Arbat & Khamovniki
High up on the top floor of the Russian Academy of Sciences building (fondly known as ‘the Brains’) this chic restaurant is a sweet spot to go for a…
Must-see nightlife in Russia
Vladivostok
A fun and lively bar that draws a mix of locals and expats, rock-loving Mumiy Troll – set up by the nationally famous local band of the same name – has…
St Petersburg
The brass bar here is one of the most popular in the city (not to mention one of the more pricey). It has beautifully made cocktails and draws a heaving…
St Petersburg
It's a happening bar, it serves a mean burger and there's a hairdresser at the back – should you fancy a new 'do' part-way through the night. Oh, and…
Western European Russia
Find this cosy modern basement bar, its walls plastered with scrapbook cuttings (and a clientele just plastered), a few blocks northwest of pl Lenina,…
Meshchansky & Basmanny
This smallish local is very scientific (or in its own words – psychotic) about coffee, which is purchased from trusted roasting specialists and brewed…
St Petersburg
Coffee is brewed just the way you like it at this pleasantly designed cafe occupying a large corner space in a handy location. It's a great place for…
Moscow
This cool and cosy basement – with exposed brick walls and arcade ceiling – is the perfect setting to sip a refreshing Czech beer. There are sausages and…
Kaliningrad
The 'WB' in the name stands for 'whiskey bar', and there certainly is a huge range of the liquor at this super-slick nightspot. Frock up and bring all the…
Kaliningrad
This handy riverfront cafe serves above-average coffees, plus the usual range of cakes and sweets, beer, wine and soft drinks. They also do good salads…
Sergiev Posad
The best bar that we found in Sergiev Posad, with a selection of 20 rotating craft beers on draught (as well as Guinness for the purists). There's a…
St Petersburg
The W's rooftop cocktail bar and terrace offers fantastic city views to be enjoyed over top-notch libations. Bookings are advised for the outdoor space…
Astrakhan
Flower pots abound, water streams down a glass wall and delicious French pastries beckon from the counter to accompany your coffee or tea. It also offers…
St Petersburg
Go on, spoil yourself with one of the vegan muffins and other baked goodies at 'Coffee in the Kitchen', which has a variety of ways to prepare your cup of…
Kaliningrad
This popular 'anticafe' – where you pay for the time but not for snacks and drinks – offers free wi-fi, hot drinks, billiards, ping-pong and a slew of…
Volga Region
This handy cellar pub, just a short stroll from the main intersection of ul Lenina and ul Pushkina, serves a nice range of Czech and other European beers…
Yaroslavl
This sizeable all-day cafe serves all manner of espresso-based coffees, iced or hot, as well as desserts and light meals (salads, pastas etc). The cafe…
Western European Russia
This grungy, two-level hang-out is the hub of Pskov’s underground music scene, staging local and national bands and DJs. Nibbles are available throughout…
Kazan
Cheerful, eclectic coffeeshop-restaurant, with a full coffee and tea menu as well as light bites, soups and sandwiches throughout the day (mains R400)…
Western European Russia
This mainstream rock bar has MTV on the screens and graffiti wall art. Join the young Pskovians here for late-night boogieing to thumping DJs, or just…
St Petersburg
This legendary bar is set in the building that’s the focus of the avant-garde art scene – it attracts an interesting crowd who give this cramped space its…
St Petersburg
This pleasant place is a fine low-key setting for a drink. Enjoy a dimly lit but artsy interior (including a piano just waiting to be played) and an…
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…
St Petersburg
A striking two-part painting of Jim Morrison hangs on the wall of this cool and spacious bar where DJs spin discs. Several beers on tap and plenty of…
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
This swanky rooftop lounge has good views of the city, excellent cocktails and sushi, and is generally considered the best place in town to go dancing,…
Vladivostok
One of Vladivostok’s fancier clubs, the dance floor here seethes at weekends and there's a lovely outdoor area that's the place to be seen in the summer…
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,…
St Petersburg
A slice of New York bohemia on one of the city’s most happening streets, Terminal is great for a relaxed drink with friends, in a small, intimate setting…
Kazan
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…
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…
Thelma & Louise’s Bar of Broken Hearts
St Petersburg
This unpretentious, shabby-chic-verging-on-Gothic grunge bar offers live music Thursday to Saturday, 8pm to 10pm. Look for the names Thelma & Louise…
Golden Ring
This smart cafe in the town centre offers a variety of delicious desserts and espresso-based coffees (as well as a full food menu). Vegans, rejoice –…
Irkutsk
Upmarket Bavarian-style bierstube (beer hall with heavy wooden furniture) serving Newcastle Brown and Guinness as well as German beers and sausages. Enter…
Sakha Republic & Magadan Region
The closest Magadan does to a charming bar is this recently opened pub, a two-room establishment clad in timber and with cosy booths to sit in and try…
Novosibirsk
It bills itself as a jazz bar but the line-up runs the gamut from jazz and blues to trash rock and grunge. Whatever is playing, this underground…
Western European Russia
Enjoy mellow river views with delicious beers brewed on-site at this rustic, chalet-like bar. Photo opps of the kremlin out front are some of the best you…
Irkutsk
You’ll smell this place before you see it as Irkutsk’s unpretentious microbrewery-pub creates its own Pilsner Urquell lager, pumping out a pungent hop…
Krasnoyarsk
One of Krasnoyarsk’s classiest coffee houses has black-and-white photography, dark-wood furniture, a belt-stretching dessert menu and reasonably priced…
Russian Caucasus
Craft beer has arrived in the Russian provinces. Sample some of the local brews, such as Rose Bud (scented not with roses but with hibiscus), crafted…
Western European Russia
A tiny drink-in or takeaway craft-beer shop with around 15 Russian beers on tap (from R270) and a small selection of bottled beers. It's tucked away off…
