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After receiving hospitality at Kikunoi, we went to Bar Castle Gate for the final closing. It's really cool.

The bar at ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kyoto is Castle Gate on the first floor. The cocktails here are excellent and to our liking. We initially planned to have just one drink each before dinner, but ended up having two each on an empty stomach. My companion had the Gimlet (1,200 yen) and praised it. I took a sip and found it to be gently flavorful, even though I usually don't like bitter drinks. I had the "Hanamatsuri" cocktail (1,300 yen) which was a spring cocktail with a hint of sweetness. It was a delicious adult drink with a seasonal scent. My companion then ordered a draft beer (930 yen) which was the creamiest Premium Malt I've ever had. I went for my favorite, the Mojito (1,500 yen), which was made without carbonation as per their recipe. It had a complex and delightful mix of various scents and flavors, making it the best Mojito I've ever had. The bartender, though young, shared interesting stories about various liqueurs and spirits, making our experience enjoyable. They have a happy hour from 5:00 to 6:00 PM where some drinks are 20% off. We arrived around 5:30 PM and got the Gimlet at a discount, with only a service charge of 10% and 8% tax, the total was around 5,600 yen. The bar has a spacious counter seating area where we saw a few regulars enjoying their drinks and leaving by 6:00 PM. The only downside is that the bar opens at 5:00 PM, so it may be difficult to visit unless staying at the hotel. Overall, it was a wonderful bar that I would love to visit again.

(Revisited in December 2014) This visit to Kyoto seemed to end in disappointment, so I came here to consider ways to make up for it. - Crush Bellini: A cocktail that combines peach compote sherbet with champagne. Personally, I felt that a regular Bellini would be just as good. - Yuzu Gimlet: Instead of lime, yuzu was used in this cocktail, giving it a sour and bitter taste that felt very Kyoto-like. I decided to have breakfast near the hotel the next morning and buy a bento box at Kyoto Station for lunch, so I left the restaurant early to get some rest. (Revisited in May 2014) Once again, I missed out on the restaurant I wanted to visit, so I came here to plan where to have breakfast the next day, my last day in Kyoto. - Emotion (coconut liqueur with a hint of mint) - Around the World (gin-based with a hint of mint) - Seagram's Royal 18 When I first started visiting Kyoto, I didn't know my way around and had to use taxis, which I now realize was a waste of money. A regular customer here advised me to use public transportation in Kyoto and use the saved money to buy souvenirs, and I have been enjoying Kyoto following that advice. This place is important to me. I found some breakfast options for tomorrow, so I'm going to bed. (Revisited in May 2013) It had been a while since I visited Kyoto, and once again, I missed out on the restaurant I wanted to go to. I ended up getting drunk on cold sake on an empty stomach at a different place, so I came here to start over, but it was full... I ended the night with soba and sake and took a bath before coming here. The atmosphere seemed a bit different this time, maybe it's just me? (Revisited in May 2012) After a day of sightseeing in Kyoto, I realized I hadn't been to this place before, so I came back. - Castle Gate (gin-based cocktail with a mint aroma) - Scotch whiskey on the rocks - Night Porter (brandy-based with grenadine syrup for a beautiful color) I don't usually drink strong alcohol, so I slept soundly after drinking these. Do you need a place to take a break during your Kyoto trip? (Visited in May 2011) This bar is located in the Kyoto ANA Hotel and is popular not only with hotel guests but also with other visitors. I enjoyed a glass of Moet Rose, followed by a gin and tonic, an original cocktail, and finally a single malt on the rocks. The combination of dry fruits made from Okayama-grown Pione grapes and single malt was surprisingly good. The bartenders were very hospitable and flexible with customer requests and jokes. They were also helpful in explaining how to use the subway and buses to tourists. The regular customers were also very kind.

I found a nearby inn, so I walked to the bar at the Kyoto ANA Hotel. I actually intended to go to the bar at the neighboring International Hotel, but it seemed to have closed down, which was disappointing. Since it was close to closing time, I couldn't stay long, but I enjoyed a seasonal cocktail. This time it was a Kyoho grape cocktail with a white wine base. It was very cold, with a light base and the distinctive aroma of Kyoho grapes. While other city bars may have a variety of fruit-based cocktails, this bar only had the Kyoho grape option. The menu mainly featured classic cocktails. The bar was quite busy, with all the table seats taken and the counter almost full. The staff were polite, and the fact that there was no cover charge was a big plus. It may not have the best location, but it is convenient to visit.

