Bars & Pubs
Baraban (Drum) , Prorizna 4A, (M) Zoloti Vorota, tel. 279 23 55. This cosy but hard-to-find hole-in-the-wall is usually populated by politicos, journalists and ex-pats holding forth on the subject of the day. The neighbourhood atmosphere goes well with the tasty and moderately-priced Ukrainian food, and the jazz music adds another pleasant dimension. > Open 11:00 - 23:00.
Bellini's Bar , B.Khmel'nyts'koho 53/53, (M) Univer-sytet, tel. 581 70 70, www.opera-hotel.com, fax 537 73 73, info@opera-hotel.com. The Bellini's Bar is a very classic type outlet, offering a wide range of international beverages, large cocktail variety and high class wines by the glass. In addition, there'll be a humidor where guests can enjoy cigars. > Open 11:00 - 02:00.
Docker Pub Bohatyrs'ka 9, (M) Heroiv Dnipra, tel. 451 85 28, www.docker. com.ua. There aren't many venues which encourage their customers to dance on the table but Docker Pub is just that! This Rock n' Roll joint is a lively raucous affair where bands play to an enthusiastic crowd de-termined to dance and flirt till sunrise. All manner of cocktails are available at the bar for incredibly reasonable prices and the service is warm and friendly. A little bit out of the way but well worth the journey. > Open 00:00 - 24:00.
Garage , Shota Rustaveli 12, (M) Paints Sportu, tel. 287 02 04. Appetisers and beer snacks abound for those watching sports on the big projection TV or jamming to live music on Fridays and Saturdays. Although there's no English-language menu at this car-themed establishment, you can point to pictures of such dishes as "speed", "autobahn", and "Grand Prix". A business "auto lunch" is also served. > Open 11:00 - 24:00, Sat, Sun 12:00 - 24:00.
Golden Gate Irish , Zolotovorits'ka 15, (M) Zoloti Vorota, tel. 235 51 88, fax 278 65 83, info@ kartamir.com.ua, www.kartamir.com.ua. This is a true Irish Pub with the largest selection of draught beer in Kyiv. The menu has special beer appetizers. There are darts, a billiard room, and big screens TV for sport fans. There is live music every Friday and Saturday. Pub offers busi¬ness lunch on weekdays and breakfast at the weekend. > Open 11:00 - 01:00.
Horikh (Nut) , Chervonoarmiys'ka 126, (M) Palats Ukraina, tel. 5294232. If you've ever dreamed of tossing compli-mentary peanut shells on the floor, this is definitely the place for you. There's lots of beer on offer to wash down the nuts, not to mention sandwiches and other appetisers, at this popular student hangout and post-party refuelling stop. > Open 00:00 - 24:00.
O'Brien's , Mykhailivs'ka 17A, (M) Maidan Nezalezh-nosti, tel. 279 15 84. Kyiv's first Irish pub is still a favourite with ex-pats and upwardly mobile Ukrainians. O'Brien's bars serve up plenty of beer great with none-too-shabby pub food like shepherd's pie, and their Irish breakfast is enough to hold you until dinner. Upstairs you'll find darts, billiards and the city's best atmosphere for watching sports on the big screen. > Open 08:00 - 02:00.
Sunduk (Chest), Mykhailivs'ka 16, (M) Maidan Neza-lezhnosti, tel. 279 14 65. The main features of this classic pub are the pleasant wooden interior and bill transactions made via a treasure chest. In spite of a noticeable attempt to copy Western styles in the interior, the music is very Eastern. The dishes and drinks listed on the menu are not necessarily present in the kitchen. Nevertheless, if you plan to arrive after 18:00, it would be better to reserve a table beforehand and prepare for being consumed by cigarette smoke even in the room for non-smokers. > Open 11:00 - 23:00.
Talgen , Chervonoarmiys'ka 32A, (M) L'va Tolstoho, tel. 502 65 37/502 65 36. This new three roomed beer-house is situated near Khreschatyk on L'va Tostoho Sq. It offers breakfast from 06:00for 18Hr and business-lunches for 25Hrfrom 12:00 to 16:00. Specials offers are changed every day. > Open 00:00 - 24:00.
