club pick

TSINIK (CYNIC) — The infamous and popular grungy student hangout, which is being kicked out of its premises, will be saying goodbye to its regulars throughout the first week of 2008, owner Vladimir Postnichenko said this week. Oriented toward the bohemian crowd and expats, it is popular withrowdy teens, students and St. Petersburg Times hacks. Table football for 10 rubles an hour. Legendarily delicious grenki (garlic bread). Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 a.m.; Friday, Sat., 10 a.m. to 7 a.m. 4 Per. Antonenko. M: Sennaya Ploshchad. Tel.: 312-9526, 312-8779. http://www.cinic.spb.ru/ rock, etc.
ArcticA — Located at the Research Institute of Arctica and Antarctica, this club is best-known for heavy rock and folk gigs that often start very early in the evening. The home of Pitergrind, the local death metal/grindcore festival. 700-capacity concert hall, a separate bar room and Internet cafe. Disco nights, Fri.-Sat., 11 p.m.-6 a.m.? 50-400 rubles (concerts), 80-100 rubles (parties). See gigs for events. 38 Ulitsa Beringa. M: Primorskaya. Tel.: 715-4838. http://www.arctica-club.spb.ru/

Art Vokzal — Described in a news release as «art space without glamour and mass culture,» Art Vokzal («Art Railway Station») is located on the premises of the notoriously smelly Red Triangle rubber factory, which is now supposedly defunct.? The club will be oriented toward adults — 26-years old and above — and apparently is connected to a puppet theater and local jazz musicians. 138 Obvodny Kanal Nab, near Baltiiskaya metro station. Concerts start at 8 p.m. Tel.: 495-9004, 252-47 93. http://www.artvokzal.ru/

Fish Fabrique — Despite the spartan interiors and menu, this place (which is now in its second location) is still a favorite for local rock musicians and alternative artists, with the bonuses of table football and underground films. Daily, 3 p.m. until the last person leaves. Live gigs start at 10:30 p.m. Entrance 70-150 rubles. 10 Push?­ kinskaya Ulitsa (entrance through the arch at 53 Ligovsky Prospekt). Tel.: 764-4857. http://www.fishfabrique.spb.ru/

GEZ-21 — Part of the Pushkinskaya 10 alternative arts center, GEZ-21, or the Experimental Sound Gallery, offers experimental music, jazz and occasional rock concerts, film screenings and philosophical readings. Concerts start at 9 p.m. See gigs for dates. 10 Pushkinskaya Ulitsa (entrance from 53 Ligovsky Prospekt, 3rd floor). M: Ploshchad Vosstaniya. Tel.: 764-5258, 764-5263. http://www.tac.spb.ru/

Griboyedov — The legendary bunker club operated by the band Dva Samaliota, Griboyedov has at last built a overground floor restaurant just above the former bombshelter it occupies. The interiors are not completely finished but the place serves food and drinks. Griboyedov is generally full, with a good habit of booking cool alternative bands to mix with its standard rave and techno playlist. One of the best clubs in the city. Wednesday is disco night. Daily, 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. Entrance 200 rubles. Free from 5 p.m to 8 p.m. Concerts start at 10 p.m., DJ parties at midnight. 2A Voronezhskaya Ulitsa. M: Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel.: 764-4355, 973-7273.? http://www.griboedovclub.ru/

Maina — A live music club in the city's northern outskirts, with relatively expensive bar and restaurant. Daily, 6 p.m.-6 a.m. Concerts now start at 9:30 p.m. 200-500 rub. (free entrance, Mon.-Wed.) 154 Pr. Engelsa. M.: Prospekt Prosveshcheniya. Tel.: 332-0044. http://www.maina-spb.ru/

Manhattan/Kotyol — Art club with bar, billiard room and very strangely organized toilets. Originally intended for the underground art elite, it has since changed management and direction a number of times. Daily, 2 p.m. to 5 a.m. Live concerts start at 10 p.m., except Friday, Saturday (11 p.m.) Entrance 60 to 100 rubles after 9 p.m. 90 Naberezhnaya Reki Fontanki. Tel.:113-1945. http://www.manhattanclub.ru/

Money Honey — The city's first and premier rockabilly bar, complete with a confederate flag and posters of Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe. Usually packed with a rowdy crowd of technical students and leather-clad teddyboys. Coat check can only handle half the crowd. Bar open from 11 a.m. Shows daily at 8 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. Entrance 100 rubles (Mon.-Thurs.), 150 (Fri.-Sun.). 28-30 Sadovaya Ulitsa, 14 Apraksin Dvor. M: Gostiny Dvor. Tel.:310-0549. http://www.money-honey.ru/

