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Philippe’s Bar

December 30, 2013 By Michael Lambe 8 Comments

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

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Bar F.S.N., more commonly known as “Philippe’s Bar”, was originally opened by my good friend Philippe Goulier, a few short years ago at a small location north of Shijo. It was a cosy little place and rapidly become popular with both Japanese and foreign patrons… But Philippe regularly had to turn people away because he simply didn’t have the space. Some months ago he upped sticks to a new location just south of Shijo. It still features Philippe’s inimitable charm, his own artwork, interior woodwork and design, but it’s a lot more spacious.

Here you can see the bar at opening time.
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And here it is when it is busy.
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Philippe loves music: “Mostly underground, or independant, not that famous; reggae, ska, punk, sometimes jazz, sometimes hip-hop but mainly rock and French music… It depends on the customers and the time. At 6 o’clock, if I have a 60 years old customer, I will not play Metallica! If it’s quiet, then something slow. If people look like they are ready to dance, then something groovy.”
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At the bar, draft beer is 600 yen, wine by the glass starts at 600 yen, and bottles of wine are from 2500 yen. But Philippe is also a great cook and will prepare something for you, if you’re hungry, from the ingredients to hand. There’s no menu, so just tell him how much you want to pay, (a minimum of 500 yen) and he will prepare something accordingly. Philippe hails from Burgundy in France, so I suppose there is a French influence to his cuisine, but it’s mostly original: salads, curries, pates, soups, omlettes etc. And everything is largely vegan or vegetarian, except for the cheese.
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Philippe just happens to be my oldest friend in Kyoto.
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But I’m sure many would agree he’s an all-round top chap. I’m very happy to recommend Philippe’s Bar F.S.N. Why not pop in one day? He’ll be sure to give you a very friendly welcome.
Phillipe

IMG_3862Philippe’s bar is 30m south of Shijo on the west side of Nishi-Kiyamachi next to Francois Café. Nishi-Kiyamachi is the narrow road that runs parallel to and in-between Kiyamachi proper and Kawaramachi. Here is a map.

Open: 19:00 – 25:00 (-ish)
Closed on Mondays.

Filed Under: Bars

Comments

  1. Brenna says

    November 1, 2014 at 12:02 pm

    I’e visited this place a few times to enjoy a few bevvies and some cool music, but when I went last week it was gone! (I think…)
    Do you know where it went?
    Thanks,
    Brenna

  2. Michael Lambe says

    November 4, 2014 at 6:28 pm

    Hi Brenna,

    Thanks for commenting and my apologies – I should have updated the article, so this is a useful reminder! Philippe’s Bar #2 has now closed due to some rather unsavory neighbors, but Philippe’s Bar #3 will be opening very soon in a new location. I’ll post the whereabouts on this blog once Philippe has the place ready, but a new location has been found!

    Michael

  3. Brenna says

    December 13, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    Thanks for the update, looking forward to checking out the new digs.

    Brenna

  4. Tina says

    January 31, 2015 at 12:40 am

    Has Philippe reopened yet? Hope so. Tell us where.
    Thanx

  5. Michael Lambe says

    January 31, 2015 at 12:54 am

    Not yet! But very very soon. Follow the progress of the new bar as it is created on the Bar F.S.N. Facebook Group page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/127609990623420/?fref=ts

  6. delwyn says

    February 8, 2015 at 10:53 am

    Hi, was at Philippe’s Bar in May and then again in July. Will be back there 18-19 February. Where us #3? Address?

  7. Michael Lambe says

    February 8, 2015 at 11:13 pm

    Hi Delwyn,

    #3 is not open yet but should be soon (so I am told). I will post details as soon as it is open for business.

  8. Michael Lambe says

    February 18, 2015 at 2:39 pm

    It’s open! Details here: http://www.deepkyoto.com/?p=11313

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