Cocktail Good History
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Kintetsu-Nara Station · 2 min walk (Kintetsu Nara Line, Kintetsu Kyoto Line)
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Best time to go
- Early afternoon from 13:00 or 14:00 to experience daylight filtering through the skylights before the evening crowd
About
Boasting a perfect 5-star rating, Cocktail Good History is a cozy Nara bar run by a master mixologist who crafts bespoke drinks tailored to your exact taste preferences. Located just steps from Kintetsu-Nara Station, it offers an intimate, relaxed atmosphere away from the tourist crowds. Expect exceptional hospitality, a vast selection of spirits, and beautifully presented cocktails made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
What Japanese guides note
Cocktail Good History is situated on the second floor of the Refre Building along the Konishi Sakura-dori shopping street. While a standard menu is available, patrons are customary in Japanese authentic bars to order custom creations by stating preferred base spirits or flavor profiles directly to the bartender. Because service starts in the early afternoon, it functions as an unhurried daytime stop between sightseeing in central Nara and Naramachi.
Details from local sources
- The interior design past the heavy timber entrance door is styled after an old European monastery. [source]
- The bar prepares a Yamato Tachibana spritz made with a limoncello-style liqueur infused with native Yamato Tachibana citrus, combined with wine, absinthe, and fresh leaves. [source]
- The bar operates afternoon hours, opening at 14:00 on weekdays and 13:00 on weekends and holidays. [source]
Insider Tip
There is no set menu; just tell the friendly bartender what base spirits or flavor profiles you like and let him work his magic.
Frequently asked
What time does Cocktail Good History open?
The bar opens early in the afternoon, operating from 14:00 to 24:00 on weekdays (last orders at 23:00) and from 13:00 to 23:00 on weekends and public holidays (last orders at 22:30). Days off are irregular and communicated via social media.
Does Cocktail Good History serve drinks made with local Nara ingredients?
Yes. The bar highlights local ingredients in its creations, including an original spritz prepared with house-made cello liqueur infused with Yamato Tachibana, an ancient citrus variety native to Nara Prefecture, combined with wine, absinthe, and fresh citrus leaves.
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