Must see entertainment in St Petersburg

Housed in the sumptuous (and dare we say, rather bizarre) former home of Baron von Derviz, the St Petersburg Opera performs regular operas in its intimate…

Occupying a grand former mansion, this cinema and working film studio specialises mainly in documentary films, including international ones, although they…

The fun and friendly Red Fox Jazz Café is a subterranean space that showcases various jazz styles in the old-fashioned 1920s to '50s sense: big band,…

This latest incarnation of a gay club that has been going in various forms for over a decade is a great place for a campy, old-school experience, complete…

Set up in 2000, this circus teaches performing skills to children with disabilities or from environments where they are at social risk. Unlike other…

This fantastic conversion of a Soviet-era cinema in a rather nondescript part of town is a great venue for medium-sized concerts and a good place to see…

Terrible title, but not a bad show of traditional Russian folk dancing and music. The pricey two-hour performance features four different folk groups,…

With an outstanding sound system and an eclectic line-up of live music and DJs, A2 is one of the best venues for contemporary sounds in the city. It…

This cinema inside the Angleterre Hotel is one of the best places in the city to see movies in their original language, with subtitles rather than dubbing…

Dating back to 1929, this theatre, as its name implies, specialises in musical and comedic plays and performances. Over the White Nights tourist season…

The BDT, which will celebrate its centenary in 2019, has a reputable repertoire and is a good place to see Russian drama. Recently renovated, it is one of…

Named after the island on which it stands, this huge arena seats 68,000 spectators at sporting events, and up to 80,000 at concerts. All eyes will be on…

This huge arena is the home stadium for the city's top ice hockey team SKA and is also used for major pop concerts by local and international stars, such…

Art-house movie theatre that shares a grand building (a former concert hall) with Dom Kino. There are two screens and they often show films in their…

Russia's oldest permanent circus complex (built in 1877) is looking splendid since a recent major renovation. Circus troupes and artists from other cities…

Since 1917, this venue under the arches on central Nevsky is the city’s oldest professional puppet theatre. Mainly for children, the shows are well…

This ‘big’ puppet theatre is indeed the biggest in the city, and has been active since 1931. The repertoire includes a wide range of shows for children…

This large venue hosts an annual festival of plays from the Baltic countries, as well as Russian and European plays and a growing repertoire of…

This low-key Russian restaurant and bar has very popular live jazz sets at 9.30pm and 11.30pm on Friday and Saturday, when it's practically standing room…

Named after the famed naval ship docked nearby, this place stages a mixed bag of ballets, rock and metal concerts and musical theatre.