Viola's Bierstube, T.Shevchenka bul'v. 1A, (M) Khres-chatyk, tel. 235 37 51. This cosy basement beer bar is a popular hangout for both foreigners and the young English-speaking Ukrainians. It offers a wide range of beer and other alcoholic drinks as well as a selection of tasty bar snacks. The first Wednesday of every month is 'Women's Club' night here, with fun and games for girls only. > Open 11:00 - 02:00.
Voina i Mir (War and Peace), Chervonoarmiys'ka 21-23 B, (M) L'va Tolstoho, tel. 234 69 76. You could al-most finish reading Tolstoy's famous novel while waiting for your order, but this does allow you to ponder endgravings of Napoleonic Wars and Russian peasants artifacts. And once your Russian and/or French dishes arrive, they are delicious. > Open 10:00 - 01:00.
Casinos
Officially banned during Soviet times, casinos have been multiplying and generally being quite fruitful in terms of attracting people looking to make a quick hryvnia. Roulette, poker and black jack plus those noisy video slots machines are the usual combination. For as little as 10 to 25 hryvnia, a would-be winner can place a minimum bet in casinos with all the class and glitter of their Las Vegas counterparts - even down to the free drinks in some es-tablishments. Many also have bars, restaurants and erotic shows if you like spending your money in other ways. As an alternative to casinos, the frugal gambler can place absurdly low minimum bets of 10 kopecks in slot machines in metro stations and elsewhere around town.
Avalon , Leontovycha 3, (M) Universytet, tel. 234 74 94, www.avalon.ua. This all-inclusive entertainment complex contains a cafe, restaurant, several bars and a night club. The casino offers poker, roulette and blackjack, plus a free nightly buffet for all gamblers. > Open 17:00 - 06:00.
Casino 21st Century Saksahans'koho 51, (M) Respublicans'kyi Stadion, tel. 289 17 03. This raffle-crazy casino gives out daily prizes of $1,000 plus additional $5,000 prizes on Friday and Saturday. Free entrance gives full access to five kinds of poker plus the usual selection and, lest we forget, nightly erotic shows beginning at 21:00. >Open 00:00 - 24:00.
Casino Europe , Gorkoho 8, (M) L'va Tolstoho, tel. 287 67 84. Roulette, black jack, six kinds of poker, and nightly raffles ranging from $500 to $3,000. A buffet and taxi transfers are offered to casino clients. > Open 00:00 - 24:00.
Casino Rio B-4, B.Khmel'nyts'koho 30/10, (M) Teatral'na, tel. 234 32 92. This casino offers the same traditional games and slot machines as elsewhere. However, a poker tournament every Friday with total prizes of $2,500 does set it apart. > Open 13:00 - 05:00.
Gabriela , Khreschatyk 1/2, (M) Maidan Nezale-zhnosti, tel. 278 88 81, www.gabriela.kiev.ua. The usual gaming tables, slot machines and weekly raffle prizes of $2,500 are all at your service at Dnipro Hotel. >Open 00:00 - 24:00.
Grand Plaza E-3, Peremohy pl. 1 (Lybid hotel), (M) Vokzal'na, tel. 236 65 56, fax 236 62 04, www.grandplaza.kiev.ua. The casino of the entertainment com-plex Grand Plaza offers a classical set of games: American roulette, Black Jack, several types of Poker. United electronic Poker Jack Pot. Free bar for the gamblers. Cosy interior, in-strumental music, friendly staff will present you the best atmosphere for a comfortable rest and exciting games. > Open 00:00 - 24:00.
Joss, Raisy Okipnoi 2, (M) Livoberezhna, tel. 516 86 74. This entertainment complex inside Tourist hotel seem-ingly has it all - an English pub, sushi restaurant and casino with 11 gaming tables, live jazz music and free drinks for gamblers. If you still have the shirt on your back, watch pretty girls lose theirs at the show bar or take a spin on the dance floor. > Open 00:00 - 24:00.
