Every year, travelers from all over the world flock to Odessa, Ukraine’s beautiful city on the Black Sea, and dance the summer away in the nightclubs and bars that are now well known throughout Eastern Europe. To become a part of its partying culture, you need to know the 10 best bars in the southern capital.
Gambrinus
Bar, Pub, European, $$$
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This bar on the central Deribasivska Street is named after Gambrinus, a mythical European figure symbolizing beer, brewing, and the conviviality of having a few pints. So it follows that it has a decent beer selection, including one of its own, named, you guessed it, Gambrinus Beer. You can order beer sets, comprising three different half pints, which are good value for money.
This stylish bar has the best whiskey selection in Odessa, featuring everything from Irish rye whiskey to bottles from New Zealand. That’s not all though, as Corvin offers a range of draught and bottled beers. In terms of ambience, it bills itself as a Scottish pub, meaning that it looks like a traditional pub, with a stylish dining area.
Head to Pivnoy Sad (Ukrainian for beer garden) for great beer. The focus is on German beer but there are some local brews too, including one brewed on site. Meanwhile, the food is a mix of Bavarian and Ukrainian cuisine, with fine-dining options. It is a boisterous place, with live music Thursday to Sunday evenings and theatrical nights on Saturdays.
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Pub, Restaurant, European, Beer, Coffee, $$$
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Granat lounge café, with its refined interior and incredibly comfortable sofas, is the perfect place to have cocktails in Odessa. As one of the trendiest drinking spots in the city, it gets quite busy in the evenings. There is always a lively atmosphere, due to occasional sets of local DJs during weekends. Guest can also smoke hookah, which is extremely popular in Ukraine. Granat café has two locations: one in the city centre and a second in the Arcadia (one of the most touristy areas in the city), close to the clubs and seashore.
Despite the developing western spirit of Ukraine, you can still feel the impact of its Soviet past. For a western ‘fix’, come to Mick O’Neill’s Irish Pub for a guaranteed supply of good beer, hearty pub food, and sports on a big screen. In North America or the United Kingdom, it wouldn’t stand out at all, but in Odessa, it’s a breath of fresh air.
For something outside the mainstream, head to Exit, if you can find it. It’s underground, and the only indication of its entrance is a faintly visible Vykhid (Ukrainian for exit) sign. Once inside, it is easy to understand why Odessa’s alternative crowd considers it the coolest bar in the city. It has a fantastic performance space, mini-exhibitions, film screenings, and poetry readings. The artistic atmosphere is complemented by the intimate ambience, helped by the limited space.
Gnezdo is an ideal location for drinks before going out, with its large rooms and an open-air rooftop terrace, especially in summer. It hosts frequent parties and concerts. It’s a good place to spend all night, as the bar stays open till 6 o’clock in the morning.
The impressive interior is the first thing you notice when you step into this bar. The Fitz is a very atmospheric speakeasy with the peculiar feature of having a barbershop within it. Be sure to try the signature cocktail called Puka-Puka Punch, which is served in a coconut with a steaming cinnamon stick.
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Gastropub, European, Mediterranean, Beer, $$$
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P1 Prosecco Bar is a bar immersed in light and a sea panorama on the sixth floor of the M1 Club Hotel. Its minimalist design, huge windows, massive leather and metal furniture and speakeasy aura create a unique space for relaxation. Admire the sea views out on the terrace while sipping on a signature prosecco-based cocktail, perfectly combined with light seafood dishes.
Sabotage Bar is located in the heart of Odessa, a block from Derybasivska Street. It offers extraordinary dishes and unusual cocktails and is open 24 hours. You can come there for lunch or to get warmed up later on with a couple of drinks and then dance the night away.
