The Common One Bar Kyoto — Restaurant in Kyoto

This Gion gem is easy to miss. Signage is subdued and the building itself isn't visible from the street. Everything about The Common One feels secret and serene. Here, each cocktail is crafted with absolute precision and the bartenders are artists. There is no menu and drinks take a fair amount of time to create. Consideration is given to whether a drink will be shaken or stirred, what glass will be used, and even the shape of ice cube that will be showcased. When they present the finished product they show you the various bottles that were used. It's clear these cocktails are something to be savored. A few things to note:

1. Don't expect them to speak English. In fact, At the entrance a note on the door asks that folks not be mad that they don't speak English. But don't worry, they speak enough to understand what direction they should be taking with your drink.
2. There is a cover charge, but from our experience that is not unusual in Japan. If anything, it makes for a more committed customer. You're not going to order a single drink if you had to pay $8 just to get in. Also, let's not forget there's no tipping in Japan so that's a savings.
3. You can't see the bar area from the entrance so don't be upset if they say they are full. Some reviewers mentioned they were denied admittance when there was clearly space inside, however, you can only see the private tea rooms from the front. It's true these are largely empty, but they are for private parties and don't serve as overflow for the bar. The bar itself has about 14 seats and one table. When it is full, they stop letting people in. For the time it takes to make each cocktail you wouldn't want patrons elbowing for space at the bar. This place is...

A “temple” of cocktails, located in the heart of Kyoto’s fabled Gion district. A bit hard to find, but use Mikuni as a guide. Just next to Mikuni, looks for the entrance gate with the small bar sign on the wall.

Not the most friendly, conversations are hushed. No NYC Member’s Only bar frenzy here. No standing, seats only, if you are turned away it’s because all seats are taken.

Cocktails are professional and there is a huge selection of drinks. No menu, no bar creations, you gotta know what you want. It’s all stirred not shaken, you won’t hear the sound of shakers here.

My Old Fashioned was superb, made with Rye not Bourbon, although a trusted acquaintance commented there is too much stuff in the drink. Probably true.

Prices are a reasonable. 3 cocktails and the co ver charge w as ¥5300. Good value considering the venue, quality, and temple like atmosphere.

Worth a visit but don’t expect to chat up the bar staff.

I drank Curry Sark on a lark....

This high-end bar/tea room is down a hidden ally that transports you to a different time. The property is split between a tatami-mat tea room and a traditional western style bar. Both provide amazing ambiance and look very traditional. The host/bartender (Tomosuke) was very helpful, formal and spoke wonderful English. We were served sweets and spiced water while they made our drinks. It took a while for the drinks but they were well worth the wait. We had an incredible matcha-vodka and matcha-whiskey. They were well balanced, tasted great and were aesthetically pleasing. Please note they make the matcha fresh and this process takes time. Expected a wait for drinks but know they are working hard to create them. They had English menus and were...