Things are returning to normal in Ukraine. The lockdown has, for the most part, ended, and while there are still new cases of COVID-19 reported each day in Ukraine, the environment appears to be more or less safe at this point. Sadly, one area that hasn’t quite recovered is our coveted nights out on the town. Today, we’re bringing you a “boots on the ground” report, discussing the nightlife options that are available for those living in Kyiv at the moment.
The State of Kyiv Nightlife in 2020
2020 began like any other year in Kyiv. Debacherous New Years Eve celebrations left us excited for another year of success and prosperity in our favorite city on earth.
Sadly, by March, it was extremely clear that 2020 was going to be very different from what we were used to. A lockdown that was supposed to last a week turned into a month, which then turned into 3 of the quietest, darkest months we’ve ever experienced.
But hey, it was great for getting some work done, at least.
At the beginning of the year, local nightlife institutions CHI, Shooters, Forsage, and the Arena City area were all bustling.
Now, their future is a lot less certain.
Even if nightclubs are given clearance to open in the next two months (which we’re not hopeful towards), we wonder how many of these places are going to be closing up due to racking expenses and absolutely no one coming in whatsoever.
We’ve already seen this with more than a few of our favorite bars, which will remain unnamed out of respect and in the event that they do manage to reopen. Even though most bars in Kyiv are open at this point, a few of our favorites still haven’t seemed to have opened their doors to the public. A real shame.
One of our favorite parts about living in Ukraine as expats is the fact that Kyiv is possibly one of the most underrated cities for nightlife on the planet. Whether you’re into the most underground beats imaginable, or you like popping bottles to Top 40, you’ll find something to do here.
Below, you’ll find what we’ve been up to in Kyiv as of late.
Are nightclubs open?
In short, no.
However, it’s worth noting in Ukraine that we’re famous for, say, skirting the rules.
There’s one venue I’ve been really enjoying going to lately that is a normal bar, but they’ve instead moved all of their tables, started booking DJs, and killed the lights so that it’s a far more “clubby” atmosphere than before.
Is this legal? Probably not. But, do we really care? Definitely not.
I can’t reveal the exact name of this venue, but I’ll give you a hint in that if you’re staying close to Derybasivska Ultisa and you poke around enough, you’ll find it.
Another option, however, are terrace parties and standard bars.
Terrace Parties For The Win
One particularly exciting development that we’ve seen in Ukraine is the rise of outdoor parties as opposed to club nights.
Our prediction is that this is going to be the move even through fall. Outdoor parties are generally tougher to regulate, and far safer than being packed into a sweaty club where one person can possibly infect hundreds.
Our favorite terrace party we’ve stumbled across has been that which they’ve thrown together at CLOSER. We’ll be the first to admit that we don’t really like House or Techno music at all, but the vibe is still pretty good here.
The DJs don’t take requests either, which seriously blows. Oh well.
As such, the nightclub seems to have a third-floor pier that nobody knew about until recently, and there have been some serious parties being thrown there lately.
Check their Facebook page for the latest details, as it appears their schedule is changing by the week.
Bars
Bars in Kiev are fully functioning, but with limits on capacity, and the insistence that you must have your temperature checked upon entering. Some will require you to wear a mask, whereas others will not. Again, it’s really a matter of the venue, just like our above makeshift nightclub that’s found a way to skirt the rules entirely.
Hangover is open for business! Perhaps the biggest “meat market,” college-y spot in the entire city, I usually stay away from this place. But, as they say, “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” and I was happy to make my return when it reopened in June. There are less students in Kiev than before, but still plenty of people make their way here each weekend.
Usually a great spot to hit before the club, The Bar has been seeing some pretty lively crowds in the absence of larger venues to move on to. Hitting the sweet spot between pretentious and casual, we’re proud to say we’re frequent visitors here. Great for dates and booking a table with friends.
I dearly, dearly missed drinking weird imitation Hawaiian beverages at this Ukrainian favorite during lockdown. Lucky for you, it’s open for business once again! As eclectic and freewheeling as ever, Pink Freud is also seeing an upsurge in late night activity with local nightclubs being closed up for the time being.
It’s not everything, but it is something…
There’s no denying that COVID-19 has changed the nightlife scene in Kyiv. No longer can we attend many of our beloved nightspots, and that’s a real shame.
