::: Moscow Blog :::

Here is my current top 10 list for Moscow’s best clubs: (Last Updated Jan 07 2009)

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.

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 owner has great taste (which he shows with the interior design, but also the choice of DJs). Still, Solyanka took 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.

Go to Solyanka and 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. Solyanka suffers as others from the current crises, but its still my number one choice

2. Ninja Vanil
I discovered this place in October. Its actually a side room of Famous and not a club by itself. They only open this on Thursday nights to a selected crowd (friends & family). You need to be on the guestlist or call one of the promoters to get you inside. There is no face control. Only a few security guys with lists. Its not even worth trying, if you are not on the list. Part of the party is run by Sasha, Dyagilevs Pasha-Face-Controls brother, who used to be on the door at TUNDRA. Word is, that its a party for nightlife people and made on Thursdays (only!) because that is the day off for many of the promoters, DJs and barkeepers. That of course is total bullshit and I haven’t seen many (real) nightlife people there yet. Only a few drunken VIPs which enjoy the pseudo underground. Nevertheless, the place has some coolness to it. Its small, the crowd is friendly and the music is excellent (I heard some of the finest minimal there). That comes with a heavy price tag, though. While there is no cover, a Vodka Red Bull pulls 550 Rubel out of your wallet, smoothly and Ninja style.

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”). Apparently it is supposed to be closed soon. The block will be the home of another luxury hotel, but who knows what is really going to happen during the current crises. 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 posting. Also apparently Lyosha, their old face control guy is back, who was always better in chosing the right party people. Unfortunately, Krishas face control only starts after 3 AM. Before you need to be on the list or have the Krisha membership card.

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

4. So-Ho Rooms
So-Ho is still considered one of Moscow’s best clubs by many of Moscow’s nightlife people. I believe its a dying relict of a time that has changed. Lots of new rich Russians and 19 year old bunnies around them. OK OK, the pool is a cool thing. No doubt. Anyway, there are many beautiful girls, but they are probably out of reach for many of us foreigners. Yes yes, we are all losers, ha ha. So-Ho is pricey in general (I’d say expensive). There is a restaurant as well and you can get food until early morning. Heard they got a new female executive chef from the UK ;-) Yeah, you could be right… that one. Laura!

5. Famous
This club is another venture of the makers of Zima, Leta. Osen and Dyagilev. Its the hangout of Moscows glamouros and wannabes. Aehm, sorry I meant Moscows “famous” people.  I really wonder how all these clubs can survive spinning the same music and offering the similar setups. Still, its a good place for people watch, especially if you are only in town for a few days. You’ll have to pass “face control” though and if you don’t know what that means, then read more at the bottom…

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. Rai
This is a huge club with a horrible interior design. Crowd: young, rich and (wannabe) famous. Very expensive drinks and they serve Burn instead of Red Bull, which is an absolute NO NO! Rai hosts the Russian comedy club every Sat. That is sort of a Russian version of Saturday nightlife (but much more stupid). The club tries so hard to be stylish and is still pure kitsch, even though one of their main promoters and founders is Swedish. Expect a lot of coke heads, especially in the toilet. All bad being said, Rai is still one of Moscow’s main clubs. Personally I think its sad that a club like this, playing Russian pop-music badly mixed with the usual commercial dance music, can survive for such a long time. Rumor is, that the partners of Rai have some differences with each other and the club may close soon.
http://www.moscow-blog.com/2007/02/23/ria-a-new-star-among-moscows-elite-clubs/

9. Most
Its sad to see what happens to what was once one of Moscow’s most elite clubs. Opened by two Oligarchs, with a super rich setup and a multi million dollar chandelier, the club just underwent some changes last summer and doesn’t seem to have recovered ever since. Still, the club has one of the most friendly staff in Moscow, which was always a big plus of Moct (thats how you write it in Russian). I haven’t been there for a few weeks, but heard its audience is dominated by dark Caucasus Mafia types now.

10. Krises Zhandra
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. Definitely your place, if you like rock music and you like young suburban student chicks hitting on you. My recent visit in November reminded me a lot of Real Mc Coy in its early good days. My Norwegian guest managed to pick up a girl and have her take him home in a 30 min record time.

Readers Choice
Just in case you don’t agree with my opinion, you can vote for your own favorite club and see a list generated by users. Missing a club on the poll? Shoot me an email.

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Garage
This venue goes up and down on my list, but it never disappears, because its a Moscow classic. Unless they’d finally close it, which is a strong and lasting rumor since years. Garage was one of the first clubs 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 after hour club in town. The doormen are unpredictable. I often came sober and well dressed, but they didn’t let me in. Next time I am shitfaced drunk and they greet my like I’m their best friend. 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 Moscow’s nightlife. Anything from lots of whores, who have moved from the nearby Nightflight, which closes at 3 AM, to diplomats and famous nightlife figures from other clubs. The party goes on until 10-11 AM or sometimes even past that. Don’t even try to go there before 3-4 AM. Its a real shit hole, but still the best after hour place in town.

Justo Bain Douche
The club closed for a reconstruction after their NYE party. Its uncertain when Justo opens again. Its also not clear, if it will ever open as a club again. Rumour is, its only going to be a cafe and theatre later on.

Gazgolder

Rumor 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.

Moscows 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:

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