ACCOMMODATION BARS PUB&RESTORANTS EVENTS GETTING AROUND
Bars in St. Petersburg
Atelier Beloved of the local student crowd, this three level rough edged house has a bit of squat feel to it, especially when you add in drinks served in plastic cups, occasional ‘art’ exhibitions and an erratic door policy that ranges from face control to free-for-all. The DJ sets can often be good here, but it’s impossible to know if on the night you arrive it will be a Jamaican ragga party or minimal techno rave. If you’re older than 20 you may feel a bit like a pensioner here, but as they say ‘young at heart’…www.ATELIERBAR.ru
Stirka - A small, alternative and unique hang-out; Stirka has a good sound system, old sofa's and small bar serving cold and hot drinks and snacks. Water-smoking pipes available. You can wash your clothes in the back room laundry machines and sup a beer while you watch them spin - all in a smoke-free environment. Terrace seating for the those who need a puff or just want to hang out in the (semi-)fresh air.
www.40GRADUSOV.ru
Dacha - This place gets really crowded during the weekend but then it also tends to be more fun. The later the hour the crazier the atmosphere with people dancing up a huge sweat in this tiny pocket of a place. Don't dress too fancy if you're coming here for the night, you're likely to get beer spilt on you and the place is smokier than a cuban warehouse. Despite the mess the friendly and energetic atmosphere of Dacha is addictive. During the day they have a few tables outside and the same quality taste in music which is complimented by sandwiches, homemade lemonade and free wifi.
Fidel - can get packed so if you want a seat you need to work faster than a babushka on the metro. Either that or get there early. But who comes to a bar to sit down? The music is too loud to have conversations anyway. They do have a dancefloor where you can come away with a head injury if you are not careful. If you're in any way squeamish avoid the toilets - let's just say they're not the cleanest we've ever seen...
www.BARFIDEL.ru
Fishfabrique - A diverse and interesting crowd congregates at this dark and grungy single-room club - perhaps because it’s at the entrance of the city's largest 'working and living' centre for artists. Fishka is one of the more intimate live-music venues in the city and on a busy night, it has a positively bubbling atmosphere, although you'll be pressed for a place to sit. On quieter nights, it's a relaxed place to listen to music, or try your hand at table soccer. Live concerts usually Thu, Fri, Sat, starts 21:30 - 22:00.
www.fishfabrique.spb.ru
GEZ 21 - is an experimental music centre, that looks like an artist's loft. It's small and cosy and filled with old mis-matching furniture populated by bohemian types who come to play chess, drink tea, smoke and check out the view from the little roof terrace out back. To find it go through the first building of the art centre an out into the courtyard. Then follow the green signs leading into a third courtyard. When you find the GEZ building head to the roof. Concerts usually on Thu, Fri, Sat start at 20:00.
Kitaisky Lotchik Dzao Da -Kitaisky Lotchik or Chinese Pilot, is a newly opened brother establishment of the long-loved Moscow Club of the same name. The emphasis here is towards live music and cheap but filling food. Unfortunately the place is not massively well promoted so there is still no regular crowd and the place feels very empty. On the plus side that of course means you’ll always be able to get a seat and the concerts feel more, ahem, intimate.
www.SPB.JAO-DA.ru
Mishka bar - Named after the youtube celebrity, Mishka the talking husky, this tiny basement bar is well done up in grey with pink accents. All the hipsters are here, with their oversized glasses and handmade accessories. They're smoking Belomorkanals ironically and tapping their feet to the DJ who's sharing space with the friendly bartenders. As a bonus, the toilet rules are interestingly translated - who flushes their wallet down the bowl? www.MISHKABAR.ru
Pirogi - This bustling cafe-bar is one part bookshop, one part student hangout leaving the rest of the ample space for those people in the city who liked a relaxed atmosphere and fairly priced beer. The cute chequered tablecloths give Pirogi (meaning pies) its laid back cafe vibe, while the indie music and late open hours keep it in the bar bracket too. Nothing rowdy ever kicks off here, this is more the place for long chats over budget beer and pies and games of Jenga stretching off into the early hours.
www.!!!.ru
Bars in Moscow
NAPOLEON hostel is Moscow�s oldest and friendliest back-packing hostel and is located in the historic downtown area of Moscow known as Kitai- Gorod. Here you can experience the �old� Moscow with cobbled streets, old merchant houses and quaint Orthodox churches. This historical area is also the heart of Moscow�s nightlife and there are many bars and clubs, cheap restaurants and cafes to explore.www.NAPOLEONHOSTEL.com
Godzillas hostel - is Moscow�s largest and best-known hostel. It was the first independent hostel to open in Moscow and has been featured in The New York Times, Newsweek and The Daily Telegraph.
www.GODZILLASHOSTEL.com
Fabrika Moscow Hostel - is not just a mini hotel. It�s also an art environment created in the center of modern Moscow culture. Shows, concerts and lections are planned to take place weekly at Fabrika. It is not just a place to spend a night. It�s a place to live.
www.FABRIKA-HOSTEL.ru
Artel Hotel - The bohemian life is not for everyone. What some see as an exciting lifestyle is also viewed as too unstable by others. Bridge the gap between the 2 at Artel Hotel in Moscow, Russia to create an experience that�s truly unique. Located right across the Red Square at the heart of the city, our hotel brings you near fascinating cafés, shops, and restaurants. Our rooms, meanwhile, feature designs by local artists to offer an ambience you won�t find anywhere else. The artistic life may be unpredictable, but you can readily enjoy it here whenever you like.
www.ARTELHOTEL-MOSCOW.com
Hostels & GuestHouses in Irkutsk
Baikalhostel - In our hospitable and comfortable hostel you can rest and relax before continuing your travels. We will be happy to provide you with all necessary information and support to help you organise the remainder of your trip.www.BAIKALHOSTEL.com
� 2008 VODKATRAVEL