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Much of the nightlife culture in Malta is focused on the bars in Paceville in St. Julian’s. However, there are plenty of great cocktail bars in Malta beyond these bars that have shot specials and loud music. If you’re looking for Paceville bars that offer shots by the dozens (or even the hundreds), this is the wrong place. But if you’re a grownup who wants to have some of the best cocktails in Malta, especially in the historic city of Valletta, read on for my bar recommendations.
The Best Cocktail Bars In Malta
Kamy Cocktail Bar Valletta
Kamy Cocktail Bar Valletta is the most unique cocktail bar in Malta.
The menu includes classic cocktails & tiki cocktails, but there is also a menu of house specials that are based on famous artworks. All of the ingredients for each drink come from the same country as the artist. If this isn’t inspired enough, an edible piece of artwork is printed on top.
Owner & mixologist Iliyan Iliev is from Bulgaria, & he has combined his passion for drinks & art into the bar. He is an artist himself, with the first drink on the menu actually being his own art.
From the minute I stepped into Kamy Cocktail Bar Valletta, I felt at home. Iliyan & his bartenders provide excellent service, helping explain the concept & menu to visitors. The decor is also inviting, with red velvet seats & pop culture photos and posters on the walls. The music playing includes Motown, soul, and R&B hits.
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While other bars in Malta also make excellent drinks, Kamy Cocktail Bar is one of my favorite bars for the entire experience. There’s no bar like it in the country.
Address: 60 Old Bakery Street, Il-Belt Valletta VLT 1454, Malta (map)
Website
The Thirsty Barber
The Thirsty Barber is a Prohibition-style bar in St. Julian’s, Malta inspired by American speakeasies. Depending on the evening, the bar can be a quiet place for a drink, or a bit more busy with live music, but it’s still much more relaxed than the nearby Paceville bars.
The drinks at The Thirsty Barber are well-made, with a menu separated into sections of Boss Cocktails, Barber Twist, Prohibition Era, and Classic Cocktails. In addition to the menu & decor fitting the theme, the music also includes lively 1920s-era swing & jazz, but with modern remixes.
Cocktails include quality ingredients, including homemade infusions. I had the Capone Cooler on my first visit, made from Rum, Calvados, Guava Wine, Mango, Pedro Ximenez, and Poppy Seed Foam.
I then on a return visit to the St. Julian’s bar had the Tom Kha Colada, which had Rum, Coconut, Pineapple, Coriander, Lemongrass, Ginger, and Kaffir Lime. They are some of the best cocktails in Malta.
Address: Ball Street, San Ġiljan, Malta (map)
Website
Yard 32 Gin & Tapas Bar
The pedestrianized Strait Street in Valletta is lined with bars & restaurants. There are plenty to choose from, but there are a couple in particular that stand out.
Yard 32 Gin & Tapas Bar is the first gin bar in Malta. The bar offers over 200 different gins, along with tonics for mixing, plus Negronis and other gin cocktails.
The bar has seating & plenty of standing room in the alleyway, allowing for fun & conversation.
There is also a tapas menu. The rotating offering of some 50+ tapas includes traditional Spanish-style tapas, as well as some interesting creations such as one with bacon, banana, and peanut butter, and one with blue cheese and caramelized onion. They’re all great for snacking along with your drinks.
Right next door there is another great cocktail bar called Ginscal Mezcal & Tacos Mexican Bar. Both have the same owners.
Address: 32 Strait St, Valletta VLT 1031, Malta (map)
Website
AKI
AKI isn’t just one of the best bars in Malta, but it’s also one of the best restaurants in Malta. Don’t just take my word for it, the Japanese bar & restaurant has also been listed in the Michelin Guide.
It is located in the basement of The Embassy Hotel Valletta, which also has excellent reviews. The restaurant has more of an upscale feel than most other places on the island, with dark decor & some dancy, hip electronic beats playing.
In addition to a full menu of sushi and other Japanese dishes, AKI has an excellent menu of Japanese cocktails. The drinks are all beautifully presented, with details such as infused ice cubes and ice cubes with flowers in them.
My first drink was the Seppuku, a barrel-aged cocktail made from Hennessey Cognac, Jameson Black Barrel, Homemade Black Sesame Syrup, Ginseng Tea, and Creole & Wood Bitters, served on a Ginseng tea ice ball.
I then had the Sumotori, which included Tottori Japanese Whisky, Umeshu, Sweet Vermouth, and Aromatic Bitters, all smoked with green tea.
AKI is one of the best bars in Malta not just for drinks but also for dinner, as the food is also excellent.
Address: 175 Strait St Corner of St. Street and Santa Lucia St Valletta, VLT 1455, Malta (map)
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