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bryanboy
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 30 Aug 2004
Posts: 90
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 Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 1:30 pm Post subject: Clubs |
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I was searching for gay/gay-friendly clubs in St. Petersburg and I came across "Sinners". It really looks scary, dodgy and not my thing.
But I did find other clubs at www.geometria.ru and some of them look alright.
Does anyone know whether these places are "gay-friendly", like if a gay person went there, they won't get beaten up by random strangers etc.. also are there gay people who go here??
1) CCCP
2) Red Club
3) Jakata
4) Tunnel
thanks again! |
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uday
WayToRussified
Joined: 26 Jul 2004
Posts: 323
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| Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Just don't act gay and you'll be alright. |
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bryanboy
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 30 Aug 2004
Posts: 90
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| Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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and what/how exactly do you mean by
"don't act gay"
?? |
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uday
WayToRussified
Joined: 26 Jul 2004
Posts: 323
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| Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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well, it's pretty straightforward. If you act like a homo, you are acting gay. Don't act like a homo.
In Russia, you don't see candyflossers holding hands together on the street, or guys dressing girly, etc. There are clubs to go inside to do that kind of thing. Keep it on the d/l is what I'm saying. |
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waytorussia
Frequent Guest
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 14
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| Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 10:06 pm Post subject: |
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I can say about CCCP because I've been there: it's a nice bar/cafe right on Nevsky Prospekt, it's not a place for gays only, but you will feel perfectly fine there and it has chic design as well.
I don't know about other places, but I don't think that it's dangerous in any way. It's true that gays in Russia do not show their relationship very obviously to outsiders, but there are gays in Russia ( look how many members from Russia there are on http://www.qguys.com ) and while some people might feel a bit strange about gays (it was even considered to be a crime during the communist times), most people care more about what kind of person you are. I've never heard about any random "runs" on gay clubs or something like this...
If you want to know more about where to go out in St. Petersburg, try http://www.gay.ru/english/ and also you can try finding some guys from St. Petersburg on http://www.qguys.ru and ask their advice. |
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bryanboy
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 30 Aug 2004
Posts: 90
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| Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2004 9:30 pm Post subject: |
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just wanted to do a follow-up post on this thread.
one thing i found out is that all "gay" clubs in moscow and st. petersburg are utterly shit. (sorry) - this includes 3 monkeys, body & soul (formerly chance) in moscow and cabaret and sinners (greshniki) in st. petersburg.
the gay night on sundays in propaganda is not too bad but i think it's a bit horrible.
the straight clubs however, are very good... the people are quite friendly (at least to me) and i made lots and lots of friends and nice people.
fabrique in moscow is fantastic. my fave club in moscow. love love love it. music is good, people are nice and it's just brilliant. the only negative thing i can think of is it gets REALLY packed and the queues to the coat checks are HORRIBLE.
shambala bar is quite nice as well although a bit small.... would only go here for drinks and not dancing... cocktails are quite cheap... the interiors inside are wonderful... and the bartenders are quite friendly.
first is also good (music) although there's a lot of old people in suits.... best to show up here using a rented merc.
open cafe plays some of the best tunes... also a small place and it's TOO darn hot upstairs
garage is also a good club. one of the few places, i guess, in moscow, that plays r&b and hip hop.... love the music.. quite crowded, even at 5am.
zona on the other hand is the weirdest club ever. i think this is where ghetto russian people go clubbing. it's full of students and young russian teenagers. lots of very weird people occupy the tables around the bar. everyone literally stared at me when i walked into the club. it was weird. very very weird. as one of my russian friends told me, this club is full of гопники people. it's alright though, it's a different atmosphere/people. went to the vip room and it was empty even on a weekend.
jet set in st. petersburg is also nice for drinks. i like it on the 2nd floor... the toilets/bathrooms have to be the cleanest and the best-looking i've seen in russia. love the lighting as well. 1st floor/dance was too smoky and there aren't any seats... overall this place is nice. good crowd and very friendly people. service is very fast...
USSR/CCCP is my fave place in spb. love the afterparty. very friendly people particularly the girls -- even if i'm a gay guy! they're all nice and curious about me. music is fantastic, drinks are cheap and they take american express!!!! (amex merchants are soo hard to find in russia even jet set doesn't take amex!)...place is usually dead empty at 3 - 4 am and it gets packed around 5-5:30AM. very strict face control it seems for russians because when i went out for a bit to get fresh air, i saw a huge queue outside that the security person didn't let in.
onegin is also nice but quite small.
i've been to red club but only on a monday/"staff party"/bartender competiton for bartenders/st. petersburg clubs & bar staff... i went there on a monday because my friend is one of the art directors/managing directors and he gave me a private tour of red club/cadillac. was surprised to found out there were 55 cameras around the club with 4 inside the toilets alone.
greshniki/sinners is crap. lots of gay гопники people, dumb young bartenders who don't know what a gin tonic is!!!! lots of very weird people.
cabaret, in my opinion, is horrible... even if local gay people liked it. LOTS of people on saturdays... too darn hot inside, plays russian pop most of the time... i can't understand the music at all. lots of young teenage russian guys in groups. very dirty toilets... service sucks... had to wait over 30 minutes just to get a drink at the bar...
