Barmaglot Bar

Barmaglot is one of Almaty’s true destination bars – the kind of place where you don’t just grab a drink, you sink into an atmosphere. Hidden inside the Colibri shopping center at the corner of Satpayeva and Valikhanov, it opens into a moody, theatrical space with low, warm lighting, brick and concrete textures, and bold wall art that riffs on Alice in Wonderland. Cages, clocks and playful details appear throughout the room, giving the feeling that you’ve stepped into a slightly twisted fairy tale after dark. The bar is built around serious cocktail craft. The team focuses on signature drinks that blend classic techniques with local and unexpected ingredients – think house infusions, clarified highballs, and riffs that incorporate regional elements like fermented dairy or local herbs. Presentation is a big part of the show: many cocktails arrive in unusual glassware, with smoke, color contrasts or elaborate garnishes that make them as photogenic as they are drinkable. The menu is refreshed regularly, so even repeat guests will usually find something new to explore. Despite the experimental edge, Barmaglot doesn’t feel intimidating. Staff are known for being engaged and approachable, happy to walk you through the menu or build something off-menu based on what you like. On busy nights, the bar takes on a high-energy, party feel with DJs, a dressed-up crowd and a lot of movement between the bar, tables and outdoor terrace. During the week, it’s easier to find a seat, talk to the bartenders and treat it like a cocktail “laboratory” where you can really taste your way through the list. Food plays a supporting but important role. The kitchen serves polished bar dishes and European-leaning plates designed to share – snacks, sliders, tacos and other comforting bites that work well alongside bitter, sour or spirit-forward drinks. Portions and pricing sit in the mid range by Almaty standards, making it a good choice both for a full evening and as a sophisticated stop on a longer night out. Over the years, Barmaglot has become a benchmark for the city’s cocktail scene, appearing in international bar round-ups and consistently ranking among Almaty’s most talked-about spots. It attracts a mixed crowd of locals, expats and visitors who appreciate strong drinks, carefully curated music and design-driven interiors. If you’re looking to see what modern Kazakh nightlife looks like at its most creative, this is one of the first bars to put on your list.