ZAM ZAM Pub & Bar Kyoto

Easy access gaijin bar in downtown Kyoto

You'll find ZAM ZAM Pub & Bar on Kyoto's storied Kiyamachi Dori, the city's main nightlife drag. It would be hard to miss ZAM ZAM, especially at night, with its bold signage in massive letters over the entrance. For those gaijin feeling a little uncertain, it's easy to have a good gawp inside ZAM ZAM to see what's going on. And what's going on is an easy access, no-fuss bar with table and counter service. At the time of visiting (a Thursday night) ZAM ZAM seemed to be mostly hosting foreigners and was fairly busy, for a Thursday night. The kind young lady who served us was also not Japanese. The interior is simple and narrow with a long counter on one side and tables and chairs running down the other. There's lots of wood here, in a kind of British pub style. The drink menu at ZAM ZAM in Kyoto is concise and to the point - there are about 10 "standard" cocktails at 500 yen. Draft beer is 500 yen. More snazzy cocktails are between 600 - 700 yen. Bottle of imported beers are from 700 yen - Corona, Lowenbrau, Carlsberg et al. As for food at ZAM ZAM, the kebabs come recommended (~ 1,000 yen). There were a lot of customers puffing on shisha / hookah / water pipes when we visited. We didn't inquire ourselves but on ZAM ZAMs very dated website they are listed as costing 1,000 yen. Overall, as we said earlier, ZAM ZAM looks like a simple and pretty wholesome gaijin bar experience in Kyoto, and certainly a place to drop in for one or two drinks as part of a larger night out in the city. Hours: Mon - Thu 18:00 - 0:300 / Fri - Sun 18:00 - 05:00 Nearest station: ZAM ZAM is a little closer to Sanjo Dori to the north which would make Sanjo the nearest station.