Baku Nightlife

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PLEASE NOTE: Often listed as U.S.S.R. Pub in guidebooks.


Do you remember those fantastic basement bars in college/university with loads of character(s), cheap beer, good times and not much else? This is the bar in Baku for you! I was in the Soviet Union when I was a student, and it was never as fun as this bar. I was welcomed with open arms by 2 attractive ladies, the cat and later the manager. Great people – great beer – great prices.

The bar has lots of old Soviet memorabilia on the walls and ceilings. They also have flags donated by visitors like me – and a VT Flag is on its way to them. Mixed in with uniforms and foreign money on the walls is a pool table and plenty of places to sit and get smashed.

The manager spoke to me about the history of the bar, what they served and about general Baku life. A great man.

I really enjoyed my evening here. It was the best night out I had in Baku.

Make sure you make the trip! Your wallet will appreciate it.

Dress Code:
BLUE JEANS

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If you want to have the best view of downtown Baku whether it's daytime or at night, your best bet is the top of the ISR Plaza! Previously called the City Lights Bar, it has now been renamed to Azza bar. Not only does this place have a breath-taking view, it also offers you some great sushi, a big variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and live music in the evenings. The atmosphere is very relaxed and the seats are quite comfortable. Summertime the outdoor seating is available and in winter it is the best place where to escape... if you just go there once, you'll keep going back!

Dress Code: There is no dress code for this place although most people going there are usually dressed well. In Baku people like to dress well even if there is no special occasion :)

Very comfortable bar, quiet and attentive staff. Good range of liqueurs. The Heineken is also nice and cold, plus it is beside (and part of) a good restaurant, Scalini's.

Dress Code: No requirements, seems casual.

"Moaziz" is a restaurant that you can hear folk and pop music with good dinner and you can dance on stage with other peoples. "Roya" is one of singers that were and I found her music's later by internet. (Do you know I make a music C.D to remember my each travel?)In "Nefchiler" we find such as restaurants, in one of them there was a man singer that sings with special very low toned in Azeri and Russians.(I think he was "Aghayev")
In "Rashidbehboodov" or maybe "bulbul" street I found a few night clubs that was suitable but one of girls insisted to me to be my wife! I should runaway! You can taste Russian vodka and pistachio and listen to Russian or western music.

Dress Code: no special dress needed,but in resturants like Moaziz is better to wear gown likes

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These ARE the best bars in Baku.... They're where all the expats go. Corner Bar has a nice mix of people from everywhere... not just the British ones. There are always a lot of cute azeri/russian girls working there and there's live music every night at 9. David and Sasha are really good.... they're the band. The place gets really packed at about 10 on Friday and Saturday... if you don't mind close quarters, this is the place for you.

Crossroads is a newer bar with the same owners as Corner Bar... it's across the road from Corner - hence the name - Crossroads ;). It has a pool table, a disco downstairs, and live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The band that plays there now is awesome. On Friday's and Saturday's, the place turns into a sort of disco at about midnight. It's definately the place to be if you want to have a good time. The cute girls work here too.

Tequila Junction is a smaller more quiet bar that has pretty good Mexican food. They have a pool table and live music on Friday nights - the same band that plays in Crossroads. They also have a nice area outside to hang around if you want to get some fresh air. During football season, they have NFL football on Sunday's at 10:00pm.

Dress Code: Anything goes at all three of these places.... well, you need to be wearing clothes;).

Aroma Cafe is not necessarily for nightlife. It opens around midday and doesn't close till midnight. One of the coolest cafes in downtown Baku, Aroma Cafe is the place to be these days ;-) It's a 2-storey place, part of an old building and has big windows. The service is very good, staff speaks English and the quality of food is quite high. The best thing about this place is that there is a non-smoking section even though there are only 3 tables there. The design is awesome and there are big couches and arm-chairs and of course free Wi-Fi available.

The most stylish youth can be spotted going in and out of this place all the time, but the ambiance is so nice and relaxing that you can't be bothered with anything ;-)

Dress Code: Anything really

1033 is the hottest disco to be found in whilst in Baku. It is located at the Hyatt hotel, so you are guaranteed class and style all round. They serve a massive list of drinks and the music is playing well into the early hours of the morning.

*UPDATE*
Since the writing of this article I have not been back to Baku, and as such am unaware if 1033 is still open. Reports suggest that it is now closed and opens only for private functions only.

Dress Code: Not too dressy, not too casual. Jeans and a smart t-shirt would be acceptable.

NIGHT-CLUB and BAR

night club LA CHEVALIER at Europa Hotel on Tbilisi ave (a lot of prostitutea and sex changer)

bar DOMINO for those, who likes karaoke and want to see local lesbians & gays, just near Phoenix and Red Lion Pubs.