10 Best Bars in Osaka, Japan That You Must Visit

Global Team
18 Jul 2024 - 7 min read

Osaka, Japan, is not only renowned for its culinary delights and vibrant culture but also for its thriving nightlife scene. From sleek cocktail lounges to cozy izakayas, the city offers an eclectic mix of drinking establishments that cater to every taste and preference.

Whether you're in search of classic cocktails, Japanese whiskey, or innovative mixology, Osaka has something for everyone. Here’s the best bars in Osaka, that you must visit:

1. Bar Nayuta

Location: Central Osaka

Bar Nayuta is known for its mystical, relaxed atmosphere and expertly mixed cocktails. This 5 starts bar often features unique ingredients and infusions, making it a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

Best-Bar-in-Osaka-Bar-Nayuta

Source: Official Website (bar-nayuta.com)

The entrance to Bar Nayuta is marked by an occult-looking symbol and the bar itself has a moody, intimate ambiance. Instead of a cocktail list, guests are offered entirely bespoke cocktails.

You can tell the imaginative bartenders your spirit of choice, or style of drink, and they create a custom cocktail that either reimagines a classic or is entirely original. The cocktails are created using an array of in-house bitters, infusions, and liqueurs.

The result is an entirely unique experience, no matter how many times you visit. The bar is open from 17:00 to 03:00 from Monday to Sunday. Please note that the information might have changed, so it’s always a good idea to check their official website or contact them directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

2. Tachinomi Nijan Roku

Location: Shinsaibashi

Tachinomi Nijan Roku is a standing bar, which is popular in Japan, where guests enjoy drinks and small plates while standing. It's a great place to try sake and shochu, along with local Japanese bites like yakitori and sashimi.

Tachinomi are Japanese standing bars, with “tachi” meaning stand and “nomi” meaning drink. Traditionally, they were no-frills types of bars located around train stations or in working-class areas, where salarymen would come to unwind after a hard day’s work. In recent years, these novel stool-less izakaya-style drinkeries have experienced a widespread surge in popularity.

Best-Bar-in-Osaka-Tachinomi-Nijan-Roku

Source: gurunavi.com

They’re popping up in far-reaching locations, featuring creative decor, a wider selection of food and drinks, and a colorful crowd. Sleek, minimalist bars in affluent areas catering to a sophisticated female clientele, tiny chic haunts serving organic French wine and plates of charcuterie to hip young designers, and even boutique sake bars with walls plastered in vintage posters playing reggae and dishing up kushiage, all reflect the diversity of tachinomi.

Aside from the standing factor, a fun, casual atmosphere and cheap prices remain the same no matter the venue. Drinks on offer were typically beer, nihonshu (Japanese sake), and shochu. These days, you can still count on these drinks being served.

3. Little Long Beach

Location: Amerikamura

Little Long Beach offers a vibrant, beach-themed atmosphere with a focus on rum cocktails. It's decorated to make you feel like you're on a tropical vacation.

Little Long Beach is located at 1-4-22 Motomachi, Naniwa-ku 1F Roajiru Namba, Osaka 556-0016 Osaka Prefecture. The bar is open from 18:00 to 02:00.

Best-Bar-in-Osaka-Little-Long-Beach

Source: triptojapan.com

Little Long Beach is an American owned bar in the heart of Osaka’s Namba area1. It’s a friendly local hangout for Japanese and foreigners alike. The bar offers full service in Japanese and English. They love to introduce their local customers to foreigners and offer advice for interesting restaurants and locations in Osaka.

The bar has received excellent reviews and has a rating of 5.. Customers have praised the friendly and approachable atmosphere, and some have even said they wish they could have stayed longer.

4. Bar K

Location: Kitashinchi

This bar boasts a selection of over a thousand whiskies from around the world. The ambiance is upscale, with a dimly lit interior that's perfect for a quiet evening.

Bar K is a unique and authentic bar located in the KitaShinchi District of Osaka, Japan. The bar is tranquil and low-key, providing a relaxing environment. It can accommodate 16 drinkers inside the basement bar.

Best-Bar-in-Osaka-Bar-K

Source: triptojapan.com

Bar K focuses on Japan’s liquor production, serving great cocktails and spirit collections. They offer a variety of drinks including standard cocktails, seasonal fruit cocktails, and a wide range of whiskies.

They have collaborated with anime for special events. For example, they recreated the bar “Eden Hall” from the anime “Bartender” in their own bar. If you want to visit, they are open from 18:00 to 02:00 from Monday to Saturday.

5. Space Station

Location: Namba

Space Station is a favorite among video game lovers, Space Station features consoles from various generations for patrons to play. The drinks are themed around popular games, adding to the fun and quirky atmosphere.

The bar is dimly lit with colorful neon strips of light and the glow of television screens. The walls are decorated with decades-old game packaging and vintage arcade boards.

Best-Bar-in-Osaka-Space-Sation-Bar

Source: instagram/@spacestationosaka

Space Station is a video game bar serving tasty cocktails and exciting games to play. The game selection ranges from old favorites like the original Donkey Kong arcade game and Mario Kart 64 to more modern PC games. The drinks are cheap and, unlike at an arcade, playing games is free!

Space Station is the only game bar in town that doesn’t have a cover charge; you only pay for your drinks. Many of the drinks are named after video game characters you love, like the “Floating Peach” and “Gin Sonic”.

