Bar Cordon Noir, Kyoto: Address, Phone Number, Bar Cordon Noir Reviews: 5/5
Bar Cordon Noir
Bar Cordon Noir
5
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Pontocho
Though small by comparison, Pontocho is one of Kyoto's most spirited and memorable neighborhoods. A narrow street straddling the Kamogawa River, it is Kyoto's busiest nightlife spot. When darkness falls, Pontocho's many signs and lanterns bolt to life, making the area glow with invitations to passers-by to come inside and pull up a chair. Its restaurants and bars sprawl onto the riverbank, providing a friendly atmosphere and delicious food. Verandas are always filled with people young and old crowding tables, biting into hot yakitori or sipping cold beers. It is a culinary heart of Kyoto as much as one of its most laid-back, clamorous, and entertaining evening hotspots. Pontocho has more of an amiable vibrancy to it than an elegant one, attracting newcomers, local veterans, and everyone in between, in casual attire like sneakers and jeans.
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Attractions
1,999 within 6 miles

Pontocho Kaburenjo
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Yajikita Monument
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Sanjo Ohashi Giboshi Sword Scar
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Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
18 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
neko278
Hong Kong, China5 contributions
Business
This 32-seater bar has around 600 whiskies on the incredible back bar including many rare Japanese finds at very decent prices. They also have some great cigars. We tried desperately to catch them out and request a whisky distillery or expression they didn’t have but they surprised and delighted us every time. Cordon Noir is the ideal ‘one for the road bar’ when in Kyoto.
Written August 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
asamsell
Charlotte, NC16 contributions
Couples
The only thing better than the whiskey was the service by the bartenders. They were incredible! We are not the biggest whiskey drinkers, and my husband really enjoyed his glass, but I experience the BEST old fashioned I have ever consumed! It was delicious. Definitely recommend if you enjoy whiskey.
Written July 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
PeatKiln
Sydney, Australia1 contribution
Couples
A wonderful whisky experience if you are in Kyoto, one of the best bars I've ever been in. The chaps behind the bar could not be more helpful, the service is outstanding and the whisky is fabulous. Many rare and hard to find Japanese whisky, old bottlings etc, an absolute must visit.
Written April 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thomas
Mariazell, Austria1 contribution
Couples
This bar was possibly the best place I drank in Japan. Me and my wife tried several great whiskies, both national and imported that I would not have found at home. Beyond the selection, our barman, Mr.Fujimoto was extremely helpful and great to chat with, speaking excellent English. I would definetly come back if I went to Kyoto again.
Written March 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
daviestad
Providence, RI3 contributions
Friends
If I have one regret about a week-long stay in Kyoto, it is that we didn't find Bar Cordon Noir earlier in our visit, and we didn't end every evening there. We spent three perfect evenings enjoying the hospitality here. The whisky/whiskey selection is incredible. They have everything from excellent Japanese whiskies to bourbons to a rarely matched selection of Scotch whisky. They have the 200th Anniversary, special edition, 15-year Laphroaig (a favorite that is very hard to come by in the US anymore). They had rarities, too. But for me, I fell in love with the bar when I saw the 25-year Talisker. Is there anything more sublime?
The atmosphere in the bar? Exactly what you want--low lit, but warm wooded ambiance. The cheese sampler? Perfectly selected. The service? Incredibly knowledgable, friendly, and appreciative.
When in Kyoto, this is the place to be.
The atmosphere in the bar? Exactly what you want--low lit, but warm wooded ambiance. The cheese sampler? Perfectly selected. The service? Incredibly knowledgable, friendly, and appreciative.
When in Kyoto, this is the place to be.
Written September 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
VVF621
Portland, OR22 contributions
Couples
If you are looking for a low key bar and some delicious whiskey to try that you cannot get stateside, go here. Me and my husband came just for the drinks, but the staff was very accommodating and offered great recommendations
Written July 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AllanSimonsen
Singapore, Singapore99 contributions
Friends
This place has the well deserved reputation of being the best whiskey bar in Kyoto. It oozes class, from attentive and knowledgeable bartenders, the quiet ambience and of course the outstanding whiskey collection. It's quite large by Japanese standards, probably hosting 25 people, but manages to be intimate and can cozy. A word if warning, though; in a bar where most whiskeys are limited edition, or at least 17 years or more, you're not walking out without the wallet taking a hit. It's still worth it
Written November 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Christian P
9 contributions
Friends
This one was a really worth the time. Awesome selection of drinks including a great range of Japanese whiskeys, well kept cigars and jazz music playing in the background. The service was accommodating and did their job well. I'd recommend this bar to anyone wanting to enjoy a great drink and a cigar.
Written July 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Aoran22
Shanghai, China20 contributions
Couples
First comes first: the drinks. From the huge array of drinks I tried hibiki 17 and taketsuru 17 which were both fantastic, excellently served with the barman placing the bottle in front of you so you can properly admire your beverage. My girlfriend who is not a whiskey drinker had some cocktails which were nice, using good quality alcohol. The ambiance was very nice too with dark wood, jazz music and dim lighting. Finally the service was professional and friendly, the waiter even went and called the lift and kept it open for us while we were gathering our stuff. If I find myself in Kyoto again craving whiskey I would come straight here.
Written July 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
hec$
New York City, NY1 contribution
you will receive up to 5 different laminated menus detailing the whisky(s) they have available. If you are here, then obviously Japanese whisky is the way to go. quite simply, it is an amazing whisky bar with all the necessary attention paid to the details.
Written September 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bar Cordon Noir
- Hotels near Bar Cordon Noir:
- (0.07 mi) Cross Hotel Kyoto
- (0.10 mi) The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
- (0.14 mi) The Millennials Kyoto
- (0.10 mi) Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo
- (0.16 mi) Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier Sanjo Kamogawa
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