Bars & Nightlife

The nightlife scene in Moscow is varied, and long gone are the days when the only kind of venues in operation were luxury establishments guarded by stern-looking bouncers. Although some places still enforce FC/DC, many are now leaning towards a more casual approach to entry - the recent decade has seen a rise in the number of casual bars modelled after hip urban haunts of West European capitals. Wine bars, craft breweries, bohemian cafes, indie bars, and glitzy nightclubs are all to be found in abundance, spread throughout the city's many neighbourhoods. And here are the best bars and nightclubs in Moscow, Russia:

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Strelka

A summertime staple, this bar belong to its namesake Institute for Media, Architecture and Design and attracts a with-it crowd. Its open-air terrace buzzes with patrons sipping on cocktails all throughout the warm season. Weekends see parties with dancing, DJ sets and the occasional performing …

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Propaganda

Propaganda is a real underground club classic. Here famous DJ’s play before a good-looking crowd - with an age range of roughly 20-40 represented. The club is open every day (during the daylight hours it operates as a restaurant/cafe), and plays house music during the …

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Zhan-Zhak

An atmospheric wine bar that reportedly attracts Moscow's liberal intelligentsia, but is equally positively inclined towards anyone that chooses to stop by. There are several locations around Moscow (and beyond), all consistent in their Parisian brasserie-style interior decor, red coloured walls, and a menu of classic French …

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Chinese Pilot Jao Da

A longstanding nightlife venue holding a near-legendary status, the bar is named after a semi-fictional character (17 stories of his life and adventures adjourn the walls). Live music is often played here, and the crowd is known for being exceptionally …

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16 Tons Club

This popular English pub brews its own namesake beer in-house (the brew has even gotten several international awards). The venue is also known for hosting some of the capital's best concerts - both local and international artists and …

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Belfast

Unlike some of Moscow's more refined evening establishments, the pub Belfast invites guests to kick back and relax, watching a live sports broadcast, enjoying traditional Irish pub grub, or singing along to Irish folk …

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Hookah Bar Friends

Housed inside a refurbished apartment, this cosy hookah bar entices with its oriental decor and a great selection of hookah flavours. Guests are welcome to make use of board …

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