This is my favorite bar in Kyoto, where there are many famous bars. I visited after having dinner in Gion during my trip to Kyoto, after 8 years. It was around 10 pm on a Friday night, so the counter was full and we were guided to a private room. After a while, we were guided to the counter seats. Since I was already drinking, I planned to have just one more drink before leaving, so I consulted with the owner, Mr. Osawa and his wife. I had a Bunnahabhain whiskey from a bottler, and my wife had a kiwi dessert cocktail. The drinks were delicious, but what stood out the most was the relaxing atmosphere and the warm hospitality of the owner couple. Coincidentally, a famous actress was sitting next to us at the counter, but she didn't receive any special treatment or stand out, she simply enjoyed her drink while chatting with the owner couple and her companion. I think this bar is wonderful because of the great drinks, the calming atmosphere, and above all, the attentive and warm hospitality of the owner couple.

I visited after a long time. It's always crowded and lively. I couldn't drink alcohol due to a doctor's order, but when I mentioned that I wanted something like this to drink, they made it for me. The photos are of a spicy ginger ale with lime, lemon soda with shaker, and grapefruit soda with shaker. They were all delicious. Thank you for the meal. I will visit again soon.

The hospitality at this bar is outstanding, and it is one of the best in the country in terms of atmosphere. The balance between feeling relaxed and having a sense of tension at the bar is perfect, making you want to stay longer. The knowledge and kindness of the master and his wife add depth to the establishment. They also serve homemade cakes, which were well-received by women (my wife). When visiting Kyoto, we will definitely come back. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

A renowned bar in Gion with a nice and slender atmosphere. Walking down the dimly lit hallway, you'll find a door with a sign. The complimentary dishes were cinnamon cake and cheesecake. The fruit cocktails were delicious, I had 2-3 glasses along with some other snacks. I spent a pleasant hour there, the atmosphere, taste, and service were all excellent. I will visit again.

I had a hard time finding the building because it was not very clear, but I finally found it and ordered a cocktail made with fresh fruits. I asked for a peach cocktail, but before making it, they asked me how strong I wanted the alcohol. I said "normal," but it turned out to be quite strong, like a Martini. It was too strong for me to taste the freshness of the peach. Maybe it would be perfect for someone who really likes strong alcohol. Next time, if I go back, I will definitely ask for it to be made "weaker" haha.

I was taken to this bar by a friend (Mr. S) as a last stop by chance, and I was surprised when I entered. It's a pretty hard-boiled bar. The space is like waiting for tough guys in the darkness. The master and a lady, I presume, were welcoming and friendly. When I asked for a recommended premium cigar and whiskey to go with it, I was served a 10-year-old Miyagi-kyo. It was a rare find. It was a wonderful time savoring the deep flavors of the whiskey. I would love to visit again when I come to Gion. Thank you for your hospitality. *I was surprised to learn later that it was a famous bar.

Today is Sunday, so there are not many places open. I went to a place and they told me they are closed today. But then I found this place. The connections in the bar industry are amazing. I heard many interesting stories. I was quite drunk so my memory is a bit fuzzy. Thank you for the meal!

There are many drinks available, and this time I tried whiskey and wine, but I would like to try others as well. I was also tempted by the sweet treats as a side dish. It was very delicious. The atmosphere was very good, and the master was also a nice person. It's a restaurant I would like to visit again.

Just a 5-minute walk from Gion Shijo Station, you'll find our restaurant along the Kamo River. It's not in the busy tourist area of Pontocho. I called for a reservation around 10 PM on the day of and luckily there was one seat available. The staff who assisted me was very polite and left a good impression. Our restaurant also focuses on sweets, as we were served Basque cheesecake and pound cake as appetizers! What a pleasant surprise. For the seasonal fruit cocktail, I chose "mango" this time. We also ordered a gin and tonic. The Basque cheesecake had a smooth melt-in-your-mouth texture that paired well with the fruit cocktail. The fruit cocktail had a sherbet-like texture that was easy to enjoy, but be careful as it's quite alcoholic. The owner and staff were both polite and friendly, making us feel welcome. There are many bars in the area like "Affinage" and "Gion Taki" that offer cocktails made with fruits. A great second stop with a good flow, especially if you have smokers in your group.====== ======MENU======= Appetizers, Frozen Mango, Gin and Tonic —————————o0o————————— - Address: 1F Yamato Building, Ogawa-dori Shimbashi-agaru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto - Reservation: Available (075-541-1770) - Business Hours: Friday to Tuesday (4:00 PM - 2:00 AM) - Closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays - Payment Methods: Various credit cards accepted - Cost: 5,300 yen for 2 people ⭐️ - Tabelog Rating: 3.99 ———————o0o——————— Instagram ID: tam_gourmet_

I rarely have the opportunity to drink in Gion, so I wanted to try out a famous bar in Kyoto while I have the chance. A quick search online led me to a bar called El Tesoro, which seemed promising. I found the bar just a few minutes' walk from Gion towards Shijo. The exterior was very understated, but that's usually the case with famous bars. Inside, the female staff greeted me warmly. I had to wait a few minutes in the waiting area until a couple left and a seat at the counter was prepared for me. The bar having a waiting area was impressive. After a short wait, I was seated at the counter. The bar had a sophisticated atmosphere, with a beautiful view of the Kamo River and the green maple trees outside. The bar is run by a couple in their 40s, and the owner, despite his sophisticated appearance, was very friendly and provided excellent service. I ordered the following drinks: 1) Gin and Tonic with lots of lime, very refreshing! 2) Glenmorangie 10-year-old on the rocks, with the new label, which sparked a conversation. 3) Mojito, perfect for warmer weather. 4) Old Fashioned, a classic man's drink with a generous amount of whiskey. The charm was a pound cake made with liquor, very stylish. The bill came to 5000 yen for four drinks in Gion, with the charm included, in such a great atmosphere and with such excellent service, this was a very reasonable price! The owner is from Shizuoka, and I must say, this bar is fantastic. I definitely want to visit again!

