The pick of Vilnius’ top craft beer bars

Lithuanian beer—alus—is strong, inexpensive and getting better all the time. Among the big names are Švyturys from Klaipėda, Volfas Engelman from Kaunas, Utenos from Utena and Kalnapilis from Panevėžys, although the recent surge of local microbreweries has finally forced the major players to work harder and make less mass-produced beer that tastes like you know what. Vilnius is literally overflowing with craft beer bars these days, and there are few things better than exploring them and sampling what they have to offer. 

The best craft beer in Vilnius? That’s a tricky one because it’s all good. Here are some of our favourites.

A one-time Indian restaurant at the top of a flight of wobbly stairs, Alaus Biblioteka is if nothing else the best sophisticated craft beer bar in Vilnius. There’s no spit and sawdust here, just a stylish interior, knowledgeable bar staff and a fabulous selection of beer of local and international draught and bottled craft beers.

An Old Town favourite, Beer House & Craft Kitchen is located in a gorgeous set of medieval cellars. The choice of beers from around the world both in bottles and on tap is staggering, and the food’s pretty fine too. The perfect choice for serious eating and drinking.

The undisputed winner in the bluest bar in Vilnius category, Local mixes brauhaus furniture, Lithuanian hospitality and some of the best craft beer in the city. Find some truly unusual items on the menu when you’re hungry.

Currently boasting three places in which to drink some of the top craft beer in the country, Šnekutis is probably the best bar in Vilnius, not for any of the reasons you might be thinking of but because it’s a microcosm of the nation itself. Visiting Vilnius and not staggering out of here at least once is a crime.

Where do the city’s artists and media professionals drink when they need the best craft beer in Vilnius? The answer’s Špunka. Try one of their legendary wooden boards of meat and cheese when your head starts to spin.

And for the serious craft beer aficionados out there, why not consider signing up for a local Beer Tour & Tasting adventure, a three-hour event that includes a trip to a local brewery and a tasting session in several of the city’s best pubs.