the perfect level of chill and alcohol content, creating a unique Sidecar experience. During our conversation, the master introduced Art Nouveau crafts and art, showcasing beautiful vintage glasses, which prompted me to also try the Champagne in a Glass. The champagne was delicious, but what truly captivated me was the grape pattern that appeared when pouring the drink into the glass, making it a visually delightful experience. Lastly, I asked the master for a brandy-based recommendation and enjoyed the Carol, which had a slightly stronger brandy flavor than the Sidecar, making it a perfect way to end the evening. This is a recommended spot for when you want to relax and enjoy a few more drinks after a meal. Check it out! Thank you for the wonderful experience!

Visit date and time: 20:00 on a weekday Waiting time: None Menu: Second bar I decided to go to a bar for my second stop. This bar had a wide variety of brandy, with about half of the display shelf dedicated to brandy. I'm not very familiar with brandy, so I tried three different types with advice from the bartender. I had never paid much attention to it before, but when I smelled the aroma, I could clearly detect the scent of grapes or apples despite it being distilled. It was a valuable experience. The bartender taught me a lot about the charm of brandy and it became an opportunity for me to get to know brandy better. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

I visited "Ren," a restaurant located in the gourmet town of Osaka. It was selected as one of the top 100 bars in the 2022 Tabelog rankings. The access is convenient, just a 5-minute walk from Oebashi Station on the Keihan Electric Railway Chuo Line. The restaurant is located in the Chito Building B1F on Kinugasa-cho Sanbancho-dori, just off the main road. As I descended the stairs, I entered the restaurant. The interior is a sophisticated space with a brown color scheme, accented by antique lighting. Today, I tried the following cocktails: - Cocktail with cola and shikwasa: A cocktail with a refined sweetness from shikwasa, giving the cola a mild flavor. - Non-alcoholic Moscow Mule: Similar to ginger ale, this cocktail is refreshing and easy to drink. I enjoyed a special time in this elegant atmosphere and look forward to visiting again. Thank you for the wonderful experience.

"Too early for a gimlet?" This is a famous line from Raymond Chandler's hard-boiled novel "The Long Goodbye." Even over 20 years ago, before Nishitenma became so popular among gourmet enthusiasts, it was already a hidden gem of a bar. Descending into "Hasu" and opening the heavy door, you will find an authentic bar filled with the master's Kanesuke's dedication. The atmosphere is sophisticated and calm, slightly removed from the noisy area of Kitashinchi. The clientele has diversified over the years, from mainly lawyers due to the proximity to the courthouse, to now including young women like myself. Sitting at the counter made of a well-used solid wood plank, I admire vintage Baccarat and classical glasses from the 1890s. The silhouettes highlighted by the soft lighting are beautiful. The Gimlet Frost in a chilled cocktail glass is refreshing, with dry gin and fresh lime juice. Despite his slender figure, the master shares my love for food and we bond over it! He is knowledgeable about art, architecture, and interior design, making our time together enjoyable. The mango fruit cocktail is served in an adorable frost glass, perfect for a summer drink. The Sidecar, with a cognac base, shines in its orange-yellow hue, served in an elegant antique glass. The Martini, with a sharp edge, pairs well with a cheese platter, and I was delighted when he offered me a Fevre to accompany it. The Domaine Joseph Faiveley Vosne-Romanée wine is a delightful combination of Vosne-Romanée's elegance, rich fruit flavors, and strength. It was delicious! Is it too early for a gimlet? No, it was actually too late. Thank you for the wonderful meal!"

On June 21, 2023 (Wed), I had a mango cocktail and a passion fruit cocktail. On June 3, 2023 (Sat), I had an orange Frangelico cocktail and a Maker's Mark cocktail. I also enjoyed Glenmorangie Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 18 years and Ragnaud Sabourin Reserve Speciale Cognac No.20.

On June 3, 2023 (Saturday), I had a dish of Orange Frangelico and a cocktail of MAKER'S MARK at GLENMORANGIE HIGHLAND malt Single Malt Scotch Whisky 18 years. I also enjoyed RAGNAUD SABOURIN RESERVE SPECIALE COGNAC No.20.