Orlandina — The second location of the underground rock club whose former premises were shut down by the local authorities. Owned by small indie label Caravan Records, the club hosts punk, heavy metal and reggae concerts. Daily, 10 p.m.-11 a.m., except Sat., 10 p.m.-6 a.m. 5/2 Karpovka Nab. M.: Petrogradskaya. Tel.: +7 (921) 903-6902. http://www.orlandina.ru/

The Place — An art club aimed at live concerts, DJ parties, arts exhibitions, video screenings and literary readings, with Claire Yalakas (formerly of Red Club) as the art director. The concert room has a stage with a balcony on either side, and a verandah bar room, , with a fireplace and monitors, next to it. Russian beer costs 60 rubles per 0.5 liter and a fish or meat-based meal cost 220 rubles. Concerts usually start between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. onSaturdays. The other events such as literary readings and film screenings on other days are also possible (check the web site). 150-400 rub. 47 Ul. Marshala Govorova, M.: Narvskaya/Baltiiskaya. Tel.: 331 9631. http://www.placeclub.ru/

PORT — Despite rumors that PORT will soon close to make room for a new hotel, the club's management says the venue will stay in its current location, just opposite the Mariinsky Palace (home of the city's Legislative Assembly) for the time being. Originally intended to be a trendy techno club, PORT has changed its direction a few times and is now used for concerts (RZA and Einsturzende Neubauten played here) and school disco nights. See gigs. Entrance 40 to 400 rubles. 2 Per. Antonenko. M: Sennaya Ploshchad. Tel.: 314-2609. http://www.polygonclub.spb.ru/

Red Club — Opened in September 2001 in a former horse-fodder warehouse behind Moscow Station, Red Club still hosts some of the best local and visiting acts. The place has made a few changes to its interior to appeal to nightclubbers who come to its R&B parties late in the night and the bouncers tend to kick out live music fans from the place as soon as the gigs are over to free space for the dancing revellers. Daily, 6 p.m.to 6 a.m. Entrance 70 to 350 rubles. Concerts at 8 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. DJ parties follow at midnight. 7 Poltavskaya Ulitsa. M: Ploshchad Vosstaniya. Tel.: 717-0000, 717-1366. http://www.clubred.ru/

Revolution — The popular dance club, on scene since 2001, has launched its live concert program recently. Rock, alternative rock, electronic music. A restaurant, four bars. Live shows start at 7 p.m., mostly on Friday and Saturday; dance parties, daily, 11 p.m. Concerts, 150-500 rub.; dance parties, 150-250 rub. 28 Sadovaya Ulitsa (Apraksin Dvor), M.: Gostiny Dvor. Tel.: 571-2391, 571-5915. http://www.revolutionclub.ru/, www.myspace.com/revmusicclub

ROKS Club — Once known as Zorro, the spacious, 1,200-capacity underground rock venue is now co-owned by the AOR-oriented Radio ROKS and a biker club called Werewolf. Daily, 5 p.m.-midnight or until 5 a.m. on special occasions. Concerts, Tues.-Sun., 8 p.m. 100-300 rub. 22 Nab. Admirala Lazareva. M.: Chkalovskaya. Tel.: 931-7679. http://www.roksclub.com/

Soho — A new club/restaurant, just next door to Tinkoff brewery/pub, with the taste for big names and expensive tickets, as was recently shown by the massively popular local ska-jazz band Leningrad that charged the unheard-of 3,500-5,000 rubles ($137-$196) for getting to its «exclusive club concert» there. Pop and rock bands perform as well as comedy acts. Japanese and Uzbek cuisine. Open, noon-6 a.m. (discounts are promised before 8 p.m.) Concerts start at 9 p.m.; night parties, 11 p.m. Seats can be booked by calling 952-2594. 7 Kazanskaya Ul. M: Nevsky Prospect. Tel: 312-0140. http://www.coxoclub.ru/

Zoccolo (Tsokol) — The second incarnation of the now-defunct respected underground club Moloko. The new club is determined to keep Moloko's trademark «warm atmosphere» and «positive mood.» Nevskoye beer on tap 50 rub., Tuborg 70 rub. 150-400 rub. Thurs.-Sun., 6 p.m.-midnight. 2/3 3-ya Sovetskaya Ul. M.: Ploshchad Vosstaniya. Thurs.-Sun. Tel.: 274-9467. http://www.zoccolo.ru/

bars with music

Achtung Baby — A new bar between the student-oriented bar Mod and the dance joint Arena and with the now-closed summer bar Dunes just around the corner. Achtung Baby is a convenient addition to the local network of indie bars. DJs and live concerts. Electro rock, indie dance, Britpop, new wave and, hopefully, no U2. Daily, 5 p.m.-6 a.m. 2 Konyshennaya Pl. M.: Nevsky Pr. http://www.achtungbaby.ru/

