Thirsty Thursdays: The Importance of April 1st and My Top 7 Bars in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia

A party city, Ulaan Baatar? Yes, for sure! Or should I spell it Ulan Bator? A confusing city with a lot of charm. And one that offers a huge range of bars – from the dingy sheds to the flambuoyant rock clubs, there was a lot to cram in. But my liver subsides as I get older. I’m not going to tour 20+ bars in a city in a few days anymore, certainly not with long term depression, suicidal thoughts and friends that chose to lie and destroy my nice story. But I do have seven of the best bars in the Mongolian Capital to give you. It was all rather quick and I forced it out of me because I am honest and despise liars.

Having secured my Mongolian Visa in Warsaw at late notice, backpacked through Hong Kong for the last time (to tie up loose ends), I boarded my flight with Mongolian Airlines and headed to the Kaiser Hotel in Ulaan Baatar, ready to explore the BAATpacking sights of this capital. Selfishily this was also a personal celebration. Despite suffering long term depression these days, I still had now managed to backpack to 150 countries (30 of them are debated lunatic wacky republics for a future story!!). Mongolia was 150 not out for those immature enough like me who still count countries (Leblandia, Podjistan and any REAL country included 😉 ).

These are my top 7 bars in UB, Mongolia.

1.Grand Khaan Irish Pub
The best Irish Pub in Ulaan Baatar, the best in Mongolia, and possibly the best Irish pub this side of Bishkek in northern Asia.

I was here on my birthday and the manager came over to greet me. I am given a birthday present – a green baseball cap. Another for my museum and tourist cabinet to treasure. I got tuck in to the local beers – Legend, then Sengur, the the epic Chinggis Dark. Great food too and WiFi and live sports! Perfect!

http://gk-irishpub.mn/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grand-Khaan-Irish-Pub/145706412160644?ref=br_rs

Seoul Street, Ulaan Baatar

2.Re PUB lik
Quirky names seem to sell themselves to me so easily – I tend to be smitten by their charms. Re PUB lik is just down the street a notch from the Gran Khaan and in fact, all of the bars on this list are walking distance.

I was in Republik twice – the first night I hung out with local girl Maya and her friend. The second night was a reunion with Ricky Chan, who also toured the bars of Bishkek with me almost exactly a year ago!

https://www.facebook.com/republikub/

Seoul Street, Ulaan Baatar

3.#ashtag Mongolia: Cheese and Beer
Again it was the name that rope struck me into this joint in the musical Beatles Square. Cheese and Beer and a place to Hashtag with WiFi.

I snacked in here only, with some nachos and a health smoothie but a great chill out bar!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hashtag-Cheese-beer/585583121644755
https://www.facebook.com/hashtag.cheeseandbee/

Beatles Square, Ulaan Baatar

4.Blue Sky Bar
For the best view of the city, and also included in my key sights article, head to Floors 23 and 24 of the Blue Sky Hotel – this bar is brilliant.

Blue Sky Bar (and Hotel), Chinggis Square formally Grand Chinggis Khaan Square, and previously known as Sükhbaatar Square
https://www.facebook.com/Blueskyhotelandtower/?ref=br_rs

http://www.hotelbluesky.mn/

5.Beer House
Beer House sounds like the best bar in town for beer but actually – don’t be fooled it is just a name. They are experts in cocktails, and good service.

I spoke at length to the bar girl, a little enchanted to be honest. A young, outgoing, friendly bisexual girl.

The bar gave me a completely amazing birthday surprise! My first ever Flaming Lamborghini cocktail here – epicly brilliant piece of work and always remembered fondly. 150 countries deep and I finally got bought a Flaming Lamborghini. Honesty was worth it in the end, thanks everyone!

https://www.facebook.com/Beer-House-777780912257994/

6.Turning Point Jazz Cafe
For a some swanky up market drinks and a cosy atmosphere, head to the Turning Point Jazz Cafe at Beatles Square.

Beatles Square, Ulaan Baatar

7.Secret Illegal Karaoke Bar
This bar is so secret, so illegal, I cannot even tell you where it is or what it is called!! It was another off the wall whackpacking experience that you can’t make up. We are living in the land that time forgot.

I ended up in Mongolia on my birthday, 30^th March. Every year on my birthday I am always fully aware of “April Fools Day” as it is normally the day after for me (this Ulster boy usually nurses a hangover on the 31^st) and the calamitous comedy that it brings.

I thought it was a joke, in Ulaan Baatar, when every bar on 31^st March told me last orders 11.30 am and everyone HAD to be out of the bars by 11.59 pm or the bar would get fined and we would get arrested. It’s true. It’s fact. The last day of the month in Mongolia is sacred! Nothing crazy can happen from midnight on April 1st! BUT by chance, Ricky and I met a group of locals in Turning Point Jazz Cafe and they told us they can drive us to a secret karaoke club, so we did and we partied and drank into the early hours of the morning. It was truly crazy. I was singing Oasis and Suede songs like I was timewarped into 1996.

Ulaan Baatar is a marvellous city to drink in at night. Spirits are high, love is good and people have a happy vibe. Really really really, I was shocked by its vivaciousness.

“Allergic to the twentieth century” – Republica.

Here are some videos from my time touring the bars of Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia: