Astana's bar scene clusters in three areas: the upscale hotel bars on the central axis, the more relaxed Expo District around Nur Alem, and a handful of older spots scattered across the right bank.
Sky Beer in the Talan Towers is the obvious high-end option — rooftop terrace, panoramic views, expensive cocktails. Good for a sunset drink and worth the dress code.
Brewfellas in the Expo District is a microbrewery-pub doing decent Kazakh-brewed craft beer in a converted Expo pavilion. The atmosphere is casual; the patio in summer is excellent.
Coffeedelia, with several branches across town, is the most reliable independent coffee chain — proper espresso, good pastries, free wifi, popular with the laptop-and-meeting crowd.
Drinkit, another local chain, does well-priced specialty coffee in a quick-service format.
Cigar Bar 12 on the right bank is an older-style cocktail bar with a long whisky list, popular with the diplomatic and oil-and-gas crowd.
Note that alcohol service is not permitted in some neighbourhoods after 23:00; bars in central hotels are exempt.