Last edited by bryanboy on Fri Nov 19, 2004 9:40 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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bryanboy
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 30 Aug 2004
Posts: 90
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| Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2004 9:32 pm Post subject: |
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oh and metro in st. petersburg refused to let me in, telling me and my 2 friends that we need to have a club card in order to go there.
utter bollocks i think
however, my moscow friends told me it's alright and i didn't lose anything because metro apparently is for travelling russians/domestic tourists and it's full of гопники people |
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cheekers85
Just Starting
Joined: 27 Nov 2004
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 2:05 am Post subject: |
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Interesting post about the specifics of clubs. Thanks for it. May I ask a few questions?
One question I have, you wrote about 'face control'- do you mean face control for pretty people versus those who are not. I wonder how they define that and if a woman must be made up with laot of makeup or not. How must you dress also?
Or do you mean 'face-control' for people who are russians/ or russian nationals verus foreigners?
Another question. Do all/ most young people go to clubs in these two cities? I am from the US and in the US only certain types of people go to clubs here.
Meaning party people versus more bookish types. But a large swath of people in the middle of those two extremes really do not go to clubs. It is kind of a place where people think you go to get "picked up" not nessecarily really to make friends too. If you go for a friendship thing, you always go with your friends and it is an occasional thing. (not to meet new friends)
Sometimes a bit more types of people go, but it is very regional and depending on where you live in that case. (say for example new york versus elsewhere...)
I am very intruiged that I am gathering from your post , one can make new friends and meet new people for good conversation, (along with drinking and dancing not exclusively of course....) and it seems maybe a more lighthearted atmosphere in some clubs there in Russia? How cool then. Am I assuming correct here?
I hope you find what you are looking for yourself, clubwise. In the meantime I hope you continue to enjoy your adventure and finding it.  I liked reading your mini reviews, I could imagine a little bit what it was like at those places from it. |
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waytorussia
Frequent Guest
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 14
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| Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 10:18 am Post subject: |
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| Hey Bryan, great posts on clubs in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Was there a single gay club in any of these two cities that was good? Where would you recommend a gay traveler to go out to then (apart from CCCP)? |
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Anathema
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 18 Nov 2004
Posts: 186
Location: Phoenix, Аризона
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| Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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| WayToRussia wrote: | | Where would you recommend a gay traveler to go out to then (apart from CCCP)? |
Rest stops! Hehehe I'm probably the only one who's gonna get that. |
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AliceFromMoscow
WayToRussified
Joined: 10 Jul 2004
Posts: 411
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| Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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| cheekers85 wrote: | One question I have, you wrote about 'face control'- do you mean face control for pretty people versus those who are not. I wonder how they define that and if a woman must be made up with laot of makeup or not. How must you dress also?
Or do you mean 'face-control' for people who are russians/ or russian nationals verus foreigners? |
Face control is supposed to take place for safety... Guards on an entrance do not let in those, who as they think, can bring troubles... Also they can ask you to show them whats inside your bag(and this is annoying)... But if you dont look like a gangster and dont wear sports clothes, then you are gonna have no problems |
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bryanboy
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 30 Aug 2004
Posts: 90
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| Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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I definitely agree with Alice re: Face Control. The main goal of "face control" is to only let people in of the "same" level, this way, people inside the venue can all relate to each other and not feel weird towards one another. Kind of like, birds of the same feather flock together. I wouldn't say it's based on physical looks (i.e. supermodel looks vs ugly people)... because some ugly people can still get in... and no, it's not russians/foreigners either..
In most cases and based on some of my conversations with people, face control is basically the art director/club security/etc to judge you based on your "overall appearance".
Think of it as Studio 54-type "let me in let me in blah blah" wall.
They judge you on different factors.
- clothes; the more expensive it is, the higher the chances of you getting into clubs. wear expensive fur. wear lots of designer clothes. Dior. Chanel. Gucci. Versace. Dolce & Gabbana. Cavalli. Definitely none of those sedated american designers (ralph lauren, calvin, donna...) Moscow (and Tokyo), I think, are the only places in the world where it's not a taboo to wear anything with a logo on. One thing I noticed is that a lot of "elitny" Muscovites love Italian clothes. Some people even spend a majority of their incomes on clothes/looking good then starve themselves. Discretion is OUT of the question. The more 'excess' you look, the better the chances of you getting in. Think a gathering of fashion victims.
