A Guide to Osaka's Hidden Drinking Areas

With borders open and JR passes back in hand, Tokyo is the common hub that people fly into when coming to Japan. While Tokyo certainly has a bustling nightlife with areas like Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Roppongi at the center, let’s not forget that Osaka is famously known for its food and nightlife culture as well. 

If you’re skeptical about how serious Osaka takes its food and drinking culture, the city has a phrase kuidaore which roughly translates to “eat yourself broke”. It’s hard not to indulge in all of the eating and drinking when there are takoyaki stalls at almost every corner. With the dizzying amount of options, it can be hard to figure out which local gems to go to, so let’s take a closer look at some of Osaka’s hidden drinking spots. 

Higashi-Shinsaibashi, simply meaning East-Shinsaibashi, comes alive at night with dazzling neon signs and an endless amount of restaurants and bars that welcome you after a day of shopping in the main Shinsaibashi area. 

Shinsaibashi, one of Osaka’s most prominent shopping areas, is home to Shinsaibashi-suji, a shopping arcade that stretches 600 meters long. With plenty of shops that have cosmetics and duty-free goods, the area is bustling, which is why if you want to take a more local approach– head further east. 

Just typing in “bar” into Google Maps in the area will probably fill your screen with over fifty pins of potential bars. Unlike the yokochos (which we will touch on later) that are far more densely packed and filled with more izakaya-styled bars, the Higashi-Shinsaibashi streets are a bit more spacious and offer a wide range of specialty bars. 

Having been described as a cocktail magician, Nakaichi-san who runs Bar Shiki focuses on creative mixology and wants to provide guests with a relaxing atmosphere. While the bar does have your usual whiskeys and wines, Nakaichi-san takes pride in being able to create cocktails on the fly with a simple description from customers. Nakaichi-san can converse in both English and Japanese, so do not be shy about taking a seat at the counter. 

While this bar might not be a traditional Japanese establishment, if you’re looking for some rock music, craft beers, and a great deal on tacos (on Tuesdays!), RBCB might be the place for you to check out. The bar is open either until 3:00 a.m. or 5:00 a.m. depending on the day of the week, so if you’re looking for somewhere to drink late, this is your stop. With stickers and guitars plastered all over the walls, this is a fun place to swing by to meet locals and those visiting Japan. 

Offering a larger space and cheap drinks, Cinquecento is a convenient stop for those who might be traveling in groups larger than two. Like Rock Bar Cherry Bomb (located a street over), the bar is frequented by regular local customers and those coming to Osaka for the first time. If you’re looking to have martinis all night, Cinquecento might be the place to stay if you’ve missed the last train for the evening. 

Located on the west side of Osaka city and about a 20-minute walk away from downtown Dotonbori, Kitahorie is a quieter neighborhood that has been more recently known for its clothing stores and cafes. 

While the nightlife in this area is more spaced out, bars and restaurants are all still a walkable distance from each other. To start off your adventure in the Horie neighborhood, we can begin near Nishi-Ohashi Station. 

Just a quick three-minute walk from the station is Craft Beer Works Kamikaze, which has no cover charge and often has over 20 beers on tap. While other drinks are available, like wines and shochu, people often stop by for the tasting flight that allows you to sample four beers at a time. With both table and counter seats available, Craft Beer Works Kamikaze is great for solo and group travelers and should not be missed if you’re on a beer crawl! 

BAK Horie Brewing Studio is new to the beer scene, having just opened about five months ago. Finding shops that brew their beers onsite in Japan is more uncommon, but entering the BAK Horie Brewing Studio, all their kegs and equipment are on display to customers. While on the smaller side, the shop's first floor has bench seating with a larger communal table on the second floor. With around five to six beers on tap, the shop perhaps offers a more leisurely start into the evening. 

A bit further east of the previous two bars is Marca Brewing, one of the rare woman-owned breweries in Japan. Kamiya-san, the owner, originally studied car design and was going to open a simple cafe in the area, but they decided to invest in brewing equipment and opened up Marca Brewing. The brewery is small but offers around a couple of beers on tap and provides a space for locals to gather in the more residential Horie area. Now with beer stand Marca as well near the water in the Taisho Ward, the store’s popular amber ale can be enjoyed at more than one location. 

Famously known for the Tenjinbashi-suji shopping street, the Tenma area is home to what is known as the longest shopping arcade in Japan. A quick 10-minute walk from the shopping street also brings you to Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines that also hosts one of Japan’s top three festivals, the Tenjin Matsuri. 

The Tenma area lies north of Dotonbori and a train ride is recommended to get here if you are coming from the city center. With both historic sites and shopping opportunities, the area gets lots of people visiting. At night though, if you exit north of Tenma station, you’ll be transported to some winding back streets that have both izakayas and bars. With a mix of both in the area, here are some recommendations while you weave through the area.

Outside of Osaka City is the Minoh area, the birthplace of boutique-ish label Minoh beer. Whether you’re a local who just wants to drink in the area or a tourist who doesn’t have the time to venture out to the brewery, Beer Belly Tenma is a must-go in if you’re drinking in the Tenma area. Often having over seven Minoh beers on tap, the bar also serves food and is a great place to grab a drink if you’re looking for a place slightly larger than your average izakaya. Give the Pilsner or Wizen a try if it’s your first time. 

Tucked away in the streets of the Tenma area is Bar S’ead, a whisky-focused bar with dim lighting that provides a warm and relaxing atmosphere for those who might want a quieter space in the evening. The seating options at the bar, table, or semi-private room give you plenty of choice in deciding how you want to socialize for the night. Even if whisky is not the usual drink of choice when traveling to Osaka, the extensive whisky list available here might make it worth a visit. 

There is no shortage of tachinomi (standing bars) in Osaka. Sake no Okuda delivers the authentic experience with your usual Asahi or Kirin beers for sale and bar foods ranging from 50 JPY to 300 JPY. The oden and sashimi that are served here are some of the favorites on the menu, but there are plenty of things to choose from if those aren’t to your taste. This place is an easy win for those looking to eat and drink a lot on a budget and is conveniently located about two minutes from Temma station. Do note that the shop is on the smaller side, so coming with a smaller group might make it easier to get in. 

Hozenji Yokocho and the neighboring Ukiyo Koji should not be looked over during your time in Osaka. The area has been highlighted more recently in the media, and for good reason, with over 60 places to eat in the area (mostly izakaya-styled), there are plenty of opportunities to stumble on unique drinking spots. 

Ukiyo Koji in specific can be easily missed as it is only 65 feet long and three feet wide. The art that lines the walls in this alleyway depicts life from the Taisho to the early Showa era, and all the lanterns outside of the shops create a warm and fun atmosphere for those who walk by. With all of the drinking, don’t forget to try out some of the local specialties like okonomiyaki and kushikatsu, which you can get at Kushikatsu Daruma Hozenji or Hozenji Sanpei.

At the end of the night, perhaps after making some new friends and discovering some of your new favorite spots, don’t forget to pray for good luck and pour water over the “Mizukake-Fudo”, a Jizo statue beautifully covered in moss.