Bars: A Bar, 2/F Reiho Building, Nishi Kiyamachi, is a Kyoto classic, a Japanese bar and restaurant with a lively yet relaxed atmosphere, fun and friendly staff and an excellent selection of drink and food. Tadg's Irish Pub, 2/F Ohto Building (west of Nawate) is another friendly place that is great for food and drink as well as for socialising. Highly energetic fun can be had at Bar, isn't it?, Forum-Nishikiyamachi Building B1F, 67-3 Daikoku-cho, Sanjo-Kawaramachi sagaru, Nakgyo-ku, one of Kyoto's largest bars, where things can get pretty crowded and crazy.

Clubs: Club Metro, B1F Ebisu Building, Shimotsustumi-cho 82, Kawabata-Marutamachi, Saykyo-ku (website: www.metro.ne.jp) is a friendly underground disco and music club by Marutamachi railway station (by exit 2) on the Keihan line. Open to most musical genres and a bit of art as well, it draws a varied crowd. Tranq Room, 162-2 Shinnyo-Cho, Joudoji sakyou-ku, Kyoto-shi (website: http://home.att.ne.jp/sun/tranqroom/trr_frame.html) is a combination of tea house, bar, club, restaurant, art exhibition space and music venue, with jazz as the predominant ingredient on the musical menu. Sent James Club, 180-3 Ponto-cho (website: www.sentjamesclub.com), is a stylish bar and club with jazz music and a great location by the Kamogawa river. Spanish Harlem Latin Club, B1F Reiho Building, Nishi Kiyamachi (west of the Takasegawa Stream) (website: www.kyotosalsa.com) is a salsa and Latin dance club that opened in early 2007 and offers great food and drink, exciting music (Latin, soul, jazz) and a vibrant atmosphere.

Live Music: Taku Taku, Tominokoji Bukkoji sagaru, Shimogyo-ku (website: www.geisya.or.jp/~takutaku), is a great warehouse club that has been around since 1974 and hosted gigs by stars like Dr John and Taj Mahal. Most of the time it is Japanese pop and rock acts that provide the entertainment. Whoopee's, B1 Hotel U's 493-1 Kiyoi-cho, Yasakatoriimae sagaru, Higashiyama-ku (website: www.whoopees.net), which is both a club and live music venue, has a younger audience and puts on both Japanese and international rock and pop acts. Live Spot Rag, Kyoto Empire biru 5F, Kiyamachi dori Sanjo agaru, Nakagyo-ku (website: www.ragnet.co.jp), is mainly a jazz venue that attracts both international and Japanese acts.