|
| Moscow Gay Guide
When foreign people think of Moscow, they picture snowy days at the Kremlin and the onion-shaped domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral. They taste cabbage soup and vodka. They remember the Cold War, the KGB, and a fear of communism. They do not, however, think of gay Moscow nightlife. But since Russian society has gradually warmed to gay citizens, Moscow has emerged as the center of the gay Russian subculture. Even during Soviet times, Moscow’s large size made it the natural home for underground gay nightlife, with certain bars and clubs serving as unofficial gay Moscow hotspots. Now that bars and clubs can more publicly cater to gays without fear of reprisal, gay Moscow is getting louder and prouder by the day. Here are some of the most popular gay places in this city of 12 million.
12 VOLT
12 Tverskaya Ul., bldg. 2, Moscow
M. Tverskaya/Pushkinskaya
Tel: (495) 933-2815
www.12voltclub.ru
Open: Mon – Sun from 6 pm – 6 am
Cover: none
This is one of the best-known gay and lesbian clubs and it has a convenient central location. Although a small venue, it has a decent dance floor, regular DJs and different themed nights. Open seven nights a week, entry is free and a club card gives discounts on the bar and food.
FRIENDLY BAR
23, Leontievskiy Per., bldg. 1, Moscow
M. Tverskaya/Pushkinskaya
Tel: (495) 629-9680
www.fbar.ru
Open: Mon – Sun from 11 am – 2 am
Cover: none
Though a relative newcomer to the Moscow gay scene, Friendly Bar caught on fast and bolted to the forefront. Known for its diverse crowd, it’s really friendly place to gays, lesbians, and heteros alike, it servers up food, stiff drinks, and a solid mix of dance music.
69
4, Rozanova Ul., Moscow
M. Begovaya
Tel: (495) 580-6927
www.69pop.ru
Open: Mon – Sun from 8 pm – 6 am
Cover: none
ELF CAFÉ
23, Leningradskiy Prospekt, Moscow
M. Dinamo
Tel: (495) 926-4837
Open: Mon – Sun from 11 am – 6 am
Cover: none
Elf Café is one of the oldest gay places of Moscow created in 1993. In November 2005 Elf Café was reopened in new location. Now it’s a business cafe at daytime which magically turns into a gay bar every day at 8 pm. Bear parties on Wed and Sat start even earlier at 6 pm.
TSIFRY
3, Glinishchevskiy Per., Moscow
M. Tverskaya/Pushkinskaya
Tel: (495) 692-2911
Open: Mon – Sun from 12 noun – 6 am
Cover: Sat-Fri none, Fri-Sat 300 RUB
Former 991 Bar used to be a straight place with a gay night, but it has grown into a gay place with some straight guests – “gay expansion” as described by one local in-the-know. Although the place has a small dance floor and a drag show on Saturday nights, it is more of a cafe scene. Look for the entrance down from Studio Casino.
STEREO
22, Chayanova Ul., Moscow
M. Novoslobodskaya
Tel: (495) 250-9191
www.cafestereo.ru
Open: 24h
Cover: none
A modern two-level interior with calm music in the afternoons, lounge in the evening and DJ parties at night.
CAFÉ DES ARTISTES
5/6 Kamergerskiy Per., Moscow
M. Teatralnaya/Okhotny Ryad
Tel: (495) 692-4042
Open: Mon – Sun from 11 am – 1 am
Cover: none
Restaurant and art gallery in one, this Swiss-owned establishment is an interesting and elegant place to enjoy a meal. The glitzy interior has rich red tapestries, marble walls and a frescoed ceiling. Even better, the leafy summer cafe is possibly Kamergersky pereulok's loveliest outdoor setting. The menu is full of delicious options, but the specialties of the house include cream of spinach soup and fresh oysters. Art exhibitions range from traditional crafts to contemporary photography.
MAKI CAFE
3, Glinishchevskiy Per., Moscow
M. Tverskaya/Pushkinskaya
Tel: (495) 692-9731
Open: Mon – Thu, Sun from 12 noun – 12 midnight, Fri – Sat from 12 noun – 5 pm
Cover: none
Maki is a breath of fresh air in Moscow - good food, informal service and atmosphere and very reasonable prices. Beef stroganoff, risottos and duck in plum sauce are all fantastic - and there is even a good selection for vegetarians. Maki bucks the current trend of ultra-stylishness by exposing its brick walls and concrete with subtle details to create a warehouse ‘remont-chic’ style of décor. Very gay-friendly.
