A man named Nino (you don’t want to know how many times he gets asked if that's his real name!) came from France about a year ago with nothing but a vision (and a few thousand Euros): to establish the coolest bar in Tbilisi.

He’s done a great job- It's a hidden gem of the bar scene of the city. The carefully curated interior answers to the emerging underground scene, combining the old, classic, and decorative style of the building with paintings and sculptures. Every night, you will encounter interesting and welcoming people who are looking to make new friends; some are fellow travelers, some are locals.

Nino runs the place all by himself, and is a passionate and talented bartender who makes the best Bloody Mary I have ever tasted. “Around 80% of people don’t know how to make a proper Bloody Mary,” he said, handing me one. ‘Bloody hell’, I thought, as the tomato-and-alcohol infused concoction excited my taste buds, ‘He’s right’!

Drinks are priced for the budget traveler. He doesn’t use it to make a large profit, he says, he does it to give something to the city. “I think I've actually lost money, but I love doing it,” he said.

I would describe the establishment as a bar with a hostel, not a hostel with a bar. If you find you've had a bit too much to drink, the hostel downstairs has a laid-back, inviting, and friendly atmosphere, too. It is unlike other properties I have stayed at in the city - It's the kind of place you feel relaxed in, where you could stay for a while.