It is a bar with a heavy and calm atmosphere. The sight of numerous whiskies and brandies behind the counter, along with stylish glasses, gets you excited. I had Scotch whisky GLENMORANGIE on the rocks and brandy RAGUNARD SABOURIN with tonic water. They also have cocktails made with seasonal fresh fruits, which I would love to try next time. I'm looking forward to it!

After finishing a client dinner, I decided to make a detour and visit "Ren," a place I had been wanting to go for a while. It is located in the basement of a building on the west side of the Osaka High Court in Nishi-Temma. As soon as I entered, I was greeted by a magnificent single board counter, as well as table seating. The space was filled with the master's unique world view, from the wall paintings to the stylish lighting and the numerous antique glasses lined up. I sat at the counter and ordered the following: - Martini: Made with Tanqueray No. 10 and Dolin Chambery Dry, the master poured them into a mixing glass. The drink was meticulously stirred, probably because the alcohol was already chilled in the refrigerator, eliminating the need for ice. The Martini, served in a beautiful glass, had a sharp taste and was a truly classic drink. - Gimlet: Made with dry gin and fresh lime juice only, no sugar was used. The master demonstrated a graceful shaking technique. The Gimlet, poured into a frosted glass, had a hint of sweetness despite no sugar being added, thanks to the master's clever mixing and shaking methods. - Ardbeg 10 year and Lagavulin 16 year: Moving on to single malts, I enjoyed my usual two favorites. Finally, I savored the world's best whiskey in my belief, Lagavulin, which always brings me a sense of happiness. The master was very knowledgeable, not only about alcohol but also about art, craftsmanship, and even cuisine. He entertained me with enjoyable conversations. He subtly observed the customers and engaged in conversation at the perfect moments. Every element of the bar was of high quality, making it an authentic and traditional bar. I will definitely visit again. The bill came to 8,000 yen. Thank you for the wonderful experience!

After leaving the busy streets of Nishi-Tenma, I descended to the basement of a residential area where I found a cozy bar with about 8 seats. Authentic Virgin Tonics set the tone, starting with a refreshing gin and tonic on a sunny early summer day. The next drink was a Gimlet, expertly shaken for a long time, served in a unique tall glass that you just want to keep touching. Moving on to a Martini, meticulously stirred in an ice-cold mixing glass, the vintage Baccarat glass adding to the experience. The conversation flowed as we admired the intricate design of the glass. Finally, a Negroni in a Japanese glass, with deep cuts and a thin yet sturdy feel. The bitterness of the Negroni was excellently balanced, making it a delightful and refreshing drink. A must-visit spot in Osaka!

This shop, located about an 8-minute walk from Kitahama Station, is rare in this area as it opens at 5:00 PM. When I visited around 5:10 PM on a weekday, there were no other customers. They have a wide selection of whiskies and brandies. I tried a Gimlet and a Gin and Tonic (with sakura infused). The Gimlet was a bit strong but had a distinct flavor that I liked. The Gin and Tonic with sakura infusion had a spring-like aroma and was to my liking, finishing it quickly. I recommend this place for those who want to relax in a traditional bar setting. I would like to visit again if I have the chance.

I attended a second party and had two fruit cocktails. I had a strawberry and an orange one. The strawberry was cute with a sweet and sour taste ♡ The orange was easy to drink and had a gentle flavor. The fruit cocktails were delicious, but it was also nice to be able to have champagne in a glass. It's been a while since I've been to a second party, and it feels like the pre-COVID days are finally coming back, which makes me happy! Thank you for the meal♪

I revisited the place because I liked the atmosphere last time. The Brandy Highball was delicious. The Gin and Tonic Tanqueray No. 10 with tea leaves was refreshing and recommended even before a meal. The bartender was quite knowledgeable about gourmet food and the conversation was enjoyable.

Today's solo trip to an Osaka izakaya. I wanted to visit some bars, so next stop is the counter at "Ren". I'll have a Gimlet. A crisp, refreshing Gimlet. It's delicious. This bar is located in a quiet area slightly away from the bustling entertainment district of Kita-Shinchi. It feels like a hidden gem here. I also ordered a short cocktail. I'll have a Manhattan, please. It comes in a unique glass. The Manhattan, known as the queen of cocktails. It seems like a drink for more experienced drinkers. It's not heavy, but it's not a simple Manhattan either. It might be surprising if you were expecting the usual Manhattan. It's a learning experience. Now, I'll take a walk before heading back to the lively district. Thank you for the wonderful experience. "Ren" Osaka, Nishi-Temma 2-3-15, Chito Building B1F [Mon-Fri] 17:00-3:00 (close) [Sat] 17:00-23:00 (close) Closed on Sundays and holidays.

