Fabrika Tbilisi: More Than the Coolest Hostel in Tbilisi

Have you ever stayed or visited an old Soviet sewing factory? Fabrika Tbilisi is a new life of an old Soviet-era building turned into a multipurpose venue encompassing a hostel, cafes, bars, co-working, and a few artisanal shops. Being the trendiest spot, Fabrika Tbilisi is the go-to destination for locals and foreigners looking for a budget-friendly hostel, bustling nightlife, and exciting events.

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Fabrika Tbilisi History

Located at 8 Egnate Ninoshvili str, a couple of blocks from the Marjanishvili metro, the hostel used to be a sewing factory producing women’s clothes in Soviet Georgia.

After the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1990, the factory, like most industrial buildings across the city and the country in general, was shuttered and abandoned. 

fabrika tbilisi

A local architectural company MUA and Adjara Group (those owning Rooms Tbilisi, Rooms Kazbegi, Rooms Kokhta, Hotel Stamba, Lolita cafe, etc.) joined forces to bring new life to the abandoned building as well as the neighborhood. 

Opened in July 2016, the idea behind Fabrika Tbilisi is to ease foreigners into Tbilisi and create a place where they could meet locals. It quickly gained popularity and positioned itself as the best hostel in Tbilisi and a hangout spot for many locals and foreigners.  

fabrika tbilisi

This contemporary space has everything a traveler can imagine – a cafe, different food courts, buzzing nightlife, local artisan shops, co-working spaces, conference halls, and a barbershop, to name just a few.

Fabrika Tbilisi promotes creativity and fresh ideas and perfectly combines old and new architecture. You can quickly notice this from its exterior and interior when you look closely at the details. 

It was the first building to give its grey exterior walls as a blank canvas to street artists and muralists to revitalize and bring color to the neighborhood. Therefore, it’s one of the best places to see various street art in Tbilisi

Between these contemporary pieces, you can’t miss the massive Soviet-era bas-relief sitting above its main entrance. 

fabrika tbilisi

Like on the outside, the interior ideally blends modern style with its old industrial walls, which have been left almost untouched. There were a couple of fixes during the renovation, but the architects left the building as it is. 

Even some of the machinery found during the renovations are now repurposed into different items, including the massive Olive drab (army green) color reception desk. Vintage furniture with eclectic interior pieces admirably blends into each other. And to top it off, the black and white photos showcasing life in the factory add a special touch to the place. 

Disclaimer: We were guests of the property, but in the spirit of transparency, we emphasize that the following review reflects our genuine and unbiased opinions and recommendations. Rest assured, every word shared accurately represents our personal experience.

Fabrika hostel Tbilisi 

Fabrika hostel has 75 rooms suitable for any budget laid out on the two floors led by the iconic red staircase. It is one of the best places to stay in Tbilisi

Just like elsewhere, everything in the Fabrika hostel rooms is well thought out, from the key card holder to markings on each level and typography of room numbers. Even the door hangers are adorable! 

fabrika tbilisi
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Fabrika hotel Tbilisi has five mixed dorms with a different number of bunk beds, one female-only dorm, three private (double, twin private with bunk beds, and twin private with singles), and apartment-style suites. 

Natural light floods rooms through oversized windows, while neutral-colored walls, high ceilings, and simple design make the rooms look very spacious than they actually are. 

fabrika tbilisi

I stayed in a twin private with two bunk beds, which were very comfortable compared to other bunk beds I have slept in on my travels. I liked the room’s small details – industrial sockets, lamps, and a narrow shelf near the bed.

The bathroom has all the necessary toiletries like shower gel, soap, and even a hairdryer. If needed, single-use toiletries are sold at a reasonable price at the reception if you forget something. 

The banding of Fabrika Tbilisi is also visible in its shared bathrooms with red metal lockers and yellow shower curtains. 

Check availability and prices on Booking.com

Fabrika Tbilisi bar & lounge

This is where you step in when you enter Fabrika hotel from the main entrance. Massive plants, colorful vintage and modern furniture, and antique carpets adorn the polished concrete walls of the building, while a high ceiling with oversized windows brings natural light into the room. 