Belgrad — Yet another brainchild of Fidel's owners, Dva Samaliota musicians Anton Belyankin and Andrei Gradovich (Belgrad, the Russian for Belgrade, is a contraction of their last names), the bar — located next to Datscha and Fidel — has a stage and is supposed to give more attention to live concerts, mostly by punk and alt-rock bands. Opens nightly, 8 p.m.-6 a.m. Concerts start between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. DJs start at 10 p.m. or (if a band is playing on that night) at midnight. Entrance fee for concerts, 100-300 rub. Dumskaya Ulitsa. M: Nevsky Prospekt. No telephone. belgrad-club.livejournal.com

City Bar — A legendary expat favorite, this friendly, highly-personable American-owned bar on its new, third location, offers genuine hamburgers and French fries, as well as more sophisticated food. Two room bar with happy-hour deals. English-language books and videos to borrow. Russian beer costs 80 rubles a glass. Daily, noon until the last visitor leaves. Intimate concerts, standup comedy, DJs, Fri.-Sat. 20 Furshtatskaya Ul. M: Chernyshevskaya/Mayakovskaya. http://www.citybar.ru/

Datscha — A success with expats and art crowd since it has opened in 2004, Datscha tries to recreate the atmosphere of a bar in Hamburg, where its owner comes from. Datscha eschews techno, house and drum 'n' bass music in favor of rock, soul and ska. DJs perform from 10 p.m. onward. Opens nightly, 6 p.m.-6 a.m. 9 Dumskaya Ulitsa. M: Nevsky Prospekt. No telephone.

Fidel — Acozy indie-disco bar launched by Anton Belyankin, the bassist with the local ska band Dva Samaliota and co-founder of Datscha right next to the place he once co-ran. Opens nightly, 8 p.m.-6 a.m. DJs start at 10 p.m. 9 Dumskaya Ulitsa. M: Nevsky Prospekt. No telephone. http://www.barfidel.ru/

Liverpool — The Beatles-themed bar, music club and steak house that is almost as legendary as the Fab Four themselves has recently had a bit of a revamp. With walls lined with all sorts of kitschy memorabilia and an unstoppable roster of cover bands, Liverpool will make you want to twist and shout! Seven foreign beers on tap from between 90 to 250 rubles for 0.5 liter. 16 Ulitsa Mayakovskogo. M. Ploshchad Vosstaniya. Tel.: 579 2054. http://www.liverpool.ru/

Mod — The downtown bar known for its daily indie-rock concerts mixed with DJ sets, has improved its PA system since it was launched in September, and also boasts the city's only genuine American jukebox that works, it claims. Owner Denis Cherevichny used to run the now-defunct students' bar Novus, from which Mod inherited its novus set, a Latvian table game similar to billiards. Mon.-Thurs., Sun., free entrance; Fri.-Sat., 150-200 rub. Daily, 6 p.m.-6 a.m. DJs perform from 8 p.m., concerts start at 10 p.m. 2G Konyushennaya Ploshchad. M.: Nevsky Prospekt. Tel.: +7 (921) 881-8371.

The Other Side — Launched by The Red Lion's former manager Douglas Pullar in December, the bar has recently introduced acoustic concerts of Cuban, Brazilian and Irish folk music during weekends. Daily, noon until the last visitor leaves. Concerts (see gigs) start at either 10 p.m. or ? 11 p.m. 1 Bolshaya Konyushennaya Ul. M.: Nevsky Prospect. Tel.: 312-9554.

pop/dance

Havana — Smart Cuba-themed club with live bands and three dance floors playing Latino, house and pop. Restaurant, chill-out room, pool and free popcorn for all. Daily, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Entrance 90 to 120 rubles; Friday, Saturday, 150 to 250 rubles; free on Wednesdays for «real Latinos» with passports. 21 Moskovsky Prospect, M: Tekhnologichesky Institut. Tel.: 259-1155. http://www.havanaclub.ru/

Marstall — Usually packed with goggle-eyed foreigners (whose passports get them in for free), Marstall runs a dazzling array of strip shows, with the most athletic dancers and the most creative costumes in town. Bar and restaurant. Daily, noon to 6 a.m. Strip shows start at 11 p.m. 5 Kanal Griboyedova. M:NevskyProspect. Tel.:315-7607.