Split Club A-5, Prorizna 8, (M) Khreschatyk, tel. 536 17 17. Split is one of Ukrain's oldest and most successful casinos. A hryvnia hall and a higher-stakes dollar hall offer the standard gaming tables. The are also nightly cash prizes and erotic shows. > Open 00:00 - 24:00.
Clubs
If you are familiar with the club scene in other parts of Europe, you will feel at home with the loud atmosphere, overpriced drinks, and relatively high entrance fees of Kyiv's nightclubs. A few differences you might note are the availability of hookah (Middle Eastern flavoured tobacco), professional dance or model shows, and it is socially acceptable for men to dance with each other. Guys, be wary of the young, attractive women some clubs hire to entice foreign men to spend money on champagne, overpriced dinners and drinks.
112 Music Club , Chervonoarmiys'ka 5A, Arena Complex, (M) L'va Tolstoho. It may have only been open for a while but 112 has already established itself as a firm favourite amongst the city's party animals. A wide variety of music, vast array of drinks and seats ideal for flirting make 112 perfect for those looking to dance the night away or are out to find that special someone. > Open 21:00 - 04:00.
Arena Entertainment, Basseina 2A, (M) L'va Tolstoho, tel. 492 00 00. The venue was the official hangout for Eurovision 2005 participants. It is an entertainment complex accommodating several bars, a night club and a casino under one roof. Try your luck in Black Jack, Pocker or American roulette. In any case, you may round up your night out in the night club, partying till dawn. > Open: restaurant and Beer House 09:00 - 04:00, Sport-Bar 12:00 - 04:00, night club Tue - Sun 22:00 - 06:00.
Arena night club, Baseina 2A, (M) L'va Tolstoho, tel. 492 00 00, fax 492 00 01, www.arena-kiev.com. > 0pen 22:00 - 06:00. Closed Mon, Tue.
Azhur A-4, Leontovycha 3, (M) Universytet, tel. 234 74 94, fax 278 50 05, info@avalon.ua, www.avalon.ua. This stereo disco club is a real diamond of Kyiv night life. The best music from the 60's, 70's, and 80's provides a bright and dazzling atmosphere. The Beetles, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Lisa Minnelli, the Rolling Stones, and the Doors songs guarantee an unforgettable night in this club. >Open 20:00 - 06:00.
Carribean Club, Kominterna 4, (M) Universytet. tel. 244 42 90. If you only salsa with tortilla chips or think meringue belongs exclusively on pies, take a crash course in these and other exotic dance styles at the capital's only thoroughly Latin disco. Every Friday and Satuday at 00:30 - special show programme by cabaret theatre "El Gato". >Open 18:00 - 06:00, Fri, Sat 18:00 - 03:00.
Docker's ABC, Khreschatyk 15/4A, (M) Khres-chatyk, tel. 278 34 58, docer@svitonline.com, docker.com.ua. This is a cafe and bar during the day and a night club in the evenings. The menu, in both English and German languages, is of European and Ukrainian cuisine. Live music with a docker style interior. > Open 00:00 - 24:00. Mon-Frid 12:00 -16:00 Business Lunch 25Hr. Admission Sun-Thu 10Hr, Fri-Sat 25Hr.
Faberge 1-4, Rybal'ska 22, (M) Klovs'ka, tel. 501 79 79. This club is for mature and respectable people and has strict face control. The under 18s are not allowed in. Housed within the walls of an old fortress, Faberge embodies good taste and sophistication. The venue serves a variety of exclusive drinks which are hard to find anywhere else in the city, and delicious snacks to keep you dancing. A club which is almost destined to be a favourite with the city's beautiful people and highfliers. Admission is free every night. > Open 00:00 - 24:00.
Grand Plaza , Peremohy ploscha 1 (Lybid Hotel), (M) Vokzal'na, tel. 236 65 56, www.grandplaza.kiev.ua. Entertaiment complex combines a classical casino, the res¬taurant, pub, bar and Italian coffee-house. Stylish and attrac¬tive interiors create peculiar atmosphere all around: here you have the best opportunity to make an appointment in the pub for the mug of cool beer, keep it with a small glass of vodka, admiring Kyiv in the classical hall of the restaurant and finish in the gold digger's cabin with a glass of your favourite whis¬key. The casino offers a classical set of games, instrumental music and free bar for the gamblers, the coffee-house is famous for its dessert menu listing over 60 kinds of dainties. > Open 00:00 - 24:00.