Today, I went to another bar for a drink. It's not a very lively area. It's called Ren-san. It's in the basement of a building. It's a small bar. There were quite a few people who looked like lawyers, maybe because the courthouse is nearby. The master was friendly and easy to talk to. I'll definitely go back for a leisurely drink. Thank you for the great service! (•́✧•̀)

The purpose of this expedition to the new place was to try the recommended persimmon cocktail. The reservation was made a month ago, and we walked from Koyanagi to this place. We were seated at the special seat in the middle of the counter. We ordered three persimmon cocktails, two apple cocktails, an Ardbeg highball, a mandarin orange cocktail, two glasses of Champagne Robert Charlemagne, Angel Face, and a red wine Nuits-Saint-Georges 2013. We started with the persimmon cocktail, served in a glass with homemade candied chestnuts, tea jelly, persimmon puree, and brandy base. It was like an adult dessert, with an elegant taste. The mandarin cocktail had a rich whisky aroma on top, refreshing and delightful. The apple cocktail used Shinano Sweet apples in a gin-based drink with Earl Grey notes. All the cocktails showed Mr. Kaneko's sense of style, sophisticated and adult-like. Since we were staying overnight, we lingered until the end, enjoying various conversations and having a great time. We made a reservation for January for our next visit and left the restaurant.

Moved here from Tom Cruise's place. My companion is a regular at this bar, but it was my first time visiting. I heard that the cocktails were delicious from my companion, so I was looking forward to it... but I ended up going for the wine pairing (laughs). Also, bartender Kaneko-san injured his arm and couldn't shake the shaker, so he only stirred the drinks that day. I had the following: Geranium Gin and Tonic, Martini, Negroni, Champagne Philippe Gonet (Blanc de Noirs 2011), Red Wine (Aloxe-Corton 2013 Patrick Javillier). I've tried various flavors of gin and tonics, but geranium was a first for me. I only have a blurry memory of it being delicious (laughs). The sophisticated and authentic bar is truly an adult space. Kaneko-san's gentle and gentlemanly service is also wonderful. Next time, I plan to come back to try the persimmon cocktail that my companion raved about. Looking forward to it!

Visited a bar in Hiroshima called "Cantique" in June. The master is also from Hiroshima. Located about 100m east of the restaurant "Kore Shin" on the B1F of a mixed-use building. Entered at 20:50, no other customers. The vintage lighting on the counter (from the early 1900s?) gives an authentic and orthodox feel. Due to COVID measures, there are dividers on the counter, with a seating arrangement of 2+2+3 + 4 seats at tables, all managed by the male master. Whiskey and brandy are the main focus, so I tried two drinks: 1) Manhattan and 2) Sidecar. The Manhattan was served in a vintage glass (from the 1890s Rob Mayer) with a lemon peel finish, light and refreshing. The Sidecar, served in a vintage glass (1920s Baccarat), was made with Mandarin Napoleon brandy, offering a unique and refreshing flavor. Despite being strong, it was dangerously easy to drink. Since there were no other customers, I had a nice conversation with the master. Some interesting points he shared were that the place can get noisy with more than 4 customers, and he dislikes customers in sandals and shorts. He mentioned feeling frustrated with customers who couldn't drink alcohol and those who ordered the cheapest highball based on reviews on "Tabelog" (a restaurant review site). Two groups of four customers arrived in succession, so I left at 22:05. The master had a high standard and was a bit intimidating for casual customers. Recommended for bar enthusiasts only.

I usually go there alone. No matter how many months pass, the master always talks to me as if we just spoke the day before. It's a lovely place where I can have a quiet drink by myself. While there are also couples who come, there are no rowdy or loud people. It's a classy place a little away from Shinchi, where adults can enjoy refined conversations over drinks. That's the kind of atmosphere it has. I may still be young and inexperienced, but.