I stopped by on my way home from work. It was my first time here, so I tried the gin and tonic and the sugarcane mojito. Both were very delicious. The atmosphere of the restaurant is nice and relaxing. I sat at the counter, but the counter chairs were a bit narrow for my larger body, so I felt a bit squeezed. Two drinks and a cover charge cost 4000 yen. It's a bit pricey, but considering the quality, it's worth it. I now have another favorite place to visit.

On 20th May 2023, I received a dish called Orange Fizz and a Cinnamon Pound Cake along with El Tesoro Coffee Liqueur with 23% alcohol content. Thanks to Kyoto Fine Wine and Spirits, I was able to connect with the historic Oyamajinshichi Shoten. I hope you can feel the bitterness, richness, and deep roasted aroma in the liqueur. You can enjoy it as a cocktail ingredient or pour it over milk or vanilla ice cream.

Visited this restaurant after seeing it on Tabelog's top 100 list. It opens at 4pm, making it a great option for a pre-dinner drink in the Gion area. The owner was kind and shared information about other Kyoto restaurants. The counter seats offer a view of the garden in the back, which looked like a prime spot even from a distance. The drinks were delicious and the bill was surprisingly reasonable. It's a welcoming bar with a genuine atmosphere.

The authentic bar, open from 4:00 pm, has a chic and elegant counter that exudes a sense of luxury. It has been selected as one of the top 100 restaurants. The counter was full, so I made a reservation for a private room and visited with two friends. [Order] - Strawberry and mint mojito - Frozen kumquat cocktail - Banana and espresso rum cocktail I chose the strawberry and mint mojito, which was delicious with plenty of fresh strawberries and a rich flavor. The other drinks were also well-balanced with a strong presence of fruit and alcohol. This bar offers high-quality cocktails. They also serve desserts, and the highlight of the day was the canelé, which was fluffy and delicious. The staff were friendly, and I would love to visit again. Thank you for the wonderful experience.

I went to a lovely bar that is open from 4 o'clock. The manager is a friendly and talkative person. I had a martini which had a nice balance of sweetness and was delicious. It's a bar where you can enjoy conversation and drinks without feeling tense.

The service at the bar was pleasant and enjoyable. The atmosphere had an authentic feel to it. I ended up drinking too much. I'm not very familiar with bars, as I have only been to a few before. It seemed like everyone there, except for us, were regulars. The entrance was a bit intimidating, but once we opened the door, we were warmly welcomed. I honestly told them that we were beginners and tourists, and after ordering a gin and tonic for my first drink, I just roughly told the bartender what I felt like drinking next, and he made me a cocktail. Also, the Basque cheesecake made by the bartender himself? It was amazing on my tipsy body. I was able to ask about various things that only locals would know, such as recommended restaurants that can't be found on food review websites. It was so much fun that I ended up drinking a lot. If I visit Kyoto again, I would definitely come back to this bar.

I visited El Tesoro for the first time at 4:00 PM! I had a gin and tonic, a highball with Monkey Shoulder, and a brandy soda. Each drink was well-balanced and made me excited to think about what to order next in this enjoyable bar!

Today, I traveled from Shirahama Onsen in Wakayama Prefecture to Kyoto. I made a pit stop in Yuasa and had a drink. I thought about trying Wakayama ramen or visiting Meijiya in Osaka, but I already ate too much for lunch. After a short break, I changed into a suit at my hotel in Kyoto and embarked on a solo bar-hopping journey starting at 4:00 PM at "El Tesoro." I enjoyed a delicious gin and tonic at the counter. It was still bright outside when I had my drink. It had been about 10 years since my last visit to "El Tesoro." I love the bars in Kyoto, but my business trips to Kyushu have reduced my opportunities to visit the Kansai region. Let's have another drink. I'll have a gimlet, please. The well-shaken gimlet was smooth and delicious, showcasing the bartender's skills. Let's visit more bars today instead of sightseeing. It's the Kyoto style of enjoying the nightlife. I heard there's a recommended bar nearby, so let's check it out. Thank you for the hospitality. "El Tesoro" is located in Kyoto, Higashiyama-ku, on the west side of Oyamadai New Bridge, on the 1st floor of Oyamabiru. They are open from 4:00 PM to 3:00 AM (last entry at 2:00 AM), closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

After filling my stomach at Momoteru, let's go for a drink in Kyoto. I had a reservation at this bar. I haven't visited in 10 years. The phone response during the reservation was very polite. The interior of the bar had dim lighting, creating a sophisticated atmosphere. I started with my favorite cocktail, Tequila Sunrise. It had a beautiful gradient and a perfect balance of sweetness with a refreshing aftertaste. There were about 4 cakes displayed on the counter, and I was served a Cinnamon Pound Cake as a charm. It was moist and delicious, pairing well with the cocktail. I also decided to try the Basque Cheesecake, which looked tempting. For my second drink, I ordered a Cosmopolitan. The cheesecake had a smooth texture, a subtle sweetness, and was delightful. Even though I was at a bar, I enjoyed the sweets too! The cocktails were also delicious without any complaints. The owner and staff were all friendly and provided excellent service, making the atmosphere very welcoming. Thank you for the wonderful experience!