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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.