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Historian and guide in St. Petersburg, Peterhof, Tsarskoye Selo and Vyborg.
During the day you can walk past yet another beautiful building, look at the canals, palaces and grand entrances, and in the evening discover a completely different side of the city behind an inconspicuous door. There, no one is in a hurry, music is playing, the bartender is mixing something behind the counter, and nearby someone is telling friends how they ended up here in the first place.
St. Petersburg's bar culture has long become a separate part of city life. And it's not just about the number of venues. What people love here is precisely the concept – when a bar has a story, its own crowd and some little secret.
There are venues for every taste. You can head to a Mexican bar, try cocktails based on Russian ingredients, spend an evening with a huge rum collection, or simply find a place where the bartender will make a drink especially for you.
The history of St. Petersburg's cocktail venues didn't start yesterday either. Back in the early 20th century, the Medved restaurant operated on Bolshaya Konyushennaya – it is often called one of the first places in St. Petersburg where cocktails were served in a format close to the modern bar. And already in the 21st century, the city experienced a real cocktail boom.
Today St. Petersburg is especially famous for its niche bars. Moreover, some of them are known far beyond Russia. El Copitas alone once reached 8th place in the global The World's 50 Best Bars ranking.
But there's a catch.
Not every popular bar will appeal to everyone. Somewhere you'll have to book a table in advance, somewhere it will be cramped, somewhere the bill will make you briefly ponder the meaning of life. And sometimes excellent cocktails coexist with imperfect service.
That's why we've gathered 7 St. Petersburg bars that truly have a story to tell. And we won't pretend that each of them has only upsides. Let's see what makes them interesting, what to try and what impressions guests are left with.
Bars of St. Petersburg: article contents
- El Copitas Bar
- Imbibe Bar
- ORTHODOX Bar
- Daiquiri Bar
- St. Martin Bar
- Gin Tonic Bar
- Xander Bar
- Bars of St. Petersburg – which one to choose?
- Frequently asked questions about bars in St. Petersburg
- What is the most interesting bar in St. Petersburg?
- Where to go if you want unusual cocktails?
- Where in St. Petersburg can you try a real daiquiri?
- Where in St. Petersburg is the largest selection of cocktails?
- Where to go in St. Petersburg if you're craving a truly beautiful bar?
- Are there bars in St. Petersburg that are open around the clock?
El Copitas Bar
If you were to make a list of St. Petersburg's most famous cocktail bars, El Copitas simply cannot be left out.
It's hidden in a courtyard on Kolokolnaya Street and operates without a conventional sign. You can get inside only with a reservation. This small complication has already become part of the venue's legend. In essence, the evening begins even before the first cocktail – first you need to find the place, wait for your time, and figure out where to even enter.
El Copitas specializes in Mexican and Latin American culture, and the cocktail list is built around tequila, mezcal, and rum. There are tacos and other Latin American snacks.
And here's why it's especially loved. They don't just try to pour a good cocktail and send the guest on their way. The space itself, the menu, the Mexican motifs, and the style of interaction add up to the feeling of a little journey. Only instead of a plane ticket, you need a reservation for the evening.
Reviews of El Copitas
El Copitas really has a great many enthusiastic reviews. Guests praise the cocktails, the atmosphere, the tacos, and the staff's attitude. One visitor writes that even for someone who doesn't particularly like alcohol, the drinks here turned out to be very tasty. Others note the signature cocktails and an atmosphere that's hard to compare to an ordinary bar.
Though some guests really dislike having to wait outside. Reviews mention complaints about the cramped space, small tables, and limited time inside. One visitor even described the seating as too tight and noted that it can be hard to have a proper conversation at the tables.
Another guest said he was let in about 15 minutes later than his reserved time. However, he also added that the welcome drinks and service ultimately smoothed over the impression.
Address and opening hours
Address: St. Petersburg, Kolokolnaya Street, 2/18.
Opening hours: Wednesday–Thursday – 19:00–02:00; Friday–Saturday – 19:00–03:00; Sunday – 19:00–02:00. Monday and Tuesday – closed.
Imbibe Bar
If El Copitas feels like a little journey to Mexico, then Imbibe feels more like Europe.
Here they focus on cocktails, music, and professional work behind the bar. The venue itself speaks of the classics and signature variations on them, and among the musical preferences are rock'n'roll and new jazz. Winners of international bartending competitions work here.
At Imbibe they love European twists on the classics and unusual combinations. Japanese ingredients and spirits can appear in the drinks, and the bartenders are quite willing to tailor a cocktail to a particular guest's tastes.
Among the notable items, it's worth trying the Borscht shot – a drink based on vodka infused with Borodinsky bread, with beet syrup, sour cream foam, and horseradish.
Sounds strange?
That's exactly why people order it.
Reviews on Imbibe
Visitors often mention the cocktails and the staff, who know their drinks well. In one review, a guest specifically praised the reasonable prices and the staff's knowledge, while another wrote that the cocktails here are "very, very tasty" and singled out the Borscht shot.
Not everyone likes the interior. For some, the dark format is exactly what they need. Others want more light and space.
