15 Best Bars, Live Music and Night Clubs in Kyoto

The biggest club in Kyoto, World hosts a great variety of big-name artists. The line-ups often feature anything from EDM and house to hip hop, R'n'B and party pop. Past artists to play here include Skrillex and 2manydjs.

The 2-storey club has spacious dance floors, a good range of beers and cocktails and lockers to keep your belongings safe while you dance the night away. To find World, take the subway to Kawaramachi Station. It's a short walk to Pontocho-dori entertainment street.

The Minami-Za Theatre in Kyoto is a renowned venue steeped in history and dedicated to the traditional Japanese performing art of kabuki. These elaborate productions feature vibrant costumes, dramatic makeup, captivating dance and music and explore a range of historical or mythical narratives.

The theatre stages a variety of Kabuki plays throughout the year, catering to different tastes. You might find historical dramas, dance pieces or lighter comedic plays. Minami-Za offers English-language programs or subtitles for some performances, making it more accessible for non-Japanese speakers.

Club Metro is a dance club that hosts the best house and techno nights in Kyoto. This eclectic club also hosts a myriad of events from small concerts to discos and art exhibitions. Nights dedicated to Latin music draw huge crowds and the Non-Hetero-at-the-Metro nights are major gay and lesbian events in Kyoto.

The club is popular among the creative professionals in Kyoto with a different musical theme every night. Club Metro is easy to find next door to Marutamachi station on the Keihan line.

Kyoto Concert Hall is a modernist masterpiece in the north of the city. This stunning piece of architecture, designed by world-renowned architect Isozaki Aratai, stages regular performances of classical music and dance. The main hall, a "shoebox" style, offers excellent acoustics for optimal listening experiences. It’s the primary venue for orchestral performances and large-scale concert.

The smaller "Ensemble Hall Murata" offers a more intimate setting, ideal for chamber music recitals and smaller ensembles. The concert hall hosts a variety of performances throughout the year. This includes classical concerts by renowned artists, traditional Japanese music like Gagaku and even occasional contemporary music events. To reach Kyoto Concert Hall, take the subway to Kitayama station.

Jittoku is a well-established live music venue, considered to be the oldest live house in Japan. Housed in an old sake warehouse and oozing with ambience, Jittoku hosts a variety of musical acts drawing a hip, young crowd. This intimate venue features live music performances from rock and blues to electronic music, Japanese pop and even traditional instruments.

Unlike large concert halls, Jittoku allows you to get closer to the performers and truly immerse yourself in the energy of the music. They hold regular open mic nights, allowing aspiring artists to showcase their talent and share the stage. Jittoku is situated near Nijo Castle in the west of Kyoto.

Taku Taku has been hosting some of the biggest Japanese rock and blues bands since 1974, and occasionally gets some big-name international acts. Occupying a renovated traditional Japanese storehouse (kura), the club has plenty of room to hold the crowds of young Kyoto locals who flock to the club on weekends. Thanks to its unique location, Taku Taku boasts a unique and historic atmosphere, with a raw, industrial vibe.

There is usually an entry fee, but if you’re looking for high quality live music played by prominent Japanese artists then Taku Taku is a great choice. To find this live music venue, look out for a wooden sign with a black kanji symbol.

Kyoto Cinema theatre is a newly built movie theatre presenting domestic and international movies, latest releases, as well as some interesting art-house films. With only 3 screens, the movies shown here are carefully curated. Here you might find anything from Japanese anime to documentaries and independently produced films from Japan and abroad.

Located right in the heart of the downtown area in the Cocon Karasuma shopping centre, Kyoto Cinema is easy to reach. There are also plenty of dining option available nearby making it the perfect location for a date night.

Live Spot Rag is one of the most interesting nightlife venues in Kyoto. You can listen to live music from rock to jazz to acoustic ballads. Small tables are scattered around the room and there’s more space to stand around the bar with a good view of the stage.

The kitchen offers a mix of everything from Japanese to pan-Asian and some western dishes. Highlights from the menu include smoked salmon pizza, Malaysian chicken curry, Chinese style spring rolls, seafood and seaweed and tofu salad.

Zac Baran in Kyoto is a legendary jazz bar that holds a special place in the city's musical history. It’s one of the jazz bars in the city and its name translates to "straight talk" or "frank speech," reflecting the free spirit of jazz music. Step into Zac Baran and be transported to a quintessential jazz bar atmosphere. Dim lighting, vintage furniture, the soft murmur of conversation curling around the stage create the perfect jazzy ambiance.

Zac Baran is known for hosting live jazz performances by both established and up-and-coming artists. Here you can enjoy a beer, some Japanese comfort food and immerse yourself in the jazz experience. Zac Baran is situated near the Marutamachi Station.

The Man in the Moon Irish pub is close to Kyoto Station in the south of city. It offers an authentic pub experience of good food, plenty of beers and a welcoming, international vibe. You’ll find several draft beers on tap and 60 single-malt whiskeys.

If you fancy watching sports, the bar has 3 large TV screens. With an English menu and English-speaking staff, it’s a popular place among travellers. The happy hours at The Man in the Moon start as early as 11am and last until 5pm. To find the pub, head to the west side of the Hachijo-guchi exit of Kyoto station.

Enjoy some traditional Japanese culture in the Kanze Kaikan Noh Theatre that stages regular performances of classical noh drama. Noh is a form of musical stage drama that dates back to the 14th century. The beautiful stage is made entirely of cypress wood, featuring a scene panel painted by renowned Kyoto artists.

This masked performance art is a wonderful spectacle, even if you don’t speak Japanese or don’t know much about the noh drama. This quirky theater occasionally offers performances with English subtitles.

Le Club Jazz is a popular live music club featuring blues, jazz and soul bands every Tuesday night with artists form across Japan and some international guests. From Thursday to Sunday they hold live jam sessions where the musically minded come together to freestyle. Cover charge includes two drinks.

Gnome offers a taste of Ireland in the heart of Kyoto, with a menu featuring classic homecooked such as colcannon and freshly baked soda bread. You can also enjoy fresh barrel Guinness, Irish whiskeys and liqueurs. Prices are reasonable, with happy hour specials and a menu that won't break the bank.

The popular Gnome offers regular live music and open mic nights. Here you can immerse yourself in variety of music genres, including traditional Irish music. The pub also holds talk events and workshops.

You’d be surprised to see how many Kyoto people love salsa and Latin dances. Café Rumbita is among the city’s favourite venues for Latin beats. The café puts on salsa dance classes nightly at 9pm, from beginners to advanced level. After the class, the floor is open for everyone to party and dance the night away. Mexican and Cuban dishes are served at Café Rumbita and there’s a fully stocked bar. It’s easy to find the bar on Pontocho-dori, a popular nightlife street close to Sanjo subway station.