The Best Cocktail Bars In St Petersburg

Tipplers certainly ranks high on the list of St Petersburg’s cocktail bars attracting a very hip local crowd on any given night. Either pick from their drinks card or if you’re feeling adventurous, tell the barman what you’re in the mood for and let the magic happen. Don’t expect your drink to be served in ordinary glassware; beakers, medicinal bottles and goblets are nothing out of the ordinary here.

Geography doesn’t uphold St Petersburg’s values for low-key drinking venues. On the contrary, cocktails here are taken seriously. The cocktails are not too extensive, with a couple of classics on the menu, and some creative options endemic to the bar. A treat to be found here is the collection of aged cocktails, for the connoisseurs of strong spirits. These cocktails have been aged in oak barrels for at least two weeks.

Buddha Bar has earned a reputation for being exciting and creative. Don’t come in here for a cheap drink before a club; having a drink at Buddha Bar should be the experience of the night. The cocktail card changes here with pleasant frequency, so there isn’t any danger of getting bored. All the cocktails are unique and created with the aim to spice up typical liquors with eclectic flavours and colourful spices.

A well-hidden gem for those who appreciate quality drinks, Apotheke is something truly special. Even though it goes by its own name, the only way to find the entrance of Apotheke is by looking for a ‘Red Cross’ sign outside. Inside there is a big ‘u-shaped’ bar counter that sits about 20 people, so space is limited. Don’t ask for a menu here – there won’t be one. The barman will ask you what you like and what you’re in the mood for, then mix-up something just right. If you enjoy quality drinks, soothing jazz and calm ambiance, you’ll love Apotheke.

Orthodox is a Russian bar. Full stop. That is their main purpose. The founders are determined to prove that Russian bar culture is so much more than drinking vodka with bears. Russian liquors are perfect bases for elaborate cocktails that resemble small works of art. Even the cocktails here are named after artists. Selections of cocktails are categorized under the artists that inspired them, be it composers like Pyotr Tchaikovsky or writers like Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Kabinet is a pop-up underground bar resembling a secret watering hole or even an underground casino. Step back in time and enjoy an aristocratic drink, while listening to jazz and mixing with a crowd of invited guests. Booking is essential if you want to first, find the bar, and then enjoy its selection. Kabinet’s entry is well-hidden inside a neighbouring restaurant called Grill Brothers, but even if you do find it on your own, don’t show up uninvited.

A bar located on the infamous Rubinshteyna street, Tsvetochki is the place to go when looking to try quality drinks at reasonable prices. The drinks are separated into three groups: shots, tini-cocktails and long drinks. Each group has one fixed price that won’t break the bank.