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Night clubs
Kyiv is much more of a club city than a bar town. There is a bar and a club scene at the heart of the city centre, but don't be surprised if your encounter more of your own countrymen than Ukrainians in these establishments. During the warmer days of spring and summer, buying a beer on the street is a budget-friendly and more sociable alternative hiding out in a pub, but those Ukrainians who can afford the higher prices will still gather indoors. This means it can be difficult to find an empty table on weekends, especially when many popular expatriate hangouts offer drink specials at peak hours. On weekends and holydays, the main street of Khreschatyk and the Podil district are closed to automobile traffic, making them Kyiv's most active scenes for nightlife, people-watching, or a casual stroll. For something a little more active and exciting, jazz and techno dance clubs are just as busy as any time of the year.
Recommended adult entertainments:
Cabaret
21:00-07:00
This classy bar does striptease dancing plus a private peep show with the help of a one-way mirror. Admission is 100hr, but ladies in the company of a man get in for free on the weekend.
Hospytal'na 12
Tel: 294 30 06
Recommended bars:
Baraban
11:00-23:00
This cosy but hard-to-find hole-in-the-wall is usually populated by politicos, journalists and ex-pats holding forth on the subject of the day. The neighbourhood atmosphere goes well with the tasty and moderately-priced Ukrainian food, and the jazz music adds another pleasant dimension.
Prorizna 44 A
Tel: 229 23 55
Eric's Bierstube
08:00-02:00
One of German bar owner Eric Aigner's many popular establishments, this place is a popular hangout for yuppies of local and foreign origin, as well as a meeting place for gays. The food is German and American, with sandwiches and beer being the most popular items.
Chervonoarmiys'ka 20
Tel: 235 94 72
Hairy Lemon
00:00-24:00
The wall decor of old records and more recent newspapers can entertain for hours, but the fun only starts there. Move on to billiards and foosball before tackling the casino tables. The menu features burgers and steaks, while we'll let you find out just what the eponymous cocktail contains.
Lesi Ukrainky 34
Tel: 230 60 17
Horih
00:00-24:00
If you've ever dreamed of tossing complimentary peanut shells on the floor, this is definitely the place for you. There's lots of beer on offer to wash down the nuts, not to mention sandwiches and other appetizers, at this popular student hangout and post-party refueling stop.
Chervonoarmiys'ka 126
Tel: 269 42 32
Sapphire Bar
00:00-24:00
The sumptuos surroundings of the Premier Palace's first floor are the setting for this luxurious bar serving different beverages, light snacks and entrees around the clock. The prices are what you would expect of a five-star hotel - that is for the food, not the rooms.
Tarasa Shevchenka 5-7/29
Tel: 244 12 70
Recommended bowling clubs:
Maximum
12:00-06:00 except: Sun: 11:00-06:00
Your bowling options at Maximum include the cosmic variety, for which you'll pay fairly astronomic prices of up to 198hr/h - at more sensible times the hourly price is as low as 78hr. But this Left Bank complex offers much more: a restaurant, six bars, billiards, disco, casino and striptease dancing. Plus fun kid's activities every Sunday at 12:00.
Dekabrystiv 12/37
Tel: 562 62 62
Mirage
00:00-24:00
Is this really the same game that beer-guzzling rednecks play in the heartland of America? The comparison stops fairly abruptly after the equipment, which thankfully is the same. At Mirage you can also gamble, shoot pool, dance and even sing karaoke, in addition to visiting a bar and restaurant.
Artema 37/41
Tel: 461 90 87
Strike
11:00-02:00 except: Sat: 11:00-04:00 Sun: 11:00-04:00
For the pleasure of knocking down pretty white pins with a heavy ball at Strike, the prices start at a reasonable 66hr/h before 17:00 and then climb to a whopping hourly rate of 216hr after 22:00. We know it's only bowling, but hopefully you'll try to dress up a little and fit in with the New Ukrainian crowd.
