World / Asia / Japan / Kansai / Kōbe / Nightlife
1 Bar Ashibe 2-12-21 Shimoyamate-dōri 078/391-2039 Dark and moody bar with lots of intimate seating space and a large cocktail menu. Popular with the expat crowd. Opening time: Open till very late
2 Blue 2F 2-14-11 Shimoyamate-dōri 078/333-0811 www.blue1989.com Very expensive cocktail bar (starting at ¥1500 a drink) with ambient lighting and friendly staff. Look out for the glass-lamp window decorations. Opening time: Open till 3am
3 Booze Up 2-15-3 Nakayamate-dōri 078/322-2873 Laid-back bar, tucked away in the backstreets north of Ikuta Shinmichi, with a great collection of classic soul and hip-hop LPs.
4 Café Talisman 1-3-12 Motomachi-dōri 078/391-3353 www.cafetali.com . Funky tapas bar (¥380–1200) with English-speaking staff near the central Chinatown square. Live flamenco and jazz at weekends. Outdoor seating with an interesting clientele. Austrian hemp beer (¥600) and Portuguese sherries (¥800) are also on the menu.
5 The Old England 1-13-7 Nakayamate-dōri 078/392-7033 Quiet, authentic British-themed bar-restaurant with a range of draught beers and an enormous selection of malt whiskies. Haggis and steak and kidney pie (¥800 each) are among the menu's unexpected delights but it's also possible to get a basket of chips for ¥550. Opening time: Daily from 5pm until late
6 Sone Jazz Live & Restaurant Kitano-zaka Kitano-zaka 078-221-2055 kobe-sone.com This famous jazz club is the best in the Kansai area and attracts many top international artists as well as local talent. The first live set starts around 7pm. Decent food too. Opening time: Daily from 5pm¥Price: 1000 cover charge
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