Nightlife
11 Best Cocktail Bars in Tbilisi: Creative Drinks and Hidden Speakeasies
Discover the 11 best cocktail bars in Tbilisi - from hidden speakeasies to chacha bars. Includes addresses, hours, and insider tips for each venue.
Georgia built its reputation on wine, but Tbilisi's cocktail scene deserves equal attention.
From basement speakeasies pouring chacha-infused creations to Soviet-era factories transformed into drinking destinations, the capital offers something for every cocktail enthusiast.
I've spent countless evenings exploring these bars, and the ones below have earned spots on my regular rotation.
Here are my picks for the best cocktail bars in Tbilisi.
11 Best Cocktail Bars in Tbilisi
#1. Crossroads Bar
Crossroads has become the unofficial living room for Tbilisi's expat community, and for good reason. This central bar near Liberty Square offers over 50 signature cocktails alongside weekly events that actually bring people together - quiz nights on Wednesdays, karaoke sessions, and regular meet-ups where strangers become friends over drinks.
The bartenders here know their craft, and one reviewer claimed their White Russian was "probably the best I've ever had." The atmosphere hits that sweet spot between energetic and accessible - you can come alone and leave with new friends, or bring a group and claim a corner for the night.
Arrive before 9 PM on event nights if you want a decent seat.
Address: 30 Shalva Dadiani St, Tbilisi
Hours: Daily 8:00 PM - late
Price range: 15-30 GEL per cocktail
#2. 41 Degrees (41° Art of Drinks)
Founded in 2018 by Roman Milostivy after a successful $35,000 crowdfunding campaign, 41 Degrees has become a pilgrimage site for cocktail lovers. The bar donates 30% of profits to charity - supporting young artists and cultural initiatives across Georgia.
Finding the entrance is half the adventure. Look for a metal door with "41°" on Galaktion Tabidze Street - it's easy to mistake for a building address. Slide it open and descend into a brick-walled basement that seats around 25 people. The handwritten notebook menu changes biweekly, featuring cocktails with names that reference Georgian culture and history.
The Golden Fleece - made with gin, matsoni (Georgian yogurt), and tkemali (sour plum sauce) - represents exactly what makes this place special. Every drink tells a story rooted in Georgian tradition. When in doubt, tell the bartender your preferences and let them work their magic.
Address: 19 Galaktion Tabidze St, Tbilisi 0105
Hours: Daily 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Price range: 25-35 GEL per cocktail
#3. Cocktail Factory
Tucked inside Wine Factory N1 - a 19th-century wine production facility turned entertainment complex - Cocktail Factory was launched in 2018 by three bartender friends who wanted to create something special. The bartenders here have extensive knowledge and genuinely enjoy explaining their creations.
Try the Tbilisi Mule, their signature twist on the Moscow classic. It combines vodka infused with eucalyptus, lemon and ginger juice, duchess syrup, and local lager, served in a traditional ceramic jug. The industrial setting of the old factory adds character without trying too hard.
The Wine Factory N1 complex also houses multiple restaurants and bars, so you can easily spend an entire evening exploring without leaving the grounds.
Address: 1 Vasil Petriashvili St, Wine Factory N1, Tbilisi 0179
Hours: Daily 8:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Price range: 20-35 GEL per cocktail
#4. Chacha Time
If you want to understand Georgia's national spirit, start here. Chacha - the grape-based brandy that ranges from homemade rocket fuel to refined small-batch productions - gets the spotlight treatment at this Old Town bar. They stock over 40 varieties, including a smoked chacha that tastes like liquid bonfire in the best possible way.
The bartenders are passionate educators. Ask questions and they'll walk you through the differences between grape varieties, aging processes, and regional styles. For cocktails, try the Old Georgia - a chacha-based twist on the Old Fashioned that uses smoked oak-aged spirit instead of whiskey.
They also serve solid Georgian food, making this a good option for a full evening rather than just drinks.
Address: 5 Geronti Kikodze St, Tbilisi 0105
Hours: Daily 2:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Price range: 15-30 GEL per cocktail
#5. Barbar'a
This Art Deco-influenced gastrobar earned finalist status in Georgia's Best Bar Award 2022, and the recognition is well-deserved. The interior blends white walls with floral touches, neon accents, and disco balls - somehow it all works together.
The signature cocktails here showcase real creativity. The Pop Sour combines rum with popcorn syrup and lemon, topped with caramel corn. The Spicy Summer mixes tequila with orange cordial, saffron liqueur, lime and ginger juices, caramel syrup, and chili oil. These aren't drinks you'll find elsewhere.
