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Travelling in Kazakhstan is unique with its vast steppes landscapes, nomadic heritage, and modern cities. Since it’s a Muslim-majority country, many travellers often wonder if nightlife exists here at all.
The answer is yes, especially in cities like Almaty and Astana. These are the country’s largest cities and attract the most visitors, which makes them the core of Kazakhstan’s nightlife.
Certain areas are packed with pubs and eateries providing rooftop access, patio dining, karaoke nights, live music and much more.
This guide explains everything you need to know about nightlife in Kazakhstan. It covers popular nightlife areas, food and drinks, facilities, rules to follow, and how to move around safely at night.
Best Places to Experience Kazakhstan Nightlife
Below are four popular nightlife areas in Almaty and Astana. At the end, there’s also a bonus late-night activity for those who don’t enjoy parties.
1. Walk Through Arbat Street
Arbat Street is a pedestrian-only street in Almaty and one of the city’s most popular hangout spots. There is no traffic here, except for a few young skaters passing by.
This street is for everyone. It has international brands, local Kazakh shops, fountains, benches, and open spaces. The atmosphere feels safe, relaxed, and welcoming for travellers.
Local artists often sit here and create paintings and sketches of people and landscapes. Their artwork makes for a meaningful local souvenir.
In the evening, the street becomes more lively. Locals gather for music and dance, and it’s common to see spontaneous performances by both locals and tourists.
You may also notice youngsters and families playing volleyball, football, or even arm wrestling in open areas.
Best Time to Visit: April to June & September to October.
2. Jump to Zhibek Zholy Street
Just a stone’s throw away from Arbat Street lies Zhibek Zholy Street.
Extremely similar and a continuation of Arbat Street, Zhibek Zholy is also a walkable zone with tiny outdoor gyms, children’s play areas and vendors selling fresh flowers and aesthetically pleasing balloons!
This street is also home to some interesting speakeasy bars of the city (hidden bars that you might need a passcode to get in).
Both Arbat Street and Zhibek Zholy Street are Almaty’s nightlife hotspots, lit up with decorative fairy bulbs above the pathway, making it feel like walking under the stars.
Best Time to Visit: April to June & September to October
3. Fancy Date at Nazarbayev Street
Also known as the ‘Furmanove Avenue’, ‘Nazarbayev Street’ is locally referred to as the ‘Beer Alley’. Thanks to the 15-20 venues on the street, welcoming visitors to have a fun evening.
Walk through the street to find rooftop cocktail bars, a music bar, wine bars, beer cafes, coffee shops, burger joints and restaurants serving,
- Tasty cocktails served by skilled bartenders.
- The wine bars have in-house wine cellars with an outstanding collection of wines.
- Local lagers and high-quality imported brews (including Guinness).
- Kazakhstani cuisine of horse steaks and trout.
- And other European fusion dishes like schnitzels and strudels.
The atmosphere at night is cosy with warm lighting, tables on the patios, and access to rooftop terraces while rock and blues play in the background.
Most venues on Nazarbayev Street stay open until midnight, with a few extending their hours until 3 am, and in some cases, as late as 5 am.
Note: Be aware that most places include a 10% service charge on the bill.
Pro Tip: ‘Furmanove Avenue’ was changed into ‘Nazarbayev Street’ years back. However, Google Maps still refers to its old name. Check through 2GIS (Kazakhstan’s major navigation system, used widely by the locals); this app has updated and detailed information about the city.
Best Time to Visit: April to June & September to October
4. Stroll Around Astana City Centre
Around 15 bars and countless restaurants in the heart of Astana offer a place for evening and late-night rendezvous.
Those venues offering nightlife are scattered across a few specific areas. It includes the perimeter around Dostyq Street, Syganak Street and Turan Avenue.
All these places are concentrated in the city centre, which is also home to the Baiterek Tower, Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre and Astana Central Park.
Astana combines upscale dining, microbreweries, lounges, and high-energy pubs. Expect low-lit floors, VIP rooms, rooftop seating, smoking rooms, live rock music, karaoke, hookah/shisha and even movie quiz nights!
