Written by Brittany Kleinman: Exhausted with anticipation for having just seen my first Geisha, a befriended traveler hands me a map with a few scribbled streets and the name “A-Bar” written on top. He tells me that located just west of the Takasegawa Canal, tucked away on the second floor of a building lays one of Kyoto’s greatest bars.

After narrowly finding the way, I am greeted by a long dark hall way and a single black door of curiosity. When you first open the door at A Bar, you may see all foreigners, all Japanese, or a lively amount of both. Either way you will certainly leave the bar with more friends than you had walking in. Long wooden tables fill the gaps between the log cabin walls creating an eminently communal atmosphere. The food is spectacular, the drinks are cheap and the experience is unforgettable. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

The foods and beverages are diverse, ranging from traditional Japanese delicacies to continental cuisine. Prices range from 210 to 630 yen and only cash is accepted. The Bar is open from 5pm to 12am and most lively on the weekends.

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