However, if you’re crafty enough, you’ll find a way to make the party happen anywhere you go, and Ukraine is no exception.
If you’re lucky enough to be in Ukraine right now, stay put! As many of you already know, re-entering the country as a non-resident right now is next to impossible. Furthermore, with the potential of another global lockdown coming in the winter months, we’re not taking any chances here!
In the meantime, enjoy the lack of foreigners and creepy tourists, and stay safe out there!
At Expat Ukraine, Lviv is one of our absolute favorite cities in the entire country. Often a lesser-visited destination when compared with Kiev, Lviv is a city of food, culture, and of course, and tons of beautiful women. If you plan on visiting Ukraine, a side trip Lviv is an absolute must. Today, we’re discussing our five favorite Lviv Ukraine restaurants, both for dating and just for grabbing a quick bite to eat.
Let’s get started!
Bachevskyy: Our Favorite of the Lviv Ukraine Restaurants
Bachevskyy is probably the most inexpensive “fancy” restaurant you’ll ever go to in your entire life. It is truly fine dining at its absolute best.
There are so many things we could say about Bachevskyy. Whether it be the domed, greenhouse interior, champagne brunches on lazy Sundays, upscale lunches, or big nights out, this restaurant is suitable for any occasion where fine dining is required.
Better yet, I’ll often manage to pay less than $35 for two people here. One of my favorite things to do in Lviv is to take people here, go all out ordering drinks, appetizers, and entrees, and show them how ridiculously small the bill is afterward.
Good for: brunches, fancy dates, shock value at the price of the bill.
Garmata at the Citadel Inn
The Citadel Inn is a hotel that is located on a hill that overlooks Lviv. Housed in a former army barracks, it may be the nicest hotel in the entire city. And, to the delight of diners from all over the world, it is also home to one of the nicest restaurants in the city as well, Garmata.
Being that it’s located in a hotel, this is probably one of the most expensive places on this list. Last I recall, I spent $110 here for a holiday tasting menu and two bottles of wine with a date. In the West, the meal would have easily cost three times as much.
Garmata is the brainchild of famous Ukrainian chef Evgeniy Sushko. Expect white table cloths, wine pairings, appetizers, and a delicious desert menu.
If you’re an adventurous eater, you absolutely must give Chaykhana Samarland a try.
Located in the lover level of Soviet block building, it does not look like much on the outside. Upon walking through its doors, however, you are immediately greeted with one of the most ornate, colorful restaurant interiors that I have ever seen in my life.
Chaykhana is an Uzbek restaurant, a country in Central Asia. Their food is known for being a fusion between typical Asian delicacies and the heavier, carb-laden Eastern European fare.
Cushy seating, hot tea, and traditional Uzbek ethnic music playing make this one of my favorite places to go when visiting Lviv. If you happen to be accompanied by a particularly bohemian type of girl, you can’t go wrong here.
Good for: cheap dates, adventurous eating, a step away from the norm.
Arsenal Ribs: The Most Unexpected of the Lviv Ukraine Restaurants
Arsenal Ribs is probably one of the best places to eat meat on the entire planet. While it is something of a tourist trap, it is an absolute must-see in Lviv.
At Arsenal Ribs, they give you no silverware, as all of the food that’s served there are ribs, finger food, and beer. Gigantic, rotating grills that spin around a hot flame cook ribs right before your very eyes. Tables are long and communal. You’re likely to be seated next to a few other groups of people, which really just adds to the fun of the whole experience.
Occasionally, you may end up next to somewhat of a rowdy bunch, so I typically don’t bring girls here. Instead, I’ll make it the first stop on a night out with friends.
Good for: boy’s night out, casual dinners, drinking excessively.
Kumpel
One of Lviv’s only late-night eateries, next to the infamous drunk tank hangout that is Big Plate, Kumpel is yet another one of Lviv’s finest destinations for meat and beer.
That being said, it’s a huge step up from Arsenal Ribs. They brew their own beer, and have a lovely interior that isn’t quite date night worthy, but is definitely a bit lush when compared with similar places in its ranks.
With an interior that’s made up of wood, leather, and stone and the sizzling smell of hot sausages being fried up, this is one place that I make sure to visit every time I am in Lviv.
Good for: late night meals, craft beer, business meetings.
