Bishkek Nightlife
There are some Bishkek old-hands who say that things aren’t what they used to be when it comes to nightlife in Bishkek. They talk of legendary nights of carnage, vomit, and debauchery - delights that contemporary Bishkek struggles to offer. Not so, we say. Take your pick from the list below and we’re sure there’s still enough carnage, vomit and debauchery in town to keep everyone happy.
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Diskoklubs
Apple (28, Manas)
Fat, old, lecherous foreigners not welcome, this place is for a younger cooler crowd. Multiple bars, large dance floor, friendly atmosphere. Thursday usually a big night. (Entrance charge 100-300 som)
Coco Cabana (32, Chui)
www.coco.kg
Coco Cabana is a new and trendy lounge bar/disco that describes itself as having: "Fascinating sound and light, trendy mixes, incendiary Go-Go girls, spectacular dance shows and, of course, the most positive atmosphere for communication!" Definitely worth a try. (Entrance charge 300-500 som)
Infinity (Micro region 7)
Yet to be investigated. Ask a taxi driver to take you to ‘Infinity’ (and beyond) in the 7th micro region. It’s located way out near the hotel Jannat. Any reports would be welcome! (Entrance charge ?)
Pharaoh (East side of the Philharmonic building)
An underground lair packed with eyecatching nods to Ancient Egypt. FOreigners can sometimes negotiate a cheaper or free entry, but be prepared for the big sting inside - beer costs the best part of 200 som. (Entrance charge variable, free-500 som)
Fire & Ice (Chui/Erkindik)
Joy of joys, after a several month refurbishment Fire and Ice has reopened. Reports anybody? (Entrance charge ?)
Heaven (Frunze/Pravda - in the Hotel Dostuk)
As Heaven is found inside a hotel it is suprisingly unseedy. In fact it stands out for being a bastion of the well-dressed (if one is generous). Turn up in tatty jeans and a t-shirt and one may feel a little out of place; then again, one may not give a shit. Tables by the dancefloor cost 1000 som but include drinks up to this value. (Entrance charge 300-500 som)
Mojito (Micro region 12)
Another place to be checked out. Do they actually serve mojitos? Possibly. Is it a Hemingwayesque club reminiscent of 1950s Havana? Probably not.
Golden Bull (Chui/Togolok Moldo) Tel. 620131
A Bishkek institution. Full of ex-pats and tourists literally every night of the week. Long bar, friendly staff, cheapish beer, everyone’s happy. (Entrance charge girls/boys free/400 midweek, 150/400 Fri/Sat. ‘Foreigners’ free.)
Gloss (Nextdoor to Retro Metro on Mira/Gorky)
Lounge bar/nightclub next door to Retro Metro
Platinum (Behind Dvorets Sporta near Chui/Togolok Moldo)
Upmarket club with two rooms, one with the dance floor, one with a large bar. The crowd tends to be more Kyrgyz with far fewer foreigners than clubs such as the Golden Bull. Definitely a place for dressing your best, be careful not to tread on anyone's ego. (Entrance charge varies: approx. 300 for girls 500 for boys)
Retro Metro (24, Mira)
Bright, happy, 80’s kitsch bar, the DJ spins his records from inside the front of a VW camper van. One of the most popular places for post-2am partying. (Entrance charge: 200/300 som midweek, 350/450 som Fri/Sat. Reservation price 200 som)
Arbat (9, Karl Marks)
Tel. 512094; 512087
Smart ‘elite’ club popular with a slightly older crowd. Strip bar and restaurant in same building. (Entrance charge 200/350 som midweek, 350/450 som Fri/Sat. Strip bar 700 som)
City Club (85/1, Zhukeyeva-Pudovkina)
Tel. 511513; 510581
So exclusive it makes the Spektator crowd feel like cheap scum bags, City Club is one of the poshest clubs in town. Get past the ‘face control’ (ugly people beware) and spend your evening with gangster types, lecherous diplomats, Kazakh businessmen and a posse of young rich kids who all seem to have studied in London. (Entrance charge: girls 200/boys 300, Fri/Sat girls 300/boys 500)
Live Music
Promzona (16, Cholpon-Atinskaya)
www.promzona.kg
Promzona’s far-flung location sadly means a taxi ride or a long walk home are in order at the end of a night. Nevertheless, this trendy live music venue has a lot going for it: good bands, an extensive menu, and a hip industrial interior featuring, strangely, a wind tunnel fan, make this one of the best nights out in Bishkek. Tuesday is Jazz night. Rock or blues bands normally play at the weekends. (Music charge 200-350 som)
Sweet 60s (Kievskaya/Molodaya Gvardia)
Live cover bands play most nights. Full menu, popular with a younger crowd.
Tarantino (Molodaya Gvardia/Chui)
New bar with nightly live music. Apparently similar to Promzona. Yet to be checked out, but the word on the street is quite positive.
Tequila Blues (Turesbekova/Chui - now in the Metro Pub)
Having been turfed out of their underground bunker, Tequila now have occasional evenings int he Metro Pub's back room. Whether or not this will become a regular fixture is unknown.
Zeppelin (43, Chui)
Zeppelin is in the same vein as Tequila Blues but not quite so spit and sawdust. On the nights we’ve visited, there’s been a line up of young rock or punk bands strutting their stuff, heavier beats seem to go down best with the young Russian crowd. Full restaurant menu. (Entrance charge 100-150 som)
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