Live Music Clubs in Moscow:

The newly opened Krizis Zhanra and the good old Djao Da are your best bets for quality live music in Moscow.



Ikra.
Designed specifically for the purpose of hosting concerts, Ikra attracts the biggest international and Russian acts more often than any other venue in Moscow. Surprisingly, therefore, the club/cafe/bar isn’t all that expensive. You’ll find cheap beer and cocktails as well as inexpensive, although quite flavorless food, on the menu. The sound system is brilliant and the atmosphere is great when there’s a decent-sized crowd, although the retro-70s interior is a bit irritating. At any rate, this club isn’t important for its style but for the quality of the concerts held here. Concerts usually run from Thursday to Sunday nights while Wednesday night has a rock and roll DJ entertaining the crowd. Cover charge depends on the night’s act.

Address: Kazakova Ulitsa, #8a, metro Kurskaya (to get there walk along the outer side of the Garden Ring counterclockwise from Kurskaya metro and take the first right, and then again right. The club will be on your right). View Map Tel: (495) 505-5351, Website: www.nobullshit.ru. Open 12:00-7:00.

 

Krisis Zhanra.
When we just started making Way to Russia back in 2001 this used to be our favourite place. A very small underground club where you could always be relaxed, meet friends, listen to some great music, eat home made pirozhki... Since then the club closed and for 3 years there was not a place like that in Moscow anymore (except perhaps for FAQ cafe, which is listed under Art Clubs in Moscow).
Things changed in October 2005 when Krisis Zhanra was brought to life again. It is not anymore the small cozy place it used to be: the new venue is perhaps 10 times bigger, there's live music stage, and a spacious bar area. But everything changes and this transformation is for good: nowadays Krisis Zhanra is again one of the best places to hear quality live music both by local and foreign bands and the crowd is as nice and friendly as in the old "Krisis". Together with Djao Da (which is about 10 minutes walk) they should both be on your must-visit list.
Address: Pokrovka st., #16 bld 1, tel. (495) 623 25 94. (metro: Chistye Prudy). View Map Open: mon-sun daily, 8pm - 6am

Zhest
An atmospheric bar, restaurant and live music venue, Zhest is a real treat. The basement-level club attracts an easy-going
and friendly crowd. The restaurant/bar hall has a nice vibe running through it and is stylish in an understated way. It makes for a perfect place to eat or just to drink. The second hall with stage and bar is quite small for live concerts but makes for an intimate atmosphere. Zhest doesn’t attract big-name acts very often but they do manage to get some great up-and-comers. The club’s menu is full of cheap and tasty options. The big business lunch (weekdays from 12pm-5pm) which includes soup, salad, main course, dessert and a drink costs just 125 rubles ($4.50). Waiters and bartenders are efficient and friendly, although the management can be difficult.
Address: Bol. Lubyanka Ulitsa, #13/16, Bldg. 1 (entry from courtyard), metro Lubyanka. View Map Tel: 928-4883, Website: www.zhst.ru. Open Sun-Thurs: 12:00-last guest, Fri-Sat: 24 hours.

Djao Da (Kitaisky Letchik Jao Da).
If you want to listen to live Russian music of all sorts - that's the place to go out. There are only the best (in the sense of sound and quality, not popularity) Russian bands. The music played there is really different: it can be rock, hiphop, street musicians' - all kinds.
There are usually many young people, students, office types.
Address: Lubyanskiy proezd #25/1, tel. (495) 924-56-11. (metro: Kitay-gorod (orange or violet)). View Map Open: mon-sun daily, Entrance: 50 -150 roubles (1.8 - 5$).

 

Apelsin
Apelsin hosts some of the biggest profile concerts of any Moscow club. The club regularly attracts international artists and the
major players in Moscow’s music scene. But you’ll also find less well-known groups playing here across the entire range of genres. A large, four-level venue, the ground floor has two stages and bars with the main room hosting the bigger concerts while the smaller stage is a great place to relax and hear some interesting musicians. The second floor has two restaurants while the top two floors are devoted to bowling alleys, pool tables and arcade games. Prices are very reasonable considering the glitz of the venue with the cheapest beer costing just 85 rubles ($3) and most spirits about 130 rubles ($4.60).
Address: Malaya Gruzinskaya Ulitsa, #15, metro Krasnopresnenskaya. Tel: 253-0253, Website: www.apelsinclub.ru. Open 18:00-5:00.
 
 
Proekt OGI.
An intellectuals' hangout. The way it looks inside reminds a literature cafe: smoky, hectic in the evenings, many people talking to each other.
Almost every day they have interesting performances: poems and texts readings, video shows, music, exhibitions etc. There's also a small gallery and a book shop.
You can eat in OGI for 100R ($4), but it'll take a bit too long in the evening to serve, when there are many people.
Address: Potapovskiy pereulok #8/12, tel.927-5609, 927-5776. Area: Kitai Gorod, metro Chistye Prudy (red). View Map Open: daily 24 hours.


Arkheologia.
A small club specializing purely in ethnic music primarily from Russia, or "folk-bard-rock" as they define themselves.
Address: Rosanova ul #4 (100 meters from Begovaya metro, Moscow north-west), tel. (495) 940-27-69. www.archeo-club.ru Open: mon-sun daily from 16.00, Entrance: 150-200 R (5-7$).



Bunker.
Big rockclub, located on the main street in Moscow - Tverskaya, has concerts in the evenings of russian rock bands. There're quite many people, sometimes too many. Concerts start at 23.00 and discoteques start at 0:30.
You can also have a meal for $7-$10 there.
Address: Tverskaya #12/2, tel.200-1506. (metro: Tverskaya (green), Pushkinskaya (violet)). View Map Open: mon-sun daily, concerts begin at 23.00, Tickets: 50-200 roubles (1.8-7$).

Trety Put (Third Path).
Totaly weird and interesting place. When I've been there there was insane electronic music, totally crazy drunken people. There are four rooms: one with chess, one with a TV, one with a bar, and the other is for alternative performances. - (Alexander Reshetilov)
Address: Pyatnitskaya ulitsa #4, tel 951-8734. Area: Zamoskvorechie, metro Novokuznetskaya. View Map Open: fri-sat 22.00-5.00


Vermel.
Student's place, reasonable prices.Various rock, alternative, celtic, folk music concerts played mostly by Russian bands.
Address: Raushskaya aberezhnaya (embankment), #4/5, tel.959-3303. Area: Zamoskvorechie, metro Novokuznetskaya. View Map Open: mon-sun 12.00-5.00, Entrance: 50-70 R (2-3$)


Forpost.
Calm place with acoustic music. Good sound system but they prefer quiet music. Just to mix with friends, but not dancing or shouting.
Address: Hamovnichesky val, #28, tel.242-1645, Area: metro Sportivnaya (red), closer to Moscow State University, Open: fri-sun 17.30-23.00, Entrance: 30-100 R (1-4$)


Tabula Rasa.
Strange mix of nice acoustic music and poor dj's sets. Expensive meals and drinks, bad service.
Address: Berezhkovskaya naberezhnaya, #28, tel.240-9289, Area: metro Kievskaya (blue), Open: fri-sun 19.00-6.00, Entrance: 50-200 R (2-8$)