Address and opening hours
Address: Saint Petersburg, Zhukovskogo Street, 6.
Opening hours: daily from 18:00 to 03:00.
ORTHODOX Bar
ORTHODOX didn't take the most obvious path. Instead of another bar with an American or British concept, the creators bet on Russian culture.
The bar menu is dedicated to artists, poets, writers, and composers. And these aren't just fancy names for cocktails.
The drinks really do use Russian products and alcohol: Russian gin, amaro, buckwheat honey, grain distillate, nut schnapps, Crimean sherry, tarragon, feijoa, and other ingredients. The ORTHODOX team openly states its mission – to change the perception of Russian drinks and show that they can be interesting to global bar culture.
You can order something familiar, or you can take a risk. And the second option here is probably more interesting.
Some cocktails look as if they were assembled from ingredients that just happened to be nearby. But then you taste it – and it becomes clear that there's a real idea behind it. That's the main appeal of ORTHODOX.
Reviews on ORTHODOX
Guests praise the bartenders and their ability to match a drink to a person's preferences.
The downside here is more individual: if you only like classics and don't want any experiments, part of the menu may seem too complicated. But then again, why come here specifically?
Address and opening hours
Address: Saint Petersburg, Vosstaniya Street, 4.
Opening hours: Monday–Thursday and Sunday – 18:00–02:00; Friday and Saturday – 18:00–04:00.
Daiquiri Bar
There are people who love daiquiris.
And there are people who are ready to discuss the varieties of daiquiris for twenty minutes.
It's for the second category that Daiquiri Bar.
The venue has been operating in St. Petersburg for 18 years and calls itself one of the centers of the city's cocktail culture. The official description mentions more than 400 cocktails in the bar's cocktail book.
The bar opened in 2008 and gradually became one of the notable spots on the St. Petersburg cocktail scene.
Moreover, many professional bartenders have passed through it. The bar itself notes that its alumni became brand ambassadors and prominent figures in the professional bar industry.
Bars of St. Petersburg: what to drink at Daiquiri Bar
The main focus is, of course, daiquiri and its numerous twists.
But the menu is much broader. Tripadvisor notes more than 300 exotic yet relatively affordable cocktails, and guests especially praise the professional work of the staff.
It's easy to spend the whole evening here.
First, order what you know.
Then something you would never have chosen yourself.
Then one more – because the previous one turned out to be unexpectedly good.
Reviews of Daiquiri Bar
Daiquiri Bar has many positive reviews. Visitors especially note the friendly staff and professionally made cocktails.
One nuance worth mentioning is the space. The room is not the largest, and when fully seated, it may feel a bit cramped to some. But for a cocktail bar, that's quite expected.
Address and opening hours
Address: St. Petersburg, Bolshaya Konyushennaya Street, 1.
Opening hours: daily from 16:00 to 04:00.
St. Martin Bar
If Daiquiri Bar can be called a cocktail classic of St. Petersburg, then St. Martin – this is already rum territory.
The bar is located on Belinskogo Street, and on the shelves there is a large collection of rum. The cocktail menu has more than 100 classic and signature recipes based on it.
Moreover, here you don't have to limit yourself to a regular order.
The bar has its own "piastre" system. You can spend them, for example, on tastings of exclusive rum varieties that are not available for regular sale. You can earn them by taking part in events, rum master classes and other bar activities.
You can get a tasting set and try several options. And this is where the most interesting part begins: it turns out rum can be very different, and you really want to discuss the differences between the drinks.
Reviews of St. Martin
St. Martin has a high reputation on Restoclub – 9.6 with 65 reviews, of which 60 are positive and only 5 negative.
The place is first and foremost a rum bar with Caribbean cuisine, not a restaurant people come to for a huge menu. If you are planning a full dinner lasting several hours, the choice of dishes may seem limited.
One guest complained about payment issues and rude communication from a staff member. Another wrote that it was stuffy inside and it felt like there were ventilation problems.
Overall, the main plus of St. Martin is precisely its specialization. They don't try to please everyone here. If you love rum, you will really have something to do.
Address and opening hours
Address: Saint Petersburg, Belinskogo Street, 1.
Opening hours: Monday–Thursday – 16:00–02:00; Friday – 16:00–04:00; Saturday – 15:00–04:00; Sunday – 15:00–02:00.
Gin Tonic Bar
The main reason to come here is, of course, the gin selection.
If you are used to two or three familiar gin brands, here it quickly becomes clear just how large this category of alcohol can be.
Inside Gin Tonic Bar – dim lighting, brick, wood, soft sofas and a bar counter. On Fridays and Saturdays DJs play here, so by night a calm cocktail evening can easily turn into a party.
You can tell the bartender what you like: sweet, sour, bitter, light, strong. And ask them to come up with something.
This opportunity is perhaps what makes the place especially pleasant. You don't have to know the name of a cocktail in advance. Sometimes it's much more interesting to simply explain your taste and trust the person behind the counter.
Reviews of Gin Tonic Bar
On Restoclub, Gin Tonic has a high rating, and guests especially praise the cocktails and the staff's work.
