Turquoise Bar — Restaurant in Kyoto

What can I say about this bar? This bar makes me feel that the best bars are not always listed on the Asia’s top 50 bars.

My wife and I visited this bar 2 days in a row because we love that there is no menu in this bar. We like to be surprised by the friendly bartender Tom-san who served up fantastic seasonal fruit-based alcohol and the classics. We really love the whiskey sour that Tom-san concocted for us.

We were also amazed by Tom-san’s free pouring technique. It produced uniform drinks time and again without fail. I wonder how long it takes to be able to consistently free pour.

This is a very traditional Japanese cocktail bar where the bartender’s skill in shaking and stirring remains a life-long craft that can always be perfected. The shaking technique is an art form, with the ice in the Boston shaker rotating and producing a classic rhythmic sound. Crushed ice forming on the surface of our white lady cocktail adds texture and balance to the drink.

This is a bar that is not touristy, has no music and just focusses on the art of making a world class...

This is one of the best bars I’ve gone to in Japan! It’s right next to L’Escamoteur and there was a long line so we ended up paying the ¥500 cover charge to come here. It’s worth every penny. They don’t have a set menu - instead you tell their bartenders what you like in a cocktail (spirit, flavor profile, etc) and they get creative and make you something. One of the cocktails we had was a rum drink with freshly blended white grape. It blew me away with how naturally sweet and lovely it was. Their bartenders are incredibly gracious and just want you to have a great cocktail experience. RUN, don’t walk here if you’re looking for an amazing...

I do not leave many reviews but this bar deserves it. When we entered, it was empty. We shortly doubted our decision, but were greeted extremely friendly and welcoming. This place is all about the products and the craft of bartending - no music, no Menu, no shishi. The bartenders are extremely skilled and professional, are happy to provide share knowledge about local spirits and enjoy a good conversation, especially if you know a bit about spirits yourself.

Initially we only intended to stay for a drink - after four of them I am writing this review and will...