Chișinău has an abundant nightlife despite the streets looking quite empty on weekends, offering it’s locals and visitors a variety of clubs, bars, cafe’s, karaokes and clubbing projects. Although clubbing nights start from a thursday, you can still find where to go on the other days of the week. I have compiled a list of locations to check out for a night out in Chișinău.
Mainstream/ Alternative Clubs
Located right next to the “Luceafarul” Theatre in the centre of the city, Kira’s is a small club with a capacity of about 120 people. They offer a bar, summer terrace, food until 11pm, great atmosphere and varied music nights. They play from pop, electro, hip-hop up to rock. Every thursday during the summer season they offer live music too. Fun atmosphere and great opportunity to mingle with the locals.
Prices for drinks are average.
Entry fee: 100 lei (5 euros) for club night, open bar & cafe access free
Open: Thu – Sat: 22:00- 05:00
Address: Veronica Micle 7 (Centre District)
Barbar is a well known club in Chișinău, some would say even historical. Previously known as 513, now rebranded and bearded! Barbar is one of it’s kind in Chișinău with a very stylish vibe and design. Daytime you can taste some of their food menu, while nighttime you can dance to the hottest tunes. Weekly they offer club nights and even live music events.
Prices for drinks are average.
Entry fee: 100 – 150 lei (5-7 euros)
Open: Mon – Thu: 11:00- 23:00, Fri: 11:00 – 06:00, Sat: 14:00 – 05:00, Sun: 14:00 – 23:00
Address: Eminescu, 56 (Centre District)
For those seeking underground and techno music, then Olan Deep is the local community that you need to check out. It is the only electronic community that has been organising music events for a while and still standing. They organise events named S.O.D (Sounds of Olan Deep) and depending on the season their locations change. During warmer period they organise open airs, outside the city or in nature. They feature local music producers, dj’s, as well international names.
Entry fee: 200 lei (10 euros)
Bar Pro Sănătate is a unique location in Chisinau, a former canteen turned into an alternative hub – a music venue and bar. The owner, Usama is a palestinian that has been living in Moldova for over 20 years with his family. The atmosphere is very relaxed, prices are average and the food is delicious. Here you will find the d’n’b, breakcore, metal parties and raves, a wide range of music themed nights (pop, rap, rock etc) , but also concerts of local artists and even film screenings.
Entry fee: from 20 lei up (1 euro) depending on event
Open: Mon – Wd: 10:00 – 00:00, Thu – Sat: 10:00 – 06:00, Sun: 10:00 – 02:00
Address: Str. V. Alecsandri, 90/1 (Centre District)
The Albion Territory is the only rock club in Chișinău, so if you’re looking to listen to some rock/metal/punk music, then this is the place for you. On various occasions they organise some techno music events as well. Overall this is a live music venue, so if you’re interested in discovering the local music scene or even the international one, you will find it here. Since the pandemic, they are open only event based.
Entry fee: event prices vary, from 5 euros up (100 lei)
Open: Mon – Thu: 11:00 – 00:00, Fri & Sat: 11:00 – 06:00, Sun: 09:00 – 00:00
Address: str. Puskin 22 (Centre District)
Fancy/ Glamorous Clubs/ Bars
Marlène is the first high end cocktail in the city. Very centrally situated with a cozy atmosphere and pleasant interior. You can check out their menu here.
Prices are average and above average.
Open: Mon – Thu: 16:00 – 23:00, Fri – Sun: 16:00 – 00:00
Address: str. Bucuresti 75 (Centre district)
Zaxi Rooftop Terrace is the most sophisticated rooftop bar in Chișinău which offers Asian Fusion fine dining with champagne and cocktails. Being in the centre, it offers a beautiful view over the city. Every friday and saturday they have live music on, while throughtout the week on various occasions will have different events and parties.
Prices for food and drinks are above average/ high. You can check out their menu here.
Open: Mon – Sun: 18:00 – 02:00
Entry fee: Free entrance (reservation required for the dining)
Address: 77 Mitropolit Varlaam str., Radisson Blu Leogrand Hotel (Centre District)
Entourage is a restaurant, bar and live music venue situated in the heart of the city. Check out their Facebook page to see when live music events are happening. Dress Code & face control.
Prices for drinks are above average.
Entry fee: free entrance but allowed entrance in only with a reserved table which has been paid already
Open: Mon-Thurs & Sun: 12:00 – 23:45 , Fri- Sat: 12:00 – 05:00
Address: str. 31 August 1989, 117 (Centre District)
Check out their events here.