DJs play Friday and Saturday nights, and the kitchen serves fusion cuisine that pairs well with the cocktail menu. Located on the second floor of an Old Town building, the space has balcony seating perfect for romantic evenings.
Address: 33 Kote Afkhazi St (Second Floor), Tbilisi 0105
Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 6:00 PM - 3:00 AM (Closed Monday)
Price range: 20-35 GEL per cocktail
#6. Stamba Hotel Pink Bar
The Pink Bar inside Stamba Hotel represents Tbilisi's sophisticated side. The hotel itself occupies a 1950s Soviet printing house, and the bar channels that industrial heritage through statement lighting, brass accents, and crystal chandeliers. Trees grow through the floorboards. Vines snake up pillars. It feels like drinking in a well-designed greenhouse.
Try the Stamba Mule - vodka, lavender, blueberry, ginger, and lime - or the Black Sea, a mix of bourbon, mezcal, corn-infused agave, lime, and salt water. The bartenders craft each drink with care, and the prices reflect the upscale setting.
Even if you're not staying at the hotel, the bar welcomes visitors. Come for a drink before dinner at one of the surrounding restaurants, or settle in for the evening on the outdoor terrace.
Address: 14 M. Kostava St, Stamba Hotel, Tbilisi 0108
Hours: Daily until 1:30 AM
Price range: 25-40 GEL per cocktail
#7. Fabrika
Fabrika isn't just a bar - it's a cultural institution. This Soviet-era sewing factory has been transformed into a creative complex housing cafes, shops, artist studios, a hostel, and multiple bars around a graffiti-covered courtyard. When the sun sets, the courtyard transforms into one big open-air gathering where the boundaries between venues blur.
For cocktails, head to Moulin Electrique, a veteran of Tbilisi's bar scene, or grab a drink from Fabrika's own tiny courtyard bar tucked under the staircase. The atmosphere here is less about craft cocktails and more about being part of something - locals and travelers mixing in a space that represents modern Tbilisi.
The breakfast buffet is also worth mentioning if you're staying nearby and need morning fuel.
Address: 8 Egnate Ninoshvili St, Tbilisi 0102
Hours: Varies by venue; courtyard active until late
Price range: 10-25 GEL per cocktail
#8. L'ADO by Valiko Mansion
This cult-favorite bar recently moved to Lado Gudiashvili Square, bringing its house party energy to a larger space. The vintage interior features red lighting, art pieces, and furniture that looks like it was sourced from your coolest grandmother's attic. Multiple rooms let you choose your vibe - chill conversation or proper dancing.
Cocktails like the Yellow Mellow, Gin Garden, and Hello Peachy are well-balanced and refreshing. The bartenders are helpful even during busy weekend nights when DJs take over and the place transforms into a pre-club destination.
There's usually a cover charge of around 20 GEL after 11 PM on weekends, with free entry earlier in the evening.
Address: Lado Gudiashvili Square (1 Abo Tbileli St), Tbilisi
Hours: Daily 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM (until 4:00 AM Friday - Saturday)
Price range: 20-35 GEL per cocktail
#9. Apotheka
Tbilisi's newest standout opened in October 2024 inside the city's first pharmacy - dating back to 1902. The original Art Nouveau decorations remain intact: hand-painted ceilings featuring medicinal plants, massive wooden medicine cabinets now storing glassware, and an atmosphere that feels like stepping back in time.
Celebrity chef Tekuna Gachechiladze created the concept, and the drink menu pays tribute to the building's pharmaceutical past. Order the Penicillin, Vitamin C, or Valeriana while bartenders in white lab coats prepare your prescription. All cocktails are priced at 25 GEL.
The lounge area serves food if you're hungry, and weekends feature live music and DJ sets.
Address: 8 Giorgi Leonidze St, Tbilisi 0105
Hours: Thursday - Sunday 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM (until 3:00 AM Friday - Saturday)
Price range: 25 GEL per cocktail
#10. Ambavi
Finding Ambavi requires some effort - look for the beige wooden door with "AMBAVI" stenciled below building number 12 on Galaktion Tabidze Street. Walk to the top floor and ring the doorbell for security. This hidden entrance is intentional; Ambavi (meaning "story" in Georgian) wants to feel like a secret house party.
Inside, dim red lighting illuminates white fabrics draped from ceilings, vintage furniture including old cinema chairs, and two rooms with different atmospheres - one for smokers, one for non-smokers. The crowd is mostly young locals, and the energy picks up after 10 PM on weekends when it fills with pre-club crowds.
