Inside Fabrika Tbilisi: The Full 2026 Updated Guide

Ten years ago, Fabrika Tbilisi transformed an old Soviet sewing factory in the Chughureti neighborhood into something completely new for the city: a hostel, a lively courtyard with food and drinks, local shops, and a co-working space, all in one place. It made Chughureti a popular spot and quickly became the go-to answer for locals and visitors asking, “where should we go tonight?”

Like any place that’s been around for a while, Fabrika has seen its share of ups and downs. When new places opened around the city, locals sometimes moved on to try them out. But Fabrika managed to bounce back. After ten years, the main things that make it special are still there.

Some vendors have left, a few have changed their names, and new ones have arrived, but the old favorites remain. If you haven’t visited recently, or if it’s your first time, here’s what Fabrika Tbilisi is like today.

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Fabrika Tbilisi History

Located at 8 Egnate Ninoshvili Street, just a few blocks from the Marjanishvili metro, the building was once a sewing factory called Nino that made women’s clothing during Soviet times. After the Soviet Union collapsed, the factory closed and stood empty, like many other Soviet cultural and industrial buildings in the city and across the country.

Things changed when the local architectural company MUA and Adjara Group, known for places like Rooms Tbilisi, Rooms Kazbegi, Hotel Stamba, and Lolita Cafe, teamed up to revive the building and the neighborhood.

Fabrika opened in July 2016 with a clear purpose: give foreigners a comfortable entry point into Tbilisi and create a space where they could actually meet locals. It worked. The place quickly became the best hostel in Tbilisi and a go-to hangout for both.

Fabrika Tbilisi stands out not just for what it offers, but for its thoughtful design. Early on, the owners invited street artists and muralists to decorate the grey exterior walls, turning the place into one of the top spots for street art in Tbilisi. This helped change the vibe of the whole neighborhood. Among the murals, the Soviet-era bas-relief above the main entrance remains, serving as a clear reminder of the building’s past.

Inside, the architects kept most of the original industrial features. Old walls, high ceilings, and original details were left nearly as they were. Some of the machinery found during renovations was turned into furniture and fixtures. The olive drab reception desk is especially striking. Vintage armchairs, unique pieces, and black-and-white photos of factory life fill the rest of the space.

Fabrika hostel Tbilisi 

Fabrika hostel covers two floors, connected by a well-known red staircase, and offers 75 rooms for different budgets and travel styles. This variety makes it one of the best places to stay in Tbilisi. You can choose from five mixed dorms, one female-only dorm, private doubles, twin rooms, and apartment-style suites.

The attention to detail here is genuine. From the key card holders to the typography on room numbers and the level markings on each floor, everything feels considered. Even the door hangers are worth a second look. Rooms get plenty of natural light through oversized windows, and the neutral walls, high ceilings, and simple layout make the spaces feel bigger than they are.

I stayed in a twin private room with two bunk beds, which were more comfortable than most I’ve tried while traveling. The small details made a difference: industrial-style sockets, well-placed lamps, and a narrow shelf by the bed that was just the right size for the things you need close by.

Bathrooms are stocked with shower gel, soap, and a hairdryer. If you forget something, you can get single-use toiletries at reception for a reasonable price. Even the shared bathrooms have Fabrika’s branding, with red metal lockers and yellow shower curtains that make the space feel thoughtfully designed instead of generic.

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Fabrika Tbilisi bar & lounge

When you walk through the main entrance, the lounge is the first thing that catches your eye, and it really makes an impression. There are colorful vintage armchairs in every shade, antique carpets spread over the polished concrete floor, big leather sofas, and plants in every corner. It’s a lot to take in, but in the best way.

The building’s industrial features, like exposed pipes, high ceilings, and large windows, tie everything together and keep the space from feeling chaotic.

The space is open to everyone, not just hostel guests. You’ll find people here at all hours: working at the designated spots, catching up over a drink, or just sinking into one of the sofas with nowhere to be. You can order food and drinks throughout the day.

Farm Tbilisi

Past the lounge, you’ll find Farm Tbilisi, a wine bar and restaurant that serves modern Georgian food. To be honest, when I visited, the food sounded more exciting on the menu than it actually was when served.

However, the wine list is truly good, with many choices by the glass or bottle, so it’s worth stopping in for a drink even if you don’t have a full meal. The open kitchen is also a nice feature, with lots of natural light, plants everywhere, and a long communal table that gives the space a relaxed and easygoing feel.

Fabrika Tbilisi breakfast

Farm Tbilisi serves two purposes, and in the mornings, it’s all about breakfast. From 8 am to 12 pm, the restaurant offers a buffet breakfast for both hostel guests and walk-ins, costing about 40 GEL (15 USD).

On the menu, you’ll find homemade drinks, freshly baked pastries and bread, homemade yogurt with fruit, cheese and salami platters, cakes, and more. The open kitchen lets you watch the chefs make your omelet or pancakes, which is always a nice way to start the morning.

If you’re looking for more options around the city, here’s a full guide to breakfast in Tbilisi.

Fabrika Tbilisi courtyard

The lounge and Farm Tbilisi are just the start. When you step outside, the courtyard feels like its own world. It’s a wide paved area lined with food spots, bars, shops, and plenty of seating, so you can always find a place to sit, whether you want to be in the center of things or off to the side.

Mornings here are calm and relaxed. Things get busier by lunchtime, and by evening the place is lively. On weekends and during warmer months, it gets even more crowded, so be ready for a crowd. If you’re staying at the hostel, management keeps the noise under control at night, so the lively atmosphere outside doesn’t disturb your room.

Fabrika also hosts markets and outdoor events in the courtyard all year round. The annual Christmas Fair is the main event that locals and visitors look forward to during the holidays in Tbilisi.