Metro — Someone has spent a great deal of money on Metro, and the results, while hardly intimate, have been a great success. Now, Metro has a fully functioning third floor, containing a relaxing saloon-bar and yet another dance floor, enabling it to accomodate even more well-off local teenagers. Chewing gum is forbidden. Daily, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Entrance 165 to 400 rub. 174 Ligovsky Prospekt. Tel.: 766-0204. http://www.metroclub.ru/

Tribunal — Often packed, playing the better Russian pop, a bit of rock and a fair amount of classic mainstream, with an all-pervading tequila theme. Good beer-and-munchies place with a nice interior, but on the pricey side. Daily, noon to 6 a.m. Free entrance. 26 Karavannaya Ul. M.: Gostiny Dvor. Tel.: 314-2423.

jazz & blues

Jazz Philharmonic Hall — Staid, state-sponsored jazz venue, intended by its founder, local jazz patriarch David Goloshchokin, to be Russia's answer to New York's seminal Blue Note club. Mostly mainstream and Dixieland repertoire, with the occasional drop of blues. Home of the annual White Nights Swing jazz festival. Concerts most days, 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Entrance 160 to 300 rubles. Tickets in advance at box-office, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. 27 Zagorodny Prospekt. M: Vladimirskaya/Dostoevskaya. Tel.: 764-8565. http://www.jazz-hall.spb.ru/.

JFC Jazz Club — Probably the most innovative and progressive jazz venue in town. Less formal atmosphere, featuring all styles up to avant-garde and improv. Occasional classical and folk concerts. The latest addition is EthnoWorld, a monthly concert of world music. Mostly jazz crowd and expats. Bar and snacks. Daily, from 7 p.m. Entrance 100 to 300 rub. 33 Shpalernaya Ulitsa. M: Chernyshevskaya. Tel.: 272-9850. http://www.jfc.sp.ru/

Jimi Hendrix Blues Club — The blues-orientated club was launched in the former Armenian cafe «Shagane» (Armenian cuisine is still available) with a help from local blues guitarist Valery Belinov who later emigrated to the U.S.? Forrest Gump, Splash Point and Calypso Blues Band usually perform offering mixes of blues and rock. Open 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Concerts start at 8:30 p.m. Entrance 100 to 200 rubles when a band is playing. 33 Liteiny Prospekt. M: Chernyshevskaya. Tel.: 279-8813.

Street Life — A self-described jazz restaurant located on the premises of the city's Architectural Academy in the rooms formerly occupied by the notorious gay club, Club 69. Street Life appears to be oriented toward a blend of mainstream jazz, fusion, Latin and contemporary dance music. Noon-2 a.m. Concerts start at 9 p.m. 200 and more rub. 6 2-ya Krasnoarmeiskaya Ul. M.: Tekhnologichesky Institut. Tel.: 575-0545. http://www.street-life.spb.ru/

house, techno etc.

Tunnel — The pioneering techno hangout has recently reappeared, after a five-year hiatus, in its former location — a bunker. Now it specializes in all kinds of electronic dance music. Two dance floors, chillout room. Military stylings. Friday to Saturday, midnight to 6 a.m. Entrance 250 to 350 rub. Corner of Lyubansky Per. and Zverinskaya Ulitsa. M: Gorkovskaya. Tel.: 233-4015. http://www.tunnelclub.ru/

gay & lesbian

Central Station — The newly-opened gay club now opens at 6 p.m., which makes it the only evening gay bar around. An extention of the famous Moscow gay club of the same name, Central Station is located close to an older local gay venue, Greshniki. Central Station sounds much more impressive, with its four floors, eight bars, two stages, a restaurant and plenty of dark corners. Opens daily, 6 p.m.-6 a.m. (6 p.m.-7 a.m., Fri.-Sat.). Free-300 rub. 1/28 Ul. Lomonosova. M: Nevsky Prospekt/Gostiny Dvor. Tel.: 312-3600. http://www.centralstation.ru/

Greshniki — In response to the opening of the much plusher Central Station next door, Greshniki has recently undergone something of a make-over. The dungeon-like staircase linking the club's three floors remains but the second floor lounge now features a transparent cylindrical shower booth for a steamy erotic show (and complements the club's famous doorless toilet). The top-floor bar has been given a retro '60s look making it like look something from «The Avengers.» Daily, 10 p.m-6 a.m. Entrance, free-150 rub. (men), 300-500 rub. (women.) 29 Naberezhnaya Kanala Griboyedova. M: Gostiny Dvor. Tel.: 570-4291. http://www.greshniki.ru/