Warszawa
Warszawa (Warsaw in Polish) is a cocktail bar tucked into Akhvlediani Alley with an interior that channels Soviet-era nostalgia through a Polish lens. The decor mixes vintage furniture, propaganda-style art, and industrial lighting. The cocktail menu features house-made flavored vodka infusions alongside a creative list of original cocktails that pull from Georgian and Eastern European ingredients. A chacha (Georgian grape brandy) sour or a tkemali (sour plum) martini gives you something you won't find in any other city. Cocktails run GEL 18-35 ($6.65-13). The bar attracts Tbilisi's creative and media crowd, along with tourists who've read about it. It's small enough that reservations matter on weekends. No cover charge. Open from 7 PM until 2 AM on weeknights, until 3 AM on weekends.
What to Expect
A dimly lit, stylish bar where the cocktails are taken seriously and the atmosphere encourages lingering. The music is low enough for conversation, the lighting is flattering, and the bartenders clearly enjoy their craft. It fills steadily from 9 PM and reaches comfortable capacity by 11 PM on weekends.
Moody, intimate, and slightly theatrical. The Soviet-chic decor works because it's done with genuine affection rather than irony.
Curated playlists of jazz, electronic lounge, and Eastern European alternative music
Smart casual. The crowd puts effort into their appearance without being formal. Think dark jeans, a good shirt, and clean shoes.
Date nights, craft cocktail enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a sophisticated but relaxed evening.
Cards and cash accepted
Price Range
Cocktails GEL 18-35, beer GEL 8-12, wine GEL 10-18
≈ EUR 6-12 / $7-13
Hours
Daily 7 PM to 2 AM, Fri-Sat until 3 AM
Insider Tip
Try the house vodka infusions before committing to a cocktail. The bartenders will let you sample. The back room is quieter if you want conversation. Ask for the seasonal menu; it changes quarterly and often features ingredients sourced from the Kakheti wine region.
Full Review
Warszawa sits at the end of Akhvlediani Alley, an easy-to-miss side street that connects to the Dry Bridge flea market area. The entrance is understated. Inside, the single room divides roughly into a bar section and a seating area with small tables. A back room offers additional space on busy nights.
The cocktail program is Warszawa's main achievement. The house-made infusions (horseradish vodka, cherry pepper vodka, wild berry vodka) form the backbone of the menu, and the bartenders use them to build drinks that taste distinctly Georgian while following international cocktail craft standards. The chacha-based drinks are particularly worth trying; Georgian grape brandy has a rough reputation, but Warszawa's versions are refined and balanced.
Service is attentive without being hovering. The bartenders speak English and enjoy explaining the menu. They'll ask about your preferences and steer you toward something suitable. This is a bar where trusting the staff pays off.
The crowd is a mix of media professionals, creative types, well-traveled tourists, and the occasional diplomat from the nearby embassies. Conversation quality tends to be high. The bar is popular with first-date couples, which contributes to the generally well-behaved atmosphere.
Pricing sits in Tbilisi's upper-middle range. Cocktails at GEL 18-35 feel expensive by Georgian standards but absurdly cheap by London or New York metrics. The quality justifies every lari. The wine list focuses on Georgian natural wines and is priced fairly.
The only downside is size. On peak weekend nights, the bar fills beyond comfort and the wait for drinks stretches. Thursday or early Friday evening offers the best balance of atmosphere and space.
The Neighborhood
Akhvlediani Alley connects to the Dry Bridge flea market area and is a short walk from Rustaveli Avenue. The alley itself has a few other bars and galleries. The neighborhood transitions from nightlife to residential within a block, so noise carries.
Getting There
A 5-minute walk from Rustaveli Avenue. Turn down Akhvlediani Alley near the former Intourist Hotel. Rustaveli metro station is an 8-minute walk. Bolt from anywhere in Tbilisi drops you at the alley entrance for GEL 3-7.
Address
Akhvlediani Alley, Tbilisi
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