Peremohy prosp. 8
Tel: 490 21 70
Recommended casinos:
Casino 21st Century
00:00-24:00
This raffle-crazy casino gives out daily prizes of $1,000 plus additional $5,000 prizes on Friday and Saturday. Free entrance gives full access to five kinds of poker plus the usual selection and, lest we forget, nightly erotic shows beginning at 21:00.
Saksahans'koho 51
Tel: 220 17 03
Casino Europe
00:00-24:00
Roulette, black jack, six kinds of poker, and nightly raffles ranging from $500 to $3,000. A buffet and taxi transfers are offered to casino clients.
Horkoho 8
Tel: 227 67 84
Casino Rio
13:00-05:00
The capital's 'most original new casino' actually offers the same traditional games and slot machines as elsewhere. However, a poker tournament every Friday with total prizes of $2,500 does set it apart.
Khmel'nyts'koho 30/10
Gabriela
00:00-24:00
The usual gaming tables, slot machines and weekly raffle prizes of $2,500 are all at your service at Dnipro Hotel.
Khreschatyk 1/2
Tel: 228 88 81
Metro Jackpot
00:00-24:00
Are you hot-tempered, do you like comfort and perfect service? Then come right here. In the entertainment center Metro Jackpot you can choose any one of 67 slots and try your luck. Watch your favorite sport event on a big screen in real time and bet on its result in a sport-betting area with a cozy bar. You can completely relax in the intimate atmosphere of the VIP-hall, enjoy your favorite drink, or smoke a cigar and play an amazing slot game. The center is designed with modern style and is one of the best of Metro Jackpot gaming networks in Kiev.
Mechnikova 14
Tel: 234 79 34
Salyut
00:00-24:00
Two tables each of the usual plus slots inside the circular space ship that is Hotel Salyut.
Sichnevoho Povstannya 11A
Tel: 290 31 33
Split Club
00:00-24:00
Having celebrated its 11th birthday earlier this year, Split is one of Ukraine's oldest and most successful casinos. A hryvnia hall and a higher-stakes dollar hall offer the standard gaming tables. There are also nightly cash prizes and erotic shows.
Prorizna 8
Tel: 536 17 17
Recommended night clubs:
111 Cocktail Bar
21:00-04:00
To call it a meat market might be too harsh, but Hotel Lybid's bar is definitely a prime place for a foreigner to get acquainted with the local female population. Boasting daily crowds and Ukraine's only circular revolving bar, upon which bartenders like to strut their stuff, it's true to its name in carrying exactly 111 cocktails. Try a few and you might be up on the bar, too.
Peremohy prosp. 1
Tel: 221 77 41
Bingo
21:00-06:00
With frequent performances from Ukrainian and Russian stars, a big dance floor, numerous billiards tables, slot machines and a casino, this place is considerably more fun than a bingo hall. The admission fees varies from 10 - 50hr depending on the day and time.
Peremohy prosp. 112
Tel: 444 25 55
Carribean
Open 18:00 - 01:00, Fri - Sun 18:00 - 03:00.
If you only salsa with tortilla chips or think merengue belongs exclusively on pies, take a crash course in these and other exotic dance styles at the capital's only thoroughly Latin disco. Professional dancers periodically show how it's done in a high-energy atmosphere, and the music includes more traditional tunes plus the latest Latin pop songs.
Kominterna 4
Tel: 244 42 90
Chicago
19:00-06:00
The Windy City mobster theme begins in the outdoor courtyard with modern gangster graffiti and a old tough-looking black car with Russian plates. Inside, occasional show biz stars and lesser lights partake of international food and drink; card sharks get their game on at the usual gaming tables; and strip-show girls do their thing as well.
R. Okipnoy 3
Tel: 517 41 48
Dino
00:00-24:00
Look for the dinosaur above the archway and head down the stairs into a dark land where prehistoric creatures roam the walls. A business lunch of Ukrainian and international food is served all afternoon. The place goes Jurassic after 20:00, when the entrance fee is 10hr for the disco hall and 20hr for the striptease show.
