Bar Juniper — Restaurant in Osaka

Let me pre-face this by saying that I did not care too much for Gin prior to this visit.

Bar Juniper is fantastic, so much so that I was sad & reminiscent within 10 minutes of leaving. Having visited many great bars (World's Best 50 and others), the atmosphere, the level of service and the drinks here are among the best I have experienced, We let the barkeeper choose for us and sampled 6 Japanese craft Gins, all of which were unique and really changed our perception of Gin. His passion and level of craftsmanship were amazing to observe while also being very engaging & friendly.

We got there rather early (around 18:15) and got in without any issues. The bar seemed to fill up quickly from 19:30 onwards. The setup is a bit confusing with two separate entrances. I would strongly recommend visiting the "left" bar, entering through the vending machine. The "right" side did have music playing and seemed less intimate / more casual. We paid 6300 JPY for 4 drinks (with some free samples on top), which for the spirits used & the level of service seemed like an absolute steal.

I would strongly recommend Bar Juniper to anyone who is interested in elevated bar culture, artisanal/craft spirits and...

Atmosphere: 7/10 Located in the Dojima area of Kita-ku, Osaka, the bar gives off a chaotic and slightly cluttered impression. Interior elements, bottle arrangements, and glassware storage all feel a bit scattered. Jazz music plays very quietly in the background. The bar doesn’t feel very Japanese due to the sheer dominance of Western tourists, which gives it more of a novelty or Instagram-driven vibe than a local or refined one.

Drinks: 8/10 Recommended drink: — There is no menu. Instead, the bartender asks for your preferences and crafts a drink accordingly. Presentation is creative and sometimes unexpected—like a Dry Martini served in a rounded bowl. Glassware is high quality and unique. Garnishes are simple, and no coasters were provided. The cocktails themselves were balanced and well-made.

Service: 8/10 Warm towels were offered. Water was served only on request. No complimentary snacks. The bartender was polite and professional. Prices are about...

A speakeasy-styled bar, as per the namesake it specializes in gin-based drinks. Great decor, fancy atmosphere, not so nice manpower. Been here about a dozen times, each time with different retinue.

There's an air of exclusiveness to the place that makes me feel nervous. Some of the younger bartenders may need some training in hospitality—the bar has definitely gained a foul reputation the last few years for the standoffish attitude of the servers. I understand that a specialty boutique bar (in such places usually the bartenders would wear a bowtie) often has an unspoken rule where conversations with the bartenders/mixologists are discouraged to preserve a serene classy atmosphere. If that's the goal here, they're not doing it right either.

Definitely ask for a recommendation as they do have some original cocktails...