Edible things to look out for at these pubs and restaurants
- Pavlova Cake
- Salmon Pizza
- Moroccan Tea
- Lavender Cocktails
- Signature Cocktails (request for them)
- Cheesecake with mango sorbet and more!
The usual timings of these establishments range from 12 pm to late nights till 4 am. Surprisingly, some specific spots go above and beyond to keep them open 24 hours!
Tip: While the dining experience will be smooth, there have been occasional billing mix-ups, so it’s a good idea to check your change before leaving, especially in busy restaurants and peak hours.
Best Time to Visit: May to September
Bonus: Ice Skate Medeu Ice Skating Rink
If you are a person not interested in parties and want to spend a late night outside doing something else, why not ice skate at the highest skating rink in the world?
About 30 – 40 minutes from central Almaty, nestled at 5,548 ft in the Tian Shan Foothills, the rink is the size of two football fields with 7.5 ft thick ice!
You can enjoy an evening of skating here using skating aids to help with balance. Slots can be booked at the on-site ticket counter, and staff are available to assist beginners. It’s one of the best winter activities in Kazakhstan.
You can rent skates, protective gear, and skating aids that help beginners stay balanced on the ice.
The timings of the Medeu Skating Rink are from 8 am to 12 am, but sometimes, the slots go up to 2 am! Perfect to spend your late nights alone or on unique dates.
Best Time to Visit: November to March
Alcohol Restrictions in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan maintains clear laws around alcohol consumption and public behaviour. While nightlife is active in major cities, travellers are expected to respect local regulations, especially outside licensed venues.
Below are the key rules every visitor should know before going out
- The age limit to consume alcohol is 21 years in Kazakhstan.
- The sale of low-alcoholic beverages, like the Baltika, is banned from 11 pm to 8 am. Meanwhile, spirits above 30% ABV are restricted from sale between 9 am and 12 pm.
- Public intoxication is an offence.
- Smoking isn’t allowed in public.
- Vaping/drugs are illegal.
Follow this set of rules to stay out of trouble in Kazakhstan. Being taken to the police station in a foreign country is one of the worst things that can happen to a traveller.
Note: Some bars may request ID, and entry can be denied if you’re under 21. Carry a copy of your passport for seamless entry.
How to Get Around at Night?
Not just at night, but travelling generally around Kazakhstan is best done through taxi apps. The two options are Yandex Go and Uber KZ.
While Uber KZ can be used, Yandex Go is the most popular and reliable and is used by thousands of Kazakhs. You get Yandex taxis late at night, even at odd hours from 1 am to 6 am, making your tipsy nights safe.
The best thing about Yandex is that it can be registered and used via an Indian number. No need to panic at late nights.
Conclusion
Kazakhstan may not be marketed or hyped for its party destination, and not a lot of travellers are aware of the fact that Kazakhstan nightlife exists. And that’s exactly why it is important to experience it.
Streets that appear busy, snowy and grey during winter mornings transform into warm, soft lights-lit streets with live music and look much more inviting at night.
It brings happiness to see everyone enjoying and spending time with their loved ones at places like Arbat Street and Astana City Centre.
And in that sense, Kazakhstan’s tourism slogan fits perfectly: “Kazakhstan, Very Nice!”
FAQs on Kazakhstan Nightlife
1. Is alcohol available in Kazakhstan?
Yes, people of Kazakhstan do consume alcohol. Alcohol and wine shops sell them for takeaways. While bars and pubs serve beers, wines, and other spirits for in-house consumption.
As a matter of fact, traditional Kazakhstani cuisine includes milks like Kumis and Shubat (fermented milk from horse and camel), which have a slight alcohol percentage and yet are enjoyed by the locals.
2. Is Kazakhstan good for nightlife?
Though Kazakhstan is well-known for its nature, such as mountains, lakes and steppes, cities like Almaty and Astana are also good for their nightlife.
3. Which alcohol is famous in Kazakhstan?
Spirits like vodka, cognac and local beers are famous in Kazakhstan. Notable brands are Bacchus, Snow Queen Vodka and Line Brew Bottlers. These spirits are also commonly gifted as Kazakh souvenirs!
