By evening, the centre of Chișinău fills with people heading to dinner, to a theatre or concert, or to one of the city's many bars. Beer is easy to find on almost every street, and the city has a large number of nightclubs, so a night out can be as low-key or as late as you want it.
Chișinău suits visitors who want an evening built around local wine and beer, theatre and ballet, and a club scene that stays busy into the small hours. It rewards those who choose where they stop rather than drifting, since the atmosphere varies a lot from place to place.
Where to go out in Chișinău
1. The opera and ballet scene
The Opera and Ballet Theatre on Ștefan cel Mare și Sfînt Boulevard stages performances by a company that has toured internationally. An evening here suits a formal, seated night out rather than a late one.
Check show times and information in advance, and expect ticket prices in the range of 150 to 400.
2. The theatre circuit
The Mihai Eminescu Theatre on Ștefan cel Mare și Sfînt Boulevard is an old theatre with floor seating and two balconies. Several productions can run at the same time, so a longer stay may offer a choice of plays, plus films in the studio space.
If you do not know the language, comedies tend to communicate better.
3. Classical music
The National Philharmonic on Mihai Eminescu Street, just north of Ștefan cel Mare și Sfînt, is a classical option for an evening. It was temporarily closed because of a fire, so confirm its status before planning around it.
4. Cinema
Cineplex is the place to look for films shown in original English. Most screenings are either dubbed in Russian or shown in the original language with Romanian subtitles, and Romanian dubbing is normally not used.
5. Bars and gastropubs
Bars are found on every street, and Moldovan beer is widely available, so finding somewhere for a drink is rarely a problem. The harder part is finding a bar or restaurant with a genuinely pleasant atmosphere, so it is worth looking before you settle.
Keller Holz Gastropub on Ștefan cel Mare și Sfînt Boulevard is a restaurant run by an Austrian-Moldovan brewing company, serving its own craft beer with snacks. Beer House on C. Negruzzi Boulevard is a bar and restaurant with a wide range of beers, some brewed on the premises, and a full meal with drinks runs about 150 to 500 lei.
6. Local wine and spirits
Restaurants tend to pour only local wines, and generally the higher-quality ones. Moldovan wines, cognac, liquor and juices are made in the traditional way, and the wine from the Purcari plantation is among the best known.
Spirits such as vodka are served on their own, so a vodka and Sprite may arrive as two separate drinks rather than mixed.
7. Clubs
The city has more than 40 nightclubs, which gives its nightlife a lively, varied character. This is the option for a late night and for dancing rather than a quiet drink.
8. Football evenings
The men's national soccer team plays internationals at Zimbru Stadium, about 2 km south of the city centre, and FC Zimbru Chișinău play there in the top Moldovan league. An evening match suits a casual, early night out before the bars.
How a night out unfolds
The sources do not set out a detailed evening timetable for Chișinău. What they show is a city where drinks are easy to find on any street and where clubs keep the night going, so you can start with dinner or a performance and move on afterwards. For theatre, ballet and philharmonic evenings, the schedule is set by the venue, so check times before you go.
Festivals and events worth timing a trip around
- The national wine festival, held every October.
Frequently asked questions
Is it easy to find a bar in Chișinău?
Yes. Beer can be found in bars on every street, so a drink is not hard to come by. Good bars and restaurants with a pleasant atmosphere are harder to find, so choose with some care.
What is the local drinking style?
Spirits such as vodka are served on their own, so a mixed drink may arrive as separate components. Restaurants generally serve local wines, and Moldovan beer is widely available.
Can I watch films in English?
At Cineplex, look for screenings marked as being in the original English language. Most films are dubbed in Russian or shown in the original with Romanian subtitles.
When is the wine festival?
The national wine festival takes place every October.
Decide whether your evening is for a performance, a bar or a club, check the times that matter, and plan the rest of the night around it.