Here is my current top 10 list for Moscows best clubs: (Last Updated Apr 29 2008)

Click on the links to read stories about the clubs, with videos, photos, address and maps. Read my tips on how to get into these clubs and pass the doorman below this list.

1. Solyanka
When I first went to Solyanka I have been highly critical. The club is among one of the most stylish in Moscow, with a modern mix of Berlin Retro at the bar/dancefloor and Miami/Cuba Hemmingway in the side rooms. The face control is mad, although it was a “Flammable Beats” Thursday with lots of Snowboarders and alternative looking people, its actually kind of hard to get in. Nadia, the clubs face control is know for her creative choice of Moscow’s underground and highly feared by the uncool, but rich. Rumor is, that it was her who didn’t let Roman Abramovitch into Gazgolder that legendary night.

I went more often and once decided to go on a Friday night, which was a blast. The music range is very wide, but its never cheap commercial stuff. The clubs owners have great taste (which they show with the interior design, but also the choice of DJs). Still, they take it a little too far, when they decided to not only design the club, but also model its audience. I guess something like this is only possible in a city like Moscow.

Anyway, if you go to Solyanka, you’ll find a carefully selected crowd, mostly fashionable and creative ki(n)ds with a very rare sight of posh. Its a healthy mix and usually provides good vibes. My recent Saturday night visit was a blast. I left the club at 6 AM next morning. When I arrived that night I had to make my way to the door through a very wild crowd. Its a very long time that I have seen this amount of people in-front of a clubs door here in Moscow. Make sure to come early to be able to make it in.

2. Justo Bain Douche
This place is one of the good new openings of last year. Its on Teatralnaya Pod. 3, just across Hotel Metropol in the center. Walk into the drive way (there is some red advertising on top) until there comes a door on the left. The door is closed and there is a simple light on top. You’ll have to ring bell and they’ll let you in. Justo is one of Moscows nicest and coolest clubs in terms of interior. Its very much Berlin style, I’d say. Well, probably a bit too much for Berlin, but hey, this is Moscow. Not Berlin. The audience is mixed, but there are too many of the more poshy crowd. I’d say the club is a middle between the extremely cool Solyanka and Most in terms of people. Its a pity that the club hasn’t managed to get more of a cool crowd as Solyanka, but using the name of the owners old Club (Justo), which was known for posh, probably doesn’t help much. Anyway, the crowd and the DJ lineup is why I still prefer Solyanka over Justo. Go and check Justo. Its definitely cool, has good music and is some sort of underground. The stuff, which Moscow was missing for such a long time. After all there is only a small cool scene and its just not enough to fill up 2 clubs. Eventually Justo will make it to No.1, if it gets a better DJ line-up and a more trendy crowd.

3. Krisha
Unofficial opening in the summer 06 with a very creative crowd. A year later it is the trendiest place of the summer 07. Everybody wants to go there. Large line to get in. Very strong face control. One lounge, 2 dancefloors with a nice open terrace on the roof (russ.: “Krisha”). Should probably be the No.1 this summer, since Gazgolder is not visited very well at the time being, if only Gazgolder wouldn’t be so damn cool and stylish. Apparently is set to close soon. The block will be the home of another luxury hotel. So go and check it our before it closes. I haven’t been there recently, but I heard that the place actually got back to its roots and is cool again. I think its a good thing when the posh crowd calls Krisha (hangout of the stoners) as they recently did on Small World.

http://www.moscow-blog.com/2006/10/06/moscows-top-clubs-krisha-and-opera/
http://www.moscow-blog.com/2007/06/04/sunrise/

4. Most
Hangout of the real rich and famous. Rumor is that the club is partly owned by the oligarch Abramovitch. Its definitely worth checking it out, but bring enough cash, since you need to exchange 500 Rub ($20) for a watery drink. I wonder, if they serve them in London like that? The crowd is a boring mix of the usual Moscow nightlife figures. The same people you’ll find at Krisha or So-Ho rooms. Russia’s glamorous rich and famous mixed with unglamorous people like me, who somehow managed to pass face control. The $1 million chandelier also didn’t rock my world. The clubs is trying hard to be classy and although its not as cheap in taste as Rai, its not cutting it. Nevertheless the staff seemed to be one of the friendliest I have see in Moscow so far.

You get it, this club is not my cup of tea, but definitely one of Moscow’s top clubs. Hard to get in, but worth entertaining people watch for one night. It will not get my favorite hangout and probably never make it into my top 3 list. I also won’t return as long as I am not invited by someone who gets a table.

