Moscow Nightlife

Since moving to Moscow, I get asked about two topics more than any other.
1) Russian women,
2) Moscow nightlife.
To deal with the women question- Yes, Russian girls are gorgeous. Enough said.

The nightlife? Moscow nightlife is epic. The nightclub scene here blows any city in the world away. The clubs here are wild and nothing can be too big, bold, bright, beautiful or expensive enough that it can't be found or done in a Moscow nightclub. Dancing girls are de rigeur (even at restaurants), and the nightclubs regularly feature acrobats, impromptu stage shows, international DJ's, and big-name acts.

The design of Moscow's megaclubs is opulent, featuring multi-tier extravaganzas with fountains, unicorns, multiple platforms, weird and wonderful design features, and much more. Buying a table (which gives you guaranteed entrance, a place to sit and a bartab) can cost over $20,000 in some places.

A key facet of Moscow nightclub life is dealing with Face Control (Feis Kontrol), the doormen who hold the key to entry, and will arbitrarily admit or deny people, split couples or groups, and will immediately pass judgement as you approach the nightclub entrance.

As to the people, Moscow's nightclubbers are a mix of the beautiful, the rich, the well-connected, and those who want to be them. People-watching in the megaclubs is fascinating, and is much of the reason that a lot of Muscovites are there. Different places attract different crowds, but there's always an entertaining mix of models, hookers, girls looking for "sponsors" (wealthy men who can pay for their lifestyles), and men looking for them.

Moscow's nightclub scene is covered on a number of blogs and websites, a couple of entertaining and informative ones are Moscow Doesn't Believe in Tears, and MoscowMaximum. The ins and outs of every weekend's parties are captured on photo websites, whose photographers prowl the nightclubs taking pictures of the action. To see who goes and what happens at these clubs, check out Geometria, 44100, or Mainpeople.

So which club is the best? Hard to say, since they open and close at a dizzying pace (some clubs are seasonal, others distribute flyers for their closing parties at the opening). Currently, my top overall pick is Krysha Mira, top Megaclub is Rai, most "Moscow" club is Dyagilev. You'll have to come visit and decide for yourself!

photos: geometria.ru; cityparty.ru; 44100.com