Best Cocktail & whisky Bars in OSaka
The second largest city in Japan somehow often gets overlooked by visitors to Japan. I understand why, but I think a night or two here is worth the time there are some great places to check out.
#1 - Bar Shiki
Perhaps the most innovative bar in Osaka right now. The bartender/owner Mr. Nakaichi is the only person who works there so he makes every cocktail. Very Japanese. This also allows him to maintain a very high level of consistent quality. I love that. He is constantly working on different infusions and ingredients. Shiki has its own style and flavor profile that places it as one of the best bars in Japan. I loved my cocktails here. The bar only has 10 seats, and it surprises me that it isn’t busier. Mr. Nakaichi also speaks English very well so it is easy to order.
https://www.instagram.com/bar_shiki/
Location: Marshal, Bldg 2F, 1 Chome-17-4 Higashishinsaibashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0083, Japan
#2 - Hollow Bar
Very well-trained staff. They are making very good cocktails with a surprisingly small amount of ingredients and back bar. It is a very low volume bar with only 12 seats, so the staff interact collaboratively and spend time thinking about the cocktail they are going to make quite a bit more than other places in town. The staff speaks English pretty well so it is easy to order.
https://www.instagram.com/hollow_bar/
Location: Japan, 〒542-0086 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Nishishinsaibashi, 1 Chome−10−17 心斎橋ロヂビル 2F
#3 - Kirip Truman
Everything here is beautifully presented. One of the very few bars that has a big window with a view outside. It overlooks the river and the city lights just beyond it that look best in the dark of night. The cocktail menu thoughtfully designed and laid out. Some of the glassware settings were handmade by the owner over the course of weeks. The space is also tall, so the seating is on separate levels that creates these semi-private areas. The seats are physically comfortable, something surprising rare. The cocktails are enjoyable. I certainly liked some more than others, but every cocktail was thoughtfully created. It has about 12 seats and is good for groups of 4 if you make a reservation in advance. The staff speaks English pretty well, so it is easy to order.
http://www.instagram.com/kiriptruman/
Location: Japan, 〒541-0041 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Kitahama, 1 Chome−1−29 ケイアンドエフ北浜 3F
#4 - Bar Minmore House
Excellent selection of scotch and Japanese whisky. A great selection of vintage and modern bottles. I had some exceptional pours here. The owner speaks English very well, so it is easy to order.
https://www.instagram.com/minmorehouse/
Location: Japan, 〒530-0002 Osaka, Kita Ward, Sonezakishinchi, 1 Chome−11−9 京屋ビル
#5 - Tom and Jerry Bar
Mainly a classic cocktail bar, but they also serve a selection of classics with a modern twist. A very high level of bartending techniques is used by the bartender here. The cocktail menu is quite big. The menu also has pictures and detailed descriptions of most of the cocktails, so it is very easy to order.
Location: Japan, 〒530-0002 Osaka, Kita Ward, Sonezakishinchi, 1 Chome−8−9 北新地NORTHビル B1F
#6 - Karuda
Very small cocktail menu that are all twists on classics. I liked my cocktails, but because the menu is so small you may not find a cocktail that you will enjoy. The staff speaks English well and the menu is so small it is very easy to order.
https://www.instagram.com/karuda_osk/
Location: Japan, 〒542-0086 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Nishishinsaibashi, 1 Chome−10−16 4F
#7 - Bar Agreable
I mostly come for whisky. They can also make a good cocktail.
https://www.instagram.com/bar_agreable/
Location: Japan, 〒542-0083 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Higashishinsaibashi, 1 Chome−12−6 吉田ビル １F
Other bars
These are other bars I visited, but do not recommend. Some I would visit only under specific circumstances such as going with a large number of people, or if I were in the area. But most are simply not worth visiting or a bad experience.
Bible Club Osaka
Nearly everything in the bar is over 100 years old including the stairs as you enter. With this backdrop you would guess their cocktails are classic cocktails not modern, and you would be correct. While this place is connected to the one in Portland, the one in Portland sucks. This place is okay. They serve a Ramos Gin Fizz, my favoritie classic cocktail, but it is not particularly well done here.
Location: B1F, 2-1-11, Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku Osaka-shi, Osaka
Bar Sip
The cocktails here are not particularly good, but they have a great selection of scotch at excellent prices. I had a great time sampling drams from their back bar.
Location: 542-0084 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Souemoncho, 2−16 地下1階B号室 ANDORRA BLD.
Bar K
A nice selection of whiskey and some pretty good cocktails as well.
Location: 1-3-3 Sonezakishinchi, Kita Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 530-0002
Bar UK
I come here for the whisky. They have a few real gems.
Location: Japan, 〒530-0002 Osaka, Kita Ward, Sonezakishinchi, 1 Chome−5−20 大川ビル B1F
Craftroom
The cocktails here are balanced, but the flavors are ones I do not enjoy, so I did not like any of the cocktails I tried, but I can see how other people could enjoy it.
Location: Japan, 〒530-0001 Osaka, Kita Ward, Umeda, 1 Chome−3−1 B2-70
Bar Nayuta
It used to be my favorite bar in Osaka. I had some amazing cocktails here. That is no longer the case. Now the quality of the cocktails and staff now are very poor. They do not know how to create balanced cocktails anymore. Everyone has their own idea of balance, but these were just so far off the mark I do not see how anyone would like them. So sad. I’ll probably try it again the next time I come to town in hopes that it has improved, but I doubt the quality will go up.
Location: 542-0086 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Nishishinsaibashi, 1 Chome−6−17 マリオビル5F
Whisky Bar Parkmore
Nice selection, but not very friendly staff.
Location: Japan, 〒530-0002 Osaka, Kita Ward, Sonezakishinchi, 1 Chome−4−17 Yu Bldg, 3F
Updated: 2026-03-23