Bars
Drinking in Japan can be hideously expensive or moderately cheap, depending on where you go. Apart from Izakayas there are less costly, unpretentious bars and other, more upmarket places.This kind of bar will usually serve a snack at the beginning, indicating that there is a cover charge. The phrase 'you get what you pay for' is not always true - some have a nice atmosphere, friendly staff, and customers are even allowed to keep bottles behind the bar. Others are just expensive.
The city centre, close to the Kamo River is home to a large number of popular or interesting bars. A good example of an unpretentious one is the Hub, near Sanjo Street. It feels artificial and is probably quite hard to love even after drinking for several hours, but it's a good meeting spot and serves tasty fish and chips.
Africa is another place that you are unlikely to take to your heart, but it's a useful destination if you have a large group. Rub-a-Dub, a well known reggae bar is on Kiyamachi, close to Sanjo. It's underground and can get busy on weekends. A little further south is Rai's House 6-and-a-half, a black music bar. The owner is a DJ - he usually plays a six hour hip hop set on Saturday nights.
Ing, halfway up Kiyamachi on the west side of the street is a cosy place, popular with foreigners. It's dark, the staff are fun, and they really like the Rolling Stones. Happy Space Mushroom is one other bar worth mentioning that isn't perhaps, that well known. It's on the same side of the street as Ing, a bit further north. It's interesting, partly because it is extremely happy and partly because the owner, remarkably, has made himself look like a mushroom.
If you want to go to some classier bars, Tonbo, although small and slightly expensive, is worth visiting. It has a relaxed atmosphere and the owner is friendly. Look for a yellow dragonfly on the sign. Ganesha similarly, is smart, calm and pleasant. All these places can be found on the following map.
This list doesn't really scratch the surface. It is probably best to wander around and try to find somewhere which suits your tastes. Although some places can be a little cool on the idea of people not introduced by a patron, there are a lot of bars that will be very open to foreign drinkers. Recommendations are very welcome on the site's forums.
If you've ever had the unfortunate pleasure of standing in front of a large crowd in a bar, drunkenly murdering one of your favourite songs, you may have decided that you don't like karaoke. However, in Japan, it is quite different.
Unfortunately JJs is no more. In July this year (2006), the Kawaramachi branch of JJs closed its welcoming doors for the last time. Having had a quick look on the website, it seems that both branches in Kyoto have closed. If you really need to get your fix of JJs, then there are some in Osaka. According to the website, if you have a valid membership card from Kyoto, you can use it anywhere in the country. I’m not sure anyone out there liked it enough to go all the way to Osaka to use it. If however you are stuck in Osaka on a night out, or are feeling particularly nostalgic why not pop in?