Saturday Night in Moscow... Moscow Never Sleeps!

Moscow

file: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPRxoncWiSA&feature=related

START: Museum Moskvich Restaurant

This unexpected dining experience is new to the Moscow scene having celebrated its grand opening on the 12 February. Now typically you would not imagine a dinner in a museum. Add to that fantastically low prices and Moskvich is a surprise from start to finish. Moskvich is located above recently opened automobile museum a walking distance from the Frunzenskaya metro.  We visited for the first time this past weekend and what a place! Prepare for a journey back in time through the Soviet era complete with purposely direct staff.

Proceeding upstairs to the restaurant we were greeted by a legendary Moskvich 401 that has been converted into a table “Pulp Fiction” style. The furnishings are brilliant, including mismatched bar chairs that used to be car seats. The main room of the establishment was designed by Olga Timyanskaya and is a spacious hall framed with enormous windows overlooking the park below and filled with tons of details that made us feel as if we were back in the Soviet era. A mammoth replica of Yuri Pimenov’s 1937 “Novaya Moskva” (“New Moscow”) painting occupies one of the walls, the other one boasts a screen with black and white movies to put you in the mood. Meals are mid to mid-high in price and you can order from the “Old” Soviet or “New” Post Soviet dishes.

WARMING UP: Dance & Drink All Night at Noch Dubininskaya

This club is located in one of Moscow’s most unassuming spots for a nightclub, between empty industrial streets and abandoned warehouses, Noch is not the typical Moscow elitist hideout, it is instead a party place that avoids the curse of many scenes to be seen. Noch features an open bar with a dark, smoky and loud ambience, all ingredients of a perfect party night.  The more voyeuristic and shy alike occupy the balcony on the second floor as the mass of people party on the dance floor.  There are scantily clad go-go dancers everywhere: on the stage, on a special box in the center of the dance floor and on the bar. The dancers wear leather bikinis, guests entertain through various VIP booths, the bold and beautiful order drinks from the numerous waitresses as they enjoy hookahs.

Noch is massive featuring two floors with dance floor, VIP booths feature curtains for lucky loungers and several open seating tables. Upstairs are more VIP tables where you can see the entire club making it a great spot for people watching. Noch all has private party rooms that accommodate between 4 and 2-0 people.   The music is Eurodisco and house, with some remixes of contemporary American R ‘n’ B tracks. The sound system is huge; while sitting one of the VIP rooms we could hear the window frames vibrating under the weight of the massive bass. The mix was relatively flawless, with the crowd responding loudly to various selections from the DJ. Entry is a bit expensive at 750 rubles for ladies and 1,500 for guys, but once you’re inside, all alcoholic drinks are free ... really, I am not joking here. The bar is fully stocked and food is lovingly served all night.

NIGHTCAP … BlackBerry Café is Calling

Yes, just like the phone, BlackBerry Cafe is the latest venue in the ever-expanding Ginza empire, who also own Prado Cafe, and offer an eclectic mix of different cuisines and stimulating atmospheres in their places. Only two minutes walk from Chistiye Prudy, you can easily miss BlackBerry Cafe. It is next to to the side of a modern glass business center on Akademika Sakharova Pr. and you’ll need to look closely for a small sign on the door. Despite the low profile, once inside Blackberry Café turns is a fun-filled place that’s about food, music, beverages and more.

The cafe was designed by Vera Tatariniva and was her first major project. The comfy sofas and armchairs give it a relaxed feel, while the various levels and niches can give customers privacy and intimacy. Upstairs has bigger tables for groups as well as a VIP area that can be rented out for private parties. Currently the restaurant stays open until the last customer leaves, though there are plans to become 24 hours. The exciting atmosphere, great food and reasonable prices combine to make BlackBerry Cafe a great location to start or end a night out in Moscow.