Other entertainment in Russia
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A
People’s Bar & Grill
The preferred hang-out of Novosibirsk’s would-be rap stars and models. Descend the stairway opposite St Nicholas chapel.
reviewed
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B
R-16
Booming nightclub with a big dance floor and attached lounge. It’s next to the Tokyo restaurant.
reviewed
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Purga
A naked derriere moons you at the top of the entry stairs forewarning of this place’s delightful craziness. Sit in cave-alcoves while bands play blues-rock and art students dressed up as fake grannies engage customers in hilariously nonsensical conversation. They also serve standard food (mains from R150), so you can make a night of it. Booking ahead is wise at weekends. It’s around 35 minutes south of the centre by trolleybus 6 then 30m west of bus stop Pervomayskaya.
reviewed
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Okno
Vlad’s coolest club’s price keeps the luxury to a high degree – plus there’s a minimum age (25 for guys, 21 for women). This 3rd-floor spot has a full-front window overlooking the water, baroque gold-painted armchairs, visiting DJs, and dance bands that finish sets with ‘I Will Survive.’
reviewed
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Café Têt-a-Têt
It would be hard to imagine a more pleasant spot for coffee than the upper-level outside gallery here. Buskers below provide accordion music while you enjoy a bird’s-eye view of lively pr Kirova. The barista whips up all sorts of coffee and teas, plus cocktails and Dagestani cognac at a mere R50 a shot.
reviewed
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C
Michelle
This place is – first and foremost – a coffee bar, offering several varieties of aromatic brew in a simple café setting. The menu also features soups and sandwiches and dishes with French nuances – innovative fare for the price (meals R150 to R300).
reviewed
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D
Moscow Conservatory
Russia’s largest music school has two venues: the Great Hall (Bolshoy Zal) and the Small Hall (Maly Zal). Every four years, the conservatory hosts hundreds of musicians at the prestigious International Tchaikovsky Competition, which will be held next in summer 2010.
reviewed
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Kofe Khaus
St Petersburg is certainly not short of bars, with several live music venues being good places for a drink or a bite earlier in the evening. There are plenty of appealing modern cafés to choose from, among them the ubiquitous Starbucks Kofe Khaus.
reviewed
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E
Dvoinoe Solntse
A surprising find, this place attempts to replicate a traditional Japanese tea house, complete with floor seating, screens and low tables. Waiters spend inordinate amounts of time sitting at your table preparing, smelling and pouring your tea. Sushi is also available.
reviewed
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Gzhel
Named after the Russian blue-and-white traditional ceramics, this sometimes-lively bar is on the 1st floor of the city’s main shopping centre. Good selection of draught beers, although the live music at weekends (from 8pm) has the potential to annoy.
reviewed
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F
El Dorado
You’re likely to get into weird conversations with harmless drunks playing slots, but the ten or so screens will be playing the sport you need (NBA, Premiership, NFL, maybe netball) – best is the viewing room with rows of old airplane seats.
reviewed
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Kaffee Haus
Widely acclaimed for Petro-zavodsk’s best coffee and cakes, there are also hubble-bubbles to smoke and there’s a pleasant outdoor terrace shared with the neighbouring Germanic pub, Bar Neubrandenburg (small/large beers from R30/50).
reviewed
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G
Jazz Café
A hip and literally underground basement hangout with an extensive drinks and food menu (meals R200–550) and screenings of old black-and-white films. Live music most evenings (cover charge R100 to R300). Also boasts a large book and music shop.
reviewed
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Solod I Khmel
This pub and restaurant with a second Vasilevsky Island branch is another welcome addition to the city’s microbrewery scene. The beer halls are large and a good place to catch a TV football game in a rowdy atmosphere.
reviewed
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Kalipso
The nicest pub-café in Energetik at bus stop GES. It has a nautical interior, porthole windows and a beer-garden terrace that almost overlooks the lake. There are two more branches at ul Sosnova 2 and ul Kirova 27.
reviewed
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Traveller’s Coffee
The tempting aroma of newly milled beans lures you into this Starbucks-style coffeehouse, which blends empire-style sofas with exposed heating pipes. Smiley service and sensibly priced milkshakes, muffins and pancakes.
reviewed
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H
Chili
Aztec-themed night-spot and all-day bar where you can join Irkutsk’s moneyed youth on beige couches bathed in flamingo neon for a flashy cocktail or outrageously overpriced meals (R250 to R600). Very central.
reviewed
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I
Musical & Russian Drama Theatre
Once renovation is complete, this magnificent Parthenon pile should once again stage light operas, plays, ballets and folk-group shows. The interior decor is a wild mixture of Ancient Greek, Roman and Soviet styles.
reviewed
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Kofemolka
Sip roasts from every corner of the bean-growing world amid retro coffee sacks, twirling art nouveau– style wrought iron and sham mahogany at Krasnoyarsk’s newest caffeine stop. Long dessert menu.
reviewed
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Kafe Kuba
Great Latin-themed cocktail-bar–café offering a wide choice of cigars, water pipes and tequilas on three floors: upstairs is more interesting. Decent coffee from a mock-’50s espresso-brewer.
reviewed
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Coffee Nero
No relation to the British Café Nero chain, these two light and cheerful outlets bring together three recent Russian crazes – coffee, sushi and wi-fi; the latter is free if you keep making orders.
reviewed
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J
Spartak Stadium
This 12,500-capacity venue is the current home base of local football team, Sibir. Games are usually played on Saturday, and tickets cost from R100 to R500. Matches are advertised on posters around the city.
reviewed
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K
Bar XXXX
A vintage car bursts through the outer wall above the entrance to this appealing motor-themed rock-bar. On Friday and Saturday evenings there’s a DJ or live music and a R200 cover charge.
reviewed
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Mayakovsky.Yellow Cardigan
It can be Tatar rap or punk bands singing covers of Soviet soundtrack faves, or something even more experimental in this club with a youthful crowd and decor inspired by artist Kasimir Malevich.
reviewed
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Vernisazh
Reproductions of French Impressionists hanging from the ceiling and green jalousie that cover walls rather than windows make this café look like a brasserie taken over by a modern artist.
reviewed
