Here's a pleasant way to spend a lazy weekend afternoon. Head down to Kyoto Brewing Company's Taproom and enjoy the very freshest craft beers in a super relaxed and casual space. If the weather is good you can sit outside, and if not, you can chat to the friendly brewery staff indoors as they pull your pints. In the colder months they will also set up a tent outside with … [Read more...]
Deep Kyoto on CNN Travel
In case you missed it, my recommendations for what to see, do, buy, & eat when in "Japan's most photogenic city" are now up on the CNN Travel site. Everyone should visit Kyoto at least once. It's Japan's best preserved ancient city. Shrines, temples, palaces, gardens ... the city is home to thousands of architectural wonders, including 17 UNESCO World Heritage … [Read more...]
Breaking News: Philippe’s Bar – aka Bar F.S.N. #3 is Open!
This news from Mr. John Gorman: Philippe is proud to announce the long awaited opening of F.S.N. the third! The bar will be open from tonight! Opening party Saturday February 21st, DJ’s from 22h. DJ's boogie Dan, Rei and Raijin. The new bar is located between Kawaramachi and Nishi-Kiyamachi, on the north side of Rokaku Dori, on the third floor of the Rokaku … [Read more...]
Tadg’s is back!
Tadg and Mika McLoughlin are opening a new establishment "Tadg's Gastro Pub" on the site of the former Merry Island restaurant this Friday. Here's the good word from the man himself via his blog: Dear Friends, We have moved and are just a three-minute walk north of or original site at the Empire building. Go up Kiyamachi, cross Oike, it’s right on the right (east) side. … [Read more...]
Philippe’s Bar
February 2015 UPDATE: Philippe's Bar #3 is now open! Check this link for details: BAR FSN #3 November 2014 Update: Philippe's Bar #2 has now closed, but will be reopening in a new location as Philippe's Bar #3 very soon. Check this site for updates! Frontieres Sans Nations aka Bar F.S.N. aka Philippe's Bar Bar F.S.N., more commonly known as "Philippe's Bar", was … [Read more...]
Craft Beer in Kyoto
Craft beer is trending in Kyoto with craft beer festivals twice a year, many bars stocking varieties and some bars dedicating their business completely to promoting craft beer culture. There are two craft beer breweries in Kyoto, and another starting next year. Here I talk to Tadg McLoughlin who runs the eponymous Tadg's: a craft beer specialty bar in Kyoto, about being on the … [Read more...]
The Vanishing Cafe
For two days only, friends Nana, Riki and Ikko are taking over Sons music bar at lunchtime to host the Vanishing Cafe! Menu: -Khao Man Gai (Thai chicken & rice) -Al Pastor Tacos -Cake -Coffee by Ikko Come along and enjoy some great music with some tasty lunchtime treats! Date and time: August 15th & 16th 11:00 am ~ 17:00 (after which the cafe will … [Read more...]
Choro Canário @ Sons
A few weeks ago, the Hailstone Haiku Circle had a New Year's party, and talking there to Lawrence Barrow, I asked him what kind of music he liked. As I recall his answer was something along the lines of Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Grateful Dead etc... "I know just the place for you," I said and invited him along to nearby music bar Sons. Sons opened last November, but the owner, … [Read more...]
Jajouka
UPDATE: Jajouka closed in 2016, but K-san has opened two new restaurants serving French and Thai cuisine at Le Bistrot Belleville and Tolbiac. For details check the old Jajouka website. Jajouka is a Moroccan/French style restaurant and bar on Yanaginobanba that I pop into from time to time. It's a little bit pricey but the food is good and the owner K-san keeps the place … [Read more...]
Hitachino Nest Beer Festival
A word from our sponsor! These beers are on tap at Tadg's Bar for the first time in Kyoto. Hitachino Nest Brewery has won numerous awards at Beer festivals around the world. This Sunday from 2:00 pm we offer you the unique experience of tasting all these extraordinary beers, only at Tadg's Bar. Chill out with great Beer, great Food and live Music! Also (!) coming soon to … [Read more...]
The Legend of UrBANGUILD
Let me tell you a story, about a place called UrBANGUILD... It's a kind of fairytale, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. And it all began in another place. A place that I like to call cafe underpants. Once upon a time there was an honest carpenter named Jiro. One day, Jiro was hired by a man of property to design and build a cafe. Jiro was a very fine carpenter and … [Read more...]
Deep Kyoto & Tadg’s
Right then! I'm off to Bali for a week and will be resolutely offline during the interval so there'll be no more posts for a wee while, but before I go a short word of explanation. The astute among you may have noticed the appearance of a black box on the upper right of this page which proudly bears the name "Tadg's". It looks like this (only smaller): I'm pleased to … [Read more...]
BAR F.S.N.
UPDATE: BAR F.S.N. has moved and is now located here. Recently I heard that an old friend Philippe Goulier, had opened up his own bar. I was curious to see it. Philippe had always talked about running his own little cafe, or tea house, or restaurant... or something, but it always seemed like it was just talk. It's awfully nice when people exceed your expectations. Philippe … [Read more...]
Tadg’s Irish Bar and Restaurant
The Home of Craft Beer in Kyoto Four years since it first opened, the Irish pub formerly known as Mc Loughlin's has been renamed as Tadg's. Not a big change really, as I think everyone was calling it that anyway. I've written previously about this pub; its friendly hospitality and the fantastic views over the river and city. And Tadg's cooking is also justifiably renowned; … [Read more...]
