Entertainment in Kyiv
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A
Kaffa
The recent onslaught of coffee houses has not changed one thing: long-standing Kaffa still serves the most heart-pumping, rich-tasting brew in town. Coffees and teas from all over the world are served in a pot sufficient for two or three punters in a blissfully smoke-free, whitewashed African-inspired interior – all ethnic masks, beads and leather.
reviewed
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B
Barsky
At the top end, new clubs are constantly trying to outdo each other in terms of price, decadence and beauty of clientele, such as Decadance House and Arena Night Club, but the talk of the town when we were there was the newly opened Barsky. To enter any of these you'll have to pass through some of the strictest feis kontrol (face control, ie door policy) in the city, so dress the part. Women usually get a substantial discount off the admission prices listed.
reviewed
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C
Taras Shevchenko National Opera Theatre
This is a lavish theatre (1899–1901) and a performance here is a grandiose affair. True imbibers of Ukrainian culture should not miss a performance of Zaporozhets za Dunaem (Zaporizhzhyans Beyond the Danube), a sort of operatic, purely Ukrainian version of Fiddler on the Roof. The opera, which plays roughly twice a month, is in Ukrainian, but has plenty of music, dance and colourful costumes to entertain all.
reviewed
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D
Arena Night Club
At the top end, new clubs are constantly trying to outdo each other in terms of price, decadence and beauty of clientele, such as Arena Night Club, Decadance House and Barsky. To enter any of these you'll have to pass through some of the strictest feis kontrol (face control, ie door policy) in the city, so dress the part. Women usually get a substantial discount off the admission prices listed.
reviewed
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E
Dnipro Party Boats
To really go local take one of these 1½-hour ‘disco’ river cruises. They’re cheap, they’re cheesy, and they’re unpredictable. Just buy a ticket, board the boat (they leave when full) and start drinking. Didn’t think you’d get caught dead dancing to Russian pop? Think again. Catch the boats at pier 11, south of the richnoy vokzal (river boat terminal).
reviewed
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F
Olympic/Respublikansky Stadium
All Ukrainian national team matches, as well as most of Dynamo’s European matches, kick off at the larger Olympic/Respublikansky Stadium. Tickets for the stadium’s 100,000 seats are sold at kiosks in front of the entrance gates. This is also the scheduled venue for the final match of the Euro 2012 football championships.
reviewed
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G
Dynamo Stadium
Dynamo Kyiv is one of the most recognisable names in European football and Dynamo Stadium is the team’s modestly sized home. Ticket booths are out front near the statue of a young Valery Lobanovsky, the late, legendary coach of Dynamo Kyiv and the Ukrainian national team. There’s also a memorial to WWII team Start.
reviewed
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Babuin
This funky and fun venue is actually three entities in one: bar (by night), café (by day) and bookshop (all the time). We put it here because come 5pm the main activity is most definitely drinking alcoholic beverages, often to a live-music accompaniment. It’s a perennial winner of the slowest-service-in-Kyiv award.
reviewed
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H
Viola’s Bierstube
The Bierstube’s former sister bar is still run by Eric’s ex-wife, Viola. It’s similar to the Bierstube (down to the mugs o’ mustard), but the service is friendlier and better. The hard-to-find dark wooden door is on the left under the archway leading to the courtyard (it’s under a vent).
reviewed
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I
O’Brien’s
Kyiv’s Irish pub fine service, atmosphere and beer selection. For sports nuts, they have multiple large screens, accommodate match requests and stay open late for big games. O’Brien’s attracts English, Irish and Scottish elements. It is affordable and is renowned for its breakfasts.
reviewed
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J
Art Club 44
This former Eric venue has suffered a big drop in the quality of its music. Still, it has a great atmosphere for watching live local bands –even if the thuggish bouncers now demand the hefty cover charge several hours before the music starts. Through the courtyard at 44, the unmarked entrance is on your left.
reviewed
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K
Decadance House
New clubs are constantly trying to outdo each other in terms of price, decadence and beauty of clientele. Decadance House was the original VIP club, but you’ll have to pass through some of the strictest feis kontrol (face control, ie door policy) in the city, so dress the part.
reviewed
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L
Sunduk Pub
Although the motif here is old movies, it still has a fairly traditional pub feel and a wide selection of imported and local beer. Still, most people come for the relatively cheap Ukrainian eats and outdoor patio. There’s a smokier, much less appealing version on vul Mykhaylivska 16.
reviewed
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M
Blindazh
This textbook dive bar, done up like a Red Army bunker, has old Kalashnikovs, grenades and other weaponry behind the bar for you to fondle. Order a ‘Boromirovka’ – Burn energy drink and tonic mixed with 14 shots of vodka and served in an old metal pail (130uah).
reviewed
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N
Pomada
You know Kyiv’s come a long way when we can actually publish the names of gay clubs (they used to all be underground). This is lively and centrally located, but it’s the one place in town where women pay more to get in.
reviewed
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O
Bierstube
The German-influenced menu (all dishes served with charming mugs o’ ketchup and mustard), smoky basement air and chummy environment persist post-Eric. However, the service has taken a nosedive. Go through the archway and hug the right.
reviewed
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P
Shato
Mainstream by location and comfortably so by nature, this popular brewpub has large picture windows overlooking Kyiv’s main drag. Order a Slavutych beer; it’s brewed on the premises.
reviewed
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Q
Koleso Kafe-Theatre
This semi-avant-garde theatre has an informal, café-like environment. Performances involve much song and dance as well as food, so understanding the language is not essential.
reviewed
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R
Golden Gate
Kyiv’s Irish pub - good service, atmosphere and beer selection. For sports nuts they have multiple large screens, accommodate match requests and stay open late for big games.
reviewed
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S
Shooters
A classic pick-up joint where hordes of expats and pretty young things flock night after night to dance to the same tired soundtrack until way past bedtime.
reviewed
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T
Palats Sportu
The main venues for rock concerts are Palats Sportu and Palats Ukraina. It also hosts Ukraine's international basketball and hockey games.
reviewed
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U
National Philharmonic
Originally the Kyiv Merchants’ Assembly headquarters, this beautiful building is now home to the national orchestra.
reviewed
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V
Caribbean Club
It has sleazy Wednesdays ‘Ladies’ Night’, and has been around forever, which tells you something.
reviewed
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W
Jeans Beach Club by Opium
A popular summer venue in Hydropark is Jeans Beach Club by Opium.
reviewed
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X
Palats Ukraina
The main venues for rock concerts are Palats Ukraina and Palats Sportu.
reviewed