5. So-Ho Rooms
The former hangout of the rich and famous (or the wannabe’s) Dyagilev burned down just a few weeks ago. Its no surprise for me that the promoters and owners have just opened their new club So-Ho rooms a week before. (Note: Huh, I was just told that this is wrong, although I got my info from some reliable source!). I haven’t been there, yet. Apparently its a few floors with a Cafe, a club and a rooftop terrace with even a pool. So-Ho is still considered one of Moscow’s best clubs by many of Moscow’s posh nightlife people. I believe its a dying relict of a time that has changed and it seems to me that the makers of Osen, Leto, Dyagilev and now So-Ho rooms are unable to change and adjust to what’s laying ahead (and being in demand!) in Moscow. OK OK, the pool is a cool thing. No doubt. Anyway, heard there are many beautiful girls, but they are probably out of reach for any of us foreigners, because we are not willing to throw the amount of money at them, that the Russians do. Yes yes, we are all losers, ha ha. Money is not everything, besides I got a very beautiful Bolshoi ballerina as a girlfriend already. What else do I need?

6. Propaganda
One of the oldest clubs in Moscow. Very mixed crowd. Thursday is the best night, run by DJ Sanches, who is one of the best DJs in Moscow. Saturday is dominated by a sub-urban crowd. Sunday is gay night. Face control doesn’t like guys in suits or posh outfits. They don’t like Hip Hop Snowboarder types either. After a recent low last summer, Propaganda managed to get back to its old fame. Its still running one of Moscows best nights in terms of music and crowd and that is Thursday. So watch Propaganda working its way up in my list again - step by step. Propaganda would be my personal No.4 on this list, but I am considering the different taste and needs of you, the audience (keeping Most and So-Ho Rooms up in the list).
http://www.moscow-blog.com/2007/06/21/nu-rave-propaganda/
http://www.moscow-blog.com/2007/04/07/new-rave-reached-moscow-fridays-at-propaganda/
http://www.moscow-blog.com/2005/11/17/a-night-out-in-moscow-clubbing-in-november-2005/
http://www.moscow-blog.com/2005/10/09/scam-hey-sportsman-are-you-a-sportsman/
http://www.moscow-blog.com/2005/03/20/going-out-in-moscow-clubbing-and-partying-girls-or-dinks-or-both-nightlife-anybody/

7. Opera
On weekends long queues to get in. Very nice club. Crowd is made out of rich upper middle class Russians and Expats. Girls who try to find a husband. Music is so and so. Heard there is a large speed and coke consume and sometimes drugs land in your drink (be careful). Opera has probably the nicest Go-Go dancers and its always a good choice on Thursdays.
http://www.moscow-blog.com/2006/10/06/moscows-top-clubs-krisha-and-opera/

8. Shanti
Here is a newcomer on its way up. Shanti is not really new, but I have just discovered that they throw regular cool parties with excellent DJs, like the Between Us session I have been recently invited to. This is the place to go, if you like dance music and techno. You’ll find the real deal and not the cheap shit you’d be used to from other Moscow clubs. Berlin and Cologne style I mean. The crowd is young and creative, some of these folks you’ll find on weekends in Solyanka. The top floor is a restaurant. There is a small path down into the basement and you’ll feel like on a ride at Disneyland when you enter the club. I haven’t decided yet, if its cool or too cheap. The parties are good. The people as well and that is what we come for.

9. Rai
Huge club with a horrible interior design. Crowd: young, rich and (wannabe) famous. Very expensive drinks. Hosts the Russian comedy club every Sat. Its sort of a spinoff of Saturday nightlife (but much more stupid). The club tries so hard to be stylish and is pure kitsch. Expect a lot of cokeheads, especially in the toilett.
http://www.moscow-blog.com/2007/02/23/ria-a-new-star-among-moscows-elite-clubs/

10. Club XIII

This used to be one of the best clubs in Moscow, before it closed for a 2 year break. Very beautiful Villa with a very romantic interior in the middle of the city. Unfortunately the crowd is so and so. Still, its a good choice for weekend night, espially if you feel for something different or your face control connections won’t work that night. Recently I have heard more good reviews of friends about XIII again and maybe I will soon move it up in this list.
http://www.moscow-blog.com/2005/12/13/2-many-djs-club-xiii/

11. Krises Zhanra
The alternative finally made it to Moscow. Apart from some exceptions they’ll have Russian rock bands performing live and rock DJs. Very nice and young crowd. Usually too packed.

12. Garage
This venue was one of the first I visited, when I arrived in Moscow 2003. Ever since the club was said to be closing down or remodeled. It survived a fire and flooding and many other crises. As of today (especially with the closing of Mix), Garage is probably the best Afterhour Club in town. The doormen are unpredictable. I often came sober and well dressed and they didn’t let me in. Next time I am shitfaced drunk and let in. You never know. Still there is a trick. Try bribing them with a 1000 Rub bill, if that is worth it for you. It usually works. Once inside you’ll find the left overs from Moscows nightlife. Anything from lots of whores, who have moved from the nearby Nightflight, which closes at 3 AM to diplomats and famous nighlife figures from other clubs. The party goes on until 10-11 AM or somethines even past that. Don’t even try to go there before 3-4 AM.

