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12 Volts
The founders of Moscow's gay and lesbian movement opened this welcoming cafe-cum-social club, tucked in behind the club Bunker (enter from the courtyard). Besides good food and cheap drinks, the place offers a consultation service for individuals facing homosexual issues. This is one of the few hangouts that attracts lesbians as well as gays.
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911
This used to be a straight bar with a gay night, but it has grown into a gay bar with some straight guests - `gay expansion' as described by one local in-the-know. Although the place has a small dance floor and a drag show on Saturday nights, it is more of a cafe scene. Look for the entrance down from Studio Casino.
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A Priori
To strut your stuff on the dance floor, head to this progressive house club. It has a huge bi-level dance hall, as well as an exclusive `sofa zone'. Resident and visiting DJs host dance parties on weekends. It's a new experience every time, as the interior is redesigned every few weeks. Strict face control, so dress your best.
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Art Garbage
Extremely friendly, alternative night spot popular for gigs and late night parties and hugely popular with students and arty types.
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B2
This huge, four-storey entertainment complex has long rated among Moscow's favourite nightlife hot spots, probably because it offers something for everyone. Take your pick from several dance floors, a `chill-out room', an airy courtyard, billiards, karaoke and more. The place holds over 1500 people, which makes it an excellent venue for top music acts. This is a branch of the original club, Bunker, on Tverskaya ulitsa.
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Bar 30/7
This slick bar on the Boulevard Ring is somewhere to see and be seen in Moscow. If you can snag a seat in the attached 'sun room' seating area, you will enjoy a lovely view of the boulevard promenade. Good luck, as the place gets packed on weekends.
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Billionaire
Word is that you have to show your last pay check and the figure has to be more than six digits for you to gain entry.
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Body & Soul (Chance)
The sheer size of this place is its most notable characteristic. This mammoth gay club offers nearly limitless entertainment possibilities: two dance floors - one techno, one pop - billiards, internet, live entertainment. This chic place is becoming popular with a mixed crowd, but the dark room is for men only.
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Bunker
The smaller, original version of B2. This more intimate setting also has an impressive calendar of local bands and DJs. There is not too much room for dancing, but those who are moved by the music manage to make do.
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Cabaret
Like the name suggests, it's a fancy club with all of the requisite luxury cars and drivers parked out front. But don't feel bad about not getting in, because upstairs in the same building is Sky Bar, which offers one of the best rooftop patios with views of the capital and a smart, atmospheric interior.
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Chinese Pilot
The 'Chinese Pilot' is relaxed and unpretentious, has nightly concerts and is generally held to be the city's most reliable after hours hang out.
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Doug & Marty's Boar House
Run by Doug, the creator of the legendary Hungry Duck (once the wildest bar in Europe due to its famously hedonistic ladies night), the Boar House is busy throughout the week and attracts an expat and local crowd devoted to serious debauchery. Monday and Thursday are particularly busy (on Thursday women drink for free).
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First
This club has posh written all over it. When Will Smith was in Moscow for the premier of I, Robot , he and his pal Jazzy Jeff spun a set here at the after party.
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Gifts Of The Sea
This divey, smoky bar feels like the underground gay club it once was. The crowd is mostly regulars - older than at most gay bars (or any Moscow bar for that matter). Cheap prices, red tablecloths and dirty, dingy bathrooms give it its retro Soviet feel. Enter through the courtyard behind the restaurant Meeting Place and look for the dark brown door.
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Hungry Duck
An infamous bar, often described as the wildest in Europe. Its reputation is that most people lose most of their clothes by midnight, with every woman dancing on the bar. This may have something to do with the policy of free drinks for women till on some nights. Everybody agrees, for better or for worse, that this place is `not as the same as it used to be.' Enter from the courtyard next to the metro station.
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Karma Bar
A worldly mix of Asian food, Latin music and Russian fun. Thursday nights usually feature live music, while the other nights are for DJs and dancing (free lessons Friday to Saturday from - ). Add to the mix happy hours and hookah pipes, and you've got one of Moscow's top expat clubs.
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Keks
A fashionable place that won't bust the budget, Keks was converted from a former textile factory, and now features black and white photos, comfy armchairs, decent food and a balcony ideal for watching the activity on the dance floor. The best dance floor viewing is on Friday and Saturday nights, when DJs spin cool music and young folks turn out in droves.
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Leto (Summer)
One of three seasonal-themed clubs that change location and concept every few months to ensure that they'll always be fresh and trendy. They also seem to get more exclusive with every incarnation.
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Monks & Nuns
In case you can't tell by the waitstaff looking mildly embarrassed in their habits and cassocks, this `beer cellar' aims to re-create a medieval monastery. Don't let the monastic atmosphere derail you from indulging in the huge choice of Trappist ales and beers.
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Night Flight
This continues to be one of Moscow's most popular spots for business travellers on expense accounts, despite - or because of - its dubious reputation. Indeed, it's hard to miss the crowds of working women hanging around this club. Nonetheless, the restaurant continues to receive rave reviews, thanks to Swedish ingredients and chefs. And the dance floor is always hopping. No cover charge for restaurant guests.
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Osen (Fall)
One of three seasonal-themed clubs that change location and concept every few months to ensure that they'll always be fresh and trendy. They also seem to get more exclusive with every incarnation.
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Penthouse No. 1
Located in the picturesque Hermitage Garden, Penthouse prides itself on its beautiful clientele and eclectic visual displays.
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Propaganda
Propaganda is a long-time favourite club that looks straight from the warehouse district, with exposed brick walls and pipe ceilings. By day, it's a cafe with a popular business lunch; but at night they clear the dance floor, let the beautiful people in and let the DJ do his stuff. This is a gay-friendly place, especially on Sunday nights.
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Rosie O'Grady's
One of a handful of friendly Irish pubs in town. Besides Guinness, Harp and Kilkenny on tap, Rosie's offers the widest selection of Irish whiskeys and the most extensive food menu. It's an old favourite of English-speaking ex-pats, especially football fans.
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Three Monkeys
The most fun and accessible gay venue, Three Monkeys is the latest incarnation of the long-standing Moscow gay club, spread over several floors and busy on weekends.
