Noor Bar
Noor Bar sits at Tverskaya Street 23/12, occupying a basement space decorated with Middle Eastern design influences: geometric tile patterns, arched doorways, warm brass fixtures, and plush seating upholstered in rich fabrics. The bar holds about 70 people comfortably, with seating divided between the main bar counter, a row of intimate booths along the walls, and a small lounge area toward the back. The cocktail menu runs to roughly 30 options, organized around house-made syrups, tinctures, and infusions that draw on Middle Eastern and Central Asian ingredients like pomegranate, saffron, cardamom, and rose water. The food menu is small but thoughtful, featuring mezze-style dishes that pair well with the drinks. Early evening hours attract a quiet after-work crowd that gives way to a louder, more social scene after midnight on weekends. The music shifts accordingly, from ambient background to upbeat lounge sets.
What to Expect
Descending the stairs into Noor feels like entering a different world from the busy Tverskaya sidewalk above. The lighting is low and warm, the air carries faint traces of cardamom and citrus from the bar, and the sound level stays conversational until late.
Sophisticated and warm, with a Middle Eastern lounge sensibility. The low lighting and plush seating create a cocoon-like feeling that's separate from Moscow's usual nightlife energy.
Ambient, lounge, and deep house with Middle Eastern influences. Live DJ sets on weekends bring the energy up after midnight.
Smart casual to dressy. The interior sets a sophisticated tone, and most guests dress accordingly. Collared shirts, fitted trousers, and proper shoes are the baseline.
Couples, cocktail lovers interested in unusual flavor profiles, anyone wanting a sophisticated night on Tverskaya without the club scene
Cards and cash accepted. Contactless payments work.
Price Range
Cocktails 800-1,300 RUB, wine 600-1,000 RUB, mezze plates 500-900 RUB
Cocktails ~$8-13/~7-11 EUR, wine ~$6-10/~5-9 EUR, mezze ~$5-9/~4.50-8 EUR
Hours
18:00-02:00 Sun-Wed, 18:00-04:00 Thu-Sat
Insider Tip
The pomegranate-based cocktails are the house specialty and worth trying first. Book a booth through Telegram for Friday or Saturday if you want guaranteed seating. Early evening (18:00-21:00) offers the quietest atmosphere for conversation and the bartender's full attention.
Full Review
Noor Bar carves out a distinctive identity on Tverskaya by leaning into its Middle Eastern aesthetic with commitment rather than superficiality. The design isn't set dressing; it extends to the cocktail ingredients, the food menu, and even the music programming. The result is one of Moscow's most coherent bar concepts.
The cocktails are the main draw. The bar team works with ingredients that most Moscow cocktail bars don't touch: saffron-infused spirits, pomegranate molasses, cardamom bitters, rose water. These could easily become gimmicky, but the drinks are balanced and approachable. A saffron gin sour I tried was delicate without being weak, and the pomegranate margarita variant was sharp and refreshing. For those less adventurous, classic cocktails are executed cleanly.
The booth seating along the walls offers the best experience. The high-backed dividers create semi-private spaces that work for dates, small groups, or business drinks. The bar counter is good for solo visitors or pairs. The back lounge area fills last and has the weakest lighting, which is either romantic or inconvenient depending on your needs.
Compared to Mendeleev Bar, Noor trades the theatrical entrance for a more comfortable, lingering-friendly environment. You come to Mendeleev for the experience and the cocktails; you come to Noor for the cocktails and the ambiance. Against the Simachev Bar crowd, Noor is quieter, more mature, and less concerned with being seen.
Service is attentive without hovering. The staff knows the menu thoroughly and can make informed recommendations. Weekend nights slow service down as the bar fills, but the quality stays consistent even under pressure.
The Neighborhood
Right on the main Tverskaya strip, surrounded by restaurants, hotels, and retail. The area between Tverskaya and Patriarch's Ponds (a 10-minute walk west) has become Moscow's premium cocktail corridor. Bar Klava on Malaya Bronnaya is nearby.
Getting There
Pushkinskaya metro (purple line) or Tverskaya metro (green line) are both 5-minute walks. The bar entrance is at street level on Tverskaya, down a short flight of stairs marked by a subtle sign.
Address
Tverskaya Street 23/12
Other Venues in Tverskaya
Propaganda
Moscow's longest-running underground club, open since 1997. Known for quality electronic music bookings and a no-pretense door policy. One of the few elite-level clubs that values music over money.
Simachev Bar
Fashion-forward bar and boutique hybrid on Stoleshnikov Lane. Attracts Moscow's creative crowd with strong cocktails and an eclectic playlist. No formal dress code but expect a stylish crowd.
Mendeleev Bar
Hidden speakeasy behind a fake Chinese restaurant facade. Ring the bell, walk through the kitchen, and find one of Moscow's best cocktail bars. Reservations recommended on weekends.
Bar Klava
Neighborhood cocktail bar just off Tverskaya with a loyal local following. Relaxed atmosphere, fair prices by Moscow standards, and bartenders who know their craft.
Solyanka
Multi-room club and cultural space near the Boulevard Ring. Hosts electronic music nights, art exhibitions, and themed parties. Cover varies by event, typically 500-1,500 RUB.