The must-visit bars in St. Petersburg

So many drinking establishments appeared in St. Petersburg over the last few years, that now the city can rightfully claim the title of the bar capital of the country. We chose 5 bar places that are a must-visit for all the visitors of the Northern capital looking for a fun and unforgettable evening.

St. Petersburg bars
Union: bar and grill

Union: bar and grill
Address: Liteiny pr. 55

Union Bar was opened by the same team that was responsible for the small Fartuk (Apron) cafe, situated on Rubinshteina street. However the bar turned out much more spacious: it can accommodate up to 200 people. There are two halls, one of which is a good place to watch football translations and the other hosts live music performances and DJ sets. Food menu includes outstanding burgers, which are cooked in the open kitchen. There is also a decent choice of beers: German lagers, Russian ales and ciders and some seasonal sorts of craft beer. In addition, the bar serves signature cocktails, wine and spirits. The presence of a veranda for smokers in the back yard is an undoubted plus. The fact that one might spend half an hour or more at the queue to the bar during peak hours is an undoubted minus.h. 

St. Petersburg bars
The Hat

The Hat
Address: Belinsky st. 9

The Hat is probably the noisiest and at the same time the most cheerful place to drink on Belinsky restaurant street. Almost every day around ten in the evening students of Saint-Petersburg music academies and Saint Petersburg’s jazz masters get together on stage of The Hat to improvise on, as a rule, classical jazz masterpieces. In this lovely bar, which tends to re-create the American style of 1950-s, there is no concert schedule, but there are thirty varieties of single malt whiskey and a dozen brands of bourbon. 

St. Petersburg bars
St. Petersburg bars
St. Petersburg bars
812

812
Address: Zhukovsky st. 11

812 is one of the most worthy and most creative cocktail bars in St. Petersburg. It has always been famous for its delicious signature cocktails and a truly professional team of bartenders.  The exterior of 812 is quite unusual for a semi-closed space: the glass wall allows seeing all the way through the bar from Zhukovsky street. At the entrance you’ll most likely be asked for the club card, and if you don’t have one — the guard will probably evaluate your appearance, cheerfulness and benevolence. Music includes decent commercial house, funk and mash up. The cocktail menu is updated promptly: in addition to the classic mixes there are, for example, cocktails for fitness fans, with the juice of berries, vegetables, herbs and healthy roots.

St. Petersburg bars
Pier 8/4

Pier 8/4
Address: 8 Sovetskaya st. 4

Pier 8/4, an original bar made in the style of a beach hut, is located on 8 Sovetskaya street, near Chernishevskaya metro station. It is the first and only tiki bar in St. Petersburg. The interior features lots of light wood, beach benches and elements of traditional tropical bars, such as tiki ceramics, life rings, surf boards and rope lamps. Pier 8/4 offers hits from the 80s, performances by modern DJs and live acoustic sets. The bar is famous for its tiki cocktails – tropical mixes, usually based on rum – and relaxed friendly atmosphere.

St. Petersburg bars
El Copitas

El Copitas
Address: Kolokolnaya st. 2

El Copitas bar was opened by three friends-bartenders, who had a high authority in the Russian bar community. Experience shows, that it is not easy to find the bar and the best landmark is a sign that says “Fishing and tourism shop”, from which, by the way, the bar got the room. El Copitas is open from Thursday to Saturday and requires an appointment made in advance. But it is definitely worth it. All three day there is a full-house – guests sit around solid concrete table drinking cocktails, tequila, and Mexican mezcal from special ceramic bowls. Food, as you might guess, is also served in the Mexican style which implies nachos, hot soups and tacos with different fillings.