Tashkent
There’s good homebrew here, along with such dubious Irish culinary delights as sausages with cabbage and baked beans (mains 20,000–40,000S). There's…
Must-see nightlife in Central Asia
Karakol
Run out of a hipstered-up garage that feels like an extended common space of adjacent Duet Hostel, friendly staff and tasty coffee and smoothies make the…
Almaty
Thimble-sized coffee shop with three tiny tables, an extensive collection of teas and coffees kept in smart wooden drawers and a barista who really knows…
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…
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…
Nur-Sultan (Astana)
This glass-and-brick club and restaurant complex is a place to see and be seen; the food is hit-and-miss, but the two own brews – a Belgian-style wheat…
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,…
Tajikistan
A smart chaikhana with traditional pillars and painted ceilings. The riverside tea-beds offer a delightful perch for lazy afternoons, but on summer…
Tashkent
The former KT Komba is the premier weekend playground for the young, smart local set. A restaurant earlier in the evening, it gets going after midnight…
Bukhara
This pioneering family-run cafe has good coffee available and well-intended, if rather slow, service. There's a selection of sweet items available too,…
Nur-Sultan (Astana)
Cute little wine bar with 10 or so international wines by the glass and many more by the bottle, including a number of Kazakh vintages. There's a full…
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…
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…
Osh
Sip on the best (only?) espresso drinks this side of Bishkek, dig into a sandwich or salad of the healthy-living menu, and watch out the large bar windows…
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…
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…
Almaty
No ‘pub’ decor, no expat prices, no loud music – this beer bar is a place where you can just sit and chat over a variety of local and foreign brews, and…
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 –…
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…
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…
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…
Kazakhstan
The best of Aktau's handful of British-style pubs, Guns & Roses serves generous burgers, steaks and pizzas, shows sport on TV and hosts a live rock/jazz…
Almaty
Catering to a happy melange of expats and locals, Murphy's has a plethora of beers and lagers on tap, football on the telly, fish and chips on the menu…
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…
Kyrgyzstan
The menu of coffee (respectable) and cakes (somewhat lacklustre) may be small, but it's the only option in town and the wi-fi is fast. It's on Sarygulov…
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…
Almaty
Dark, wood-panelled, unassuming bar that serves a good selection of local and imported beers to a mixed expat and local crowd that likes to avoid the…
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…
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…
Karakol
Karakol's first barista-savvy venue still makes well-brewed coffee and a range of sweets, breakfast and sandwiches while serving as an informal traveller…
Almaty
The latest club du jour caters to Almaty's young and beautiful crowd, as well as serious techno and trance enthusiasts. Quality local DJs get rave reviews…
Bishkek
Second larger location of the original Booblik with the same well-executed coffee and cafe grub, but more seating.
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.
Bishkek
The second city-centre branch of this popular local coffee chain, one of Bishkek's oldest.
Kazakhstan
Lido's two open-air decks are packed for summer-night drinks and there's an assortment of grilled dishes to go with your beer.
Bishkek
This city-centre karaoke joint is a solid if not inspiring late-night choice, and among the less-shady in town.
Kyrgyzstan
Coffees, cakes and a menu of Kyrgyz and Russian dishes on Lenin just east of the main square.
Almaty
With two nightclubs and four restaurants, cafes and bars all in one building, Turkish-owned ‘Esperanza City’ attracts a wide-ranging crowd. One club plays…
Dushanbe
A stylish venue for a pre-dinner drink or a post-supper rendezvous, this cosy hotel lobby bar offers a full menu of cocktails – although not always the…
Kazakhstan
Semey’s fashionable coffee lounge, with proper latte art, an ambitious menu that overreaches itself by trying to provide American and Mexican breakfasts,…