Conclusion: There Are Plenty of Excellent Lviv Ukraine Restaurants
Though most people will spend their entire trip to Ukraine in Kyiv, we really cannot suggest a trip to Lviv enough. It truly is a city like no other. And, it doesn’t get the credit it deserves, especially when it comes to its options regarding dining. Best of all, as Lviv is one of the cheapest cities in the work to eat well. None of these restaurants will truly break the bank.
Enjoy your trip to Lviv, and let us know how you experience was in the comments!
PS: If you’re interested in seeing the many beautiful girls in Ukraine, I suggest you check out this website.
It seems that everywhere we look these days, everyone is talking about Lviv, Ukraine…and who can blame them? With centuries of beautiful architecture, some of the lowest prices in Ukraine, and a thriving food and restaurant scene, it’s hard not to fall in love with Lviv. All things considered, who wouldn’t want to live there? Luckily for you, today we’re going to tell you exactly what it’s like to live in Ukraine’s cultural capital.
Basic Information & Background
Lviv may be the biggest small town on earth.
Believe it or not, Lviv was actually not even a part of Ukraine until 1939 after the German-Soviet Invasion of Poland. Historically being part of Poland, the USSR, Austria Hungary, and even Nazi Germany at one point, the city is bursting with history.
Some of it is good, and some of it is bad. But, all of it is certainly interesting.
If you’re a history buff, you’ll be well entertained in Lviv. With numerous free, guided tours that take place around the city, you’ll find plenty of objects of interest. From decaying Communist architecture to a few locations historically significant to WWII, Lviv may be one of the most historically inclined cities I’ve ever visited.
Looking at the skyline in Lviv reveals an eclectic mix of architectural styles that, when paired with one another, make for a very interesting flavor.
But, the visual sites won’t be the only flavor you enjoy during your stay in Lviv.
City of Lions, Chocolate, and Coffee
Lviv is nicknamed “Leopolis,” literally translating to the “city of Lions.”
While you’d be hard-pressed to find a living, breathing lion anywhere, there are statues of lions almost everywhere in the town. This is because of an old piece of folklore that claims that in ancient times, a lion was tasked with protecting the city from invaders.
While the lion had to give his life protecting the princess, he gave an oath to forever protect Lviv. As the legend has it, a statue miraculously appeared as the lion laid dying, making the lion the enduring symbol of the city today.
Pretty neat, huh?
Regarding chocolate, there is an active handmade chocolate scene in Lviv. The Lviv Handmade Chocolate Factory is one of the best sites to see in town. They even have branches in Kyiv! That’s how popular it is.
Of course, coffee is absolutely integral to the culture of Lviv as well. If you’re a digital nomad who loves working from coffee houses, you’re in luck. Lviv may have a coffee shop scene that rivals far more developed countries. The town is big enough that you can try all of them at least once.
All things considered, quality of life in Lviv is really quite high when compared with the rest of Ukraine.
Price & Quality of Life in Lviv, Ukraine
Lviv was once Ukraine’s best-kept secret. While the cat is out of the bag, the town hasn’t been spoiled…yet.
In fact, most Ukrainians would say that it is, by far, the most comfortable city in Ukraine. Even though the city is 25% the size of Kyiv, there’s hardly any traffic. There’s no metro because the city is small enough to get aroun without one. While you can take the streetcar for 5 UAH (approximately .10 cents), the city is extremely walkable.
Needless to say, Lviv is cheap.
Ridiculously cheap. Laughably cheap, even.
While there are still plenty of places for you to blow your hard-earned cash, you may find it hard to do so. Lviv consistently ranks in at one of the cheapest cities to live in on the planet, rivaling even cities in India and Pakistan.
Pro-tip: check the global cost of living index for updated information on what it costs to live around the world.
You’ve heard it before, but I’ll say it again.
You can get a gourmet cup of coffee for $1, have a delicious lunch for $4, take an Uber from the airport to the city center for $3.50, and buy a cocktail in a club for $5.
All in all, you’d be hard-pressed to spend over $1,400 a month.
Getting To Lviv, Ukraine
Getting to Lviv from anywhere in Ukraine is very easy. It’s just a short train ride away from Kyiv, and tickets are dirt cheap.
But, traveling by train isn’t the only cheap transport in Lviv right now.
In fact, Lviv is home to some of the cheapest flights in Europe.
