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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

Meals
After-hours, Drinks
FEATURES
Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Jazz Bar
Reviews (284)
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273 results
Traveller rating
199
66
4
3
1
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LanguageEnglish
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Traveller rating
199
66
4
3
1
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All reviews gyu fridge door visited bar hirafu establishment japan
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Reviewed 27 March 2023 via mobile

Stopped by this bar as it happened to be near where we were staying and we loved the novelty of the fridge door. The decor and the drinks were wonderful, but it was very crowded, we were rushed out before I even finished my drink,...and the table next to us (maybe 6 inches away) constantly took photos of themselves and their drinks. I think it might have been our scene a few years ago when it likely had a casual and more laid back vibe, but it was too “do it for the gram” for us.More

Date of visit: March 2023
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Reviewed 21 February 2023

This bar has so much character. And some really innovative cocktails. Must do in Niseko, but get there early, it fills up quickly.

Date of visit: February 2023
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Reviewed 19 February 2023 via mobile

Cool experience and decor, OWNER IS NOT CHILL. We waited for 30 minutes before the bar opened to be the first ones in and when the door opened, I started to film on my iphone our initial walk into the very neat front door. The...owner (caucasian woman, clearly not from Japan) came out the door, looked at the line, then snapped at me for “filming her”. Anyways she was not very hospitable and gave a very weird vibe upon entry. Maybe be more inviting and ok with people taking videos of your establishment. You are in a tourist destination.More

Date of visit: February 2023
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 23 January 2023 via mobile

Left the teenagers at the hotel and visited Bar Gyu 18 years after our last trip to Niseko. Just like we remembered it - wandering in through the fridge door and grabbing a seat at the upstairs bar. Great range of cocktails, great tunes and...friendly staff. Highly recommended.More

Date of visit: January 2023
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Reviewed 29 February 2020 via mobile

Love the vibe, love the drinks, love the music, love the prices! A must-visit for cocktail lovers out there!

Date of visit: February 2020
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 21 February 2020 via mobile

Amazing little bar Always a favourite - if you can get in it is well worth it!! Do a whiskey tasting - or 2

Date of visit: February 2020
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Reviewed 20 February 2020 via mobile

Yes, the front door is from an old refrigerator that was dropped off 20 plus years ago when the bar opened...and you stoop to get in. They open at 5PM and the crowd packs in quickly. By 5:30 the downstairs is full and people coming...later go upstairs to another bar area with great view of the snow!! They offer light snacks and all kinds of drinks, wine, sake and especially whiskey...which you can get flights of to taste. It is a really cool place with a great vibe where everyone sits at very small tables and close together. It reminds me of what a speakeasy might have been like. There is great jazz music playing, loud enough so you don’t hear the folks at the next table. If in the Niseko area, it’s must place to stop!More

Date of visit: February 2020
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 19 February 2020 via mobile

Everyone needs to visit “The fridge bar” when they visit Hirafu, Niseko. It’s a great bar with a friendly and cosy feel about it.

Date of visit: February 2020
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Reviewed 5 February 2020 via mobile

Love this place and make sure you visit when going to Niseko. We had the apple pie cocktails and they are truly delicious, I also tried the sake tasting set and that was good. Friendly bar, great location and surroundings and of course the fridge...door to get in! Truly uniqueMore

Date of visit: February 2020
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 20 January 2020 via mobile

Enter through a cave of snow into an old fridge door. Simply lit welcoming place with amazing drinks, Japanese whiskey, vinyl jazz with a DJ

Date of visit: January 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 15 January 2020

Small and quaint bar. Very well heated. The cocktails were really interesting and yummy! The Apple Pie cocktail was the best imo. Music and ambience was great and very relaxing.

Date of visit: December 2019
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Reviewed 30 December 2019 via mobile

Went to bar Gyu after recommendation, great little spot. Nice ambience, friendly staff, good drinks, just a nice and welcoming little bar. I will be back for sure

Date of visit: December 2019
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 4 November 2019 via mobile

This space is great bar you must try, they have excellent drinks and good service, but the music has litter noisy, Anyway we're really enjoyed and happy, would like recommender this space :)

Date of visit: November 2019
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 18 July 2019

Its name translates as fridge bar, a hole-in-the-wall bars that japan is famous for. This one is located in lower Hirofu, Niseko, its entrance marked by a vintage refrigerator door. You have to crouch to fit into the tiny entrance to enter the dimly-lit speakeasy...on the other side. Full range of whisky offered including of -course, Hokkaido’s Yoichi brand along with plenty of martini’s and hot cocktails if that’s what warms your cockles.More

Date of visit: July 2019
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Reviewed 3 April 2019 via mobile

I visited Bar Gyu late on a Saturday evening with my husband. When we arrived, we entered through the very charming freezer door and felt immediately welcomed. The bar was dimly lit and had a very intimate, jazzy, cozy vibe. The bartender appeared to take...pride in the drinks that he concocted, and it was very evident with our first sip that each ingredient was thoughtfully placed into our glass. The drinks were strong, and we left feeling very happy, satisfied and buzzed. I have traveled to Japan on several different occasions, and I admire how important quality (versus quantity) seems to be desired by the Japanese culture. I would definitely return to Bar Gyu and I would recommend giving it a try if you enjoy savory drinks and a good time.More

Date of visit: February 2019
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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WL2310
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BAR GYU, Kutchan-cho - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Bar Gyu

Bar Gyu is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 5