Today’s guest post comes from my long time friend and fellow JET, Stephanie in Japan. Armed with having lived in Osaka for a few years and amazing Japanese ability, I would trust Stephanie as the go to person with all the amazing places and recommendations for enjoying the Osaka culinary experience.
If you are looking for traveler friendly places in the heart of the city, I would recommend some well-known foreigner bars like Balabushka, HUB, Cinquencento, Captain Kangaroo, or Tin’s Hall. These are all great places to drink!
BUT, if you want to go off the beaten path a bit and experience non-touristy bars, you will have to be willing to go a little outside of town.
My first few recommendations are in Kyobashi which is still considered within the city limits of Osaka. These three bars form what I like to call, the Kyobashi Bar Power Triangle. If you are a regular at one of these places, chances are you’ve been to the other two as well.
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Pacha
First up is Pacha. It’s an American themed bar, but oddly enough, I’ve never seen any other Americans inside besides myself and the people I bring. The music is always thumpin’. Depending on what events are going on that day, it can get so packed it becomes standing only. Many customers here are friendly and will strike up a conversation with you.
Seven Days
Seven Days is a live bar that has performances on the second floor, usually for an extra charge. I prefer to sit at the bar on the first floor. This place charges a little more for their drinks than the average place, but the owner will often pull out the bottle of tequila and start to pour free shots. The atmosphere is nice and so are the drinks.
Hi-Five
The last bar of the power triangle is Hi-Five. This is definitely the most relaxed and spacious of the three. Occasionally there are live performances here as well. The décor is like a cross between a classroom and music studio, and it provides an interesting backdrop to zone out into if you are too shy to strike up casual conversation. The long-haired, middle-aged owner is actually pretty good at speaking English, though.
Wisteria
High on my list is a place in Kyobashi on a level of its own, called Wisteria. I save this classy sherry bar for special occasions because the bar master is a certified sherry specialist. There are many outstanding drinks to choose from if you’re not into sherry, but don’t be afraid to drop 1,000 yen on a cocktail. There is an entrance fee, but in return, you are given a homemade delicious snack such as raw ham slices or Spanish omelet. When entering Wisteria, it’s like stepping back in time to the Golden Era; black and white films will be playing silently in the background covered by the sound of smooth jazz, and the bar area is decorated in red and gold. I’ve never cared much for a Moscow Mule, but if you try it here, you will be blown away by the fresh gingery taste. I drink it every time I go.
I’m going to be a little biased with my last set of bars. Depending on what part of Osaka you’re visiting, there are sure to be some very cool local bars nearby, but I can only tell you what I know. So, I’m going to tell you about my two favorite local bars in my town, Shijonawate. They might not be the most convenient to get to from the city, but I don’t think you’d be disappointed if you decided to make the trip out.
Soul Kitchen
There’s a dining bar called Soul Kitchen where the food and drinks are delicious. The menu and special cocktails are well thought out by the owner. The menu includes pastas, salads, soups, pizzas, and a variety of appetizers. I enjoy hot wine in the winter or sangria in the summer. The atmosphere is tasteful, so I think it’s a great place to take a date or relax on your own.
White and Cigar
The last place is my favorite bar in the entire world, and it’s called White and Cigar. It’s basically my second home, and it’s just a minute walk from Shinobugaoka Station. During the day it’s a café and transforms into a bar at night—hence the name “White and Cigar.” It’s all family run. The mother and daughter make authentic and affordable Japanese style lunch sets during the day, and the son manages the bar at night. It has an adult atmosphere, and it’s a great place to unwind. As the name suggests, there are cigars for sale and a fine selection of whiskeys and other drinks. There is a 300 yen cover charge which includes a snack. The thing that makes this place so special is the skill of the bar master. His drinks are the best I’ve ever had, and he doesn’t overcharge. It’s gotten to the point where I just tell him to make me anything he wants, and he always surprises me with deliciousness. His homemade chicken jerky is a must try. Here, you can enjoy watching the movies playing on TV while listening to the master’s favorite tunes, usually Jamiroquai. It’s the perfect place to drink, in my opinion.
Obviously, I am just one girl in a big city, and there are so many places I have yet to discover. There are probably some gems that I couldn’t tell you about because I don’t know them yet. There are also places I enjoy that simply didn’t make the cut for the sake of keeping this post concise. However, I think that the places I recommended are a great starting point, and if you do make a trip to any of them, I hope you enjoy! Thank you for reading.
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Hello readers! I’m Stephanie, a twenty-something American who has been been living in Osaka, Japan for the past four years. Feel free to check out my blog, Stephanie in Japan, if you are interested in journal-like entries of my experiences, life, and thoughts on living in Japan. By the way, I’m on Instagram too!
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43 Comments on Where to Drink in Osaka
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Hey Gina thank you for the list! Will note it down when we head to Osaka. Have been to Tokyo but never to Osaka so definitely a must!
Have you checked out the Osaka eating one too? That would also be perfect for you guys!
Thank you for the guest post. I am assuming that Captain Kangaroo would be an Australian bar? haha
I have no idea! I knew of a Captain Kangaroo burger place in Okinawa. I think the name just sounds cool! Hahaha.
The Captain Kangaroo in Okinawa is the original, and the one in Osaka is the second bar. I believe they have Australian beers, but overall, it’s just a foreigner bar accomodating to all sorts of people. They have tons of burgers!