Budget airline RyanAir has just moved into the town’s international launch off point, Lviv Danylo Airport. Now, the common stereotype is that when cheap flights begin to route through the best towns in Eastern Europe, they quickly become ruined by British stag parties and other “undesirable” tourists.
Lviv has held up pretty well against this. It’s just not well known enough as a city like Prague or Budapest, and seriously lacks the nightlife scene of those places. Even still, it is still pretty good if you know what you’re looking for.
The silver lining here is that some curious expats are actually using Lviv as a home base, traveling out as needed to surrounding countries.
Think about it: you can fly to London from Lviv for as little as $40 if purchased far enough in advance.
That’s about as much as it costs to get from the airport to the city center in most other European countries. While it’s an unconventional approach, traveling businessmen can live in Lviv for pennies on the dollar. And they’re just a quick plane ride away from Europe’s capital cities.
This is one area where the city has a huge leg-up on Kyiv, bringing us to our next point.
Is Lviv better than Kyiv?
Lviv vs. Kyiv
Living in Kyiv can be kind of a hassle from time to time. Much of your day will be spent commuting. The traffic is horrendous. The city is absolutely massive, and during the winter, can occasionally look a little bit like a post-apocalyptic, decaying Soviet city.
Oh wait, it kind of is…
Now, that’s not to disparage Kyiv. It’s a great city. But, it doesn’t quite sweep the competition.
Compare this to Lviv, and the differences could not be starker. It is simply a stunning city and can feel more like Paris or Vienna. Of course, you still have the general sense of disrepair that is common in most of Ukraine. But, as they say, “it’s Ukraine.”
You really can’t compare Lviv to Kyiv. The fact is that they are two very, very different cities. Kyiv is like a much less multicultural, far cheaper New York City. Lviv is a gorgeous, comopolitan little town near the Polish border.
If you’re a big city person, you may get bored in Lviv rather quickly. As we discussed in our Lviv nightlife guide, you can easily see all there is to see in Lviv in just under a month.
At the same time, you’re a little more cut off from the rest of the world in Lviv. For example, won’t find some American brand name clothing stores such as H&M in Lviv. The city just isn’t big enough to justify setting up shop there.
Even still, with just how cheap both live in and commute out of Lviv, it’s an attractive option for any digital nomad.
The Fastest Growing City in Ukraine
Look at the numbers. Tourism to Lviv is growing more than any other Ukrainian city every year!
Realistically, this means that Lviv is going to be a hotbed for development over the next decade. You can still purchase flats for under $1,000 USD per square meter in the city center, and even less once you start to venture further away. I’d imagine that these prices are going to rise up quite dramatically in the coming years.
Ask anybody whose been going to Lviv for more than 5 years, and they’ll be the first to tell you that the city is growing each and every year. While there used to be virtually no expats there, there is now a small, albeit thriving scene of remote workers, digital nomads, and even entrepreneurs who have discovered the city.
Oracle has an office there, as does Price Waterhouse Cooper, and SoftServe.
It’s become a major hub for IT outsourcing, explaining why you’ll occasionally run into groups of American IT workers at the city’s many bars. If you’re an American worker who’s being transferred to Lviv for an assignment, don’t worry. Chances are, you’ll enjoy the city just as much as your compadres.
Ukrainian culture is known for being rather cold and standoffish. Luckily, Lviv has a vibe that is certainly far more approachable than the rest of the country.
The Local Culture of Lviv, Ukraine
Lviv differs quite greatly from the rest of Ukraine.
This can be a good thing, or a bad thing depending on your tastes.
For one, they don’t speak Russian for the most part.
That’s not to say that you can’t get around there with your Russian speaking skills, but they may be frowned upon ever so slightly. Lviv takes pride in the fact that they very much have their own microculture within Ukraine.
A big, big part of that is that they insist on speaking Ukrainian when possible.
You can also see this by the way people dress. Lviv has a bit of a “hipster chic” type of style as opposed to the high heeled, heavily made-up style that’s popular in the rest of Ukraine.
This is not a bad thing, per se. The women of Lviv are still beautiful in their own, unique type of way.
On the flip side, if you spend enough time in Lviv, you’ll see that people can have a bit of a “haughty” type of attitude.
