Where to Go This July: Restaurants with Live Music and DJ Sets

When: Every Friday and Saturday from 7 pm

For an evening that comes remarkably close to the spirit of the Aegean, head to Nika. Every Friday and Saturday, the restaurant transforms for its signature Greek nights, where DJ sets, sirtaki, ballet performances and the age-old ritual of plate smashing unfold throughout the evening. There is no cover charge or minimum spend — simply settle in and order from the menu. For our recommendations on what to eat, see this article.

When: DJ sets daily from 8 pm; live music Wednesday to Sunday from 10 pm

Yuzhanin sums itself up in just three words: «We’re built for dancing.» Spend an evening here and it’s hard to argue. DJ sets take over every night from 8 pm, followed by live music from 10 pm, Wednesday through Sunday. The food is every bit as generous as the atmosphere, with Caucasian favourites including kharcho, khachapuri, shashlik and lyulya kebabs. A substantial wine list, together with alcoholic and shisha cocktails, keeps the tables lively well into the night.

When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7 pm

At Salama, the blend extends well beyond the menu. Alongside the flavours of Central Asia, Southern Europe and Morocco comes an equally eclectic evening programme. DJs take over the terrace from 7 pm, while karaoke begins after 11 pm for those not quite ready to call it a night.

When: Thursday to Sunday

At Manana, the entertainment is as much a part of the experience as the food. Alongside lyulya kebabs, khinkali, khachapuri and the best-loved classics of Georgian cuisine, the restaurant presents a live programme that changes from week to week. 9–12 July:

• Thursday | 8–10 pm: Live performance by Bilal.
• Friday | 7:30–10 pm: Reyane Band, the Manana Ensemble and a traditional Georgian tamada.
• Saturday | 8–10 pm: Bilal, the Manana Ensemble and a Georgian tamada.
• Sunday | 7:30–10 pm: An evening of live vocals with Bilal.

There is no cover charge or minimum spend — simply order from the menu.

On 24 July at 7 pm, Manana celebrates its first anniversary with a traditional Georgian tamada, the ceremonial opening of a qvevri, a performance by the Manana Ensemble, live caricature portraits and, naturally, birthday cake.

When: Tuesday to Sunday

If your idea of a night out stretches well past midnight, Qbar is hard to beat. The venue stays open until 3 am from Tuesday to Thursday, until 4 am on Sundays and all the way to 5 am on Fridays and Saturdays, making it one of the city’s longest-running nights. From 8 to 12 July, the calendar is filled with themed evenings, DJ line-ups and special offers.

• Wednesday: 50% off wine, with Kamis, Pashkov, Kalidin and Abosha MC on the decks.
• Thursday: Women’s Night, with 50% off for women and DJ sets by Bell, Papa, Tila and Abosha MC.
• Friday: Papa, Kamis, Sam, Pashkov and Abosha MC take over the booth.
• Saturday: Diosa, Joker, Gera, Voynov and Abosha MC keep the dancefloor moving.
• Sunday: Kolya, Seven, Hasvord and Abosha MC close out the week behind the decks.

When: Tuesday to Sunday

At Shanghai 1984, every evening follows its own rhythm. It begins around 8 pm with dinner — ramen, tom yum, Chinese-style lasagne, Shanghai chicken, sushi, rolls and other Asian favourites, accompanied by cocktails or wine. By 11 pm, the mood shifts as the DJs take over, carrying the night onto the dancefloor.

On 18 July, the restaurant joins forces with Close Friends for a daytime rooftop party. From 3 pm, expect loud music, dancing, vibrant energy and panoramic views across the city.

When: 18 July, from 11 pm

For anyone unwilling to let the night end, Bootlegger is the natural next stop. On 18 July, the bar hosts the official after-party following Shanghai 1984’s daytime rooftop event, keeping the momentum going from 11 pm until 4 am with DJs, signature cocktails and an atmosphere that needs little encouragement. The kitchen stays open too, with a full menu ranging from sushi rolls and steaks to salads and small plates, ensuring there’s something to match every late-night craving.

When: 11 July, from 8 pm

High above the city on the 12th floor, Restaurant 12 has become one of Tashkent’s defining addresses for electronic music, with a regular line-up of resident and guest DJs. On 10 July, Xenia takes to the decks from 10 pm, followed by Ray from midnight until 2:30 am. The following evening, Mone opens the night from 10 pm, before Roger Gunn continues from midnight to 2:30 am. Tables are limited, so reservations are recommended if you’re planning to stay for both dinner and the music. Chef Islom Kurbonov’s tightly curated menu draws on Asian and Mediterranean traditions, with crispy aubergine, tartares, tom yum and pasta — familiar classics reworked through a contemporary lens.

Photos: Restaurant websites and social media; Yandex Maps

For one night only, Benedict Mirabad swaps the everyday for a tropical state of mind. On 11 July, the evening unfolds with DJ sets from 8 pm, coconut cocktails, a welcome drink for every guest and Instax snapshots to capture the occasion. The menu leans into the same warm-weather spirit, pairing octopus, spring rolls and berry salads with European staples such as pasta and steaks. There’s also a generous selection of healthy dishes and desserts, ensuring that even those who usually skip late-night dining will find plenty to tempt them.

Ember & Embar has two dates worth setting aside this July. The first, R& B Night on 10 July, celebrates the genre’s golden era with DJ Samvel, Tim Kari and DJ Artur behind the decks. As for 24 July, the details remain closely guarded, though the team has already made one promise: this won’t be an evening spent sitting at the table. Dinner is every bit as much a part of the experience, with sushi and sashimi, meat cooked over an Argentine grill and a cocktail list built around house signatures — all served against panoramic views of the city.

When: 10 and 24 July

When: 10 and 11 July, from 10 pm