Fabrika Tbilisi bar and lounge is open to the public, making it a meeting point for many. Sit in one of the comfortable sofas or armchairs, relax, sip a beverage or enjoy lunch or dinner.

Fabrika Tbilisi breakfast

Fabrika hostel is one of the top places to have a great breakfast in Tbilisi. The buffet breakfast is open to the public, so you can drop by if you are not staying in the hostel. The breakfast in Fabrika costs 27 GEL with a diverse menu that suits everyone’s taste.

You’ll find homemade drinks, freshly baked pastry and bread, homemade yogurt with fruits, cheese and salami platters, cakes, and fruits, to name a few. Moreover, the open kitchen enables you to look at the chefs making you an omelet or pancakes.

Fabrika Tbilisi courtyard

If you thought that’s it for Fabrika, think twice. An enormous paved courtyard is home to a set of different venues and is used for socializing and outdoor events. Mornings are quiet here, while it gets busier at lunchtime and even more crowded in the evenings. No matter the season, Fabrika Tbilisi courtyard is always full of visitors and locals hanging out here. 

During the warmer months and on weekends, expect it to be packed. However, if you are staying here, the management takes responsibility and considerable care to keep the place quiet at night.

Fabrika Tbilisi cafes & bars

The courtyard features four different concept food venues, so there is always a choice of where to eat. 

Tone’s key feature is their signature tone bread (Georgian clay oven) sandwiches, among other Georgian staples. The bread is baked fresh each morning; if you come around 10-10:30 am, you can even catch Irma baking bread in the tone

Next is Moulin Electrique, with its European and Georgian cuisine mixture. Their Khachapuri, made with puff pastry, is many locals’ favorite. 

Farina is the place to sit if you are looking for a crispy wood-fired pizza. With around 12 different pizzas on the menu, you can even ask them to make half-and-half, so you can try two pizza types with one order. 

Shio Ramen brings all the Asian flavors to Fabrika’s guests. Their menu features various meals, but as the name suggests, come here to try their signature ramen. 

For those who love drinking tasty coffee, Milk Coffee is a great choice to get your favorite beverage in a takeaway cup and enjoy the sunrays in the courtyard. 

Even though Tsibakha is a board game club, it also features some middle-east inspired meals to nibble on while playing your favorite board game, or maybe you’ll discover a new one. 

And lastly, Pipe’s Burger Joint is a famous craft burger place known for its unique ingredients, flavors, and soft burger bun.  

Fabrika Tbilisi shops

The other side of the courtyard, facing the cafes, is where you can find Fabrika Tbilisi shops for souvenir shopping in the capital

Starting with Ceramic Studio 1300, come here to find various ceramic items made in minimalist design. They constantly update their collection and stock but typically always have cups, bowls, vases, and plates in the store. 

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

Are you looking for a nice skateboard for yourself or as a gift? Margo Skate Shop is the place to choose beautiful skates in Tbilisi. 

Graffiti Dealers sell all things graffiti or street artists need, including spray paints, markers, and equipment from international brands. 

Vodkast Records is probably the only vinyl shop in Tbilisi with the most extensive collection of local and international records. 

Magnolia Film Lab is where you can buy various film cameras and films and even get them developed afterward. 

If you are a vintage lover and want to see what Georgian women wore back in the day, head to Flying Painter. They salvaged what was left after this Soviet sewing factory was abandoned and decided to give them a second life by offering those vintage clothes to the public. 

Fabrika Tbilisi co-working space

Here you can find one of the best co-working spaces in Tbilisi – Impact Hub, a branch of an international brand that offers various packages, day passes, and a few private offices. 

Barbershop in Fabrika

Camora Hairdresser & Barber is a men-only old-school barbershop offering classic haircuts and hot towel services. 

Additional services & events at Fabrika Tbilisi

There is always something happening at Fabrika Tbilisi. The best way to know what’s happening here is to check their Facebook or Instagram pages. They occasionally host various exhibitions at their gallery space in addition to yoga, movie nights, and different workshops at various event venues throughout the complex. 

My Favorite Travel Resources

To ease your travel planning, check out all the posts about Georgia travel. Additionally, here are some of the websites and services I use when preparing for my next adventure anywhere in the world.

