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Though Kyoto's nightlife is more sedate than Osaka's, the areas around the old geisha quarters downtown thrive with nightclubs and bars. The Kiyamachi area along the small canal near Ponto-cho in central Kyoto is packed full of bars, restaurants, and a few dance clubs and is as close to a consolidated nightlife area as you'll get in Kyoto. It's full of small watering holes with red lanterns (indicating inexpensive places) or small neon signs in front. It's also fun to walk around the Gion in eastern Kyoto and Ponto-cho in central Kyoto to try to catch a glimpse of a geisha or maiko stealing down an alleyway on her way to or from an appointment.
Performances almost nightly with Japanese and non-Japanese musicians. Seat charge is ¥600, but the cover charge changes with the acts. The venue is on the third floor of the Ohto Building (also read as Kamo-higashi Building), a few buildings north of Shijo-dori on the west side of Yamato-oji-dori. Doors open at 6:30 and performances start at 7:30.
Popular Metro frequently hosts famous DJs from Tokyo and abroad. The range of music played—experimental dance, hip-hop, reggae, disco, salsa, and more—is very broad.
Trestle tables line the graffiti-covered walls of this basement café-bar that hosts indie rock, jazz, and blues musicians. It's a good place to tap into Kyoto's underground music scene. In the evening you can order simple plates to accompany your beer or wine.
An enduring live-music venue that generally presents rock and blues acts, Taku Taku occasionally hosts well-known Japanese performers. You can find it in an old kura, or storehouse, in the backstreets southwest of the Takashimaya department store.
The atmosphere is very “New York experimental theater” at this multidisciplinary venue for music, dance, video, and other performances about 20 nights a month. Events are from ¥2,000, and the cover charge includes a drink; you can also order snacks and light meals.
