Located in a residential area about a 5-minute walk from Kyoto City Hall Station, "Bar Coq" is a cozy bar run by owner and bartender Minamisato, who honed his skills at the popular bar "El Tesoro" in Gion. After enjoying a meal at "Torisaki," I stopped by for cocktails at "Bar Coq." The cocktails were delicious, especially the Southside Fizz and Bourbon Whiskey with Eagle Rare 10 Year from Kentucky. Bars in Kyoto provide a relaxing escape from the daily hustle and bustle, and Minamisato's friendly and welcoming demeanor creates a pleasant atmosphere. Thank you for the wonderful experience. I will definitely be back.

When you walk up Fuyacho Street from Kyoto City Hall Station, you will come across "Bar Le Cock." The interior of the bar exudes a chic and tranquil atmosphere, making it a sophisticated and authentic hideaway for adults. The owner and bartender, Mr. Minamisato, is friendly and easy to talk to, and the neatness and cleanliness of the bottles and glasses visible across the counter always reflect his meticulous and clean personality. This time, I stopped by before dinner at "Koyama" and had Mr. Minamisato make me a cocktail. I visited after half a year, and enjoyed a pleasant time chatting with Mr. Minamisato across the counter. The bar transforms into a soothing time that relaxes the mind. Thank you for the wonderful experience. I will visit again.

Our house is located in a depopulated area where you can't go anywhere without a car. In Osaka, we often go for pre-drinks and after-drinks, but in Kyoto, it's not common, so we mostly go for lunch. When I go out for dinner with friends, we either stay at their place or at a hotel. On this day, we decided to stay at a hotel. We went to a bar that I've always wanted to visit. The atmosphere was refreshing and the glassware was well-maintained. I love antique Baccarat glasses. The master of the bar was handsome. Since it was just pre-drinks, I ordered a light gin in a thin glass with beautiful ice. The clear and crisp air in the bar was so calming. I prefer the moon over the sun. The drinks at the bar were delicious. Usually, I would have another drink, but on this day, I quietly enjoyed just one.

If you walk north on Fuyacho Street from Kyoto City Hall Station, you will come across a cozy bar called "Bar Cocque". The owner and bartender, Mr. Minamisato, honed his skills at the renowned bar "El Tesoro" in Gion before opening this chic bar in 2013. I stopped by for a cocktail before dinner, and Mr. Minamisato made me the perfect pre-dinner drink. The Gin and Tonic and Americano were both excellent choices. Bars in Kyoto have a way of turning moments into soothing experiences. Mr. Minamisato is not only skilled but also very friendly and easy to talk to. For me, "Bar Cocque" is a place where I can relax and enjoy myself. Thank you for the wonderful experience. I will definitely be back.

There is a bar called "Bar Le Coq" located on Fuya-cho Street, just north of Kyoto City Hall Station. The owner and bartender, Yosuke Minamisato, is very kind and has a great personality. He trained under Mr. Otsuka at the popular Gion bar "El Tesoro" before opening his own bar in 2013. The bar has a cozy and serene atmosphere with 10 counter seats. I stopped by on my way back to the hotel after dinner and spent the last night of 2021 in Kyoto slowly sipping drinks and chatting with Minamisato-san across the counter. The bar's highball cocktails, including the Dalwhinnie 15-year and Hakushu highball, were delightful. Bars like this provide a soothing escape, allowing us to enjoy a drink and relax. Until recently, due to the state of emergency, it was difficult to visit bars in Kyoto, but now we can stop by and enjoy a drink. I raised my glass, hoping for these ordinary days to continue. Thank you for the wonderful experience. I will definitely visit again.

Happy New Year. I went to Rekura on my way back from work. I saw a review of this bar by a knowledgeable reviewer, so I was curious to check it out. I often visit bars in the Gion area, and finally had a chance to visit this one. They have shortened their hours and close at 9 pm, so when I arrived after 8 pm, there were no other customers. The bar has a striking authentic feel with a single wooden counter. The owner runs the bar alone. I tried the following cocktails: Daikiri, Strawberry, Gin & Tonic, Kumquat, South Side Fizz, and Kiwi. I only spent less than an hour there, but I enjoyed the frozen Daikiri and Kiwi cocktails, they were perfectly balanced and to my liking. The Gin & Tonic was also refreshing. The atmosphere is great, and it's a calm, adult bar where you can relax and enjoy your drinks. My companion also agreed. This has become one of my favorite bars, and I will definitely visit again.

