Ukraine

Ratings Key (0-10)

Bars marked (*) will take you to our full profile write-up!

 

 

 

 

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Bierlin Lemberg Lviv 8 8 8 7 9 8
Pravda Beer Theatre Lviv 8 7 9 9 8 8
Gas Lamp * Lviv 7 9 9 7 8 9
Masoch Café Lviv 7 7 9 7 7 8
Solid All Garage Pub Lviv 4 7 9 7 9 8

As central and Eastern Europe continues to develop at pace, one may choose to look further afield to find true value for money. Although Czechia still stands out as extraordinarily good value, its neighbours Poland and Slovakia continue to creep up in price.

Ukraine remains subject to more stringent border controls, and spans an enormous land mass, while by the same token being strangled economically by Russia in retribution for overthrowing their puppet leader. The economic situation is weak and volatile, and for the time being it is probably unwise to travel to the East of the country where a combination of Russian interference and armed independence movements disrupt ordinary life.

In the capital and out west things are calmer, and Ukraine is very slowly starting to promote itself as a destination. On a trip to Lviv you will notice vast economic disparity as any motorway is as full of Ladas as it is with BMWs and Mercedes. This is not a country where the wealth has been equitably shared around.

The bar scene is well worth exploring in Ukraine, as it explores “concept” bars with a degree more commitment than other countries and still has a series of lively, gritty underground bars along with it.

As with many countries the “Pab” can refer to a casual restaurant, so it’s worth researching which ones are the out and out drinking bars. Drinks are cheap enough even in the tourist traps but head out into the neighbourhoods and you’ll find cheap (though not good) beer for less than 50 pence a half litre.

Lviv is great fun and comes highly recommended. We hope to visit Kiev sometime soon!