CAFEMAX
25, Pyatnitskaya, bldg. 1, Moscow
M. Novokuznetskaya
Tel: (495) 781 97-31
www.cafemax.ru
Open: 24h
Cover: none
Friends in the know are also easily found at Cafemax, an Internet cafe that serves alcohol and attracts a young set of gay boys. Watch out for hustlers!
THREE MONKEYS
11, Nastavnichevskiy Per., bldg. 1, Moscow
M. Kurskaya/Chkalovskaya
Tel: (495) 916-3555
www.gaycentral.ru
Open: Mon – Sun from 7 pm – 7 am
Cover: 7pm – 11 pm free for men
Legendary and one of the best gay club in Russia. Frequently visited by famous VIPs like Dolce&Gabana, Calvin Klein and many others. Three floors, DJs, go-go dancers, transvestite stage shows, big dance hall, three bars, restaurant, VIP bar, karaoke room, high speed Internet access and an outside cafe in summer time. A fun place to satisfy every desire.
BODY&SOUL
19A, Kuusinena Ul., Moscow
M. Polezhayevskaya
Tel: (499) 943-3606
www.clubchance.net
Open: Mon – Thu, Sun from 11 pm – 6 am, Fri – Sat from 11 pm– 7 am
Cover: 11 pm till midnight free for men
The sheer size of this place is its most notable characteristic. This mammoth gay club offers nearly limitless entertainment possibilities: two dance floors - one techno, one pop, billiards, internet, live entertainment. This chic place is becoming popular with a mixed crowd, but the dark room is for men only. Frequented by the leading Russian pop stars.
SECRET
7, Nizhniy Susalny Per., bldg. 8, Moscow
M. Kurskaya
Tel: (495) 649-1432
www.secret-club.ru
Open: Mon – Sun from 10 pm – 6 am.
Cover: from 150 RUB
A popular dance club for younger people and students. Features house and euro pop music. Two large dance floors, three bars. Cheap drinks.
PROPAGANDA
7, Bolshoy Zlatoustinskiy Per., Moscow
M. Kitay Gorod
Tel: (495) 924-5732
www.propagandamoscow.com
Open: Mon – Sun from 12 am – 7 am
Cover: none
A smallish club opened in the 1990s but still very popular among expats and gay. Very good DJs and excellent service at the bar. Propaganda makes no effort to surprise with decor or glassware by Riedel. It does take care of more important things, however: you will be served conscientiously, the drink will be mixed properly and there will be enough of it. You can also have a very decent meal there during the day.
VODA
12, Bolshoy Savvinskiy per., bldg. 3, Moscow
M. Kievskaya
Tel: (499) 246-0911
www.gaycentral.ru/voda/
Open: Mon – Thu from 5 pm – 5 am, Fri – Sat from 5 pm – 7 am, Sun 5 pm – 8 am.
Cover: Under 25 yo – 200 RUB, over 25 yo – 500 RUB.
Gay-owned and gay-operated, same management as the famous Three Monkeys gay club. Over 6000 sq. ft. Steam sauna, dry sauna, pool, hot spa, solarium, fitness machines, darkroom (called "labyrinth"), video, pool, drinks and food served in the bar, summer garden..
MAYAKOVKA SPORT
13, Oruzheynyl Per., bldg.2, Moscow
M. Mayakovskaya
Tel: (495) 250-0083
www.mayakovka.com
Open: Mon – Sun from 7 pm – 6 am
Cover: Under 23 yo – 300 RUB, over 25 yo – 500 RUB.
This was the first Western-style gay sauna in Moscow, with large darkroom, private cabins, porn screen and steamroom (but no dry sauna). There's also a bar and gym. It's bright, clean and comes painted in cheerful colors. Very cruisy, and none of the restraints of regular Russian bathhouses.
THERMAS
18, Sadovaya-Spasskaya Ul., Moscow
M. Krasnye Vorota
Tel: (495) 500-20-77
www.termas.gayly.ru
Open: Mon – Sun from 2 pm – till 6 am
Cover: Under 23 yo – 250 RUB, over 25 yo – 450 RUB.
Small sauna located in the center. Newly renovated with Hamman, restaurant, solarium, a small swimming pool and 5 cabins.
|