- your overall mood/attitude
- your car (yes, face control people can spot you 100 metres away and can decide whether to let you in or not. if you're not on a rented mercedes and decided to take the usual 100 rubble lada/volga, tell the driver to park away from the club and just walk to the entrance)
- the people you are with (sure you dress up nice but if the 2 or 3 russian guys/girls you are with are not up to par, they might either refuse ALL of you... or just let you in... without them)
2) The strongest/toughest face control I've seen is probably in Club First. The security gave me a hard time at first, even asked me what I was wearing, head to toe... then someone from inside (not sure whether it's art director.. i don't know) came to the rescue and let met in without any trouble and even apologized and offered a free drink.
3) If you see a lot of people waiting outside to get in but they can't, THAT is face control in action. Fabrique on Saturdays are the worst. You can literally see around no less than 50-100 people outside.
4) If you're one of the lucky ones who passed face control/i.e. got inside, then you shouldn't have a problem coming back in the next time you go there. Like Shambala. I showed up decked in goods the first time then just for fun, then the next time, i went there wearing 'simple' clothes and i got in without any trouble. drinks are suprisingly cheap, too.. like a gin tonic.. and vodka + red bull was around 200 rubbles each.
5) NEVER SHOW UP IN A SPORTS KIT/TRACKSUIT/ADIDAS/NIKE AND THE LIKE
6) Cheekers, I'm not sure where in the US you're from but if you're from NYC, some of the elite Moscow clubs I've been to have crowds similar to Lot 61 and Marquee and Bungalow 8 about 2 years ago
What really amazes me though is the fact that I actually find it much, much easier to make friends in "elite" places versus "common" places. When I brought some of my russian friends to "elite" places for the first time, they all feel very uncomfortable/hesitant etc. I also found that in elite places, people are actually more liberated and have an open mind on things whereas in "common" places, you're kind of restricted and you're always on the spot (i.e. people staring at you etc) |
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bryanboy
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 30 Aug 2004
Posts: 90
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| Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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| WayToRussia wrote: | | Hey Bryan, great posts on clubs in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Was there a single gay club in any of these two cities that was good? Where would you recommend a gay traveler to go out to then (apart from CCCP)? |
Recommended gay places.. not much selection:
Gay Club: honestly, I'd say Propaganda in Moscow. On Sundays.
Bar/Drinks: Vogue Cafe (I swear all the guys at the bar are gay)... or 12 Volt (Moscow)
Best ever/single recommended gay place: Propaganda.
But Three Monkeys??? AVOID AVOID AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE!!!
lol |
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Dr-Fauste
Site Admin
Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 654
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| Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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Great Post Bryan
It s funny how labels amoung Elite are so important. My Ex from Moscow would insist on certain gasoline in her car. There is elitism in all cities including mine, but the very large centre there are more.
How are the bouncers in dealing with Face control? Are they the arrogant violent type as in NA or just go away type? |
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bryanboy
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 30 Aug 2004
Posts: 90
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| Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2004 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Dr Fauste wrote: | Great Post Bryan
It s funny how labels amoung Elite are so important. My Ex from Moscow would insist on certain gasoline in her car. There is elitism in all cities including mine, but the very large centre there are more.
How are the bouncers in dealing with Face control? Are they the arrogant violent type as in NA or just go away type? |
indeed about elite people.
in most countries i've been, including where i live -- in the philippines, discretion is the key. any vulgar behavior when it comes to wealth is basically a parody/satire. you can be the son of a real estate emperor but dressed in a plain t-shirt, jeans and sneakers.
but in moscow it's different.
labels, labels, labels. they simply judge your wealth by the clothes you are wearing.
i'd say the attitude of the security/art directors is "civil". they're not really rough as in they'd kick you out. not at least on what i've seen. alot of them just stand there at the door. i don't think any person with a sane mind would even attempt to go in.
for instance, in cccp, i saw security guys refusing entry to a couple of people. they just stand there and not let them in. i went out to get some fresh air and some foreigner girl, i think she was british, went up to me and asked me what i did to get in. i said "nothing", then she pointed at my bag then said "maybe because you have a dior bag" then i said "um i don't know".
i've only been refused entry twice. they told me i need to have a club card. once in zona (see above review) and another once in metro. zona allowed me to get in when i got back... but based on what my friends have told me, zona and metro are actually the far opposite of "elitny" clubs, crowd-wise and money-wise. |
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