I heard that this bar in Kyoto is known for its wide selection of cigars. The owner is said to be from El Tesoro. They have Cuban brands available and you can even purchase them to take home. I heard they also have their own original cigars. They play jazz music and offer a great selection of glasses.

First visit to "Tagawa" in Miyukimachi, located a 5-6 minute walk south from there. Before visiting "Tagawa," I found this bar that was recommended by the master when I asked for a recommendation upon leaving "Tagawa." I entered the bar at 20:45, with 2 groups of 4 customers already there. Despite being away from the bustling area, it seems to be popular among regular customers. The interior features a magnificent single-piece counter that is around 7 meters long, with 6 seats (probably normally 8) and 1 table for 2, all managed by the male master alone. I tried the following 3 drinks: 1) Manhattan, 2) Fig cocktail (vodka-based), 3) Persimmon cocktail (rum-based). My impressions: 1) A unique flavor achieved through pre-mixing and stirring, with hints of xxx syrup and herbal liqueur, making it a memorable 5th Manhattan for me. When I asked about the master's background, he mentioned a popular Kyoto bar "El Tesoro [3.72: 2020OCT]," which made sense. I then moved on to try 2) and 3). 2) Tastes like something you would expect in a cocktail competition, with a balanced mix of fruit and alcohol flavors. 3) A gentle flavor, similar balance to 2), reaching an exquisite level. This was my second hidden gem bar discovery this year following one in Akita. I plan to revisit. I left at 22:15, with 5 regular customers remaining in 4 groups.

I can't believe there is such a cozy bar nearby.

I arrived in Kyoto and stopped by at Gokomachi Tawara-san. As I walked along Fuyacho Street, I saw the illuminated LeCoq sign, with a stylish exterior. Unfortunately, I missed it as there was no sign on the street. It was Sunday night, but luckily there was a seat available. The beautiful bottle shelf caught my eye, with many rare brandies. I cooled down with a gin and tonic, which was delicious and refreshing. I wanted to chat with the bartender, but suddenly felt a bit tipsy, so I had a sidecar and left the shop. Thank you for the meal.

It's starting to get cold. Today, I had plans to go to a restaurant, but I had some time to spare before my reservation, so I found a nearby bar to pass the time. The atmosphere at the bar was really nice, with dim lighting and two regulars smoking in the back. I ordered a hot whiskey to warm up. The bartender was very friendly and seemed to be from Kansai, with a great sense of humor. One person in our group couldn't drink alcohol, so they asked for a non-alcoholic recommendation. The bartender suggested a hot tea with kinkan and yuzu, freshly squeezed on the spot. The non-alcoholic drinker was also very satisfied! Just as I finished my drink, it was time for my reservation. It felt like a waste to leave after just one drink. I will definitely visit again.

I don't usually go to bars, but I visited a bar with the master whom I am familiar with for the third place. It seems that the bar opened in the summer of 2013. The location is on Fuyacho, two streets below Nijo, with a discreet appearance that you might overlook if you didn't know it. The interior of the bar is mainly counter seats, with a few table seats. The dim indirect lighting creates an adult atmosphere. On this day, I was already full, so I had a little Cognac. I compared AE DOR NO.6 COGNAC and NO.7 COGNAC. No.6 is a spicy type, while No.7 is richer and more powerful compared to No.6. I only stayed for a short time on this day, but next time I would like to sit at the counter seat and stay a little longer.

After eating at the grass hut, I went to this bar nearby. It's a bar run by a man alone. I was intrigued by the large vase. Is it normal to have such a big vase in a bar? There were also couples sitting, so I was guided to a counter seat in the back. I ordered a vodka martini. Along with it came a cute plate with chocolate and strawberries, giving off a sweet vibe. For my second drink, I had a Pernod soda. The atmosphere was nice and I had a good time, but I only found out about this place after reading reviews. It turns out the owner used to be at El Tesoro. So that's why the flowers? I'll have to go back alone and ask more about it.