Over the past ten years, the courtyard lineup has changed a bit. Some familiar names are still around, a few have left, and some new ones have arrived. Here’s what you can find today.

Fabrika Tbilisi co-working

Looking for a place to get some work done? Fabrika has its own co-working space accessed via the courtyard. It is one of the best co-working spaces in Tbilisi, worth considering if you’re in the neighborhood. It offers various passes to suit your needs, private offices, phone booths for calls, and a quiet, relaxed working environment.

Fabrika Tbilisi cafes & bars

The courtyard has enough variety that you could eat here every day for a week without repeating yourself. Here’s the current lineup:

Tone

The main attraction here is their signature tone bread sandwiches. The bread is baked fresh every morning in a traditional Georgian clay oven, although the portions are a bit small. If you arrive between 10 and 10:30 am, you can watch Irma bake the bread, which makes for a nice way to plan your morning. They also serve other meals.

Moulin Électrique

This place is a long-time favorite in Tbilisi’s bar and restaurant scene and is their second location after the one on Kote Abkhazi. They serve a mix of European and Georgian dishes, and their puff pastry khachapuri has become a local favorite. Personally, when I eat at Fabrika, I usually come here, and most of my friends do too.

Popolo

This spot used to be called Farina and is now Popolo, but they still serve the same wood-fired Italian pizza in under 15 minutes. Besides pizza, the menu has sandwiches and salads if you want something lighter.

Londa

Londa is the newest addition to the courtyard and is a great choice for breakfast and brunch. They serve breakfast until 2 pm, with seating available both inside and outside in the courtyard. It’s a good option if you want something different from Fabrika’s buffet or prefer to eat outdoors. The portions are generous, the food is tasty, and they also offer starters, sandwiches, and main dishes if you visit later in the day.

GUM

This spot serves both cocktails and coffee, focusing on classic drinks and high quality. They use the right spirits, proper glassware, and careful technique, but keep the atmosphere relaxed and not too serious. The cocktail menu includes all the essentials, like Tom Collins, Negroni Sbagliato, Smoked Maple Old Fashioned, and more, with prices from 20 to 29 GEL.

Tsibakha Game Club

If you want to try something different, Tsibakha is a board game club with over 150 games, ranging from classic chess and backgammon to strategy games and multiplayer elimination games. They also serve food and drinks, so you can spend the whole evening there.

Pipe’s Burger Joint

Pipe’s is a staple in the Fabrika courtyard. They make handcrafted gourmet burgers with classic sides. The food is straightforward, reliable, and popular for good reason.

Bar Bagel

Bar Bagel is a new spot with a simple concept. They serve fresh bagels, with six sandwich options and plain bagels you can pair with different dips. It’s a good place to stop if you want something quick and light.

Camora

Camora is a bar where you can relax, enjoy your favorite drink, and if you visit at the right time, listen to local musicians performing on their stage.

Saamuri Wine Bar

Saamuri means “fun” and “pleasant” in Georgian, and the bar truly lives up to its name. They focus on natural wines from all over the country, offering about 100 wines from around 30 producers, most of whom are members of the Natural Wine Association.

Saamuri also has its own label, bottling wines from different producers and selling them at slightly lower prices than usual. Besides wine, the bar also offers other Georgian drinks like craft beer, chacha, kombucha, and other spirits if you want to try something different.

If you are in Tbilisi in May, they also host the Saamuri Wine Salon, a natural wine festival that is worth adding to your calendar.

Fabrika Tbilisi shops

On the other side of the courtyard, across from the cafes, you’ll find the Fabrika shops, which are great for souvenir shopping in the city.

Inbloom

This shop was once called Ceramic Studio 1300 and is now known as Inbloom. You can find minimalist ceramic items here, like cups, bowls, vases, and plates, with a collection that is updated regularly.

JPG Print Shop

A printing shop that collaborates with local artists to print their works on t-shirts, hoodies, and tote bags.

Vodkast Records

This is probably the only vinyl shop in Tbilisi with a large collection of both local and international records. They also sometimes host events with local artists, so it’s worth checking their schedule if you enjoy live music.

Magnolia Film Lab

This is the place to buy film cameras and rolls, and you can also get your film developed here. It’s a one-stop shop for anyone who loves analog photography.

Shavikata

Shavikata, which used to be called Flying Painter and means “black cat” in Georgian, mainly creates its own designs. They also sell an unworn vintage collection that was saved from the original Nino factory.

Adrenaline

Adrenaline is the newest shop here. It’s an extreme sports store that sells skateboards, sneakers, equipment, and sporty clothes. It’s a good place to stop if you need gear or just want to look around.

Creative Education Studio (CES) at Fabrika

Away from the busy courtyard, Fabrika also has a creative education studio. Founded by electronic music composer and classically trained musician Nastia Sartania, CES offers courses in design, audio and video production, music, and photography, all taught by professionals who work in these fields.

With more than 900 students so far, the studio attracts people of all ages. Some fit classes around a full-time job, while others take them alongside university studies. If you want to learn a creative skill and haven’t found the right place yet, it’s worth checking out what they offer while you’re in Tbilisi.

Project space

Project Space is a special venue in the Fabrika courtyard where exhibitions, events, and collaborations take place. These range from solo shows by local artists to joint projects with galleries and institutions. It’s a small but meaningful space, and it’s worth checking out what’s happening during your visit.

What’s on at Fabrika Tbilisi

Fabrika’s calendar is nearly always packed, with markets, exhibitions, yoga, movie nights, workshops, and more happening throughout the year. Before you visit, check their Facebook or Instagram pages to see what’s on during your stay. It’s the best way to make sure you don’t miss anything interesting.