Like most of Central Asia, Uzbekistan doesn’t have a great deal of nightlife going on. There are the usual slightly soulless pubs in larger hotels in Tashkent, and a few better places in cities where tourists tend to congregate.
In Bukhara there is a very small wine scene, with one or two wine shops setting up shop in old buildings and offering tastings of the local brews, some of which are surprisingly good. There are also a few cabarets and puppet shows in the early evening.
In Samarkand you can find some blues bars and cafes that attract a mixture of tourists and locals, as well as one or two restaurants that stay open until midnight, which is a bit unusual. The scene in Tashkent is not particularly sophisticated either, but there are some cinemas, ballet options and theatres that show European operas as well as traditional Uzbek dancing and music.
The Navoi theatre, opposite the Tashkent Hotel, shows opera and ballet. Prices are low by Western standards and shows generally start at 1800. There are also a number of themed Western-style bars, restaurants and discos. Bear in mind, it’s not a good idea to be out on the streets alone after 11pm.
When to Party?
As far as we know, the nightlife is rather dead on weekdays. Just focus on weekends, especially on Fridays. If you don’t have the choice to party during the week, try Steam Bar or Onemore in the capital.
Dress Code
As a foreigner, you can get in every bar easily, even with short pants and sandals. However, in clubs with face control/dress control, you should wear pants and shoes. It rather easy to do so during winter, but harder during summers as it can get annoyingly hot.
Cost of Partying
Uzbekistan has become a relatively cheap nightlife destination, particularly after the Uzbek Som, the national currency, was heavily devalued in 2017 (it lost more than half its value). If you bring dollars, and you will get an even better rate reselling them on the street than in ATMs.
A two-course dinner in a westernized restaurant is about 10-15USD. A 10-minute taxi ride is about 3USD. A beer will usually cost between 1USD and 3USD. A cocktail between 3USD and 6USD. Overall, 60USD for a night out is more than enough.
Don’t hesitate to ask any question concerning nightlife in Uzbekistan, RocApply is here to give you all the information you may need before setting your feet in this iconic country. Apply with us today, FREE of charge and we will quicken your dream into reality!
"A lot of places to go out for a drink" - Petrov from Russia