Space Station is a local favorite with many regular customers. However, the majority of the clientele are visitors from abroad. If you want to visit, they are open from 19:00 to 23:00 from Monday to Thursday, and from 18:00 to 02:00 on Friday and Saturday.

6. Alzar

Location: Umeda Sky Building

Located in one of Osaka's tallest buildings, Alzar offers panoramic views of the city along with a menu of sophisticated cocktails and high-end spirits. This bar features a state-of-the-art sound system and lighting throughout the venue.

It’s a crossroad for different people who share the same musical interest in Underground music and positive attitude on the dance floor. Alzar is known for its unique sense of perspective and establishes itself with a variety of artists around the world.

Alzar is a part of the community to set and awaken its true quality and the root to change Osaka's club culture scene. Alzar is ranked No.19 on Tripadvisor among 19 attractions in Dotonbori.

They are open from 19:00 to 23:00 from Monday to Thursday, and from 18:00 to 02:00 on Friday and Saturday.

7. Craft Beer Work Kamikaze

Location: Dotonbori

As a craft beer bar, it features rotating taps of Japanese and international brews. The vibe is casual and friendly, ideal for beer aficionados looking to discover new flavors.

This popular watering hole is a welcoming place to pull up a barstool and explore the local offerings. The 23 selections on tap lean heavily on domestic brews, including Osaka-based Minoh. Their beers were great and strong.

Best-Bar-in-Osaka,-Craft-Beer-Work-Kamikaze

Source: tavel.navtime.com

The food menus at the craft beer bars tend to focus on international cuisines, like tapas. The food they had was okay. Craft Beer Works Kamikaze also is a great place to sample local beer creation. It’s a nice place with a good atmosphere.

Please note that the information might have changed, so it’s always a good idea to check their official website or contact them directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

8. Bar Freedom

Location: Central Osaka

An elegant bar that excels in crafting classic cocktails. The decor features vintage elements, and the ambiance is refined, making it a perfect spot for a more mature crowd.

Bar Freedom is a small boutique bar near Dotonbori, Namba. It provides a friendly and casual environment for beginners or enthusiasts who would like to learn and taste some golden liquid of Japan.

Best Bar in Osaka, Bar Freedom

Source: Officila Website (barfreedom.com)

Bar Freedom is fully dedicated to Japanese whisky. They house more than 100 bottles from more than 20 different distilleries from various regions in Japan.

They also serve Japanese Brandy. Bar Freedom operates in Japanese omakase style. Omakase is a Japanese phrase, used when ordering food in restaurants, which means 'I’ll leave it up to you’.

Bar Freedom was founded by Tony & Oshita-san in 2016. Sadly, Oshita-san passed away at the age of 54 due to cancer on November 21, 2022. Despite the loss of his mentor & friend, Tony has decided to take on the challenge of continuing Oshita-san’s legacy.

If you want to visit, they are open from 00:00 to 23:59 from Monday to Sunday.

9. Bar Benfiddich

Locations: Shinjuku, Tokyo

This apothecary-like bar was named the best bar in Japan and the fifth best bar in Asia. It also received the Remy Martin Legend of the List award.

Bar Benfiddich combines the motifs of a classic Tokyo bar with the feel of a makeshift moonshine operation. The intimate, eight-seater setup is more akin to an apothecary than your typical bar.

Best Bar in Osaka, Benfiddicch

Source: Instagram/@benfiddich_tokyo

Bar Benfiddich offers cocktails made with fresh herbs grown by the owner himself. They also express the profound world of aged liquor, herbal liquor, and absinthe. Bar Benfiddich was opened by experimental mixologist Hiroyasu Kayama in 2013.

It has been recognized as one of the top bars in the world, ranking No.37 on The World’s 50 Best Bars 20233 and No.4 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023.

If you want to visit, they are open from 18:00 to 01:00 from Tuesday to Saturday.

10. Rooftop Bar OO

Location: Near Osaka Station

This rooftop bar offers a fantastic view of the Osaka skyline, especially beautiful at night. The drink menu includes classic cocktails, champagne, and a selection of light appetizers.

Rooftop Bar OO is the only rooftop open-air club in town. The bar provides a secluded and select atmosphere reminiscent of Ibiza/Bali beach parties. It features a 500-inch projection screen, a sound system that rivals large clubs, and a stage.

Best-Bar-in-Osaka, Rooftop-Bar-OO

Source: Instagram/@roofttopbar_oo

The bar offers a wide range of drinks from standard cocktails to original cocktails. They also provide a variety of food from a la carte to party buffet. Rooftop Bar OO is known for hosting various genres of events since its opening in 2013.

They offer a wide range of enjoyment from regular bar operations to large-scale event operations. Rooftop Bar OO is the hypest and most sought after venue in Osaka

If you want to visit, they are open from 19:00 to 25:00 from Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, and from 19:00 to 27:00 on Friday and Saturday. They are closed on Tuesday.

Each of these bars offers a unique slice of Osaka's nightlife, catering to different tastes and experiences, whether you're looking for a lively spot or a quiet place to unwind.

To make your trip even more convenient, book your tickets and accommodations through Traveloka. With Traveloka, you can find the best deals on any tickets, nearby hotels, flights and more tourist attractions. Plus, you can read reviews and get travel tips to ensure you make the most of your visit. Start planning your adventure today with Traveloka and enjoy a hassle-free memorable trip!

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