On weekdays around 4:30 pm, it was unusually empty. But it got somewhat crowded later, so it's all about timing, I guess. I often use this place as a stopover. They are open from early afternoon, so it's quite convenient. The "Negroni" seems to be popular among foreigners, especially Europeans. Ah, it's an aperitif, I see. I wonder if the restaurant has become non-smoking? By chance, no one was smoking and the person at the counter was smoking outside, so maybe it's non-smoking. It's easy to use, not cheap-looking, and feels properly done, so it's a favorite spot of mine (*^^*)

After enjoying a delicious cake at the third place, I was about to head home when another colleague called me. I was quite tipsy and wanted to go home, but they insisted, so I ended up visiting The Northern Lights Corner. I had whiskey straight and highballs. The brands can be seen in the images, but all the whiskies were quite to my liking. Among them, the Tanba whiskey was the most delicious. The place was probably run by the owner and a young female part-timer, and they were very friendly. The shop is open from 2 p.m., so it seems like a nice place to drop by for a daytime drink in the area. I thought I'd like to visit again sometime.

24 hours ago, Kyoto night out, first stop at The Northern Lights Corner bar. Had a light three drinks. The bartender's recommended craft beers, Brewdog Hazy Jane, fruity with a gentle mouthfeel and smooth finish – just the kind of beer I like. For Scotch, had GM's Linkwood. In the past, I've had Linkwood from UD's Flora & Fauna series, but this GM version had a unique punch while maintaining Linkwood's gentleness. Didn't check the prices, but it must have been decent. The 3 snacks were nice – smoky macadamia nuts, spicy green pea mix, and mixed nuts. Getting older, starting to enjoy nuts and beans more, so couldn't get enough. Ended with a Tequila Sunrise, a classy one with the unique smoky aroma of tequila and the sweetness of grenadine and orange. Satisfied with being tipsy from the first stop. Thank you for the meal.

It was empty at 16:20 on a weekday. This place is a savior that is open from 14:00!! Even though it has the atmosphere of a standing bar, you can still order cocktails. It's a recommended spot within the group. The freedom and convenience here are top-notch. It seems like they have closed the second floor, which had a more authentic feel, while this floor feels more like a pub. So, bottled beers go well here. I tried a 'Duvel' that I've never seen before. It was delicious, like a Belgian IPA. In my experience, there are many smokers, so that's just luck. But the manager is a nice and funny person. The comfort here is different from other places in the group, making you want to stop by again and again. I like it.

A bar that opens early. There are quite a few customers because it opens before other shops. I ordered a homemade spicy chocolate cake for 500 yen. It's indeed a good match with alcohol as it's labeled spicy. It's understandable since it's a bar, but it would be nice if it were non-smoking.

I came here after slurping ramen next door, lol. I thought they opened at 3 o'clock (which is still early), but it seems they open from 2 o'clock now. I'll have a drink and wait until my next appointment. Surprisingly, smoking is allowed here. Maybe because it's not primarily for dining? It's a proper bar. It used to feel more like a pub with standing room, but now you can generally sit down. It's a proper bar, so the staff are knowledgeable and can make anything you ask for. I've been here a few times, and there are usually smokers around. That might just be luck. Also, there's no cover charge, so the bill is cheap. Every time I go to the second floor, I find myself saying "cheap!" lol. Overall, the staff seem friendly and knowledgeable. It's like a dream come true for me. It's a proper bar, lol.

The first drink I had was a Mojito. They shaved ice with a knife, squeezed lemon and lime carefully, and put them in the glass. They crushed the mint in the base and mixed it with soda before serving it. I also asked for a China Blue to enjoy its color and aroma. The scent of lychee is really nice. The thickness and saltiness of the potato chips they import from Hakata are excellent.

I had a drink before the meal♪ Even though I've been here many times, I didn't know there was a bar here. I tried the gin because it's popular. They served me a gin that won the Cruxland award, I think it's from South Africa, and it was so delicious... I might get hooked on gin (*^^*) It seems this place is often used as a meeting spot, so it's recommended when you just want a little alcohol rather than staying for a long time＊

Category: Favorite Izakaya (Kinki Region) Today's walking destination is Kyoto. After enjoying the autumn leaves at Kinkaku-ji in the morning, I headed to the bustling downtown area. Let's take a break at "The Northern Lights Corner" at 2 p.m. I ordered a gin and tonic at the counter. The professionally made gin and tonic was delicious. It's a small counter with only 5 seats. I quietly enjoyed my drink in a corner near the entrance. There was a cheerful couple in the corner at the back, their happy conversation could be heard. Drinking alcohol in the afternoon is so enjoyable, isn't it? Shall we have another round? I ordered a mix of Tan Curry and Turkey in half portions. They were surprised that I was drinking alcohol at this hour for the first time. I wanted to go bold with my order, but they kindly adjusted the spiciness level for me. It made me want another drink. Drinking at a bar in Kyoto during the day is lovely. It's a wonderful tourist destination. Let's continue our walk a little longer. Thank you for the meal! "The Northern Lights Corner" Kyoto, Nakagyo-ku, Shinkyogoku-dori, Nijo-agaru, Nakanocho 565-23, Hare no Hi Hanayu Koji 1F, 2:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m., Closed on Wednesdays.

