The infamous times of Prohibition in the 1920’s United States, ironically but not unexpectedly, spurred a new underground culture of drinking. The illicit bars of the era, hidden in basements or beneath inconspicuous doors, got the name ‘speakeasy’. New styles of colorful cocktails full of homemade booze brightened the dark spaces of these bars. In fact, these cocktails were precisely created to mask the off-putting flavors of homemade alcohol, inadvertently turning the speakeasy bartenders into mixology masters!
Luckily, Kyoto in 2021 is not undergoing Prohibition. That does not mean the speakeasy spirit is not alive though. Bar Bee’s Knees proudly labels itself a speakeasy. A retro space with an inconspicuous entrance only those in the know can find. And once they do, they are in for some exceptional cocktails.
Bee’s Knees has a vibrant and youthful atmosphere, a marked difference from the high-end cocktail bars of Japan that tend to be austere. It is a small and intimate space with retro yet playful décor, accompanied by classic hip-hop sounds in the background. As the patrons guzzle one cocktail after another, the place turns rowdy like an izakaya with an added dose of cheerfulness.
The bartenders who are hurriedly yet meticulously preparing cocktails are quite friendly and do not hesitate to converse in English when they find the time. Bee’s Knees have a short cocktail menu that mostly includes classics with clever twists. In these appeasing recipes, there is an emphasis on local drinks and ingredients. Think smoked mojito made by using Sakura wood chips and wasanbon, a fine-grained sugar traditional to Japan. The Sakura wood imbues a delicious smokiness, and it is also used to smoke mixed nuts if you want a snack next to your drink.
The specialty cocktail here is “Ninja Smash,” a mix of Kyoto’s very own Ki no Bi gin, passion fruit, lemon, shiso leaves, sparkling sake Mio, and hinoki&matcha aromas. This mix of Japanese ingredients sounds too alluring to miss. After the bartender carefully prepares my order, he then presents the drink by putting it in a masu, a traditional wooden cup used mainly for sake. While the ingredients sound all nice, the key is to strike a balanced mix with them. For me, this cocktail is a tad too sweet, possibly due to the addition of Mio. Perhaps using less sugary sparkling sake can yield better results.
My third and last cocktail of the night is a negroni, served with a slice of dark chocolate on top of the glass that provides a nice fragrance. The negroni is expertly crafted and provides a pleasing finish to an enjoyable night. The bill that follows does not break the bank. There is no cover charge, and cocktails range from 1400 to 1700 ¥. Not cheap, but not exorbitant for what you get. Overall, Bee’s Knees separates itself from other high-end cocktail bars with its vibrant and casual atmosphere, while still serving some delicious cocktails. A good choice in Gion for an enjoyable night.
The infamous times of Prohibition in the 1920’s United States, ironically but not unexpectedly, spurred a new underground culture of drinking. The illicit bars of the era, hidden in basements or beneath inconspicuous doors, got the name ‘speakeasy’. New styles of colorful cocktails full of homemade booze brightened the dark spaces of these bars. In fact, these cocktails were precisely created to mask the off-putting flavors of homemade alcohol, inadvertently turning the speakeasy bartenders into mixology masters!
Luckily, Kyoto in 2021 is not undergoing Prohibition. That does not mean the speakeasy spirit is not alive though. Bar Bee’s Knees proudly labels itself a speakeasy. A retro space with an inconspicuous entrance only those in the know can find. And once they do, they are in for some exceptional cocktails.
Bee’s Knees has a vibrant and youthful atmosphere, a marked difference from the high-end cocktail bars of Japan that tend to be austere. It is a small and intimate space with retro yet playful décor, accompanied by classic hip-hop sounds in the background. As the patrons guzzle one cocktail after another, the place turns rowdy like an izakaya with an added dose of cheerfulness.
The bartenders who are hurriedly yet meticulously preparing cocktails are quite friendly and do not hesitate to converse in English when they find the time. Bee’s Knees have a short cocktail menu that mostly includes classics with clever twists. In these appeasing recipes, there is an emphasis on local drinks and ingredients. Think smoked mojito made by using Sakura wood chips and wasanbon, a fine-grained sugar traditional to Japan. The Sakura wood imbues a delicious smokiness, and it is also used to smoke mixed nuts if you want a snack next to your drink.
The specialty cocktail here is “Ninja Smash,” a mix of Kyoto’s very own Ki no Bi gin, passion fruit, lemon, shiso leaves, sparkling sake Mio, and hinoki&matcha aromas. This mix of Japanese ingredients sounds too alluring to miss. After the bartender carefully prepares my order, he then presents the drink by putting it in a masu, a traditional wooden cup used mainly for sake. While the ingredients sound all nice, the key is to strike a balanced mix with them. For me, this cocktail is a tad too sweet, possibly due to the addition of Mio. Perhaps using less sugary sparkling sake can yield better results.
My third and last cocktail of the night is a negroni, served with a slice of dark chocolate on top of the glass that provides a nice fragrance. The negroni is expertly crafted and provides a pleasing finish to an enjoyable night. The bill that follows does not break the bank. There is no cover charge, and cocktails range from 1400 to 1700 ¥. Not cheap, but not exorbitant for what you get. Overall, Bee’s Knees separates itself from other high-end cocktail bars with its vibrant and casual atmosphere, while still serving some delicious cocktails. A good choice in Gion for an enjoyable night.
