Mtkvarze
Mtkvarze is a floating bar and restaurant anchored on the Mtkvari River, accessible by a short walk from Aghmashenebeli Avenue. The venue occupies a barge-style platform with an open-air upper deck and a partially enclosed lower level. Live music plays on weekends, typically Georgian folk, jazz, or acoustic rock. The food menu features Georgian dishes with an emphasis on grilled meats and river fish. Wine by the glass costs GEL 8-15 ($3-5.55), cocktails GEL 15-25 ($5.55-9.25), and beer GEL 6-10 ($2.20-3.70). The river setting provides a breeze on summer nights that the city's landlocked bars can't match. The crowd is a mix of locals and tourists, with families during early evening giving way to a drinking crowd after 10 PM.
What to Expect
A relaxed, scenic bar where the river location does most of the work. Daytime is calm and family-friendly. Evenings shift toward couples and groups drinking wine on the deck. Live music on weekends adds energy without overwhelming the atmosphere. The gentle rocking of the platform takes a moment to notice.
Breezy, scenic, and unhurried. The river adds a sensory dimension that landlocked bars can't replicate.
Live Georgian folk, jazz, and acoustic sets on weekends
Casual. Summer clothes, sandals, whatever is comfortable. This is a riverside terrace, not a nightclub.
Sunset drinks with a view. A romantic option for couples. Groups looking for a relaxed evening with food, wine, and music.
Cards and cash accepted
Price Range
Wine GEL 8-15, cocktails GEL 15-25, beer GEL 6-10, food GEL 12-30
≈ EUR 5-9 / $6-9
Hours
Daily noon to midnight, Fri-Sat until 2 AM
Insider Tip
Request a table on the upper deck for the best river views and breeze. Weekend evenings require a reservation. The grilled trout is the kitchen's strongest dish. Bring a light jacket; river breezes can surprise you even in July.
Full Review
Mtkvarze floats on the Mtkvari River a short walk from Aghmashenebeli Avenue. You reach it via a ramp from the river bank. The platform is stable enough that you might forget you're on water until a passing boat creates a gentle sway.
The upper deck is the main attraction. Open to the sky, with views of the Narikala Fortress on one side and the Metekhi Church on the other, it captures the best of Tbilisi's riverfront scenery. Seating mixes wooden tables and more casual lounge arrangements. Candles and string lights provide the evening illumination. When the weather cooperates, this is one of Tbilisi's most atmospheric drinking spots.
The lower level is enclosed with windows and functions as a backup during rain or cold weather. It's less appealing but serviceable. Air conditioning handles the summer heat.
The food menu is Georgian with a few international additions. Grilled meats and fish are the standout items; the kitchen handles an open grill well. Khinkali are available but better eaten at a dedicated sakhinkle. Wine service draws from Georgian producers and is priced fairly.
Live music on weekends varies in quality. Georgian folk ensembles performing traditional polyphonic singing are genuinely impressive. Jazz trios are competent. Occasional acoustic rock acts fill the gap. The sound system is adequate for the space without being powerful.
The crowd shifts through the evening. Families and casual diners dominate until 9 PM. After that, the atmosphere tilts toward couples and friend groups drinking through the night. The venue gets genuinely busy on summer Saturday nights; reservations are recommended.
Service is Georgian-standard: friendly, unhurried, and occasionally forgetful. Don't be in a rush. The river is right there. Relax.
The Neighborhood
The venue sits on the Mtkvari River between the Nikoloz Baratashvili and Saarbrucken Bridges. Aghmashenebeli Avenue is a 5-minute walk south. The Old Town is a 10-minute walk across the Baratashvili Bridge. The riverbank area is developing with new venues and cafes.
Getting There
Walk from Aghmashenebeli Avenue toward the river; follow signs for the riverbank path. From the Old Town, cross the Baratashvili Bridge and descend to the river level. Bolt from Rustaveli costs GEL 4-6.
Address
Mtkvari River, near Nikoloz Baratashvili Bridge, Tbilisi
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