Presnya
Here's a place for animal-lovers and beer-lovers. Ten craft beers on tap (including one house brew) and dozens more in bottles accompany an excellent,…
Must-see nightlife in Russia
St Petersburg
Tired of the usual mojitos and margaritas? Head over to this intimate cocktail bar with a heavy Russian accent. Its cocktails menu has five sections, each…
Western European Russia
Dark-wood booths, plaid wallpaper and stained glass give this brewery bar-restaurant an inviting British gastropub feel. They brew their own German-style…
Zamoskvorechie
Karlson is posh (though not at all tasteless) and boasts a spectacular view of Moscow from its rooftop position, which is the main reason to throw a few…
Moscow
Cool cats from Flakon, notably journalists from Dozhd, Russia's only independent TV channel, congregate here after work to sip cocktails and chat. As…
Yaroslavl
One of the most happening places in town, this bar-restaurant really gets going on weekends. Brass instruments and pictures of dogs portrayed as…
St Petersburg
Griboyedov is hands-down the longest-standing and most respected music club in the city. Housed in a repurposed bomb shelter, this one was founded by…
St Petersburg
Duck into the courtyard to find this very cosy basement bar that's recommended by local beer fanatics for its regularly updated range of 12 local and…
Volga Region
This funky upstairs space feels like a classic 19th-century Russian tearoom. Order from a long list of classic teas and coffees. It also does breakfasts…
St Petersburg
If the idea of going to a 'Belgian gastronomic pub' makes your eyes roll, you're in good company, but this pleasant basement space overcomes its heavy…
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
There are a number of Harat's pubs in Russia, and we imagine that this one has comforted many a homesick traveller. There's a terrific range of brews on…
Western European Russia
Boris' tiered, polished wood parliament-style bench seating, aimed at a cinema-sized sports TV screen, is the ultimate in sports bars. The long dark-wood…
St Petersburg
When you see the smart, chatty crowd here you'll understand why the bar's name is a casual reference to Faust. Brimborium is a charming, upscale place,…
St Petersburg
On bar-lined ul Belinskogo, Farsh & Bochka stands out for its wide-ranging line-up of craft brews, with over 30 on draft, including SPB and Russian…
St Petersburg
With its large range of coffees, sumptuous selection of cakes and – best of all – freshly made Belgian waffles, this small but friendly cafe is a great…
Presnya
A holdover (or a comeback?) from the days when a drinking establishment needed no special name. The ryumochnaya was the generic place where comrades…
Presnya
The chic interior and intimate atmosphere make for a sophisticated little bar that's trendy but not pretentious. The menu features a full page of whiskies…
Presnya
'Retro' has become very popular in Moscow, but this is the first place hearkening back to the boogie nights of the 1970s. Out front is an old-fashioned…
St Petersburg
A dapper boxcar-sized spot with old-time music and black-and-white films playing silently in the background, wryly named Bolshoy serves up good coffees by…
Mineral Water Spas
This stylish bar and restaurant is named after the Siberian-American inventor Nikola Tesla, whose image adorns the interior, along with naked light bulbs,…
Western European Russia
When the weekend comes, this is Oryol's premier party place, with quaffing crowds going bonkers to live bands. The rest of the time, it is a fairly…
Meshchansky & Basmanny
There are too many cocktails to count…but we do know that Tema serves more than 20 different martinis, so that should give you an idea of the extent of…
Moscow
On the top floor of the Nautilus shopping centre, you’ll find this small surfer beer bar. An even smaller terrace gives a fantastic view of Lubyanskaya pl…
Russian Caucasus
This little basement bar evokes a beer garden, while there is also seating on the shady pavement along Pushkinskaya ul. Take your pick from five house…
St Petersburg
Occupying several of the lofty upper-floor rooms of this grand building, you pay R3 per minute for the time spent at this spacious cafe covering as much…
Russian Caucasus
When we asked about the availability of wi-fi at this stylish cafe, the barista answered, 'We have a somewhat different concept…books.' Bibliophiles will…
St Petersburg
Only good-quality Russian wines are served by the glass or bottle at this compact wine bar with a view across the Moyka River. Try the light, sparkling…
Sochi
Perhaps Russia's most famous gay club, thanks to the massive media attention received during the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Club Mayak is now in a new location…
Western European Russia
With a ground-floor summer terrace and a mix of rooms and nooks on the second floor, this bar offers something for all tastes. Grab a velvet bar stool…
Volga Region
They also serve food here at this German-themed tavern located inside a brewery, but Saratov residents know to avoid the mediocre mains and stick to the…
Sergiev Posad
This piccolo-sized coffee shop isn't much bigger than a large closet, but if you're travelling via bus or train it's the best place to find properly made…
St Petersburg
'Abandon hope all ye who enter here,' warns the sign on the door – and it's putting no one off cramming into this popular club that occupies a former…
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…
Veliky Novgorod
Those seeking out local experiences – combined with cheap beer – should find this tiny dive-bar set in a residential apartment block. There's a number of…
Kaliningrad
This relaxed wine bar, with outdoor tables overlooking Kaliningrad Cathedral, has an extensive selection of wines from Europe; while the menu is heavy on…
Vladivostok
Facing the marina, the Old Captain has an excellent selection of draft beers, such as German Weihenstephan. The delectable seafood dishes (pan-seared…
Kaliningrad
There are regular appearances by popular rock, indie and pop acts at this heaving, upscale dance club. Dress up to get through the front door as 'face…
Western European Russia
Decorated with bulldog statuettes, Union Jack flags and portraits of QEII and Churchill, this baronial-sized pub attempts to re-create a bit of England…
Meshchansky & Basmanny
This convivial bar is run by two joyful women who mingle with the punters and invent risqué names for cocktails, which we will not cite here for decency…
St Petersburg
One of Petrograd Side's best coffee spots is this hip little cafe on busy Kronverksky pr. Staff can make you a perfect brew with all the essential…
