Top 9 Cocktail Bars

A textbook example of the speakeasy format done right in Almaty. The design is minimal, the snacks come from chef Proshenkov himself, and the cocktail menu takes its cues from the Tarot — imaginative and offbeat. For those in the know, Spirit may recall the vibe of St. Petersburg and Moscow’s Kabinet bar — and that’s more a compliment than a comparison. With just 12 seats, the atmosphere is intentionally intimate.

Pros: Located beneath Proshenkov’s bistro, TheM — a reliable spot for great food

Cons: Bartenders may hesitate with standard classic orders

Best for: Cocktail hedonists

At its core, French 42 is a cosmopolitan bar built around gin and its many possibilities — from the flagship French 42 twist to the local favorite Almatini, made with the city’s iconic Aport apples. Behind the bar are veterans of the scene — most were once bar managers elsewhere. No one knows exactly how the owners convinced them to switch teams, but everyone’s better off for it.

Pros: Convenient location — equidistant from the city’s main nightlife spots

Cons: A bit too many self-important faces among the regulars

Best for: Those looking to meet someone for the evening

Dima Korolyov — considered by many in the local bar scene as the godfather of mixology in Kazakhstan — once snapped and decided to reimagine classic aperitifs through a Caribbean lens. The result: Bee’s Knees, home to an extensive rum collection and solid tiki-style cocktails. It took the team a bit of time to calibrate, but they’ve since found their groove and built a loyal crowd. Special mention goes to the warm, chatty staff who see good conversation as part of the cocktail experience. If you catch bar manager Pasha behind the counter, consider yourself lucky — he brings a thousand great stories and a guaranteed good time.

Pros: Pasha Bondar, proper full-service kitchen, secret room (ask at the bar), vinyl nights

Cons: Not much else around — not ideal for bar-hopping on foot

Best for: Those craving a cozy, sociable night out

Despite being located on bustling Furmanov Bar Street, Domashniy feels equally cozy for both Zoomers and Boomers. Here, age blurs into the background — what matters is being present in the moment. The homey interior lives up to the name, the drinks are time-tested, and the vibe never dips. It’s arguably the most party-oriented bar on the list, where cocktails play a supporting role to the fun.

Pros: No snobbery

Cons: More dancing than deep conversations

Best for: Those nostalgic for house parties

A speakeasy straight out of 1930s America: dim lighting, a secretive vibe, and a staff fully committed to the concept. The owner used to live next door, which led to strict noise control  — a tradition that’s oddly survived even after he moved out (not to mention local decibel laws still apply). Only recently has Yellow Door introduced a standard cocktail menu; until then, drinks were made bespoke, based on your preferences — and the bartenders usually get it right.

Pros: Charming glassware and a beautiful vintage sideboard

Cons: You might need a decibel meter — emotions here are best expressed in a whisper

Best for: Those willing to play by someone else’s rules

A rooftop music bar with a vinyl collection and a creative crowd. Bul Bar opened at the end of last season and quickly became a favorite among the city’s young creatives. With Arsen Superfly as music director, the playlists never disappoint. In warmer months, the rooftop opens up to reveal a lovely city view. The cocktail menu is on the smaller side, but built around playful musical references.

Pros: Music lectures, top-tier sound, next door to the Anima store

Cons: Cocktail list could use some fine-tuning

Best for: Musical aesthetes

A new bar from the French 42 team, hidden beneath the also-new Renée restaurant. This time, the theme is Italian aperitifs meets neo-avant-garde, and the bartenders’ core philosophy is: «Let it be confusing.» Gruppo 63 takes devil-in-the-details seriously — hand-painted walls, stylish furniture, carefully chosen glassware, and well-thought-out zoning. It’s the kind of place that can shape a newcomer’s cocktail taste, though it’s unlikely to become a foodie hotspot.

Pros: Dedicated cigar lounge

Cons: Expect plenty of people trying to make an impression

Best for: Those who love dressing up for a night out

First and foremost, it’s a hidden Asian snack bar tucked behind a car wash. But it was opened by Dasha Bezhina and Zhora Kucherenko — former bar managers behind some of the city’s most talked-about spots. After celebrating the venue’s second anniversary, the team introduced a non-alcoholic cocktail menu that made the shortlist for The World’s 50 Best Bars — a global ranking every foodie and industry insider respects.

Pros: Great food and drinks, whether or not you’re drinking alcohol

Cons: The location is eccentric — but that’s part of the concept

Best for: Sober curious types and moms of several little angels

Burlesque, theater, literary nights, bold stage shows — that’s what draws people to Rocky Horror. The cocktail flavor pairings may raise a few eyebrows, but they’re balanced out by a surprisingly solid food menu. Here, spectacle comes before sustenance (though the actual bread is excellent). But hey, to each their own.

Pros: A safe space for everyone

Cons: Pricing can be a bit of a mystery

Best for: Those in search of new experiences