The 10 Best Bars in Baku, Azerbaijan

The cosy bar located on Neftchilar Avenue to the east of Baku City Centre serves a selection of beers, wines and spirits. Pivnaya Apteka, or Beer Pharmacy in English, plays music until late and shows live sport. Hungry? Taste one of their homemade speciality burgers.

The centrally located sports bar serves as a meeting point for expats working in the oil industry. William Shakespeare is halfway between Baku Boulevard and Fountain Square and one of the only bars in Baku to serve curry, Mexican food and international beers on tap. The staff all speak English, and it’s easy to strike up a conversation with the expats. Live bands play every weekend. Head down for delicious food, good beer and to make new friends.

Cheap beer and pool tables along with live music attract the younger Bakuvians for a brew or two. Located a few blocks to the north of Fountain Square and serving a variety of beers and liquor, Camel Pub tends to be full at all times of the day. The unusual design gives the feeling of being inside a large cylindrical can. Have a beer next to the large yellow camel smoking a cigarette on the far wall. Regular drink promotions on shots give patrons excellent value at one of the off-the-beaten-path bars in Baku.

More of a high-end sports bar than a hole-in-the-wall drinking spot, BeerBasha combines live sport with delicious food and craft beer. The sleek and modern interior design and wonderful atmosphere attracts locals whether their favourite team is playing or not. Make the effort, head to this bar in Baku, and sample their craft beer in the lively, but sophisticated atmosphere.

Set in the heart of Baku City Centre, Beer Office resembles a stone cellar. With a large selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, the pub creates a perfect setting to relax for a few hours on the wooden table and chairs. Weekends tend to get busy with the younger crowds and backpackers for the energetic atmosphere and budget-friendly prices.

The friendly atmosphere and live music on the weekends aren’t the only reasons patrons keep returning to Phoenix Pub. The food menu serves a selection of pub snacks and a variety of both international and local beers. With a casual and welcoming vibe, locals and tourists often come for a meal or to enjoy a few cold ones. Anyone who wants to enjoy live music should head down to this bar in Baku after 10:00pm on weekends.

Another British-style bar in Baku, Hops Pub, is a few minutes from Fountain Square. Football scarfs decorate the walls, and the bar gets busy on Friday and Saturday evenings. Live bands play on weekends. Head down for live football, a game of pool and to enjoy a selection of draft beer.

Red Lion is a recently opened British-style pub near the Nizami Monument. The decorations and spacious design with tall wooden tables give the feeling of being transported to a London drinking hole. England flags cover the walls, and friendly staff are always up for a chat. The atmosphere gets lively and active in the evening with live music and karaoke. Typical crowds tend to be British expats, and this bar bursts at the seams on Saturday afternoon when the English football teams are on TV.

Not only is FairPlay in a perfect location near both Icheri Sheher and Baku Boulevard, but the drinks have the lowest prices compared to all bars in Baku. The menu features a selection of beers, wines and top-shelf spirits as well as serves up snacks and pub grub. Young Bakuvians head here on weekends to enjoy the regular live music and to socialise with friends.

Looking for a pint of Guinness in a traditional Irish pub? Check out O’Malleys, one of the few Irish bars in Baku. In a prime location next to Fountain Square and near the hotels, locals and expats come to enjoy their selection of drinks and British food. Relax alongside the expats, and play a game of pool or watch your favourite football team play on the big screens. Live music and bands play on weekends too.