Samarkand might be known for its sapphire mausoleums and grandiose mosques, but there are quite a few bars and pubs that warmly welcome parched travelers needing a break from sightseeing.

Catering to a growing influx of travelers, Samarkand’s government developed Pub Street – full of venues that are open 24 hours a day. I didn’t have time to visit many nightlife establishments during my trip, but our tour guide provide the list below of the best bars and clubs in Samarkand, so you can raise your glass, and enjoy the city from a different point of view.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jetset Times (@jetsettimes)

Situated on the 20th floor of the Hilton Samarkand Regency is Sky Bar. Although the hotel edges on city border, its location above a man-made canal allows the bar to boast a spectacular view. Since dinner and cocktails are served until 2 a.m., it makes for a sparkling nighttime vista. Live music also adds to the romantic setting which makes the 20-minute taxi ride well worth the trip.

Sophia Restaurant Lounge is also a restaurant serving tasty Mediterranean dishes for anyone hungry for recipes outside of traditional kebabs and soup noodles. As part of the DiliMah Hotel, the restaurant lounge welcomes guests with plush chairs next to massive glass panels that permit natural light to illuminate the dining area. Part of the seating is also surrounded by lush greenery, so that sipping on a signature cocktail is a relaxing and alluring experience.

Arguably considered as Samarkand’s main night club, Bassiani Club is practical for those near Samarkand Central Park. The cinema transformed into a nightlife hub, Bassiani is a place where partygoers can indulge in cocktails, music and even hookah. Prices aren’t cheap for the city’s standards, meanwhile deposits are needed to reserve a table. But most important of all, make sure to dress to impress!

Blues Cafe is a popular go-to especially for western travelers. Hard to turn down a menu full of Mexican dishes, especially if there’s live jazz and blues music on Friday nights. Two bars are located inside the cafe, with a cozy space on one end while the other is a more spacious room – where the live band performs. Colorful walls are adorned with photos of iconic jazz artists, and musical instruments. For a delightful place to rest your feet after a day of walking around, Blues it is.

For fans of bears, the Green Bear Bar is your jam. Designed akin to a beer hall, in addition to a large outdoor terrace; the bar not only serves up Samarkand’s very own Pulsar beer, but also international brews, like: Zatecky Gus (Czech Republic) and the Irish Guinness. Feeling hungry? Green Bear Bar also offers hearty dishes, including: steaks, burgers, sausages…and more. Cocktails are both colorful and icy.