Must-see nightlife in Northern European Russia

  • Kivach

    Northern European Russia

    Popular with a youngish crowd, this centrally-located bar-cafe serves pizza and grilled meat dishes (mains from R310), and has imported beers on tap. It…

  • 7 Nebo

    Murmansk

    There are stupendous panoramic views of Murmansk on offer at 7 Nebo (Seventh Heaven), located on the 17th floor of the Azimut Hotel in the centre of the…

  • Bar Barevich

    Kola Peninsula

    Craft beer in the Arctic Circle! This US-style bar serves a range of limited craft beers (from R250), oysters from the White Sea, and grilled meat. Also…

  • Start-Up Cafe

    Murmansk

    This centrally located cafe serves great toasted cheese sandwiches (R150) as well as the usual range of caffeine hits. There are also piles of Russian…

  • Kaffee Haus

    Northern European Russia

    Widely acclaimed for Petrozavodsk’s best coffee and cakes.

  • DJ Cafe MC2

    Northern European Russia

    Local hipsters make their way to the 5th floor of Oasis shopping centre on weekend nights to hear the resident DJs and guest talent from across Russia who…

  • Pinta Pub

    Murmansk

    With its Germanic facade, Scottish decor and merry-old-England bathroom tiles, the Pinta seems to be in the midst of an identity crisis, but who cares…

  • Tonga

    Northern European Russia

    This popular 24-hour bar has a decent wine list, and a wide range of cocktails. It also serves spicy Thai soups, Indian food, and European and Russian…

  • Arbat

    Northern European Russia

    A chatty verandah hang-out by day that serves a mix of European dishes and sushi, this cafe transforms into a pop-walloping bar once the sun goes down,…

  • Fusion

    Northern European Russia

    This super-sleek Russo-Japanese-style hang-out by the train station dishes up lethal cocktails every bit as delicious as the authentic sushi snacks (from…

  • Parizhanka

    Northern European Russia

    This 'Parisian' cafe is a favourite with locals for its decent coffee and delectable cakes (skip the wafer-thin pizza and the soggy pasta, though).

  • Bulldog

    Murmansk

    Atmospheric British-style pub, with dark-wood furniture and a good selection of imported beers.

  • Disco Kruzhka

    Murmansk

    Cocktails and disco music in the Arctic Circle. Why not?

  • Blin-House

    Northern European Russia

    Branches of this appealing chain pepper the city. Great for tea, coffee, milkshakes, imaginative cocktails, sweet and savoury bliny (wheat pancakes),…

  • Grey Goose

    Murmansk

    Cavernous lounge cafe/bar done up in faux gangsta style with massive red leather seats you can lose yourself in. There's sushi on the menu and imported…

  • Route 66

    Northern European Russia

    American-style diner-bar with orange leather seats and a surprisingly good selection of English beers on top of its palatable own brew. Live bands on…

  • Lock Stock

    Northern European Russia

    Hugely popular English-style pub with authentic local-boozer decor and a hugely comprehensive list of ales, stouts and beers from the UK and elsewhere.

  • Biblio-Café

    Northern European Russia

    Smart and sunny hideaway brewing strong coffees (from R140) behind the Arkhangelsk library.

  • M-Club

    Murmansk

    Beyond the bar in this entertainment complex inside the Hotel Meridian, there's billiards, bowling, and large dance floor with music themes changing…