An Insider's Guide to Moscow Nightlife

One of Moscow’s oldest nightclubs, Propaganda is an iconic spot that’s been around since the 1990s. Featuring deliberately shabby interiors, Propaganda, affectionately called “propka” by regulars, still gathers crowds even on weekdays. The club is particularly favored for scoring world-class DJs, hosting gay parties on Sundays and offering tasty and inexpensive food.

7 Bolshoy Zlatoustinsky Pereulok, Moscow, Russia, +7 495 624 5732

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdM_vnigER8/?taken-by=propagandamoscow

Another legendary spot, frequented by the cool crowd, this bar was founded by celebrated Russian designer Denis Simachev. Fancier and pricier than Propaganda, it’s worth a visit if only for eclectic interiors and salmon pizza.

12 Stoleshnikov Pereulok, Moscow, Russia, +7 495 629 80 85

https://www.instagram.com/p/52ymQdtZqf/?taken-by=shop_bar_ds

Tiny and nondescript, Nauka i Iskusstvo (‘Science and Art’) is all about the music. Although there are no fancy cocktails, glitzy interiors or bohemian entourage, the club hosts some of the best electronic parties, hip music gigs and cool designer shows.

13/15 Nastavnichesky Pereulok, bld.3, Moscow, Russia

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcIWGcOBO81/?taken-by=niimoscow

One of Moscow’s quirkiest nightclubs, Squat ¾ occupies the basement of the former Central Baths building. Instagrammed by Moscow’s it-girls, the club is famous for gothic techno-balls and bohemian raves. Apart from the club and a bar, it is also home to a Greek cafe, barber shop and fashion store.

3 Teatralny Proyezd, Bld. 4, Moscow, Russia, +7 967 162 6062

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba6R_FKAGox/?taken-by=squat3.4

The newest venue on the list, Pluton is located on the premises of the hip design center Artplay. Despite the high ceilings of a former industrial building and tiled walls, Pluton feels strangely homely and comforting. Opened in 2017, this is not a nightclub in the traditional sense. Pluton promotes all kinds of events: from cathartic ambient, to jazz music to art-performances.

8A Nizhnyaya Syromyatnicheskaya Ulitsa, Moscow, Russia, +7 903 254 2669

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc17o50FqNO/?taken-by=plutonplace

Another Artplay resident, Rodnya is a rooftop club that hosts resident DJ sets and international bands on tour. In summer you can dance until sunrise on the club’s rooftop terrace.

5/7 Nizhnyaya Syromyatnicheskaya Ulitsa, bld.7, Moscow, Russia, +7 925 003 559

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbzI7VFhgTP/?taken-by=rodnya

Aglomerat is a multi-purpose art space, housed in the former Mars factory. With a spectacularly dystopian interiors, it plays host to all kinds of events – from movie screenings and art exhibitions, to metal band shows and rave nights.

3 Kostomarovsky Pereulok, Bldg. 12, Moscow, Russia, +7 968 450 8760

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcSAwrgnqu1/?taken-by=_aglomerat