🍸 Cocktail & whisky bars in Otsu

6 well-rated cocktail bars spots within a 15-minute walk of central Otsu, 3 of them open past midnight. Regular hours from Google; refreshed daily on demand. Confirm special hours before visiting.

Japanese cocktail bars are quiet, precise places: one bartender, a dozen seats, hand-cut ice and a menu you may not be handed at all. In Otsu the best ones are usually a few floors up in an unmarked building or down a side street — the list below gives you the door to look for.

Budget ¥1,200–¥2,000 per cocktail plus a seat charge of ¥500–¥1,000. Ordering is easy even without the language: name a spirit and a mood ("gin, something refreshing") and the bartender will build it.

Cocktail & whisky bars near central Otsu

Sorted by rating. Distances are from Otsu's centre. Hours come from Google and can change — the "open past midnight" mark means the place closes between 00:00 and 06:00 on at least one day.

  1. 1.Bar icoca
    ★ 4.3 (55)431m · 5 min walk walkOtsu, Suehirochō, 2−25 春海ビル 2階
    Open past midnight
  2. 2.ミュージックバー レコーズMyūJikku Bā RekōZu
    ★ 4.2 (37)952m · 12 min walk walkOtsu, Hamaōtsu, 2-chōme−1−17 一番街 2階
  3. 3.Theke (ざき)Theke ( Zaki )
    ★ 4.9 (19)946m · 12 min walk walkOtsu, Hamaōtsu, 2-chōme−1−17 一番街 2階217
  4. 4.ショットバー SShottobā S
    ★ 4.5 (19)934m · 12 min walk walkOtsu, Hamaōtsu, 2-chōme−1−17 一番街 2F
    Open past midnight
  5. 5.BAR KAGRA
    ★ 4.8 (4)856m · 11 min walk walkOtsu, Nagara, 3-chōme−1−12 ジョイプレイス浜大津 3階
    Open past midnight
  6. 6.バー ベルラーゴBā BerurāGo
    ★ 5.0 (1)636m · 8 min walk walkOtsu, Hamamachi, 2−40 琵琶湖ホテル ２F

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More in Otsu

🍺 Bars & izakaya🍜 Ramen shops🥩 Yakiniku restaurants🍣 Sushi restaurants🎤 Karaoke rooms🌃 Otsu nightlife guide

Read before you go

10 Bar Hopping Tips for First-Time Visitors to Japan
Essential tips for enjoying Japan's nightlife, from cover charges and etiquette to finding the best bars.
A First-Timer's Guide to Golden Gai, Shinjuku
Everything you need to know before visiting Golden Gai — Tokyo's legendary tiny bar district in Shinjuku.
A Guide to Japanese Alcohol: Every Drink You Need to Know
From sake and shochu to whisky and craft gin — a comprehensive guide to the many types of Japanese alcohol.

Plan your night in Otsu

Stay within walking distance of the nightlife

The last train leaves around midnight. A hotel near Otsu's bars means you can stay out as late as you like and walk home.

Find hotels near Otsu on Agoda

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Cocktail & whisky bars in Otsu: common questions

How much does a cocktail cost in Otsu?

At a proper cocktail bar in Otsu expect ¥1,200–¥2,000 per drink, plus a seat charge of ¥500–¥1,000 per person. Highballs and house cocktails at izakaya are far cheaper (¥400–¥700) but made with much less care.

Can I just walk into a cocktail bar in Otsu?

Usually yes, for one or two people. Groups of four or more should call ahead or split up — most serious cocktail bars have fewer than fifteen seats and won't seat a large party at once. Weekday early evenings are the easiest time to get in.

What should I order at a Japanese whisky bar?

Ask for a Japanese whisky highball (whisky and soda) to start — it is the national default and shows off the ice and the pour. If you want to taste, ask for "osusume" (recommendation) at your budget; bartenders in Otsu are used to guiding visitors.