The local sentiment can be somewhat nationalistic, proud of where they are from, and even believing that they’re better than everyone else.
This is kind of hilarious…as it takes but a quick look back at history to see that the nobility that once lived in the city in the early 1900s were all chased out under Communist policies of liquidation.
Their gorgeous, Austro-Hungarian homes were redistributed to the poorest villagers from the outskirts. Of course, their descendants still live there today in homes that they were given for free.
The irony that people from Lviv believe themselves to be better than everywhere else in Ukraine is pretty thick. It is, by and large, the distant relatives of the poorest Ukrainians who are living in housing that was stolen from the rich…and given to the poor.
Even still, this is a minor detail. You won’t notice it without spending a lot of time in Lviv.
And if you’re the type of person who truly enjoys the city, you’ll find the benefits to far outweigh the negatives.
Women in Lviv certainly differ from the rest of Ukraine.
As we pointed out previously, Lviv is very much a “hipster” type of town. Heartbreakingly, wearing high heels isn’t as common in Lviv. As the whole city is built on cobblestone streets, wearing heels can be a bit dangerous as the girls can easily break their ankle if their heel gets caught in the street.
The upside here is that while the women are certainly Ukrainian, they’re far more approachable than the rest of the country. When meeting women any other city in Ukraine, you’ll often be hit with questions about the purpose of your trip. They’ll be incredibly skeptical that a Western man would willingly choose to visit their city.
Lviv, on the other hand, is one of the most touristic cities in the country. While most girls there have not actually interacted with the groups of tourists who come, it’s not entirely out of the question to pay a visit.
Many men laud Lviv as being just traditional enough to find girls that are relatively chaste. In other words, girls from Lviv aren’t the type to listen to Nicki Minaj. They often come from conservative families and believe in old school gender roles. Even still, it’s not some random village in the middle of nowhere, either. It’s a quickly modernizing, European town.
Luckily for you, you don’t have to hop on a plane to Lviv to start meeting the many beautiful women that live in the city. Instead, you can use our favorite dating app for Ukrainian girls to start matching right now!
We get this question all the time, and for good reason.
In many ways, Lviv is the perfect city.
It is dirt cheap, extremely relaxed, and full to the brim of beautiful women. As a foreigner, you’re just enough of a novelty enough to stick out, but not enough to raise any eyebrows. You can easily set up shop there, and if you make even the tiniest salary from the internet, know you’re going to be well off.
If you’re the type of person who likes to law low, do their work, and enjoy the city they live in, Lviv is a fantastic choice for you.
If, on the other hand, you’re a bit more of a social butterfly who likes to party, Kyiv is a better option for you. Lviv can quickly get boring to the more thrill-seeking of us. Plus, your opportunities for business networking are much smaller than in bigger cities.
On the other hand, Kharkiv is said to offer a middle ground between the two. But, it has far worse English and is far more isolated from the rest of the world than either Lviv or Kyiv.
Regardless of which camp you fit into, I wish you luck in your exploration. Lviv is a great town to visit when exploring Ukraine.
At Expat Ukraine, we’re huge fans of Lviv, Ukraine. When one of our writers recently spent a three month period there working on a consulting project, I knew he had to write a guide on the city’s nightlife. He’s a big city guy who works in Kyiv quite often, with Lviv being the smallest place he’s ever lived. To put it simply—he’s a serious expert when it comes to nightlife. While Lviv certainly is no Las Vegas, it’s clear that there are definitely plenty of good times to be had while visiting. Today, we present to you: The Expert’s Guide To to Lviv Ukraine Nightlife.
Without further ado, I’ll hand it off to him.
Nightlife in Lviv, Ukraine: Does It Exist?
Lviv is not exactly the first place you think of when looking for a “party city,” and that’s a good thing. I lived in Berlin for five years, but have now relocated to Kyiv. Every so often, I’m sent to Lviv for up to a few months on end, and I’ve found the nightlife scene there to be surprisingly good…if you know where to look.
The positive side is that Lviv is a student town, with about 20,000 college students moving into the city every school year. For many of these fresh-faced college girls, Lviv is the first time they’ve ever left their even smaller town or village. Considering they have never lived away from their parents before, many of them are ready to get a little crazy and do what young people do…party.
Simply put: there is an abundance of beautiful girls in Lviv. For a bachelor looking to spend some time in Ukraine, Lviv is an excellent choice.