I secretly have a personal connection to Kyoto bars, similar to the Ice Bucket Challenge. I continue to hop from one favorite bar to the next, following recommendations. There are some townhouse bars that refuse to be listed on Tabelog, so my visits have been sporadic at times. Without thinking too deeply, I hope to continue introducing good Kyoto bars in the future. Now, getting back to the topic, this time I was introduced to "LeCoq" by Takayama-san from "Calvados". It opened in the summer of 2013, so it has just reached its one-year mark. It is located in the middle of a square surrounded by Marutamachi, Karasuma Oike, Sanjo, and Jingu Marutamachi stations. You can walk there from anywhere, but it takes about 7-8 minutes from any station. The exterior is stylish with the LeCoq sign lit up. If you're not careful, you might miss it as you walk by. Inside, there are about 8 counter seats and 2 table seats. The mahogany counter is dazzling and enchanting. The indirect lighting is exquisite, creating an adult atmosphere. They have a wide selection of highball whiskey and brandy. I had a highball made with Rowan's Creek, a bourbon with a strong aroma. It was delicious. They also offer various cocktails made with seasonal fruits, including a cranberry original cocktail. The cocktails were delicious as well. The snacks are also very tasty. The master here is still young, but he knows how to treat customers and show respect to older guests. I think even older customers will be satisfied here. It's a wonderful bar where you'll want to charm your loved one or favorite woman. If you come to Kyoto with your girlfriend or wife, I highly recommend taking them to this lovely bar. It will bring you closer and deepen your bond. By the way, it's just a short walk from Calvados, so you can easily hop between the two. (laughs) This place is a bit cheaper and I liked it as much as Calvados, if not more. They are open until 2 am, so you can relax and enjoy your time. It's not yet well known among locals, so it seems like it will become popular in the future. I am grateful for the recommendation of this great place. I will be posting the next bar recommendation soon.

This is a bar located in Fuya-cho, Kyoto. The owner is said to be from the famous bar El Tesoro in Gion. I didn't know about this place, but when I was bar hopping in Kyoto, the owner of El Tesoro told me about it, so I went there right away. The bar is located a little south of the intersection of Nijo Street and Fuya-cho Street, on the left hand side. The nearest station is Kyoto City Hall Station on the subway, about a 3-4 minute walk away. There are famous bars like K6 and Calvados nearby. The interior of the bar is small with only 8 counter seats, but it has a cozy atmosphere. The back bar has more brandy than white spirits and whiskey, so they seem to focus on brandy. I had a gin and tonic and a beer called "Gajerii Stout". The gin and tonic, being made by El Tesoro, was quite delicious. "Gajerii" is a beer made by a company in Tokyo, and they have several types in draft and bottle, but I particularly like the stout (dark beer). It's quite common in Tokyo bars, but rare in Kyoto, so I couldn't help but order it. There are many good bars in Kyoto, and this one is relatively new but quite good. I look forward to visiting again in the future.

Located in Fuyacho-Nijo, a little away from the bustling street, this bar is easy to miss with its small, cool-looking sign. The bar has around 10 seats at the counter, creating a sharp and sophisticated atmosphere. The bartender is from El Tesoro in Gion, where I've visited before. I ordered a Gin Rickey, which is made by blending two types of gin without any lime. When I asked if they always blend the gin, I was told they only do it for the Gin Rickey. It had a calm and delicious taste. When I inquired about their specialty cocktails, they listed three brandy-based ones, as brandy is their favorite. I then ordered a Sidecar, made with a brandy whose name I didn't recognize, but it was incredibly tasty. It was a pleasant experience chatting with the bartender, who had a quiet yet warm demeanor. While lacking Kyoto-themed gimmicks, it was still a lovely bar.

Fuya-cho, Nijo-sagaru. This area is away from the hustle and bustle of the city center. It is a residential and commercial area with schools, but a bar in a place like this? (By the way, it's a 2-3 minute walk from "Calvados") There are no flashy signs, so you won't notice that there is a bar there until you almost reach it. Although it is a street-level store, the distance from the street and the spatial design seem well thought out. There are small two-person tables, but it is primarily a counter seating. The counter is made of a single wooden plank. The interior is woody and elegant with a sense of calm. The back bar is filled with malt official bottlings, blends, bourbon, rum, and most notably, brandy. It is rare to see such a variety of brandies lined up in one place. Not the mainstream brands like Hennessy, Remy, or Camus, but rather lesser-known Cognacs and Armagnacs. The message conveyed by the back bar. The important thing is not the quantity but the uniqueness and rarity. It is enjoyable to gaze at the back bar. The master here has experience from a famous Gion establishment, but does not boast about it. Their cocktail skills are impressive, even a simple gin and tonic is well-made. However, I prefer to try a brandy that the master enjoys. Despite drinking brandy every time, I can never seem to remember the names. It seems that even at "Calvados" or "Rum & Whiskey," I can't remember the names of the Calvados or rum I drink. As they have recently opened, this bar currently has a hidden gem quality and is of very high quality.