Must-see nightlife in Bishkek

  • Save the Ales

    Bishkek

    Bishkek's favourite craft-beer bar, where drinking the best beer in town straight from the taps more than makes up for the higher than average prices. On…

  • Just Coffee

    Bishkek

    Some of the best coffee in Bishkek, maybe in all of Central Asia. It's small and can get quite crowded, but they can also make coffees for takeaway to…

  • Staryy Edgar

    Bishkek

    Bishkek's most loveable old pub is hidden in a basement beneath the west side of the Russian Drama Theatre. The walls are festooned with old tape…

  • Chemodan Zusmanovicha

    Bishkek

    The location in a residential area near Orto-Say Bazaar makes this spot hard to find, but the too-cool ambience and well-crafted mixed drinks at …

  • Brewster Craft Beer

    Bishkek

    Rock on the radio, footie on the tele, and locally-made craft beer on tap – this little basement bar certainly checks all the boxes. The burgers and…

  • München Pub

    Bishkek

    Hidden away on the top floor of a business centre, this German-themed pub's beer (brewed in-house) and burgers make for a good start to a night out, and…

  • Copyright Stephen Lioy - Photography and Travel Media

    Uno Coffee

    Bishkek

    Coffee is the main focus and the desserts aren't far behind, but a long liquor and cocktail list combine with a lounge vibe to make this something of a…

  • Copyright Stephen Lioy - Photography and Travel Media

    Tucano Coffee

    Bishkek

    The first branch of this popular Moldovan coffee chain in Kyrgyzstan makes up in cheesecake and coffee quality what it lacks in atmosphere and space. It's…

  • Copyright Stephen Lioy - Photography and Travel Media

    Craft Coffee

    Bishkek

    Among the best of Bishkek's coffee offerings, it's all hipster chic and repurposed pallets for seating.

  • Steinbräu

    Bishkek

    The setting sun pouring through an upper window illuminates a Kyrgyz yurt-crown draped in hops in this spacious two-level beer hall. The bar is built…

  • Booblik Cafe

    Bishkek

    Though the ambience feels a bit too forced, the namesake bagels (бублик) are undeniably good. The streetside tables are a hot commodity, but great for…

  • Craft Bar

    Bishkek

    'Craft' might be a bit of a stretch – most of what's on tap is mass-produced for distribution around Bishkek and Chuy – but there's no doubt that it's…

  • Social Coffee

    Bishkek

    Cafe/bar that's especially popular when the gigantic shaded summer terrace is open. The service is slow, so expect to stick around awhile. There's a broad…

  • Hendrick's Place

    Bishkek

    More Barcelona than Bishkek, this self-consciously cool cocktail and shisha bar seems out of place in Central Asia, and only time will tell if it catches…

  • Sierra KG

    Bishkek

    This buzzing international-style coffee shop roasts its own beans and whips up soups, sandwiches and even Tex-Mex dishes. There's outside seating in…

  • No Name Bar

    Bishkek

    This small unsigned bar attracts a hip local crowd, and obliging bartenders are happy to try their hand at off-menu cocktails with guidance. The Tex-Mex…

  • Hygge Coffee

    Bishkek

    Quite good coffee and shockingly good cheesecake in a space that feels hip and warm. If you just can't bring yourself to leave, they'll radio out to the…

  • BBC

    Bishkek

    Bishkek Beer Company? Bishkek Brewing Cooperative? Brews Behind Counters? Mull it over while you work your way through their selection of 25 drafts beers,…

  • Pinta Pub

    Bishkek

    Locally brewed draught beers and chechyl (smoked cheese) make for a classic chilled night out in Bishkek, though for big sporting events you'll need to…

  • Bellagio Coffee

    Bishkek

    The over-the-top upscale interior here may not authentically reflect Italian culture, but the desserts certainly do. The coffee's not our favourite…

  • D-Bar

    Bishkek

    The ambience is nothing special, but the view from the top floor of the Damas Hotel certainly is. Victory Square just below and the Ala-Too range in the…

  • Na Kryshe

    Bishkek

    On the top floor of the Ak-Keme Hotel, 'On the Rooftop' is equally popular for panoramic mountain views and unusually late hours that make it one of the…

  • TAVI

    Bishkek

    Summer vibes are strong at this small cafe with a big terrace and sofas great for lounging. The coffee's good and there are stronger drinks on the menu –…

  • Coffee Relax

    Bishkek

    The coffee's good and the Turkish breakfast is one of the best in town, even if the vibe's a little overdone and the iPad menus not very functional…

  • Zolden Beer Pub

    Bishkek

    The 'it' place in Bishkek at time of research, a cavernous dance hall and surprisingly good pub grub might keep this new spot around for the long haul…

  • Coffeé

    Bishkek

    Quite good coffee amid dangling espresso cups, modern vases and 1890s fashion prints (or a medieval city-mural at the Manas 9 branch). Verandah seating…

  • Blonder Pub

    Bishkek

    House-brewed beer in a Bavarian-esque setting keeps this pub on the outskirts of the centre relatively popular. The food, particularly the German sausages…

  • Hawaii Club

    Bishkek

    The clouds of shisha smoke that pour out the door may not scream 'tropics', but the Hawaiian decor and poppy music certainly do. A decent selection of…

  • Pub Daddy

    Bishkek

    A classic sports bar tucked away beside Bishkek’s main stadium, late hours and plenty of high-carb and strong drink combo deals makes this a popular final…

  • Pyanyi Los

    Bishkek

    Tasty chocolates and decent coffee in a central and modern space with big windows surveying the park. As the name 'Drunken Moose' might imply, there's…

  • Booblik Cafe – Erkindik

    Bishkek

    Second larger location of the original Booblik with the same well-executed coffee and cafe grub, but more seating.

  • Vanilla Sky

    Bishkek

    Excellent coffee and comparable cakes and ice cream are a hit, and if you're searching for coffee beans this is one of the surest bets in Bishkek.

  • Coffeé

    Bishkek

    The second city-centre branch of this popular local coffee chain, one of Bishkek's oldest.

  • LiveBar

    Bishkek

    This city-centre karaoke joint is a solid if not inspiring late-night choice, and among the less-shady in town.

  • Metro Pub

    Bishkek

    Shoehorned into the column-filled foyer of a once-grand Soviet-era theatre, this popular boozer has a regular rotation of live-music acts (some of which…

  • Retro Metro

    Bishkek

    Mid-market club with predominantly 1980s music, occasional live bands and a series of curious theme evenings (Addams Family, Theatre Night etc).

  • Promzona

    Bishkek

    High-quality live bands and dancing without the strict dress codes of the more central clubs. A taxi from town costs around 200som.