Shot Bar 祇園 Lupin!? — Restaurant in Kyoto

I've been going to this bar for a number of years now, it's a must visit for me whenever I'm in Kyoto. What I like is the nice mix of Japanese locals as well as foreign faces (but no so many that it's no longer like being in Japan as often can be the case). Located in the heart of Gion, an area where entering an unknown bar can be intimidating and scary expensive, the proprietor of Lupin is very friendly and welcoming to all. Note this is not a "pub", it's a bar which serves high quality cocktails and spirits. Very reasonably priced, especially considering where you are. If you are new to Japan or the Japanese language, be aware that a visit to a real Japanese bar may be a bit pricier than what you may be used to at home, but the prices in Lupin are extremely reasonable. So if you're in Kyoto, it's at night , you are looking for a great place to relax, have a nice cocktail, glass of wine, bourbon soda, or drink late into the night, I can't think of a better place to visit really...

This is a bit of a late review, I went to Lupin!? when I was in Japan back in early April. I stumbled across it wandering around the east side of Kyoto, and the staff were so welcoming and friendly even as a solo foreign traveller. Great atmosphere, cozy and filled with detail. They were able to give me local recommendations on Kyoto whiskey to try while I was there, and even though there was some language barrier they did very well at communicating with me and making my visit as friendly as possible! Only left early because I lost my hotel key and had to go find it... I love the Shot Bar Lupin!? Thank you for...

Swell little bar in Gion district of Kyoto. Outstanding mixed drinks. Perfect dry martini James Bond style. Several Japanese women came in and ordered blue cocktails made with Hpnotiq, a liqueur we had never heard of before. So after those perfect martinis, we had a few more hpnotiq cocktails that went down easy. We were singing along with Louie Armstrong on the sound system and kibitzing with the Japanese patrons and had a really great time. Bartender Shinge is a great host. Rolled out of Lupin and into a cab back to the hotel....