The Lounge & Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto Named to 2025 Star Bars List from Forbes Travel Guide

Marking its ascent on the global cocktail stage, The Lounge & Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto has been recognised as one of the world’s 58 Hotel Star Bars, announced by Forbes Travel Guide on June 8, 2025.

This year’s honourees, spanning 19 countries, were identified through data gathered for the 2024 and 2025 Star Ratings, based on exacting incognito inspections. The winning bars were chosen for their excellence in beverage programming and presentation, as well as providing seamless, luxurious service. The selection of 58 bars is a tribute to Forbes Travel Guide’s founding in 1958.

“We are thrilled to be named one of the top hotel bars in the world by Forbes Travel Guide, a leading global authority on luxury hospitality,” says Jonathan Montolieu, Director of Food and Beverage at Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto. “This accolade speaks to our team’s dedication towards crafting drinking experiences that are personalised to guests while also being embedded in the heritage of Kyoto.”

Nestled next to the Hotel’s 800-year-old Japanese pond garden, The Lounge & Bar invites guests on a journey of discovery, blending timeless Japanese artistry with a spirit of modern innovation. Jointly led by local talents and international creatives, the mixology team takes on the role of storyteller, distilling the region’s cultural and botanical wonders into a cocktail glass, ready to be sipped and savoured. Seasonal vistas of the pond garden brighten every table, offering a visual connection with Kyoto’s natural abundance and legendary craftsmanship.

Not to be missed is the signature drink Oyasumi (meaning “goodnight”), reflecting the quiet elegance of a Japanese farewell. Offering a silky, soothing take on a classic sour, the cocktail balances the richness of black sesame syrup with the vibrancy of lemon and mango, while a base of Okinawan rum evokes the warmth of the southern islands. Subtly sweet and gently exotic, this nightcap closes the evening with grace.

A curation of bar bites showcases the authentic flavours of Kyoto – from homemade rice crackers inspired by the vendors of Nishiki Market to roasted peanuts that satisfy the palate with their iconic mix of salt, heat, acid, umami and sweetness. Signature snacks, crafted in-house, reimagine classic local ingredients with a contemporary twist, such as the Yuzu Kosho marinated olives, ideal for pairing with cocktails.

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