Walk down the alley behind OPA, past Suiba Street, and you'll find yourself facing Hanayu Koji. It's quicker to turn directly from Shijo Street. Originally a standing bar, they switched to high chairs to reduce seating capacity due to COVID-19. They open from 2 PM, perfect for daytime drinkers. The interior is casual but the bar selection is good. Started with a refreshing gin and tonic, slightly sweet but crisp, made with Tanqueray gin. Followed by a zesty gimlet. This month is dedicated to strengthening bars on Shijo Street, starting with this place.

Located a 2-3 minute walk from Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, BAR The Northern Lights Corner is a popular spot situated in a building where bars are gathered in the back streets of Kyoto Kawaramachi. With counter and stand seating available, it's the perfect place to enjoy a drink on your way back from Kyoto. I ordered the classic Sidecar this time. The rich brandy aroma with a hint of sweetness, the refreshing taste of White Curacao, and the zesty flavor of lemon were perfectly balanced and matched. If you're looking for a hidden gem bar in Kyoto, be sure to visit. Thank you for the meal!

Located not far from Kyoto Kawaramachi Station is a bar called "The Northern Lights Corner." The bar is open from 2 pm and there is no cover charge, so you can easily enjoy a casual drink. However, there are bartenders who can make proper cocktails, making it perfect for a next visit! On this day, I used it as a meeting spot. The Gin and Tonic was perfect for the humid and hot day in Kyoto after the rain. The refreshing scent of lime was delightful. Chairs were set up in the first-floor interior, but I heard they used to have standing room only. Currently, there were five chairs placed to maintain distance. The atmosphere was nice, and the staff were friendly and lovely. The location might be a bit tricky to find, but if you know your way, you can easily find it. Once you pass through "Hanayu-koji" in front of Shijo Kawaramachi bus stop, it's immediately on your right. A convenient spot to know about if you're familiar with it. Thank you for the meal! ♡

I visited this convenient casual authentic bar that opens from 14:00 for a second time. It's just a few minutes' walk from Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, but a bit difficult to find. I entered at 14:55 and there was one other guest. It used to be a standing bar, but due to the influence of the pandemic, chairs were set up... We had two Gin and Tonics, comparing the flavors of the gins distilled in Kyoto: "Kin no Mi: 43% and 45% alcohol content." Despite only a 2% difference in alcohol content, the flavor difference was surprising... Next time, let's compare with Tanqueray and Bombay Sapphire. The prices are reasonable, and it's a user-friendly bar. I left at 16:50, and the place was fully booked, including the terrace seats... Moving to the sister store on the 2nd floor...

I visited to adjust the time until dinner on my first visit. It seems that Gion-Kawaramachi is dotted with Finlandia Bar, Common One Bar Kyoto, and Turquoise Bar, which are affiliated stores. I entered at 17:15 and there was one group of three guests already seated. The first floor is for casual standing, while the second floor seems to be an authentic bar with sofas. Since I stayed for about 40 minutes, I used the first floor. I had a gin and tonic and a gin fizz. The bill was 2300 yen with no cover charge, making it a convenient bar for a quick drink. I made a reservation for after-dinner at Turquoise Bar and left at 17:55, with one guest remaining.

On this day, my wife and I were exploring Kyoto. We came to this bar. It is located along an alley between Shinkyogoku and Kawaramachi streets. I had visited the 2nd-floor sister store of this bar before, but this time we came to use the standing bar on the 1st floor. It is a bar where you can casually enjoy standing without a cover charge. There are terrace seats in front of the store. Upon entering, there is a standing counter with a back bar on the right side. There were also two round tables. We took a seat near the counter. The shop is run by a man and a woman. Western pop music is playing in the background. It has a more casual atmosphere than the 2nd-floor store. Easy to drop by for a quick drink. The menu is written on a blackboard, but they mentioned they can make items not listed as well. So, what we had on this day is as follows: - Gimlet 1100 yen (My order. Made by the lady. It was not a hard shake but a soft shake, and the finished product had a juicy and punchy taste, quite delicious. A very tasty cocktail.) - Vanilla vodka and orange cocktail 1100 yen (My wife's order. A sweet and low-proof fruit cocktail. They mixed vanilla vodka with orange juice and garnished it with an orange. It had a fuzzy navel-like flavor. It tasted more like juice to me, but my wife was delighted.) - Martini 1100 yen (My order. I ended with this. Since the Gimlet was delicious, I felt reassured with this. It has a mild taste with no roughness. A clear taste. The olives with reduced salt were served separately. With this, the bill came to 3300 yen. Cocktails were mostly in the 1000-1300 yen range. It's slightly cheaper compared to the surrounding authentic bars. No cover charge, so you can enjoy from just one drink. Thank you for the meal! (As of November 2019, rating 3.59 points)

After about 3 years, I revisited Northern Lights Corner. In Kyoto, where daytime drinking is becoming more common, this standing bar is open from noon. However, don't underestimate it just because it's a standing bar. The cocktails served here are like those from an authentic bar. The service is also polite and friendly. With its casual atmosphere and convenience, you'll find yourself stopping by for a drink in Kyoto without even realizing it.