Recently or temporarily closed:

Gazgolder

Rumour is, that the owners of Gazgolder didn’t pay their taxes (for the ast 3 years) and that is why the club is temporarily closed. Apparently they are trying to work it out and re-open soon. Until then the club invites regulars via its email list for “private parties” now and then (every 2 weeks, mainly on Fridays). Probably they need a better accountant. Below is what I had to say about Gazgolder, which was my No.1 until it was closed and it would be my No.2 nowadays. Gazgolder is still hard to get in. YOU HAVE TO BE ON THE LIST! Ask some friends to put you.

Probably one of the best clubs worldwide in terms of interior. Good mix of people. Now ay to get it, if you are not on the list. Rumor is, that even Abramovitch couldn’t make it pass face control.
http://www.moscow-blog.com/2006/10/14/gazgolder/

Mix

After 7 years, Mix was closed on the 7th of July 2007. RIP.We remember numerous afterhour early morning parties there. See below what I had to say about it before its closure.

Famous after-hour club. you can go there, after the regular clubs close down. Best party from 5 to 9 AM. Crowd of regular party goers. Mix is known for its drugged up kids and its regularly visited by the police. The militia also checks people, when they leave the club. Still, very good music and worth while a visit, if you don’t want to go to bed yet.
http://www.moscow-blog.com/2005/11/17/a-night-out-in-moscow-clubbing-in-november-2005/

Dyagilev
Used to be one of Moscows most famous clubs. It burned down in Mid Feb 2008, just a week after the inofficial opening and a few days before the official opening of its successor “So-Ho Rooms”. The firemen were wondring, why they were called so late. Basically when half of the building had burned down already.

Note
You may not agree with my selection. Keep in mind, that this is my personal opinion, not some sort of a hit counter. If you disagree, I encourage you to post your opinion in the comments section, so others can see it.

Moscwos Top 10 Bars/Lounges:
http://www.moscow-blog.com/top-10-bars-moscow/

FACE CONTROL:
I think this word doesn’t even exist in English. It’s one of these Russian-English creations. Moscow is probably the strangest place in terms of clubbing and nightlife. Every little bar has its security people standing in front of the door and very often they’ll not only check you for weapons, but they will also decide if you make it into the club or not. Often this is a show and while there are long queues outside of the club its empty inside (especially early, before 1-2 AM). On the other hand we only have a handful of clubs here in Moscow and 15 Mio people who want to make it inside. Especially the more posh clubs have long lines of dressed up women standing in front of the club. Most of the women are not even looked at, because they are considered not to have money. Here are some tips on how to make it pass “face control”:

- Don’t be shitfaced drunk. If you are try to get your act together for these 5 min. and stay normal.

- Check your clothes. Make sure you look properly and in order

- Don’t wear baseball hats and/or white or colorful sports shoes/sneakers. (Wear black, if you don’t want to go without your sneakers).

- Be arrogant to the crowd in the cue, but polite and friendly to the doorman. Very often it’s the manager of the club, standing in front of the door, especially early in the night.

- Men should always come in the company of one or two (beautiful) women and it won’t be a problem, if you are dressed according to the clubs style. Just be arrogant and pass the line. Go to the VIP entrance or walk straight up to the doorman and ask him politely, if you can make it in with your company of 2. Most of the doorman speak English (not all!!), but still it’s better to try a few words in Russian. At least a “Strastwutje” or “Dobre den” as an opener.

- The less people you are, the better it is. Optimal is 2-3. Split up, if you are more than 4. That may mean some sacrifice. A part of the group won’t make it. That’s life.

- No matter how shitfaced you are when you leave the club, get your act together, be nice and say “Good Bye” to the doorman and the security. They appreciate it and may remember you next time. Its the same when you see the doorman inside the club, it never hurts to say “Thank you” again :-)

- Check if some of your friends are regulars in the club. Ask them to bring you in (by phone or go with them).

- If nothing works, try to bribe (discretely) the doorman with 500-1000 Rbls. That works in many clubs. It won’t work in Krisha or Gazgolder. Don’t even try.

- Reserve a table upfront. While a table is $1500-2000 it may make sense, if you are a bigger group. Typically you’ll get a food and drinks worth your table fee and that makes sense, if you are a 8 plus group.

- If nothing works, ask the doorman politely if it makes sense to wait. He will tell you right away. Sometimes the club is just too crowded and you’ll have to wait for some people to leave to get in.

- So you don’t make it in this time. Just don’t be frustrated (I have some friends which are very frustrated about it) and go to some other club. There are many clubs and bars and never forget that you are the paying customer, who actually brings the money to the establishment :-) That alone should make you feel good. Just try this club another time. Ask friends for a contact to the doorman.

So, here are some inside views of Moscows best clubs and bars: