Apart from the busy city centre of St Petersburg, the Petrogradsky side is the place to be. The backdrop of buildings from Imperial times has made the neighbourhood a perfect location for fashionable bars and small, local pubs, and the best place to explore the hidden life of St Petersburg.
Bolshoy Bar
Bar, European, $$$
The perfect choice for lovers of fancy cocktails, Bolshoy is a stylish bar serving drinks made of the highest quality spirits. As guaranteed by the slogan of the bar, they deliver ‘good spirits’, however you decide to interpret it. In the mornings, the bar transforms into a café serving fresh pastries and finely brewed coffee.
A bar founded by three friends who have two interests in common: football and beer. So they created a place where more people could enjoy these two pleasures. The bar is a gathering spot for football fans, although the interior bears little resemblance to your typical sports bar. No flags, no posters, just a great selection of beers both on tap and bottled.
A secret hideaway for wine lovers located in the territory of a former factory, gaining access to this wine treasury is not all that simple. Booking is absolutely essential, and finding the location is not as easy as just following the address. Ask for directions when you call to make a booking, and enjoy a winetastic time.
A cosy place for all lovers of football to gather after watching the game, the bar is strategically located just in front of Petrovsky Stadium. The bar stresses the importance of using only Russian products, as everything from the alcohol to the beer snacks are sourced locally. There isn’t much space here, so it might get crowded and loud on game night.
This small, ruin-like bar quickly garnered the attention of locals living in the area. Bar 86 is above all a beer bar, offering 16 brands on tap, both from Russia and overseas. There are also some easy snacks available to go with that frothy pint, as well as larger dishes if you are looking for a proper meal, and all at fairly reasonable prices. There isn’t much room inside, so be prepared for a huddle on a weekend night.
An old-school retro bar to help you travel back in time to when St Petersburg was once called Leningrad, the bar is filled with all sorts of memorabilia from the previous era, resembling the attic of a Soviet summer house. The menu, on the other hand, is more modern: you can find craft beer and all sorts of Western pub food.
Another bar oriented towards the football-watching locals, which is unsurprising given the proximity to the stadium. The three owners of the bar come from very different backgrounds: one’s a bartender, the second a geography teacher and the third an Olympic athlete. The menu here is very straightforward, and simple dishes are served to accompany the 20 types of beer on tap.
