Che Guevara Bar
Che Guevara Bar leans into its Latin theme with Cuban flags on the walls, salsa music on the speakers, and a cocktail menu built around rum. The space is medium-sized, seating about 80 people across two rooms: a main bar area with a small dance floor and a back room with booth seating. Thursday nights feature salsa and bachata dancing with a mix of instruction for beginners and open floor for experienced dancers. Mojitos and Cuba Libres are the house specialties, priced low enough to order several. The decor is kitsch but committed: Che portraits, vintage Havana photographs, and tropical plants in corners.
What to Expect
Tropical decor, rum-based drinks, and Latin music in the middle of Central Asia. Thursday nights transform the place into a dance venue where beginners and experienced dancers share the floor. Other nights are more standard bar atmosphere with the Latin soundtrack providing background.
Fun, kitschy, and energetic on dance nights. Relaxed and conversational on quieter evenings.
Salsa, bachata, reggaeton, and Latin pop. Live DJ on Thursday and weekend nights.
Casual to smart casual. On salsa nights, dancers tend to dress slightly up. Comfortable shoes are more important than fashion if you plan to dance.
Social dancers, Latin music fans, and budget drinkers who want cheap cocktails in a fun atmosphere.
Cash and cards accepted
Price Range
Mojitos 1,200-1,800 KZT, cocktails 1,500-2,500 KZT, beer 700-1,000 KZT, food 1,500-3,000 KZT
Mojitos ~USD 2.45-3.70/~EUR 2.25-3.40, beer ~USD 1.40-2/~EUR 1.30-1.85
Hours
17:00-02:00 daily, until 04:00 on weekends
Insider Tip
Thursday salsa night is the best evening to visit. The dance instruction runs from 8 to 9 PM, then the floor opens up. Come on a Thursday even if you can't dance; the energy is infectious. The mojitos are strong and cheap; pace yourself.
Full Review
Che Guevara Bar shouldn't work. A Latin-themed bar in Kazakhstan sounds like a concept destined for ironic appreciation at best. But somehow, the commitment to the theme and the genuine enthusiasm of the salsa night crowd make it one of the most enjoyable evenings in Almaty.
The Thursday salsa night is the main event. From 8 to 9 PM, an instructor leads beginners through basic steps while experienced dancers practice in the back room. After 9, the floor opens and the DJ takes over. The mix of skill levels creates a welcoming atmosphere where nobody judges your footwork. Kazakh women, in particular, take to salsa with natural ability, and the gender balance on the dance floor is usually good.
The mojitos are the house currency. Made with fresh mint and enough rum to qualify as strong, they're priced at levels that encourage multiple rounds. The rest of the cocktail menu is rum-forward and consistently made. Beer is available for those who prefer it, at some of the lowest prices in central Almaty.
The food menu covers Latin basics: nachos, quesadillas, and a few Cuban-inspired dishes. Quality is acceptable rather than remarkable. Most people eat before arriving.
On non-dance nights, Che Guevara functions as a standard bar with Latin music and tropical drinks. The atmosphere is pleasant but unremarkable. The Thursday energy doesn't replicate on other weeknights, though Friday and Saturday bring their own clubbier crowd.
The Neighborhood
In the Arbat area, close to other bars and the pedestrian zone. The venue's Latin theme makes it a contrast to the Russian and Kazakh-influenced bars nearby.
Getting There
Walking distance from the Arbat pedestrian zone and Panfilov Park. Almaly metro is a 10-minute walk. Yandex Go from central Almaty costs 300-600 KZT.
Other Venues in Arbat
Gakku Bar
Live music venue showcasing local Kazakh and Russian rock, folk, and indie bands. Affordable beer, standing-room stage area, and a crowd that actually listens to the music.
Pivnaya No.1
No-frills beer hall with a rotating tap list of local and Russian beers. Long communal tables, cheap prices, and a loyal local following.
Soho Almaty
Multi-level bar and restaurant with a terrace overlooking the pedestrian street. Cocktails, hookah, and a DJ on weekend nights. More polished than its neighbors.
Engels Pub
British-style pub with dark wood interiors, pub quizzes, and a solid whisky selection. Popular with expats and English-speaking locals.
Republic
Mid-range nightclub at the edge of the Arbat zone playing commercial dance music and Russian pop. Gets packed after midnight on weekends with a local crowd.