If I wasn’t a mum with a couple of toddlers I’d be on the next plane to do the Osaka bar crawl now. Living vicariously through you crazy kids. This all looks fabulous!
You can always leave them and grandma’s for a few days and do a pub crawl! Hahaha. Jk. 😉
Sounds like these are all very local, which I love! You’re not truly immersing yourself if you’re only ever speaking with tourists – bars are my favorite way to interact with and meet locals 🙂 Thanks!
These are great bars! I love how Stephanie lists the major expat bars in the beginning, but if you want a real experience, go further into town.
Well, looks like you did all the homework for me 🙂 Now I can just focus on epic libations the next time I’m in Osaka! Been to Japan twice now and can’t wait to go back!
Glad Stephanie could do that! Where have you been in Japan?
So fun! This is good to keep in mind–figuring out nightlife in different countries is sometimes so tricky!
Most definitely! Especially in Japan! I would always get so confused!
Reminds me of the “dive bars’ I spent a lot of in in, in the US. The best way to learn about an area, talk to the locals etc. I really love this list and will give it to a friend who is always in Japan.
Thanks so much! I hope your friend will find this useful! I definitely want to check out Soul Kitchen and Wine and Cigar? What about you?
This is an awesome list. I love uncovering awesome drinking holes when i travel too. I love the idea behind Pacha and the irony that they never really see any American visitors. I am sure I will enjoy Osaka with this nifty pub guide by bay 🙂
I thought it was pretty ironic myself! I also think the photo is HILARIOUS. As western women, we tend to wear lower cut shirts so seeing a blonde woman with huge boobs is definitely ironic.
We had a Pacha here in New York City as well, but it was a nightclub that recently closed down. I wonder if there is any relation. Love that White & Cigar is a cafe turned bar, that’s something I haven’t heard of before.
That kind of stuff is actually kind of common in Japan. I knew places that were cafes by day and bars by night. It’s a super fun vibe!
Great list for you singles out there! Enjoy!
I think even couples can enjoy this. Some of these places are great for a date night out.
All of the places promise a really heady experience, but I have particularly taken a fancy to Pacha, seems so funky and happening.
I would love to try out Pacha sometime too! I think the “American” theme seems really fun.
I’ll be visiting Tokyo later this year and it sounds like I need to add Osaka to my list! Wisteria and White & Cigar sound like places my husband and I would enjoy!
Most definitely! I think there’s something on this list for eveyone! Wisteria sounds so fun, low key and classy. Definitely something I would like!
So far I only have been to Tokyo, but I really like to explore the south of Japan. If I’m in Osaka I’ll give White & Sigar a try.
You have to check out Osaka! It’s Japan’s kitchen and one of my favorite places! 😀
Really useful list! We are actually thinking of going to Osaka next. So might give these bars (okay, maybe not all) a try.
Some of them (esp. Soul Kitchen) sounds like those I frequent back home in Malaysia.
Will be checking her blog out for more tips on Osaka 🙂
I hope you are able to give all of them a try. 😉 I’ve been so interested in Malaysia! I would love it if you wrote more about it on your blog! I hope you can find awesome tips for Osaka!
These all seem like great places for those interested in this information! Thanks for sharing
Please share it with someone who is going to Osaka! 😀
For somebody who doesn’t drink and never go to the bar, I was amazed with your list. Like a themed cafe, each of the bar you featured here has its own personality and ambiance. I think what I like the most is the Hi-Five. I like how it looks like a laid back kind of bar, exactly what I want. When I go to Japan, maybe, just maybe, I could go at least to Hi-Five.
I hope you can make it there. I enjoy a good drink myself every once in awhile and I like how Hi-five is a hybrid of school and music. Maybe a School of Music Japan movie could be filmed there.
I’m visiting Osaka again in winter and I’ll definitely be keeping these bars in mind! Osaka is my favourite place that I’ve been in Japan so I’m really excited to visit again, especially now that I have these local suggestions for a good bevvy!
Osaka is my favorite place as well! I love the vibe of the city! Did you know Chicago is also its sister city and Osaka has a large collection of replicated art from Chicago’s Art Institute? It’s awesome!
My favorite place from your list, based on your images is high five, I like it’s old school vibe and atmosphere.
A lot of people totally seem to dig Hi-Five! I think it’s the Japan school of music setting that gets everyone! 😉
What a great curated guide to the city’s watering holes. The decor at Hi-Five would be my go to but I really like how you described White and Cigar. I judge my bars too based on how fair the pricing is and if the bartender can balance all the flavors. Its all about that mixology. I can’t believe there’s a cover charge to bars though (even if its inclusive of a snack.) I’ve never heard of that unless they offer dancing or live music.
It’s super common in Japan to have cover charges! I remembered hating that too, but business is business and rent in Japan is super expensive. I can totally understand why they do it, but it still sucks nonetheless.
What a fun post to do on Osaka!
Will definitely keep this post handy when we get to Japan one day.
When do you think you’d go to Japan? I think I should make an Osaka itinerary!
Everyone and their moms are telling me Osaka is a must in Japan. I’m planning to go to Tokyo next week, however on a budget, so I won’t be able to make it to Osaka. Bummer! I’ll definitely be digging through your posts on some recommendations and insight on Tokyo. Would you be able to recommend a good hostel in Tokyo for solo female travellers? Great post, Gina!
I have a budget Tokyo post for all you out there! Definitely check it out! Also, I recommend Shinjuku Kuyakushu-mae for all solo female travelers. It’s a capsule hotel, really safe and has a female only floor.