Khreschatyk 12
Tel: 228 18 52
Fiesta
11:00-06:00
Tarantino's "From Dusk to Dawn" atmosphere is faithfully recreated here in this Mexican club and restaurant, although thankfully with much less violence. The air is filled exclusively with sultry Latino music two days a week, while other styles are played the rest of the time. A kid's program begins at 14:00 every Sunday.
Horkoho 115
Tel: 269 40 29
Fusion
22:00-06:00
Connected to Soho restaurant by a funky plastic tube, this two-level club is a recent and welcome addition to the dance scene. The mostly mainstream music doesn't make conversation impossible, and the atmosphere is relaxed and not so crowded. The cover charge is a bit high, except for ladies who get in free from Monday to Wednesday.
Artema 82
Tel: 244 56 68
Joss
00:00-24:00
This entertainment complex inside Hotel Tourist seemingly has it all - an English pub, sushi restaurant and casino with 11 gaming tables, live jazz music and free drinks for gamblers. If you still have the shirt on your back, watch pretty girls lose theirs at the show bar or take a spin on the dance floor.
R. Okipnoy 2
Tel: 516 86 74
Jungle Club
10:00-06:00
A restaurant during the day, and a night club from 22:00, Jungle Club offers you to spend some time in the tropics. Palms, lianas - everything in the interior was made with one intention - to give you a feeling as if you have been transfered to Amason jungle. Still can't feel the heat? Maybe the strip and erotic show will do the trick.
Bahhovutivs'ka 27
Tel: 211 77 80
Fax: 211 77 80
Moda Bar
20:00-06:00
If you can keep a secret, Moda Bar's proclaimed longest bar in Europe is really two separate bars, but who's arguing? The substantial number of ex-pats and young women don't seem to have any problem meeting each other. There's no cover charge at this riverside club, although the drinks are rather pricey and the music predictably pop.
Richniy Vokzal, Pier 6
Tel: 416 73 88
Opium Dance Club
except: Thu: 23:00-02:00 Fri: 23:00-02:00 Sat: 23:00-02:00 Sun: 23:00-02:00
One of the newer but more popular dance clubs in the city, Opium is a frequent host of trendy society parties. Visiting international DJs play music beyond purely pop, although the dance floor is a bit cluttered with tables and chairs. The cover charge is 30hr on Thursday and 50hr on the weekend.
Saksahans'koho 1G
Tel: 205 53 93
River Palace
12:00-07:00
This fun-filled entertainment boat hosts musical shows by famous Slavic and international acts, but that's not all. There's also a bar, cafe, restaurant, disco and casino. Depending on the day and your sex, the admission fee ranges from 20 - 60hr.
Naberezhne Shose
Tel: 490 66 95
Sun-City Slavutych
By day it's arguably the best beach in the city - for a mere 10hr cover charge, you're treated to clean sand, pristine pools, a water slide, various beach sports, massage tables, and a full-service bar and restaurant. By night, the place throws big beach dance parties often graced by Ukrainian performers. Open 09:00 - 01:00, Mon - Wed 09:00 - 18:00.
Hydropark, Venetsyansky, Plyazh
Tel: 451 65 85
Tato Fashion Club
10:00-23:00
Like a non-stop fashion channel, this sexy club promises all fashion, all the time. Young models strut their stuff in nightly shows at 22:00 and 23:30 on a catwalk in the rectangular main room. Male and female striptease acts are also presented for audiences of businesspeople and students. There's food and dancing, too.
S. Perovskoy 5/11
Tel: 456 17 82
Recommended jazz clubs:
Art Club 44
10:00-02:00
One of the city's best venues for live music, Art Club 44 hosts a wide variety of acts - from small-time performers to well-known local and international groups (De Phazz comes to mind). The music is mostly experimental and jazz, and it draws big crowds hungry for something other than Top 40.
