The Metro Pub, Bishkek

Anywhere else in the civilized world I would not like this place, but in Bishkek it fits well and serves its purpose admirably.

The place embodies the spirit of roughness and adventure which many visitors crave in Central Asia. It is basic and down to earth with lashings of beers (Better stick to the bottles than the draft for reasons of taste and digestive health) and the food is good and plentiful with large portions.

Loads of sporty TVs, a pool table and some stunningly attractive (if unattainable) bar staff.

But that is not all, in a stroke of brilliant innovation they have installed a small pork butchers shop in a corner of the pub. An excellent excuse to get out of the house for a cleansing ale is to tell the wife you're nipping out to buy some British bacon and sausages for tomorrows breakfast, and there is absolutely no reason to tell her that the butchers is in fact a boozer.

11 Aug 2013 11:22