The way to spend 48 hours exploring Moscow’s hipster bar scene

(PIcture: Almara Abgarian)

It’s 6am and I’ve simply had my first drink – a fast bourbon on the rocks on the airport earlier than I step onto a airplane to Moscow.

It’s an acceptable begin to the journey, given I’m headed to Russia’s capital with one mission in thoughts: exploring the bar scene.

Many individuals nonetheless have a prejudiced view on the nation’s nightlife scene, imagining post-war period vacationer joints with music from the 80s or darkish underground bars the place vodka is drunk like water.

And positive, whereas these venues do exist, Moscow has developed with a drinks providing that now rivals that of London and New York Metropolis.

The obsession with vodka is actual although – as I’m about to study the arduous means.

Day 1: from a luxurious resort bar to a hotel-themed hipster venue

The very first thing you’ll discover about Moscow is the native individuals’s affinity for actual fur (the vegan motion hasn’t hit that arduous right here) and the beautiful structure and royal designs.

We’re staying in a single such constructing; Lodge Metropol – which is simply throughout the street from the Bolshoi Theatre, and well-known for as soon as having had the late Joseph Stalin and Michael Jackson as company,

It’s right here that we now have our first correct drink (whisky for me), paired with black espresso and pelmeni, a standard Russian dish of meat dumplings in broth, and borscht (bitter soup made with beetroot) for one in every of my journey companions.

Attempt conventional Russian dumplings full of meat (Image: Almara Abgarian)

Borscht soup, made with beetroot, is an acquired style and is usually served with bitter cream (Image: Almara Abgarian)

It’s a really stodgy lunch, however tasty nonetheless. My idea for why Russians eat such heavy meals? It’s in preparation for the onslaught on their livers.

Just a few hours later, we go to our first hipster venue: Vermuteria within the Tverskoy district. The cocktail menu, created by Andrey Kornilov, skilled in all issues booze, is particularly targeted on an underrated spirit – vermouth. There are 12 cocktails based mostly purely on this ingredient, with the selfmade vermouth infused with flavours like apricot, cocoa and rose.

Andrey, who quickly learns that I’m obsessed with vodka, and like to drink my spirits on the rocks, additionally introduces me to his truffle martini – a scrumptious, albeit pungent, cocktail.

However wait, there’s extra; he chops off a bit of ice from a block (notice – having good ice is every thing relating to ingesting straight spirits, as smaller cubes soften faster and wreck the style) and serves me yet one more vodka, garlic this time.

Sure, all three of those glasses include copious quantities of alcohol(Image: Almara Abgarian)

Garlic vodka, anybody? (Image: Almara Abgarian)

That’s seven drinks in at some point to date, and it’s solely 7.30pm. Russia positive is aware of find out how to occasion.

A fast slice of scrumptious pizza and we’re off to our subsequent location: the aptly named Do Not Disturb, one of many newest initiatives from the bar group S.I.D.R.

For a hipster venue, the theme is every thing – at DND, it’s all concerning the ‘resort expertise’. As you enter, you’re greeted by a concierge standing in entrance of a wall of room keys, earlier than being led to a tiny room with a low ceiling and cosy chairs.

You’re even supplied bathrobe slippers upon entry.

It’s the kind of place that doesn’t require an indication, since you’re both cool sufficient to understand it exists otherwise you’re not.

There’s a mixture of locals and vacationers, and the environment is homely with superb service.

The spirit of alternative? Vodka, all the best way.

High tip: by no means inform Russian bartenders that you simply love vodka. I’m as soon as once more requested to style each infusion on provide, together with a shot that’s served with a facet of precise animal fats. Thanks, however that’s a no from me.

Do Not Disturb is a comfy area with lovely element (Image: Almara Abgarian)

However the all-day ingesting has gone to my head and I am going residence in a taxi earlier than the remainder of the group round 10pm.

If you wish to preserve going, there’s a plethora of native bars to select from, together with the extraordinarily primary vacationer spot Kamchatcka, the place the booze is reasonable, the vibe is simply too, however that’s really purpose sufficient to pop in for a fast one.

Day 2: The Kremlin, bunker bars and cocktails galore

I’m struggling, with a hangover that nothing will remedy – however the Kremlin is asking.

The historic fortress, constructed within the fifteenth century, could be very spectacular up shut with its 20 towers and the close by Crimson Sq. and St Basil’s Cathedral.

Later, after a well-earned relaxation, it’s again to partying, beginning with lunch in a standard Russian tea room, referred to as Grand Cafe Dr Zhivago. The menu is a feast for the eyes for individuals who need native delicacies, with chilly cuts, caviar, cutlets and crêpes – paired with champagne, after all.

Moscow is stuffed with spectacular buildings (Image: Almara Abgarian)

Chilly cuts are a delicacy at Russian tea rooms (Image: Almara Abgarian)

A hangover feast, Russian fashion (Image: Almara Abgarian)

My travelling companions fortunately dig in, however sadly, my delicate abdomen craves one thing extra generic, and so an hour later, I swing by KFC (sure, actually). Our Russian hosts snicker at my lack of ingesting stamina, however I can’t hear it over the crunch of the fried hen.

Within the night, it’s time for spherical two, beginning with pre-dinner cocktails at Room 5, an underground conflict bunker-turned-secret-drinking-spot the place bartender Andrey creates molecular concoctions with the assistance of science.

Attempt the Greek Salad, a drink that tastes similar to its namesake and is served with a feta cheese garnish.

The area is small, with the bar taking over many of the room, nevertheless it’s an important place to lease for a personal get-together.

The steps that result in the underground bunker (Image: Almara Abgarian)

A unbelievable ingesting crew, right here at Room 5, a secret bunker bar (Image: Almara Abgarian)

And it additionally occurs to be just some moments from Schrödinger’s Cat. In case your Instagram account wants inspiration, that is the place you wish to go.

The waiters are wearing lab coats and the menu is laid out just like the periodic desk. We strive glowing drinks served in lightbulbs, fruity cocktails served in ketchup bottles with a facet of ‘fries’, alcohol served in bins and in a boxing glove – the checklist goes on.

As for the environment, it’s an intimate venue, jam-packed with prospects (good previous pre-coronavirus socialising). I beloved this bar, however one thing about it additionally feels slightly too try-hard; just like the unpopular particular person in class attempting desperately to slot in with the cool youngsters.

Cocktails are created in all types of the way at Schrodinger’s Cat (Image: Almara Abgarian)

This glowing concoction is among the signature drinks on the bar (Image: Almara Abgarian)

Fancy a shot, anybody? (Image: Almara Abgarian)

We additionally stopped into Neon Monkey Bar, a bar and restaurant fully impressed by Thailand, with a menu that includes Asian road meals (thumbs up from me) and tropical flavours throughout the cocktail vary, from lychee and aloe to banana, white rum and salted caramel.

There are dozens of pictures to select from, together with my private favorite, a miniature ‘egg’ in a frying pan that comes with a picket spoon.

All in all, it’s a wonderful night time out and I keep till midnight. A bottle of magnum vodka arrives on the desk as I exit.

Twenty minutes later, I’m again in my resort room, munching on a leftover ham and cheese sandwich that I ordered from room service earlier within the day.

It may not be very cool or very Russian, however after 48 hours of alcohol, it’s precisely what I want.

*It ought to go with out saying, however all the time drink responsibly and have loads of water in-between cocktails.

Do you’ve gotten a narrative you’d prefer to share?

Get in contact by emailing [email protected].