Top Bars in Saint Petersburg – Most Viewed (2025)

Founded in 2015, El Copitas Bar quickly became one of Russia’s most acclaimed cocktail venues. Consistently ranked in The World’s 50 Best Bars—reaching #8 in 2021—it embodies a hidden gem ethos with Mexican heart in the center of Saint Petersburg. Located in a secluded courtyard at Kolokolnaya Street, the bar is virtually impossible to find without a reservation. Guests call ahead and are then guided to a secret staircase entrance—an experience unfolding like a mystery adventure. Inside, the space features exposed brick, dim candlelight, and a large communal concrete table around which guests mingle. Decor includes vibrant Mexican touches, skull motifs, and warm, rustic ambiance. There’s no WiFi—just mezcal, tacos, and atmosphere. El Copitas specializes in agave distillates—tequilas, mezcals, sotols—curated personally by the founders who imported most bottles before local availability. Cocktail menus rotate weekly, with signature drinks like the Verde Gimlet (tequila with cilantro-jalapeño cordial) alongside classic agave-based recipes. Each cocktail begins with a welcome copita & sangrita. Food offerings are simple Mexican snacks—tacos of the week, nachos—affordable and flavorful. Capacity is small (≈25–35 seats), service is intimate and highly attentive, often including bar team storytelling. Entry requires reservation and cash only. Cocktail prices run around 300 RUB (~US $3–4) and tacos ~200 RUB (~US $2–3)—making it exceptional value for top-tier craftsmanship. Vibe is speakeasy-meets-family: informal yet highly passionate, with a community-driven ethos. The bar’s founders Artem Peruk, Nikolay Kiselev, and Igor Zernov launched El Copitas on a shoestring—dubbed their mission “Follow the Rabbits”—and grew it into Eastern Europe’s most honored cocktail team, even founding a bartending school and hosting St. Petersburg Cocktail Week.

Orthodox Bar is a concept cocktail bar in central Saint Petersburg that seeks to “break stereotypes about Russian drinking culture” by centering authentic local spirits and artistic inspiration. The bar menu is built around Russian vodka, samogon (moonshine), chacha, distillates, infusions and lesser-known domestic spirits. Each cocktail is themed after a major figure from Russian art, literature or music — for example one inspired by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, another after Alexander Blok, or Fyodor Dostoevsky. According to reviews, the bar is tucked away in an alley-style courtyard or arch-entry off one of the nightlife streets (Rubinstein Street or Vosstaniya Street) making arrival feel a little like discovering a hidden gem. The interior is stylish-loft-influenced yet comfortable: dark tones, good lighting, a focus on the bar and the craft of the drink. One review describes it as “small, but a paradise for cocktail enthusiasts.” Guests say the service is attentive and the staff knowledgeable, often guiding you through choices of flavour, spirit base, strength, etc. For visitors, practical details: The current address is Ulitsa Vosstaniya 4, Saint Petersburg. Earlier listings also show Ulitsa Rubinshteyna 2 (the former location or alternate guide listing) so best to check. Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday from about 18:00 until 02:00; Friday & Saturday until about 04:00. The pricing is above mid-level for Saint Petersburg: one guide lists cocktails in the ₽590–800 range (≈ US$7-10) depending on Russian spirits used. This bar is ideal if you’re interested in crafted cocktails, unique flavour profiles tied to local distillates, and a stylish late-night atmosphere. Less ideal if you’re after a big dancing club or casual pub vibe — the focus here is on the drink experience and ambience.

Tucked away just off the lively nightlife zones of the Dumskaya/Lomonosova area in Saint Petersburg, Apotheke Bar is an atmospheric blend of speakeasy style and craft-cocktail precision. The venue’s motto, “Think what you drink,” sets the tone: instead of long standard menus, guests are invited to tell the bartenders their flavour preferences (sweet/strong/sour, etc.) and they’ll tailor a drink on the spot. The entrance itself is a bit of a journey: look for the glowing red cross in the window, ring the buzzer and be admitted through what used to feel like a hidden doorway. Inside, the décor plays on the “pharmacy” theme — dark wood, subdued lighting, compact space (it’s intimate), and a focus on interaction between bartender and guest. A travel writer described it as “a home run” in the St. Petersburg cocktail scene. The drink list leans toward the unusual: fine spirits, rarer liquors, and inventive techniques rather than mass-market beer or run-of-the-mill cocktails. Reviewers note the staff ask about your taste and then design something unique. While some visitors felt the execution could be inconsistent, the overall experience is widely praised for quality, service and novelty. Located in the heart of the city near Nevsky Prospekt, this bar is ideal for someone seeking a stylish yet relaxed cocktail stop, rather than a rowdy club. Because space is limited and entry requires a bit of know-how (look for the red cross), it retains an exclusive feel. Opening times typically start around 20:00, extending until 02:00 or later on weekends. In short, if you want to indulge in a quiet, well-crafted drink in Saint Petersburg — one that’s personalised, served in a venue with character and hidden-gem vibes — Apotheke Bar delivers. Arrive early (weekends fill), ask for a custom cocktail tailored to you, and enjoy the conversation and ambience.