Castle Gate [ANA Hotel Kyoto] August 16, 2008, 1:00 PM Theme: ★ Osaka-Kyoto Food Tour ★ Our stay in Kyoto was at the ANA Hotel. We had a connecting room with two twin beds. When we returned from our outing, the kids stayed in the room watching TV, so my husband and I went to the hotel bar, "Castle Gate." We sat at the counter and a female bartender made us drinks. We started with a draft beer and a cocktail. We also had dry nuts and dried fruits. I felt like having champagne, so I ordered a glass of Moet. The atmosphere in the bar was relaxed, with hotel guests enjoying drinks. It's nice to have some freedom when traveling with older children.

In front of Nijo Castle stand two longstanding hotels. One of them is the ANA Hotel, and tucked away in a corner of its lobby floor is Castle gate. As you enter through a not-so-prominent entrance and turn right, you'll find a spacious bar area with sofa seating and a few tables. The bar seems to cater more to lounge-like use, being part of the hotel. The manager mentioned there are usually two bartenders, but on this night, there was just one young bartender. I started with an official soda highball from the back bar, and as the night progressed and other customers left, I found myself engaging in conversation with the bartender, who turned out to be quite a fan of malt whisky. He recommended some independent bottlings, and I ended up trying three different whiskies before asking for a recommendation for my next bar visit. Despite the impressive selection of whiskies, it was the bartender's hospitality that made my time there enjoyable.

Before meeting with someone for a meal, I had some time to spare so I decided to visit this bar. The hotel lobby was bustling with families who were likely staying at the hotel over the New Year's holiday. Staying at a hotel with your family for a few days around New Year's requires a certain level of financial comfort. Despite being well-off, the children were still children and were running around the lobby. However, as soon as I stepped into this bar, it was a tranquil space. The bartender, with impeccable manners, greeted me. The counter was lit with downlights, creating the perfect ambiance. The hall had a gentle lighting gradient, enhancing the shine of the glasses and ice within them. The ice, extracted from a block rather than an ice machine, had a unique transparency. The bartender, who initially thought I was a lone customer, engaged in friendly conversation with me. I gained another piece of information about Kyoto before leaving the bar. Hotel bars are truly something special.

Adjusting the time until the meeting, I had a drink at the hotel bar where I was staying. The interior was neat, and the staff was polite, but surprisingly there was no cover charge. The drink wasn't cheap, probably around 2,000 yen, but I only paid for the price of one drink. I had a cocktail called Castle Gate. I used to think hotel bars were just overpriced, but it turns out there are places like this too. They also offer a 10% discount with the SFC card, so I think it's a very user-friendly bar.

The main bar inside the ANA InterContinental Hotel has an amazing atmosphere. I sat at the counter seat, where each seat is illuminated by a circular spotlight from above, creating a private space even when dining alone. The chairs were comfortable, feeling like a sofa. The drink menu offers a wide range of options, from classic cocktails to the bartender's original creations and a variety of imported spirits on display. I ordered a 12-year-old whiskey, but they also had 25-year-old options available. The bartender here competes in bartender competitions regularly, so they have a wealth of knowledge about each drink, making conversation with them an enjoyable part of the experience.

Located on the first floor of the ANA Hotel in front of Nijo Castle, this is a bar. I used it when staying at the hotel. It has a typical hotel bar atmosphere - a bit dark with carpeted floors, a counter lined with whiskies, and comfortable sofa-like chairs. There was a well-dressed female bartender. I was the only customer at one point, so I felt a bit nervous (laughs). I ordered a seasonal cocktail, inspired by cherry blossoms. It was a beautiful pale pink color. When I tasted it, I could faintly smell the cherry blossoms. It's nice to enjoy this kind of seasonal service. While reading a book or waiting for someone, drinking at the counter makes you feel like "I've become an adult." I had a bit of a luxurious time. I would like to use it again.