Drinking and nightlife Kyiv, Ukraine - Lonely Planet (2024)

Closer

Kyiv

More than just a nightclub, Closer is a bohemian tour de force that epitomises Kyiv's emergence as a hub of creativity and counterculture. Heavily…

Alchemist Bar

Kyiv

Kyiv's best bar is set in an intimate basem*nt space on vibrant vul Shota Rustaveli. No pretensions, no strict feiskontrol (face control), just an…

Pink Freud

Kyiv

Pink Freud reckons it can cure you with quality co*cktails. It may be right: its talented mixologists have created an original drink for every mood and…

Na Stanislavskogo

Kyiv

Billing itself as a 'theatre cafe' (due to its proximity to the playhouses on nearby pl Ivana Franka), this place is an arty delight. It's all scuffed…

Kharms

Kyiv

This indie cafe at the back of the House of Scientists has a creative atmosphere, excellent coffee and a strong wi-fi connection – a perfect spot to plant…

Mur Mur

Kyiv

Mur Mur has been pushing the envelope of cutting-edge design in Kyiv for two decades – first as Concord restaurant, and now in its latest incarnation as a…

Parovoz

Kyiv

Hidden in the basem*nt of the Kyiv Cinema, this is Kyiv's original speakeasy and a legend among Kyiv's bars. Whereas the bartenders at most top co*cktail…

Espressoholic

Kyiv

A tiny but immensely popular coffee shop in Podil with high-quality caffeinated beverages, friendly baristas and low prices. The action spills out into…

Squat 17b Yard Cafe

Kyiv

Run by squatters living upstairs at the same address. It was once large enough to host live bands, but much of their space was reclaimed in 2017 and the…

Old Bar

Kyiv

Ukraine is grain country, so no surprise you can find good craft beer. There are 180 types of bottled beer here and more than 25 on tap – many of them…

Druzi Cafe

Kyiv

This bar/cafe spills into a courtyard near the origin of Andriyivsky uzviz. Choose between coffee, refreshing lemonades and competently mixed co*cktails…

Lviv Handmade Chocolate

Kyiv

A de rigueur stop after descending Andriyivsky uzviz, this dessert-cafe specialises in rich melted-chocolate concoctions from Lviv – Ukraine's unofficial…

Like a Local's

Kyiv

Ukraine has some good wine-growing areas in the south and in the west, and this welcoming little space is the place to sample them. Plenty of dry…

Kaffa

Kyiv

Around for years, Kaffa still serves the most heart-pumping, rich-tasting brew in town. Coffees and teas from all over the world are served in a pot…

Lift

Kyiv

Probably the best and most 'clubby' of Kyiv's growing repertoire of gay clubs, it gets quite packed on weekends and attracts a mostly gay clientele but…

Mokhnaty Khmil

Kyiv

You gotta love a place called 'Woolly Hops.' The selection of IPAs at this basem*nt place is more wonderful than woolly, but we're not complaining. There…

Vagabond

Kyiv

This little bohemian hangout near Kyiv Mohyla Academy holds nightly events that might include poetry readings, storytelling or live music on the sidewalk…

Pivna Duma

Kyiv

A brewpub smack dab in the middle of town? Works for us. They produce a crisp pilsner, an aggressive wheat bock (6.2% alcohol), and seasonal specialities,…

Hangover Bar

Kyiv

With an open-air dance floor packed with beautiful bodies, this is Kyiv's top summer nightclub. The action is, predictably, centred on weekend nights; at…

London

Kyiv

Enter through a door in the form of an iconic red telephone box to find yourself in this classy UK-inspired cafe. Siphon, aeropress and pour-over brews…

Kyiv

An excellent find hidden in a courtyard off Khreshchyk, Paliturka has good tunes and a boho vibe, in addition to fine coffee. Plenty of spaces to chat or…

Podil East India Company

Kyiv

As the name implies, this American-owned place in the heart of Podil's bar district offers drinks as well as food with an Oriental twist. It's American…

Wood You Like Bar

Kyiv

This is an intimate, welcoming place serving great co*cktails at reasonable prices. Try the killer Old Fashioned with Plantation rum (69% ABV) or the…

Amigos Bar

Kyiv

A bar for real bar flies, Amigos is a laid-back place with friendly bartenders and big variety of original and classic drinks. It's significantly cheaper…

Kaffa

Kyiv

The Podil branch of the long-running, Africa-themed coffee shop. The original is just off maydan Nezalezhnosti.

Barman Dictat

Kyiv

This is a huge, open basem*nt space with one of the longest bars we've ever seen, backed by Kyiv's most impressive wall of booze. It's has plenty of…

Chi

Kyiv

Aptly named Chi is Kyiv's top playground for the chichi set. Expect plenty of attitude from the staff and strict feiskontrol (face control), so dress the…

Palata No.6

Kyiv

For a healthy dose of insanity sneak into this well-hidden bar named after Anton Chekhov's tale about life in a madhouse. Dressed in doctors' white robes,…

Banka

Kyiv

Loosely based on Andy Warhol's 32 Campbell Soup Cans, this underground place has cans on the wall and serves all drinks out of cans or jars (banka means…

Honey

Kyiv

Set over two spacious levels on trendy vul Yaroslaviv Val, Honey is a cafe and patisserie that offers a variety of desserts including 15 different types…

Chashka

Kyiv

A very friendly cafe serving breakfasts and lattes with rather experimental local flavours – such as uzvar (dried-pear drink) and khalva (Turkish sweet) –…

Open Space

Kyiv

This is a men-only 'cruising bar', which basically means that just about anything goes. Private lockers, variety shows and regular theme parties announced…

Repriza

Kyiv

This spacious, long-running cafe has a small selection of snacks, including quiche and spinach turnovers, and decent coffee in the heart of Podil's main…

Repriza

Kyiv

An old stand-by – maybe too old? – this place has been surpassed by other cafes in recent years, but still does a good coffee. Also has a branch in Podil…