You may not be familiar with Moscow’s nightlife, so let me start with a rundown, how a typical weekend night looks like for the glam & posh party crowd in Moscow.
A typical Moscow party night
21:00 First you go to a restaurant which usually turns into a pre-party later on.
23:00 Stay at the pre-party or visit a bar
01:00 Visit one of the top clubs
05:00 Go home or move on to an after hour venue
(05:00 Visit a strip club for the last hour of service. They usually close at 06:00ish)
12:00 Leave the after hour club and continue the party at home with friends
Yes, it can be exhausting, but Hey… Party like a Russian!
So what are the best restaurants and pre-party places this summer 2019?
Lesnoy
Lesnaya Ulitsa 20/5 (Depot)
Metro: Belaruskaya
The restaurant is located in the new “Depot” complex, which claims to be Europe’s largest food court. Lesnoy is probably the hotspot of this area and no matter at which time of the day, you can see a collection of Moscows most exclusive and expensive cars, parked right infront of it. Insiders say, that Lesnoy is now the favorite restaurant and pre-party venue of the rich & beautiful in Moscow. Especially during the weekends when there are DJs playing and models dancing.
Lesnoy is a joint project of pop star and billionaire Emin Agalarov and the Russian soft rock singer Grigory Leps. The restaurant’s concept is “wilderness and forest”. So expect trees inside and a menu with venison, wild veggies and spices, from the forests.
Heavy face control. Not cheap. Rich & Beautiful and I am not talking about the food.
The Toy
Rochdelskaya 15/44 (Manufactura)
Metro: Ulitsa 1905 Goda
The “Manufactura” is an old factory and a bar, club and restaurant cluster, known since many years already. The area becomes increasingly more important, since many places are forced to close down at the central and all famous “Krasny Oktyabr” former chocolate factory, which is also a club cluster. The Toy is located just in the beginning of Manufaktura, on the side, close to Kremlin. The building used to host many different clubs for years and it is surprising that someone chose this huge venue to make a restaurant out of it.
The Toy has a very classy interior, like so many Moscow venues, but sticks out because of its timeless elegance. The designers didn’t overdo it this time, as they do so often in Russia. The kitchen is Mediterranean and Italian. The food is tasty and you will get a good value, but of course tables are sold for a deposit during weekend nights.
On weekend nights, expect a rather busy place with loud music. It is not a restaurant to relax and have a nice conversation at, but a true pre-party venue, where Moscow’s elite gets warmed up, before moving on to the nearby “Kvartira” or another club.
Contact us to book a table at THE TOY.
Rose Bar
Bolshaya Dmitrovka 20
Metro: Teatralnaya or Chekhovskaya
Be careful when you google the address of Rose Bar or you order a taxi with the venue name, because there are 2 venues with this name in Moscow and one is located in a mall on the outskirts of Moscow. We will talk about the central Moscow Rose Bar on Bolshaya Dmitrovka, just on the corner of the famous Stolechnikov Per. expensive boutique shopping street and only a stones throw above the Bolshoi Theatre.
Both venues are owned and were created by the pop star Emin. I mentioned him above at Lesnoy already. You can see him frequently hanging out at Rose Bar and if you are nice, he lets you take a selfie with him.
Rose bar is modern and stylish with elements of wood. You get the feeling of sitting on the deck of a super yacht, cruising in the Mediterranean and not being on top of a Moscow building. During the summer, they can open large parts of the glass roof, which almost makes it an open air terrace.
As far as I know, Rose Bar shares the kitchen with Nobu, the all famous Japanese sushi place, so expect a lot of seafood on the menu, which is eclectic Mediterranean based, not Japanese. The food is excellent and fairly priced for a venue, so central and glamourous. Rose Bar’s barkeepers know what they are doing and there is also a large menu of selected wines and champagnes.
During the weekends, but even on some weekdays (I think, it has to do with Emins appearances and personal guests at the venue), you can enjoy a DJ or even live band performances. Unfortunately, the music is rather Russian (pop). The venue is never too crowded, but always busy. It is an interesting venue for a people watch and a true Russian pre-party.
Chips
Kuznetskiy Most Ulitsa 7
Metro: Kuznetskiy Most / Teatralnaya
This restaurant is located in the very center of Moscow, just across the TSUM department store and a 3 min walk from the Bolshoi theatre. To be honest with you, “Chips” would have not made it into this list, if I would only consider my personal opinion. Yet, it is one of the favorite Moscow hangouts of my super rich clients and wealthy friends.
Chips is a project of Arkady Novikov, one of Moscows best known restaurant makers. The venue stretches over 2 floors and features a roof top terrace. In the back corner you will find a dancefloor and DJs playing anything from commercial house to Russian pop music. Now and then, there is even deep house.
The kitchen is Mediterranean with anything from meat, fish, pasta and delicious pizza. On weekends Chips is usually very busy. It can be a fun place to eat, drink and dance, before moving on to a club. Its better you reserve yourself a table upfront, though.
For the party afterwards, I recommend the nearby “Mendeleev Bar”. It is only a 3 min walk.
Where do you want to go?
Do you need more advice or do you want us to book you the best table in the venue?
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