The cocktail list is solid without being pretentious, and prices stay reasonable.
Address: 12 Galaktion Tabidze St (Top Floor), Tbilisi 0105
Hours: Daily 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM (until 4:00 AM Friday - Saturday)
Price range: 15-25 GEL per cocktail
#11. The Gin Corner
Tbilisi's first dedicated gin bar stocks over 250 varieties of the spirit, including several Georgian-made options like the Medea-inspired Malamo. This family-run spot seats maybe 15 people maximum, creating an intimate atmosphere where bartender Geka (joined by his mother and wife's cousin) can give each guest proper attention.
The team has developed their own house gin called Ethno, made with ingredients from the local bazari. Ask for a cocktail tailored to your preferences - they genuinely enjoy crafting something special rather than pulling from a standard menu. The Black Negroni is a reliable order if you need a starting point.
There's no food beyond fish crackers, so eat before you arrive. The focus here is purely on gin, and that single-mindedness shows in every drink.
Address: 1 Arutin Saiatnova St, Tbilisi
Hours: Daily 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Price range: 20-30 GEL per cocktail
FAQ
What is the drinking age in Georgia?
The legal drinking age in Georgia is 18. Most bars will check ID at the door, especially venues with face control policies like L'ADO by Valiko Mansion and Ambavi. Bring your passport or a digital copy if you look young.
How much do cocktails cost in Tbilisi?
Cocktails in Tbilisi typically range from 15-35 GEL ($5-13 USD). High-end spots like Stamba Hotel and Apotheka charge around 25-40 GEL, while more casual venues like Crossroads and Fabrika offer drinks starting at 15 GEL. Beer at bars runs 8-15 GEL depending on the venue.
What is chacha and should I try it?
Chacha is Georgia's national spirit - a grape-based brandy similar to Italian grappa. Quality varies wildly from homemade batches to refined distillery products. For a proper introduction, visit Chacha Time where bartenders can guide you through different varieties and chacha-based cocktails.
Are Tbilisi bars safe for solo travelers?
Tbilisi is generally very safe for solo travelers, including at night in popular bar areas like Old Town, Vera, and the Fabrika neighborhood. Bars like Crossroads actively cater to solo visitors with social events and meetups. Standard precautions apply - watch your drinks and use Bolt for late-night transport.
What time do bars close in Tbilisi?
Most cocktail bars in Tbilisi close between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM. Weekends typically see later hours, with some venues staying open until 5:00 AM. The nightlife generally starts late - bars begin filling up around 10-11 PM, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.
Do I need reservations for bars in Tbilisi?
Reservations aren't usually necessary for most Tbilisi bars, but they help on weekend nights at popular spots like 41 Degrees, Apotheka, and L'ADO by Valiko Mansion. Smaller venues like The Gin Corner (which seats only 15 people) fill up quickly, so arriving early is smart.
What should I wear to bars in Tbilisi?
Dress codes in Tbilisi are generally relaxed. Smart casual works for upscale venues like Stamba Hotel and Apotheka. Spots like Fabrika and Crossroads welcome casual attire. Some venues with face control (L'ADO, Ambavi) may turn away guests dressed too casually, but this is more about general presentation than specific requirements.
Is tipping expected at bars in Tbilisi?
Tipping isn't mandatory in Georgia, but rounding up or leaving 10% is appreciated for good service.
What's the best area for bar hopping in Tbilisi?
The area around Galaktion Tabidze Street and Freedom Square offers the highest concentration of quality bars within walking distance - Crossroads, 41 Degrees, Ambavi, and several wine bars sit within a few blocks. Wine Factory N1 in the Vera neighborhood lets you explore multiple venues without leaving the complex.
Do bars in Tbilisi accept credit cards?
Most bars in Tbilisi accept Visa and Mastercard. Smaller venues and older establishments may prefer cash. ATMs are common throughout the city center. Some bars also accept payment through local apps like Bank of Georgia's mobile payment system.
Final Thoughts
Tbilisi's cocktail scene punches well above its weight.
Whether you're sipping a chacha-based creation in a centuries-old cellar or nursing a gin cocktail in a family-run speakeasy, the city rewards exploration.
The bars here combine Georgian hospitality with genuine craft - bartenders want you to enjoy your drink and understand the story behind it.
Start with Crossroads for world-class cocktails, work your way through the speakeasies, and save Fabrika for when you want to see how locals actually spend their evenings.
