VILNIUS - In Your Pocket

NEW
Leičiai C-4, Stiklių 4, tel. (+370) 5 260 90 87. The
next logical step in the evolution of the specialist Lithuanian
beer bar, Leičiai also doubles as a restaurant serving classic
traditional local food. As well as a space for drinking
the range of superb Lithuanian beers on offer from small
microbreweries around the country, this pleasant watering
hole also features two dining halls, one with an open kitchen
and a small beer garden out the back. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00.
PJABSW
Marsas B-3, Trakų 15, tel. (+370) 616 513 77. The
former Bobo is now called Marsas, and although they’re doing
their very best to offer something interesting and slightly
alternative like their predecessor, it’s all a bit vague in here.
There’s a good range of alcohol behind the bar, an imaginative
menu (the burger and fries are supposed to be very good
indeed) and a prerequisite DJ, but it’s not really working out
in our opinion. QOpen 16:00 - 03:00, Fri, Sat 16:00 - 05:00,
Sun 14:00 - 02:00. JAW
(M)isterija B-2/3, Totorių 18, tel. (+370) 5 212 50 51,
www.misterija.lt. Popular with a regular crowd of friendly hedonists,
the drinks menu is fairly impressive and the food is more than
edible. Extras at press time include board games, a regular pub
quiz which can be translated into English for non-native-speakers,
themed weekend parties and a policy that encourages people
to dance on the bar if they feel so inclined. The website features
photographs of girls in bras and gentlemen on stag dos. You get
the idea. QOpen 11:00 - 04:00, Fri 11:00 - 06:00, Sat 18:00 -
06:00, Sun 18:00 - 04:00.PJASW
Piano Man A-2, Islandijos 1/31, tel. (+370) 650 969
25. Consistently busy during the weekend when propping up
the bar is generally the only option left for people arriving after
21:00, the mixed and predominantly chirpy crowd at Piano Man
provides a buzz lacking in many of its competitors. The bar
stocks a good range of drinks including draught Guinness and
Hoegaarden, there’s table football in the corner and from time
to time there’s also the added bonus of live music. An excellent
choice indeed for anyone looking for a place to add to their pub
crawl or for staying the course and spending the entire evening
here. QOpen 16:00 - 02:00, Mon 17:00 - 01:00, Thu, Fri 16:00
- 04:00, Sat 18:00 - 04:00. Closed Sun. PJAB
Plieno Paukštis H-4, K. Kalinausko 11b, tel. (+370) 5
231 21 81. Blink and you’d miss it, the Steel Bird is one of
those rare finds that leads to something akin to a love affair
once discovered. Discreet during the winter, this is the perfect
place for a fireside tryst, whilst the warmer parts of the year
trumpet the opening of a magnificent secluded garden. Full of
staff from the American embassy during the week, the place
is given back to the locals at the weekend and is well worth
the treck up the hill. Recommended is their cheese-covered
kepta duona, a real treat with a couple of ice-cold beers.
QOpen 10:00 - 23:00, Fri 10:00 - 24:00, Sat 12:00 - 24:00.
Closed Sun. AB
Pogo A-2, Vilniaus 12, tel. (+370) 604 195 67, www.
pogobaras.lt. You can say what you like about rock fans but
you can’t deny the fact that the ones who opened Pogo should
be hugged and generally smothered in affection. Risking their
necks transforming an empty Chinese restaurant into a bar
with a live music venue at a time when the economy was
falling to pieces, our heroes have been rewarded with a loyal
clientele of lads and lasses in leather and a damn fine place
to drink if this is your sort of thing. The beer is stupidly cheap
and the kepta duona is what drinking was invented for. Totally
recommended. QOpen 18:00 - 02:00, Fri 18:00 - 06:00, Sat
18:00 - 04:00, Sun 18:00 - 24:00. PJAEW
vilnius.inyourpocket.com
nightliFe
ŠMC C-4, Vokiečių 2, tel. (+370) 656 756 17. Round
the back of the Contemporary Arts Centre and equipped
with staff and clientele to suit, although it’s a bit cramped
and frequently morose indoors during the colder part of the
year the arrival of the city’s clement weather brings with it
a concrete terrace that can get extremely lively during the
evenings. An interesting option for a drink and the possibility
of meeting some of the city’s more imaginative inhabitants
and even play chess if you so desire. Not bad food either.
QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Fri 11:00 - 02:00, Sat 12:00 - 02:00,
Sun 12:00 - 24:00. PJABSW
Transilvanija B-4, Mėsinių 3, tel. (+370) 5 203 43
79. A good old-fashioned beer-drinking venue popular with
a 20-something crowd and with a penchant for rock music,
Transilvanija recently moved to a great new Old Town location
and continues to bring in the crowds. Featuring an excellent
stock of booze and a weekly pub quiz on Wednesdays at
19:00, the latest news is the opening on May 1 of a large
beer garden in the square opposite. QOpen 17:00 - 02:00,
Fri, Sat 17:00 - 04:00. PJAB
Universiteto Pub B-3, Dominikonų 9, tel. (+370) 678
833 63. A slightly streamlined Universiteto has shed its wine
and sports appendages and is now functioning more or less as
a bar with a backup plan of pub grub and the occasional student
party. With a clutch of worthy drinking holes in the immediate
area, this one-time expat favourite has had a hard time since
it relaunched, but it seems to be doing ok with a more rowdy
crowd of local youngsters who appreciate the affordable prices
and endless procession of blondes. A great people-watching
pub, although almost certainly not one for spending the entire
evening in. QOpen 22:00 - 04:00, Tue, Wed 22:00 - 05:00,
Thu, Fri, Sat 22:00 - 06:00. PJAW
August - November 2012
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