✈ Book affordable flights on WayAway, a platform that shows the best flight deals, tours, and hotels. With a WayAway Plus membership, you can earn cashback. Get 10% off with code: RFD10

🚫 Get compensation for up to 700$ with Airhelp if your flight was canceled or delayed within the last 3 years.

🚗 Rent a car at Local Rent for affordable prices and convenient service.

❣ Pre-book a private car transfer with GoTrip from Tbilisi Airport to your hotel or any other city across Georgia.

💻 Get a VPN from Surfshark to protect your devices from hackers when using public Wi-Fi when traveling.

📱 Install the Airalo app, which provides local eSIMs for a more affordable internet connection when traveling. Get 3 USD with code: BAIA2592.

💸 Use Wise to withdraw money in local currency without hidden fees and avoid high exchange rates. On top, you might get a Visa or Mastercard debit card.

🍷 For some of the best, expat-designed wine tours check out Eat!ThisTours. Get a 5% discount with code RFD5.

🏨 Find budget-friendly deals on all sorts of accommodation types on Booking.com.

🩺 Buy the most flexible and budget-friendly travel insurance, SafetyWing, covering COVID.

☀ Book in advance some of the best city walks, cultural experiences, and day tours to maximize your stay and experience here.

fabrika tbilisi

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24 Comments

  1. I’ve stayed in some pretty dank hostels before, but Fabrika looks like an awesome place to stay! I love the contemporary/industrial feel to it, as well as the bright colors all around. The pricing is pretty awesome as well. Love this!

  2. Wow! What a vibey place! I love the breakfast selection and decor!

  3. I love adaptive reuse!! Thanks for sharing this awesome hostel. As a creative, this sounds like the perfect place for me if I ever end up in Tbilisi. Also, thank you for using a wide angle to capture the rooms you were describing, a standard lens is never enough!

  4. I just visited Tbilisi a few months ago. I think my hotel room ended up costing less than private rooms at this hostel. However, the hotel I stayed in did not have the character of the Fabrika!

  5. I’ve never heard of Tbilisi and had to google it to find out what country it was in. Hostels are not my thing. I’ve found them incredibly noisy in the past. But this one looks nice.

    1. Glad I was able to show something new. Yeah some hostels are like that

  6. A cool hostel can really travelling that much better. This looks like a place I would definitely want to stay in.

  7. Wow! Fabrika hostel has a lot to offer than what one would pay for. It’s so inexpensive that I don’t want to believe it till I checked Google. Traveling and accommodation made easy. I don’t mind going to Tbilisi to experience this myself.

    1. Yup, that’s one of the reasons I liked it. I have paid $10+ for dorms both in Europe and Asia and none of them comes near to the service I got here

  8. That’s amazing! Georgia seems to be getting more and more popular. I had no idea you get such high quality accommodations for so little price wise.

    1. Yup, even Airbnb here is very cheap

  9. I like the decor with the contemporary art. And the rooms seem to have been laid out with best utilization of space. They are simple and functional. While the spread of the kitchen looks inviting.

  10. Very cool looking hostel. I love the modern feel. We find as we are always looking for a double private room with a bathroom, it is always cheaper to go via airbnb or hotel. Hostels never work out cheaper for us.

  11. This looks like a fantastic place to stay. I love the look of the communal area complete with hammock.

  12. OMG that common area is the cutest. Everything looks so comfy and inviting!!

  13. Ironically I was thinking of visiting Georgia at some point in the future today morning. Looks like a great place to stay for youngsters.

  14. Its great that they are putting old buildings to good use. Repurposing helps everyone out in the long run. Way cool vibes. I’d stay here!

  15. Sara Broers says:

    That breakfast buffet looks like a good way to start the day. I love how street art seems to be displayed everywhere around this property. The gathering area looks like a place to meet new people and just an all around nice place to hang out.

  16. I love amazingly repurposed spaces, and this one definitely looks like a great place to stay. I can just picture having a great time in that lounge and courtyard 🙂

  17. This place has it all! I love the artwork that covers the entire place and the ambiance looks terrific. The space in the lounge looks great and I’m impressed with the breakfast buffet, something that you rarely see in a hostel, and for such affordable pricing.

  18. Wow! This is such a cool hostel. I love the murals and the awesome lounge! When’s the best time of the year to visit Tbilisi?

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