Tacky or Cool?
Nightlife in Lviv, Ukraine gets a bad rep because to be completely fair, there are plenty of tacky nightclubs that play horrible music all over town. If you’re looking for quality nightlife and you go in unprepared, you’re probably going to be disappointed. Unlike in Kyiv, you can’t just bounce around the city center and find something cool.
Instead, you have to know where you’re going. Fortunately for you, this list will provide you with more than enough options to keep your nights plenty active while in Lviv.
In fact, there are actually a few decent nightclubs in town that you should know about.
The Best Clubs in Lviv – Period.
Malevich Night Club – If you’re into the standard clubbing experience, definitely check this place out. It is surprising, but in Lviv, you have one of the largest nightclubs in all of Eastern Europe. Malevich is currently the go-to hotspot in Lviv, and for good reason. The club is open every night of the week, and there’s always a decent enough crowd to justify popping in. The facilities themselves are beautiful, and I often wonder how someone got the money to build this place in Ukraine. It’s freaking massive, with top quality sound and lighting. Best of all, prices are very reasonable by Western standards, and you can easily make reservations and get bottle service for under $75. It also goes without saying that the quality of the girls in this place is seriously off the charts. There’s also a strip club on the second floor of the club called Pink Show Girls.
Fashion Club – I’ve been coming to Lviv long enough to remember when this place used to be the coolest spot in town. Now, Malevich has taken that title. My, my, how Ukraine nightlife has changed! That being said, Fashion Club is located just steps away from Rynok Square. Prices are similar to Malevich, though it’s usually a much smaller, slightly older crowd. It costs maybe ₴150 ($5) to get in, so I’d say it’s worth checking out during your nights out in Lviv.
De Luxe – Even though this place is nowhere near the center, it’s a decent club for Lviv. Here, you’ll find a far more local crowd as most travelers won’t venture out from the city center to go to a nightclub. While it’s smaller than both Malevich and Fashion Club, you’ll find some unexpectedly talented DJs here and some seriously cute girls. Here, you’ll be a bit more exotic to the local girls. If you’re looking to meet someone, I’d try it out.
Other than these three, I can’t really suggest most other clubs in Lviv. Every time I went to Rafinad, METRO or Piccasso, I always regretted it afterward. While none of these places are dangerous, they’ll overcharge you at the door, they book horrible DJs, and are decorated like it’s 2003. On top of that, each of these places is predominately a Turkish nightclub. Anybody who has dealt with Turkish tourists in Ukraine knows it’s a headache that’s best avoided. Deviate from my recommendations at your own risk!
Bars: Usually The Worst Part of Ukraine Nightlife
As you may have noticed already, Ukraine is not the typical “bar scene” type of country.
Most Ukrainians prefer to sit at a table with a group of friends while drinking, instead of perching at a bar where you can make new friends and start conversations with others. It’s a longstanding part of their culture, and it’s not changing any time soon. In other words, finding a proper Western-style bar in Lviv was pretty difficult.
Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you and found a few gems. I always start my night off by rotating between a few of these places. They’re all within 100 meters of each other.
The Drunken Cherry: This is the perfect place to start off your night. Situated right on Rynok Square, this place is little more than a tiny room where you buy Cherry flavored Brandy, stand around a communal set of tables, and chat with groups of people. It’s always full, and you can meet tourists from all over here also.
Choven: Choven is a Western-style beer pub that’s situated two streets away from Rynok Square. Here, you’ll find groups of people hanging out after work. It’s less popular with girls (for obvious reasons), but sells excellent beer and has a lively atmosphere. Both bar and table seating makes it a reasonable choice for socializing and seeing friends.
JagerWald: A Jagermeister themed bar that’s 30 meters away from Choven. This is a great place to bring dates as the interior is sleek and newly designed. There’s always a tiny crowd here, and in a town as small as Lviv, it is 100% worth stopping into to get obscenely drunk off of $1 shots of Jagermeister. They serve nice craft cocktails also, and I’ve seen plenty of guys successfully bring dates here.
Music Lab: This place is an old favorite of mine. I’ve brought countless dates here as it’s the right blend of casual and cool. This is a typical Ukrainian bar where everyone sits around at a table, so I obviously do not suggest it for socializing. There’s comfortable booth seating on both floors and you can even order a hookah. An excellent place for first dates, or just to have a drink with some friends.
