Dushanbe - Post Report Question and Answers
What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Dinner parties, hiking, camping, backpacking, horseback riding, biking, going to the few bars/clubs, hanging by the Embassy pool, etc. It's largely a make-your-own-fun kind of place, but if you're good at that, you'll have a great time. - Aug 2021
Hiking is very popular, and the scenery is great. Hike Tajikistan offers weekly excursions to an every changing variety of locations - and it's a great way to meet people. Restaurants are also popular in non-COVID times. There was also an expat choral group, but they haven't met in over a year now. - Apr 2021
Facebook as a "Dushanbe Expats" group, which advertises some weekly bike rides in summer and trivia nights. Hike Tajikistan, who has a Facebook page, is a local hiking guide service that organizes weekly hikes and some overnight trips. - Jun 2020
There are a lot of expat activities. Pub Quiz every Wednesday night at Istiqlol Sports Bar, Hash House Harriers on Saturday afternoons, Hike Tajikistan on Sunday, Ultimate Frisbee on Sundays when the weather is good, Women's Club Wednesday lunches at Segafredo restaurant, Whiskey-Tasting club every couple of months... you get the idea. Subscribe to the "What's On In Dushanbe" mailing list and check out the Dushanbe Expats Facebook page. - Dec 2016
Hang out with other Embassy staff. There were a couple of nightclubs and a couple of bars in the city but I wouldn't recommend them. - Dec 2015
There are scary nightclubs but beyond that most folks hung out in each others' homes and pretended they lived elsewhere. - Jun 2014
Entertaining is done mostly in private homes or at restaurants. - Jan 2012
Lots of going to peoples' houses, restaurants. These is a bar where you can find everyone you know. - Jun 2009
What you make of it. There are a few things to do, but you really have to make your own fun here. Really. There are usually some entertainment events in Russian, and there are those few expat groups (Hash house harriers or the book club), but it's mostly at home--yours or a friend's. - Jul 2008