On Tripadvisor the bar also gets good ratings. Visitors write about the friendly atmosphere, music, cocktails and the very concept of the place.
There is, however, one thing.
On Friday and Saturday evenings the bar turns from simply a cocktail spot into a rather lively night venue with music and dancing. For some, this is a huge plus. But if you came for a quiet conversation, it may turn out to be a bit loud.
Address and opening hours
Address: St. Petersburg, Liteyny Prospekt, 64.
Opening hours: Monday–Thursday and Sunday – 18:00–01:00; Friday and Saturday – 18:00–04:00.
Xander Bar
After secret courtyards, small spaces and gin, we move on to the Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace.
Xander is located at Voznesensky Prospekt, 1 and looks exactly the way a bar in a luxury St. Petersburg hotel should look: a library, a fireplace, soft lighting, upscale interiors and a view of the city center.
The bar itself is named after Alexander I, and the space resembles an elegant study. Walnut panels, Persian rugs, a library, custom-made furniture and a double-sided fireplace. Books on the shelves, and central St. Petersburg outside the windows. Materials about the bar specifically mention views of St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Admiralty and Alexander Garden.
Xander is, above all, about atmosphere.
This is the kind of place you choose with your eyes as well. St. Petersburg outside the window, a fireplace, soft light and a cocktail in hand. It works especially well late in the evening, when the city behind the glass starts to glow.
Reviews of Xander
Xander has very good reviews: on Restoclub the rating is 9.3, and all the reviews presented are positive. Guests especially note the interior, cocktails, the view from the window and the service.
The average bill without drinks on Restoclub is listed at around 2,500 rubles.
At this bar you pay for the drink itself, for the interior, for the address, and for that very view from the window.
So Xander is best seen not as a place to find the cheapest cocktail in St. Petersburg, but as a beautiful evening scenario.
Address and opening hours
Address: St. Petersburg, Voznesensky Prospekt, 1, Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace.
Opening hours: daily from 17:00 to 02:00.
Bars of St. Petersburg – which one to choose?
If you want the most famous and unusual experience, we would look toward El Copitas. Just be sure to book in advance and be ready for an intimate format.
If you're interested in cocktails and the bartenders' craft, it's worth stopping by Imbibe.
If you want to see how Russian culture turns into a cocktail menu, then choose ORTHODOX.
If you're a fan of daiquiri, there's not much to think about – head to Daiquiri Bar.
If you know the difference between Jamaican, Barbadian and Cuban rum, or have long wanted to figure it out – St. Martin is for you.
If what you love most is gin and tonic and unusual gin combinations, head to Gin Tonic Bar.
And if you want a beautiful interior, a view and the feel of an upscale St. Petersburg evening, save Xander for dessert.
And here's what we love about this whole story with St. Petersburg bars.
There is no single "best" place here. Some need a Mexican basement with tequila and mezcal, some want jazz and a signature cocktail, some want a huge rum collection, and for some a beautiful window with a view of St. Isaac's Cathedral is enough.
That's exactly what makes St. Petersburg great.
You can walk along Nevsky, turn into a courtyard, open an inconspicuous door and five minutes later find yourself in a completely different city.
And that's probably a good enough reason to spend at least one evening not on museums and sights, but on St. Petersburg bars.
Frequently asked questions about bars in St. Petersburg
What is the most interesting bar in St. Petersburg?
We would definitely try El Copitas. The bar is hidden in a courtyard, and even guests write that they had to look for that very door at first. Good tequila, mezcal, a Mexican atmosphere and rather unusual cocktails.
Where to go if you want unusual cocktails?
Then we would choose ORTHODOX. There you can sit quietly and study the cocktail menu, because it's interesting in itself. The drinks use buckwheat polugar, cherry samogon, muscat chacha, cucumber brine, beet shrub, and wild garlic sauce. Lovers of unusual flavors should definitely head here.
Where in St. Petersburg can you try a real daiquiri?
Daiquiri Bar is the most obvious option. The bar has been open since 2008 and is known for its large cocktail menu with more than 400 items. Here you can try both the classics and numerous twists on the daiquiri.
Where in St. Petersburg is the largest selection of cocktails?
At Daiquiri Bar. Its cocktail menu is so large that trying to get through it in one evening is almost hopeless. It's the kind of place you can come to with a group: one takes the classics, another something sweet, a third asks for something sour, and a fourth just tells the bartender: "Make it yourself."
Where to go in St. Petersburg if you're craving a truly beautiful bar?
Then we would look at Xander. There's the Four Seasons, the historic center, a library atmosphere, a fireplace and a rather dressy interior. But let's say right away – it's not a cheap place. The average check without drinks on Restoclub is listed at around 2,500 rubles. So it's better to go here not hoping to find the city's best-value cocktail, but when you want a beautiful evening.
Are there bars in St. Petersburg that are open around the clock?
Yes. For example, Marius on Marata Street is currently listed as open 24 hours. There's a large selection of beer and food, and guests especially recommend the braised ribs and mini chebureki. If the evening suddenly turns into night – this is exactly the case when St. Petersburg won't abandon you.
