Shijo-Kawaramachi · Near Pontocho · Since 2010

Frontier Bar Kyoto

Since 2010, this bar has been hiding on the 3rd floor of an old Kyoto building in Shijo-Kawaramachi, a short walk from Pontocho alley. Regulars have climbed these stairs for years. Now it is your turn. Two rooms, two counters: one red, one black. Signature cocktails, Japanese whisky and gin, poured by English-speaking bartenders.

Get directions → Instagram @frontier_bar_kyoto See the drinks

The back bar at Frontier Bar Kyoto, lit in red, with Japanese whisky bottles under a carved wooden ranma of pine and hawk — The Red Room: 7 counter seats under the carved ranma from the owner’s family home

Open every day5 PM – midnight, no closing days

Non-smokingThe whole bar, every night

English spokenAsk us for a recommendation

Walk-ins welcomeNo reservation needed

Behind the bar

Signature cocktails and Japanese spirits

Japanese citrus, local gin and a deep whisky shelf. Cocktails are ¥1,500. Tell the bartender what you like and they will guide you.

Espresso Martini with a thick crema and three coffee beans — Espresso Martini

A pale violet gin cocktail with a lemon twist — Gin cocktail

A signature cocktail with a dried citrus slice clipped to the glass — Signature cocktail

Lychee Signature

House signature

Fragrant, bright and easy to love.

Yuzu Cocktail

Japanese citrus

Fresh yuzu, the sharp and floral citrus of Japan.

Yuzu Margarita

Japanese citrus

The classic margarita with a Kyoto accent.

Espresso Martini

Guest favorite

Rich, cold and smooth. A strong start or a perfect last drink.

House Old Fashioned

Whisky

Our own take on the slow-sipping classic.

Japanese Gin & Tonic

Gin

Japanese craft gin with botanicals you will not find at home.

Japanese Whisky

By the glass

A wide selection of Japanese whisky. Neat, on the rocks or as a highball.

Not sure what to order?

Answer three questions. We make your drink.

Sweet or crisp?Fruity and soft, or dry and clean
Strong or light?A slow sipper, or an easy first drink
Whisky or gin?Or tell us your favorite spirit

No menu reading needed. Just tell your bartender, and they will make a cocktail for you.

A long wooden bar counter with leather stools, glowing red under shelves of whisky — Leather stools, a long wooden counter and a wall of whisky

The rooms

Twin counters, red and black

Frontier has two rooms, each with its own counter: the Red Room, under the carved ranma, and the Black Room. Both are calm and smoke-free.

Black Room8 seats

Red Room7 seats

The story of the ranma

A real piece of a Kyoto family home

A ranma is a carved wooden panel set above the doors of a traditional Japanese house. The one above our Red Room counter is not a replica. About 50 years ago it hung in the owner’s family home, in the room where guests were welcomed.

Its carving shows a hawk resting in a pine tree, a symbol of strength and long life. It still does the same job today: welcoming guests.

Take a photo and tag @frontier_bar_kyoto. We love seeing it.

A framed ukiyo-e woodblock print of a kabuki actor on a red mat — A framed ukiyo-e kabuki print

A glowing stained glass lamp next to a red Frontier bar card — Stained glass light by the counter

Plan your night

Before or after dinner in Pontocho

From 5 PM

Start your Kyoto night here

Begin with a quiet first drink while the bar is calm, then walk over to Pontocho for dinner.

Until midnight

Come back for a nightcap

After dinner, a short walk from Pontocho brings you back for one more. Last order is 11:30 PM.

Bartenders Jun, Toshi and Kain smiling behind the bar, celebrating Frontier Bar Kyoto's 16th anniversary — From left: Jun (manager), Toshi (owner) and Kain, on our 16th anniversary

16 years in Kyoto

Meet our bartenders

Frontier opened in 2010 and celebrated its 16th anniversary on March 3, 2026. Jun and Kain look forward to meeting you. Ask for a recommendation and make this your bar in Kyoto.

See the post on Instagram →

Visit

Find us

We have been tucked away on the 3rd floor of the Shinobu Kaikan, an old building in Shijo-Kawaramachi, for over 16 years. After dinner in Pontocho, it is a short walk to our door.

The Shinobu Kaikan building at night, with a red Frontier bar sign and a Whisky Cocktails Hidden Bar board at the entrance — Street level: Shinobu Kaikan

Frontier bar door on the 3rd floor with an open sign and a chalkboard of house rules — Our door on the 3rd floor

Find the Shinobu Kaikan building and the red Frontier bar · 3F Welcome sign on the street.
Walk in and head up to the 3rd floor.
Look for the Frontier plate and the Yes! We are open sign on the door. Come in.

Address

English

3F Shinobu Kaikan, 572 Nakano-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8042

For your taxi driver

〒604-8042 京都市中京区中之町572 しのぶ会館 3F

Open in Google Maps →

Hours

Every day	5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Closing days	None
Last order	11:30 PM

Our busiest hours are around 9 to 10 PM. Come early for a quieter seat.

Good to know

Phone

+81 75-231-2666

Payment

Credit cards accepted

Prices

¥600 cover charge per guest
¥1,500 per cocktail

What is a cover charge?

A seat charge is standard at bars in Japan. Ours is ¥600 per guest and covers your seat for the evening.

Tips

Tipping is not common in Japan, but at Frontier tips are always welcome and appreciated by our bartenders.

House rules

Please order at least one drink per person. Groups of 3 or more, please pay together.

Smoking

Fully non-smoking

Instagram

@frontier_bar_kyoto

Welcome in your language

Welcome

A hidden cocktail bar on the 3rd floor, a short walk from Pontocho. Open every day from 5 PM to midnight. Non-smoking. English spoken.

Willkommen

Versteckte Cocktailbar im 3. Stock, wenige Gehminuten von Pontocho. Täglich 17 bis 24 Uhr. Nichtraucher. Wir sprechen Englisch.

Bienvenidos

Bar de cócteles escondido en el 3.er piso, a pocos minutos a pie de Pontocho. Abierto todos los días de 17:00 a 24:00. Sin humo. Hablamos inglés.

Bienvenue

Bar à cocktails caché au 3e étage, à quelques minutes à pied de Pontocho. Ouvert tous les jours de 17 h à minuit. Non-fumeur. Nous parlons anglais.