El Copitas Bar, Saint Petersburg, is a small, semi-secret cocktail bar in a courtyard off Kolokolnaya Street, near Dostoevskaya and Vladimirskaya metro stations. It opened in 2015 as a Mexican-style speakeasy built around tequila, mezcal, weekly-changing cocktails and simple tacos.
There is no sign on the door, the room is small and a booking is expected. This page explains how to find it, how an evening usually works and how to get home late. Hours and rules change, so check the bar’s official channels before you go.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Бар El Copitas |
|---|---|
| Address | Колокольная улица, 2/18, Санкт-Петербург (вход со двора, без вывески) OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Tsentralny |
| Metro | Dostoevskaya (Line 4 (Orange), A few minutes on foot; the bar is on the corner of Kolokolnaya Street and Vladimirsky Prospekt) Vladimirskaya (Line 1 (Red), Linked to Dostoevskaya; the same short walk) |
| Type | Cocktail bar |
| Opening hours | Open on only a few evenings a week, reportedly Thursday to Saturday, from the evening until late; the door is often closed on other days. (as of October 2026 – check the official site or social page) |
| Best time to visit | Go on an evening the bar is open, usually late in the week, and take an early slot for a calmer room. Later slots are livelier. Check the bar's channels for current days and times. |
| Recommended duration | 2–3 hours |
| Music | Low-key background music in a small, conversation-led room; the focus is on cocktails, tequila and mezcal |
| Entry and dress code | Booking is expected and late arrivals may lose their table. Guests must be 18 or older. There is no formal dress code. No cover charge is known, but confirm when booking. |
| Price level | ₽₽₽ · upscale |
| Reservations | Reserve a table in advance, as the bar is small and there is no sign on the door. Check the bar's official channels for the current booking method. |
| Last updated | October 17, 2026 |
Why Visit El Copitas Bar, Saint Petersburg?
- Agave spirits: a focus on tequila and mezcal, which are rare elsewhere in the city.
- A speakeasy setting: a courtyard door with no sign and a staff member who meets you.
- Changing menu: cocktails and tacos are reworked often.
- A small room: conversation-led and not a club-style night out.
- Central: a short walk from two metro stations.
Highlights of El Copitas Bar, Saint Petersburg
The hidden entrance
The bar is in a basement off a courtyard at the corner of Kolokolnaya Street and Vladimirsky Prospekt, with no sign or logo. A staff member usually meets guests at the door after they arrive or call.
Do not rely on a map pin alone, as the courtyard has several doors.
Tip: Follow the booking instructions for how to announce your arrival.
Tequila and mezcal
The bar was founded by three bartenders who built it around Mexican agave spirits, including rare tequilas and mezcals that were hard to find in Russia when it opened in 2015.
Staff are used to explaining the differences to newcomers.
Tip: Ask for a recommendation if you are new to mezcal.
The weekly cocktail list
The cocktail menu is reworked often, with classics and house creations. Drinks recommended by the bar in the past include Tommy's Margarita, Bloody Maria, Batanga, Aztec Negroni and Verde Gimlet.
The list changes, so treat these as examples.
Tip: Ask what is new this week.
Tacos and snacks
A short menu of Mexican snacks, such as nachos and tacos, is served with the drinks, and the fillings change with the season. Portions are small and meant for sharing.
Eat a proper meal beforehand if you are hungry.
Tip: Order a taco or two with your first round.
The sangrita welcome
Guests have traditionally been welcomed with a small drink of tequila and house-made sangrita, along with a short story about the bar.
This ritual is part of the experience, though it may change.
Tip: Take your time with the welcome drink.
The shared table feel
The room is small, with a bar and a few tables, and guests tend to talk to each other and to the bartenders. It suits small groups better than large parties.
Seating is limited.
Tip: Go in a group of two to four.
Signature Drinks
- Tommy's Margarita
- Aztec Negroni
- Batanga
- A flight or pour of mezcal chosen by the bartender
- Tacos of the week
Atmosphere
The room is dark, small and quiet. Candlelight and low lamps pick out a bar, a few tables and shelves of agave bottles, and the sound is conversation over soft music. The door and the courtyard outside make it feel more like a private house than a bar.
Early in the evening, the room is calm, with groups arriving on their booked time. Later, it fills, and bartenders move between guests, pouring tastes and explaining spirits. The mood is relaxed and attentive rather than loud.
History of El Copitas Bar, Saint Petersburg
El Copitas was opened in 2015 in Saint Petersburg by three bartenders, Artem Peruk, Igor Zernov and Nikolay Kiselev. The idea grew from their interest in Mexican agave spirits, which were little known in Russia at the time.
The opening came in a difficult period for the economy, with import restrictions and a shortage of equipment. The team had to borrow furniture to seat the first guests.
