The sun has gone down and work’s out for the evening, but don’t go home just yet – Valletta is heaving with great watering holes for a post-work tipple.
Charles Grech
Charles Grech is an institution. Situated at the top of Republic Street just past the open-air theatre of Pjazza Teatru Rjal, the bar is known as the place to be seen. If you’re lucky enough to find a table on a summer’s evening, order an Aperol Spritz and watch the city life go by.
Kingsway
Further down the main throughfare, Kingsway is one of the newest of the bunch, but its vintage class evoking Valletta’s history (this was the name given to Republic Street by the British during Colonial times), and trendy cocktails guarantee it will be here for many years to come.
City Lounge
This bar and restaurant is spread over two floors, and has an outdoor section for when the weather gets warmer, but its top terrace is the main selling point. Overlooking St George’s Square and the Grandmaster’s Palace, the open-air seating area will give you a bird’s eye view of the events happening below – and there may be many during those long summer evenings!
Café Society
This may be one of the trendiest, tiniest bars in Valletta. Down a few steps from St John’s Square, this intimate watering hole packs a punch. Imaginative whiskey and gin cocktails are the order of the day, and you might even get the chance to hang around with some of the island’s artists – the place is known to be one of their favourite hangouts.
Yard 32
Gin is a definite favourite on the islands, and this Spanish-themed bar serves over 180 different types of the spirit, together with some home-made tapas to make sure you don’t go hungry (and you can keep on drinking!) From gin and tonics to sloe gins and gin cocktails, this is the place to be if that’s your favourite tipple.
Kennedy Bar & Bistro
Another newbie, and the first outlet to open as part of ‘The Gut’, the regeneration project in Strait Street, Kennedy Bar and Bistro has been described as a ‘hipster’ gastropub. Each element of the décor – even down to the pictures on the walls - has been chosen to reflect the American influences in the area during the ‘60s, allowing you to step back in time to discover the atmosphere of the alleyway.
StrEat Whiskey Bar & Bistro
Just off St George’s Square, this bar and restaurant boasts the largest selection of whiskeys in the capital. Every season suits this place: cosy-up downstairs in autumn or winter, allowing the warm yellow glow of the bottles to colour your experience; or settle on one of the tables lining the streets upstairs during the spring or summer to get a real feel of the city.