Pravda Beer Theater: This is a combination bar and restaurant. While you won’t be doing much socializing here, the place is absolutely gigantic and like no place I’ve ever seen in Ukraine. Run by American owners, they brew some of the finest beer in the country here. I’d avoid bringing dates, as the live music can be seriously overwhelming from time to time. During the summer, they have a lovely outdoor patio as well.
Pro-tip: I’d be careful to avoid P’yalnia. It’s become a hangout for the town’s alcoholics, and even though it’s right next to Pravda and looks like a normal place to stop in for a drink, I do not recommend going. I always see people getting into fights with both security and patrons. Avoid the riff-raff in Ukraine whenever possible.
Pop Up Parties – An Unexpected Gem in Lviv Ukraine
While Lviv is known for food, fun, and architecture, there is a burgeoning dance music scene in the city too.
Make no mistake, Lviv is certainly no Berlin, but if you regularly check websites like Resident Advisor, you can find pop-up dance parties and raves that happen all over the town.
While these only happen a few times a month at best, there are some hardworking promoters who bring in international DJs and throw parties at some seriously cool spots all over town.
I highly suggest you check out the Lviv event listings when planning your trip. It’s a nice break from the standard club scene, and you can mingle with the town’s upper class, hipster demographic as well.
After The Club
Lviv Ukraine nightlife goes very LATE. There’s not much of an after-hours scene, because it’s not uncommon for nightclubs to stay open until 5:00-6:00 AM.
But, if you’re someone who loves to get their late-night grub on after the nightclub, Lviv will leave you disappointed.
In total, you have one actual restaurant that’s open after 1:00 AM.
Big Plate – Lviv’s only 24/7 restaurant. The food is a little bit expensive by Lviv standards, but still ridiculously cheap when compared to anywhere else in the world. If you’ve ever wanted to eat salo and drink vodka at 4:00 AM, this is the place to do so. Best of all, Big Plate is located just a few meters away from Rynok Square.
Strip Clubs
Ah yes, the strip club.
Generally speaking, I tell guys to avoid strip clubs in Ukraine. You’re already in the country with some of the hottest women on the planet! Don’t you want to try to talk to them?
Plus, in Lviv, the strip clubs are rather “tame” and there are no “extras” on the menu…if you know what I mean.
But, I’ll admit, I’ve been to a few strip clubs on some particularly drunken nights out in the town.
If you really have to visit a strip club, I suggest you check out this place…
Split – This venue is a classic “nightclub/restaurant/strip club in one” package that Ukrainians seem to love. It is rather disappointing in all three areas, but the strip club inside has shown me a pretty good time before. There are some seriously hot girls working there, and probably the cheapest lap dances you’ll ever get in your life here!
Even still, these places are really nothing special. As I said, I don’t suggest going. In my experience, all that’s going to happen is you’re going to leave horny, drunk and disappointed.
Massage Parlors
The other alternative, if you’re a bit of a “sleazy” type of guy are the “massage parlors” that exist around town.
I’ve never been to one of these, but I’ve only heard horror stories of what takes place in these places. Friends who are a bit…more questionable than I have told me stories of moldy buildings with tattooed, drugged-out women (who are still pretty hot compared to the rest of the world) “rubbing you down” for the low price of $40.
Yeah, not my style at all.
Between the city’s many nightclubs and the popularity of online dating apps like Ukraine Date, I never had to resort to doing anything like that.
And neither should you.
Conclusion – Lviv, Ukraine Nightlife Is Actually A Pretty Good Time!
Surprise, surprise. The tiny town in Western Ukraine has some pretty decent options when it comes to nightlife options.
In fact, Lviv Ukraine is the fastest growing city in the entire country. Tourism numbers steadily increase each and every year and are showing no sign of slowing down. Some say that Lviv still remains relatively untouched by serious tourism and that the entire town could change in the next ten years. My suggestion to you is that you get there as soon as you can.
Here’s the moral of the story: with tens of thousands of young, college-aged girls living in the town and more than enough venues to choose from, you can have a great time partying it up in Lviv. Just be sure to do your homework beforehand!
PS: If you’re not the kind of guy who likes meeting Ukrainian women at the club, check out this website instead.
