Tashkent Entertainment

Entertainment in Tashkent

  1. A

    SMI

    More bar than nightclub, this is where people gravitate after an evening of club hopping. The flow of so many inebriated people to one place can have a creative effect on the environment. As one British expat put it, 'SMI morphs into whatever you want it to be at six in the morning'. SMI is the Russian acronym for 'mass media', and the walls pay due homage to the honourable craft of the scribbler.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Alisher Navoi Opera & Ballet Theatre

    Tashkent has a full cultural life, some of it, such as drama, of interest mainly to Uzbek and Russian speakers. But one of Central Asia's best cultural bargains and a highlight for all visitors to Tashkent is the Alisher Navoi Opera & Ballet Theatre, where you can enjoy quality classical Western opera almost any night (except during the months June to August). Shows change daily - in just a week you can see Swan Lake, Carmen, Rigoletto and the Uzbek opera Timur the Great.

    The interior harbours various regional artistic styles - a different one in each room - executed by the best artisans of the day, and under the direction of the architect of Lenin's tomb in Moscow. Japan…

    reviewed

  3. C

    Ilkhom Theatre

    Tashkent's other main cultural highlight is the progressive Ilkhom Theatre, which stages productions in Russian but occasionally has English subtitles. Known for bucking trends, its productions often touch on gay themes and racial subjects, putting off some locals but thrilling Tashkent's expat community, many of whom are big supporters of the theatre. You'll see such oddities as Shakespeare plays entwined with Beatles music.

    The theatre also stages occasional jazz concerts as well as art exhibitions in its lobby.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Tri Bochki

    Occupying a prime, shady nook right on Ankhor Canal, this brewpub/restaurant has some of the best - and best-priced - homebrew in town. Their recipe was supposedly invented by German monks in 1514. There's live jazz by night and an equally cacophonic chorus of birdsong by day. From the bridge near Turkeston Palace on Navoi kochasi walk 50m north, passing two other restaurants on the way.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Gasthaus

    Spry waitresses in German country outfits serve up foaming litre steins of homemade brew to the strains of oompah music in a this biergarten by a busy autobahn. The unfiltered brew is particularly endearing and goes well with the real Bavarian sausages (6000S). The summer patio is popular despite the street noise and the 20% service charge.

    reviewed

  6. F

    Sky Club

    As other clubs have come and gone like so many Tashkent NGOs, Sky Club, on the 14th floor of Le Grande Plaza hotel, remains popular year-in, year-out. Its giant, flashing Twister board of a dance floor will either serve as a cheap thrill or make you want to jump out the window, depending on how much alcohol you've consumed.

    reviewed

  7. G

    Studio Café

    The nouveau riche Uzbek crowd and hip, Hollywood-themed interior belie that you can actually get a reasonably priced beer here - a pint of Shimkent costs 1500. The streetside patio is sweet, while inside bartenders adeptly shake up a dizzying array of cocktails to the beat of crisp-sounding Russian and Western pop.

    reviewed

  8. H

    Ye Olde Chelsea Arms

    It's grossly overpriced and the gaudy décor will hardly make real Londoners feel at home, but it fills up every night and outdraws Tashkent's two Irish pubs. It's also the only place in Tashkent where you can recline in a street-side 'throne booth' and nibble on Welsh rabbit.

    reviewed

  9. I

    Ché

    Mexican restaurant by day, Ché turns into a cosy, loungey club by night that plays good chillout music and draws an alternative crowd. It might be dead or it might be really, really happening.

    reviewed

  10. J

    Pakhtakor Stadium

    Soccer matches are held at the Pakhtakor Stadium, in the central park between Uzbekistan kochasi and Navoi kochasi. Tickets can be bought directly from the stadium box office.

    reviewed

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  12. K

    Diplomat-S

    The place has a nutty, slutty streak that belies its serious name. One of the few clubs where you can still be making poor lifestyle decisions at 03:00 on a Tuesday night.

    reviewed

  13. L

    Alis

    Check out Uzbeks in their element at two of the best dance bars in town, Alis and Baccara. Reserve a table ahead of time on weekends because you need a seat to get in.

    reviewed

  14. M

    Baccara

    Check out Uzbeks in their element at two of the best dance bars in town, Alis and Baccara. Reserve a table ahead of time on weekends because you need a seat to get in.

    reviewed

  15. N

    Muqimi Musical Theatre

    Best bet for traditional Uzbek folk singing, dancing and operettas such as Brothers, Matchmakers and Bridegroom's Contest.

    reviewed

  16. O

    Tashkent State Conservatory

    Chamber concerts, Uzbek and Western vocal and instrumental recitals in an impressive new edifice. Entrance is around the back.

    reviewed

  17. P

    Panorama

    Tashkent's biggest movie theatre, although films are dubbed into Russian.

    reviewed

  18. Q

    Academic Russian Drama Theatre

    Other theatres of interest: Classical Western drama in Russian.

    reviewed

  19. R

    Uzbek Milliy Akademik Drama Theatre

    Uzbek and classical Western drama in Uzbek language.

    reviewed

  20. S

    Premier Cinema Hall

    Occasionally shows movies in English on request.

    reviewed