Hg2 : The Hedonist

A Hedonist’s guide to…

Baku

Boat Trips
Gobustan
Gobustan is famed for its petroglyphs; seek and ye shall find.
Bulbul Prospekt
Clothes, food and whatever else you want lies around these parts.
Sheki
While it may be six or so hours from Baku the mountain town of Sheki is well worth the slog.  Just make sure to fill up with petrol before you hit some pretty damn remote roads.
Baku Roasting Company
You wouldn't expect a café run by teachers to be much cop but the Baku Roasting Company exceeds all expectations with bloody brilliant coffee and a bustling atmosphere.
Fountain Square
All kind of bits and bobs can be picked up around Fountain Square; enter here for our pick of the retail litter.
M. Rasulzade St.
Slightly more high-street than surrounding areas but no less stylish. Snap up some cool clothes for back home.
Absheron Peninsula
Scattered across the Absheron Peninsula are dozens of traditional Bakuvian villages worth checking out; rent a car and stop by a couple one lazy afternoon.
Ivanovka
Ever wanted to get up close and personal with a remote religious sect? Then head to Ivanovka home to such a sect.
Lahij
Looking to escape the city limits? Then head to Lahij a traditional coppersmiths' village two-three hours northwest of Baku.
Marco Polo
Beaches
Fashion Café
Somewhere so obviously fashion-orientated as The Fashion Café is never going to attract true couture-clad fashionistas but it does attract a stylish enough crowd to pull off its name.
Dalida Café
Shopping mall cafés don't usually make the grade when it comes to Hg2's much-loved guides but Dalida Café is different with one of the best terraces to have a cuppa on in Baku.
Café Balizza
Café Ballizza is all about fabulousness and fashion with lashings of style and a crowd of chic dressed-to-kill ladies-who-lunch.
Café Caramel
Café Caramel is perfect for pre- or post-dinners drinks - or, for the true hedonist, both. Dinner is but a distraction.
Café City
New openings often go unnoticed but Café City makes drinkers sit up and take notice with chic décor a mixed crowd and a lipsmackingly good range of snacks.
Horizon
As you'd expect of a retaurant called Horizon this rooftop gem has panoramic views of the city. And with stylish décor and sumptuous food it's one of the city's must-eats.
Olimpik Star Centre
Not sure what the difference is between billiards and pool? Don't worry a local will show you; billiards is big business here.
Ultimate Frisbee
Who'd have thought you'd go all the way to Baku and be able to play Frisbee? Enjoy!
Hale Kai Resort
Whether you want to climb a rockface, tear down a dirt track on atwo-wheeler or catch and cook your own dinner, the Hale Kai Mountain Resort has all youradrenaline-pumping activities wrapped up.
Fantasia
Be brave and submit to some vigorous scrubbing and rubbing, Azeri-style...
Baku Entertainment
Getting a strike is oh-so satisfying so if you've a competitive streak unleash the fury over a game - or ten - of bowling.
Young Spectators’ Theatre
More than a cultural must-see the Young Spectator's Theatre is an architectural wonder; a marvel of modern design.
Shirvanshah’s Palace
With awe-inspiring architecture at every turn it can be hard to know where to look inside Shirvanshah's Palace; so take your time and be sure to designate a significant chunk of your schedule to soaking up this colossal cultural must-see.
Puppet Theatre
Puppetry may be a thing of yesteryear in the West but in Baku it's still a much-loved tradition that pulls the crowds; watch the best show in Baku at the Puppet Theatre.
Museum of Miniature Books
Baku wouldn't be Baku without a weird sight or three; the Museum of Miniature Books is exactly that with thousands upon thousands of - you guessed it - miniature books to lay your eyes upon.
Hajinski Mansion
Having been painstakingly restored to its former glory the Hajinsky Mansion is like looking through the keyhole into Baku's glory days.
Bibi Heybat Mosque
If you're looking for Facebook photos call off the search; the Bibi Heybat Mosque will have more comments on your profile page than any drunken party snap could ever generate.
Crossroads
Crossroads is about as crazy as Britney's debut movie; but here it's all about hard rock Azeri students and mean bouncers.
Schaorma No. 1
Open-air terraces are hard to find in the centre of town but Schaorma No 1 is such an establishment; enjoy an authentic sundowner in the form of an ayran.
Pizza Holiday
However high-end your culinary tastes nothing beats a good pizza; and when a pepperoni-laden Italian staple backons there's nowhere better than Pizza Holiday to satisfy your cheesy cravings.
Shakespeare
As you'd expect of a pub named after England's most famous playwright The Shakesepare is a British pub in the heart of Baku. End of.
Corner Bar
Rock chicks and biker boys return to the mothership at Corner Bar where heavy metal pumps out of the speakers and burly tattooed staff members flank the bar.
Azza Bar
Panoramic views are just the beginning at Azza Bar; perched atop the ISR Plaza building this elegant watering hole serves up a hip party atmosphere against a backdrop of jazz.
Adam’s Sports
While we wouldn't usually recommend you go to an ex-pat boozer Adam's Sports is the exception with a crowd of larger-than-life Brits and sports shown on larger-then-life screens.
Imereti
Seek and ye shall find - at least that's the case at Imereti a restaurant so hidden you might have lost you appetite by the time you get there. That said once found you're guaranteed gorgeous Georgian food and décor.
Khazar
Seafood lovers can't get enough of Khazar a no-frills eatery facing out towards the Caspian Sea.
Firuza
Authentic Azeri fare can be had at Firuza where a mind-bogglingly confusing menu awaits; that said the staff are more than happy to explain each and every dish on offer.
Caravansera
Step back in time at Caravansera; age-old interiors and an ancient atmosphere make for an authentic Azeri ambeince.

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