The bar grew into a well-known cocktail venue in the city, working on a booking-only basis from a courtyard basement without a sign. Its menu of cocktails and tacos is reworked often.
Hours and format have varied over the years, so check the bar’s official channels for the current setup.
Entry, Tables and Reservations at El Copitas Bar, Saint Petersburg
Reservations are expected and the bar is small, so book ahead for the evening you want. Late arrivals may lose their table, and walk-ins are unlikely to be seated.
- How to book: use the booking method on the bar’s official channels, as the method may change.
- Arrival: follow the bar’s instructions for how to announce yourself, as there is no sign.
- Cover charge: none is known; confirm when booking.
- Payment: as of October 2026, foreign-issued Visa and Mastercard cards generally cannot be relied on in Russian venues, and the sanctions rules of your own country may also limit the use of Russian payment services, so check this yourself. Carry cash in rubles in case cards are not accepted.
Confirm current booking rules and payment options when you reserve.
Plan and Book
How to Get to El Copitas Bar, Saint Petersburg
The bar is in the centre, close to Vladimirsky Prospekt.
- Dostoevskaya (Line 4): a few minutes on foot to the corner of Kolokolnaya Street and Vladimirsky Prospekt.
- Vladimirskaya (Line 1): linked to Dostoevskaya; the same walk.
- By taxi: ask to be dropped at the corner and walk into the courtyard.
See How to Use the Metro, Saint Petersburg and How to Book a Taxi or Ride-Hailing Car, Saint Petersburg.
Food Nearby
The streets around Vladimirsky Prospekt and Kolokolnaya Street have many cafes and restaurants for a meal before or after. The bar serves only small tacos and snacks. For sit-down options see Best Restaurants, Saint Petersburg.
What to Bring
A photo ID, cash in rubles and a charged phone for the booking and your ride home. Dress as you like.
Photography Rules
Photography may be limited in the small room out of respect for other guests. Ask staff before taking photos. Do not film other guests.
Family Suitability
Not suitable for children, as the bar is for guests aged 18 and over and alcohol-focused.
Russia Vibes Tips
- Arrive a few minutes early rather than late, as the bar is small and tables are held only briefly.
- Have a proper meal beforehand, as the food is snack-sized.
- Ask for an agave tasting to try something you cannot find elsewhere.
- Save the bar's booking details before you leave your hotel, since there is no sign to follow.
- Plan your ride home before you arrive, as the bar usually closes after the metro.
Explore Nearby El Copitas Bar, Saint Petersburg
Metro stations near El Copitas Bar, Saint Petersburg
Dostoevskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburgabout 150 m away (~2 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Vladimirskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburgabout 100 m away (~1 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Nightlife near El Copitas Bar, Saint Petersburg
Orthodox Bar, Saint Petersburgabout 500 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Jazz Philharmonic Hall, Saint Petersburgabout 750 m away (~12 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
- Bar 812, Saint Petersburgabout 800 m away (~13 min walk)
The Hat Jazz Bar, Saint Petersburgabout 950 m away (~16 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near El Copitas Bar, Saint Petersburg
Palkin, Saint Petersburgabout 600 m away (~10 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Train stations and river piers near El Copitas Bar, Saint Petersburg
Moskovsky Railway Station, Saint Petersburgabout 900 m away (~15 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Vitebsky Railway Station, Saint Petersburgabout 1.2 km away (~19 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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FAQ: El Copitas Bar, Saint Petersburg
Is El Copitas hard to find?
Yes, it is in a courtyard basement with no sign. Follow the bar's booking instructions rather than a map pin alone.
Do I need a reservation?
Yes, a booking is expected, as the bar is small.
Which nights is it open?
Only a few evenings a week, reportedly Thursday to Saturday. Check the bar's channels.
What kind of drinks does it serve?
Tequila, mezcal and cocktails built around Mexican spirits, with weekly changes.
Is there food?
Yes, a short menu of Mexican snacks such as tacos and nachos.
Can I pay with a foreign card?
You should not assume so. Foreign-issued cards generally do not work, and sanctions rules of your own country may apply. Carry cash in rubles.
Is it suitable for big groups?
No, the room is small and suits small groups.
What is the age limit?
Guests must be 18 or older.
Russia Vibes is a one-person project. A coffee keeps it going
Last updated: October 17, 2026.
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About this guide: AI assistance and accuracy
This guide is created with the help of AI and is based on official sources where available. Mistakes can still happen. Opening hours, prices, rules and other details are given to the best of our knowledge as of the date shown and can change without notice. It offers general recommendations only, not professional, legal or travel advice. Please confirm important details with the official source before you travel; you are responsible for your own plans and decisions.
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