Khreschatyk 44
DixieLand
12:00-24:00
This is not some bastion of American Confederate values, but rather a relaxing jazz restaurant serving French cuisine. The orchestra plays your favorite songs on request, and the food and wine selections don't disappoint - except in price.
Also, it's a rather out-of-the-way location.
Kyrylo-Mefodyivs'ka 14/2
Tel: 236 82 28
Jazz Club
11:00-23:00
This place is a haunt for the intelligentsia and is also known to receive its fair share of famous guests. A nice place just to relax and enjoy the live jazz tunes that begin to fill the air nightly at 19:00, and the tasty food and amiable waitstaff don't hurt either.
Druzhby Narodiv bul. 3
Tel: 268 30 60
Miami Blues
00:00-24:00
Both European and Ukrainian dishes like borsch and zrazy (potato pancakes stuffed with meat or cabbage) are served here. Vegetarian choices are also included in the menu. There are private cabins for romantic dinners, and the modern hall is graced by a Louis Armstrong portrait. Louis enjoys the live jazz played here.
Chervonoarmiys'ka 114
Tel: 239 11 33
Swing
10:00-01:00
It don't mean a thing if you haven't eaten here, at least in terms of great live jazz music at a conversation-friendly volume. The food is predominantly French but also has European dishes, plus more unusual choices such as wild boar and moose. Swing on over here for some relaxation after climbing up Andriyivsky uzviz.
Volodymyrs'ka 11
Tel: 229 28 65
Recommended pubs:
Golden Gate
11:00-01:00
Right across from Kyiv's original Golden Gate, this traditional pub serves up unusually tasty European, Irish and Ukrainian cuisine, including a kids' menu. For sports enthusiasts there are darts, a billiards room and two big screens for sporting events. And we can't forget the capital's largest selection of local and international beers.
Volodymyrs'ka 40/2
Tel: 235 51 88
John Bull Pub
12:00-02:00
Although it doesn't seem to be too busy these days, this pub has a friendly interior and offers traditional pub food ranging from Yorkshire meat pie to steaks and Irish lamb. Some amusing British figurines can be bought as souvenirs, and live music is played on Wednesday through Friday.
Saksahans'koho 36
Tel: 220 19 69
O'Brien's
08:00-02:00
Kyiv's first Irish pub is still a favorite with ex-pats and upwardly mobile Ukrainians. O'Brien's bars serve up plenty of beer great with none-too-shabby pub food like shepherd's pie, and their Irish breakfast is enough to hold you until dinner. Upstairs you'll find darts, billiards and the city's best atmosphere for watching sports on the big screen.
Mykhailivs'ka 17 A
Tel: 229 15 84
Recommended sport bars:
Formula Club
Gentlemen, start your engines. You'll have to do the same to reach this entertainment centre on Kyiv's outskirts. All Formula-One events are shown on a big-screen TV, plus there's on-site betting and a driving simulator. The restaurant serves pricey Italian cuisine, and the disco throws special parties and hosts well-known bands. Every Sunday is kid's day at 15:00. Open Mon - Wed 11:00 - 24:00,Thu-Sun 11:00 - 06:00.
Kyl'tseva 2
Tel: 474 27 61
Garage
Appetizers and beer snacks abound for those watching sports on the big projection TV or jamming to live music on Fridays and Saturdays. Although there's no English-lanugage menu at this car-themed establishment, you can point to pictures of such dishes as 'speed', 'autobahn', and 'Grand Prix'. A business 'auto lunch' is also served. Open 11:00 - 24:00, Sat, Sun 12:00 -24:00.
Shota Rustaveli 12
Tel: 227 02 04
Planeta Sport
10:00-02:00
Signed jerseys and other sports memorabilia fill this place along with the many TVs and one big screen showing non-stop games of all varieties. Big people-watching windows and cheap beer mean not everyone who comes here is a sports fan, though. The food is simple, and there's a wide choice of cocktails.
Khmel'nyts'koho 3
Tel: 229 79 29
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