Seasonal Projects
Flamingo Club hosts 1000 people on the dance floor, 100 at karaoke and 120 at the terrace. Italian/ Japanese/ Ukrainian food. Open in summer and New Years.
Prices for drinks are above average.
Entry fee: Girls – 100 lei, Boys – 200 lei (between 11pm-12am free entry – depending on event)
Open: Fri: 20:00 – 06:00, Sat: 22:00 – 06:00
Address: Tăbăcăria Veche, 23 ( Centre District)
For their events, check out here.
Fanconi Riviera ( also known by the old name “Rai Project”) is a summer platform created right inside the Niagara City Fitness sport complex. Daytime the pool is open and offers a bar and a summer cafe, while nighttime it turns into a night club. The pool is still available to be used at nighttime, but make sure to have your swimwear as it’s not allowed to swim in your party clothes.
Prices for drinks are above average.
Entry fee: Free for girls, 200 lei for men (10 euros)
Open: Mon-Thu: 10:00 – 19:00, Fri-Sat: 23:00 – 05:00
Address: Ghidighici, 5 (Sculeanca District)
Cafe’s/ Bars
Mojito is one of the most popular terrace of Chișinău due to it’s position and it’s average prices for their cocktails and food. On weekends and evenings might be more difficult to find a table, so reservations are advised. This place is always full. Open 24/7.
Prices: Average
Address: 152 Bulevardul Ștefan cel Mare și Sfînt (Centre District)
Q Bar is a small but comfortable restaurant & bar which offers a variety of international cuisine. They serve authentic cheesecake as their chef worked at a high end restaurant in New York.
Prices are a mixture of average and above average.
Open: Mon – Thu & Sun: 10:00 – 23:00, Fri – Sat: 10:00 – 00:00
Address: 31 august 1989, 93 A (Centre district)
Fanconi Cafe offers soups, delicate meat dishes and some sushi. Dj’s on weekends and shisha available all the time.
Price: Above average
Address: Renasterii 5 ( Centre district)
Jack’s Bar & Grill are an american style bar & restaurant. On friday’s and saturday’s they have live music on.
Price: Average & above average
Address: Negruzzi 5 (Centre district)
Eli Pili is a very cosy cafe which has 3 rooms and a karaoke hall. They serve moldovan food besides other fast food servings and they have an english option in their menu. Open 24/7.
Price: Average
Address: Bucuresti 68 (Centre District)
Rock’n’Roll Cafe is the place for those with a taste for a much heavier type of music. A small cafe – bar with a new terrace which serves nice food too. Open 24/7.
Price: Average
Address: Stefan Cel Mare 132 (Centre district)
Beer & Pubs
Draft is a chain of beer gardens spread out around Moldova with 5 of them in Chișinău. They have a variety of grill & pub food, as well from non alcoholic drinks up to beer, sparkling wine and cocktails. Open 24/7 and they have pub quizzes and live music on weekends.
Price: Average
Address: You can view their locations here.
Smokehouse came to life from the passion of a few american volunteers that fell in love with Moldova. The food consists mostly of new american and southern cuisine, while beers a large variety from bottled and crafted ones. Great place to watch a match or just enjoy a local beer. Check out their beer menu here. Oh, and they are english friendly!
Price: Average
Address: bd. Ștefan cel Mare și Sfînt, 128 (Centre district)
Taproom 27, as they call it “A hoppy place” is a small but cozy beer pub that offers a great variety of moldovan crafted beer. Despite not serving food, they offer a menu from nearby delivery places and allow to bring your own food. The place is very english friendly.
Price: Average
Address: Vasile Alecsandri 117/1 (Centre district)
Kozlovna Cesca Pivni Restaurace – If you haven’t guessed or understood yet, this is a Czech Beer restaurant. besides their good beer, you can find plenty of food and live music on weekends. Ofcourse watching sport matches is available!
Price: Average
Address: Str. A. Puskin 24 (Centre district)
Brothers Pub is a very friendly place situated in the centre of the city. Despite being small, their menu is pretty big with choices from moldovan and european cuisine with grilled meat being their favourite. In summer they open their terrace.
Price: average
Address: Str. Mihai Eminescu, 29 (Centre district)
Road To Moldova 
Thanks a lot for making this post, used it to plan my trip to Chisinau
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