What it is: For any tourists who need a bigger challenge than beer bars that feel more like Kansas than Kansai, this neighborhood barroom in central Kyoto is the answer. Smartly dressed working people flock to izakayas—typical Japanese pubs—at happy hour, and Bungalow is no different in that regard. What makes it stand out is the beer—instead of Asahi or Sapporo, its 10 taps pour craft from several of the country’s smaller and more interesting breweries—plus the food, featuring a selection of small plates that nobody will mistake for American pub grub.
Why it’s great: The Japanese love beer, but their craft taprooms often emulate experiences from North America or Europe (albeit with their own refined, quirky spin). Bungalow, on the other hand, doesn’t pretend to be anything but a Kyoto locals’ pub that just happens to have an exceptional beer selection and tasty, seafood-centric nibbles. Maybe it’s a pair of huge tempura-fried oysters with an oyster stout from Hokkaido’s Brasserie Knot, or maybe it’s grilled octopus skewers with a hoppy light lager from Yorocco Beer in Kamakura … but be warned: The chalkboard menus are almost entirely in Japanese, so study up, prep your translator app—or ask a local.
Hours: 3–10 p.m., Monday–Friday; noon–10 p.m., Saturday & Sunday
Address: 15 Kashiwaya-Cho, Shimogyo-Ku, Kyoto, Japan
Web: bungalow.jp
IG: @bungalow_kyoto