Joss , Raisy Okipnoi 2, (M) Livoberezhna, tel. 516 86 74. This entertainment complex inside Hotel Tourist seem¬ingly has it all - an English pub, sushi restaurant and casino with 11 gaming tables, live jazz music and free drinks for gamblers. If you still have the shirt on your back, watch pretty girls lose theirs at the show bar or take a spin on the dance floor. > Open 00:00 - 24:00.
Pioneer Ice Club 1-4, Dniprovs'kyi uzvizl, (M) Arsenal'na, tel. 496 53 53, fax 254 5586, nr@ice-club.com.ua, www.ice-club.com.ua. Ice club has an ice skating arena and cafe¬teria. The menu has the most popular meals from many of the finest European mountain resorts. The summer terrace has a panoramic view of Lavra and both banks of the Dnipro River. Every Friday there is a disco on ice. > Open 10:00 - 24:00.
River Palace, Naberezhne Shose, (M) Dnipro, tel. 490 66 95. This fun-filled entertainment boat hosts musical shows by famous Slavic and international acts, but that's not all. There's also a bar, cafe, restaurant, disco and casino (15:00 - 07:00). Depending on the day and your sex, the admission fee ranges from 20 - 60Hr. >Open 21:00-06:00.
Sound Planet, Dmytrievs'ka 18/24, (M) Universytet, tel. 486 03 00, www.soundpla.net. If you're looking for a night of hands in the air sunglasses action then Sound Planet is the place for you. The music is fast, frantic and comes cour¬tesy of a veteran DJ who earned his spurs manning the decks at legendary New York venue Studio 54 and this, together with an amazing sound system and sensational laser show, means that Sound Planet is a must for all those who take their clubbing seriously. > Open 22:00 - 05:00.
Jazz clubs
Art Club 44 , Khreschatyk 44, (M)Khreshatyk, tel. 279 41 37. One of the city's best venues for live music, Art Club 44 hosts a wide variety of acts - from small-time performers to well-known local and international groups (De Phazz comes to mind). The music is mostly experimental and jazz, and it draws big crowds hungry for something other than Top 40. > Open 10:00 - 02:00.
Jazz Club Druzhby Narodiv bul'v. 3, (M) Lybids'ka, tel. 528 30 60. This place is a haunt for the intelligentsia and is also known to receive its fair share of famous guests. A nice place just to relax and enjoy the live jazz tunes that begin to fill the air nightly at 19:00, and the tasty food and amiable waitstaff don't hurt either. > Open 11:00 - 23:00.
Bowling
Mirage Artema 37/41, (M) Luk'yanivs'ka, tel. 461 90 87, fax 461 92 98, mirageclub.kiev.ua. Is this really the same game that beer-guzzling rednecks play in the heart¬land of America? The comparison stops fairly abruptly after the equipment, which thankfully is the same. Not only can you enjoy the 6 sublime tracks, you can also gamble, shoot pool, dance and even sing karaoke at Mirage, in addition to visiting a bar and a restaurant. Don't forget biliard and casino. > Open 00:00 - 24:00.

Strike Peremohy prosp. 84, (M) Nyvky, tel. 501 01 10/501 01 11, bowling@strike. kiev.ua, www.strike. kiev.ua. For the pleasure of knocking down pretty white pins with a heavy ball at Strike, the prices start at a reason¬able 66Hr/h before 17:00 and then climb to a whopping hourly rate of 216Hr after 22:00. We know it's only bowling, but hopefully you'll try to dress up a little and fit in with the New Ukrainian crowd. > Open 11:00 - 02:00, Mon 17:00 - 02:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 04:00.
Adult Entertainment
Marilyn , Chervonoarmiys'ka 32A, (M) L'va Tolstoho, tel. 240 76 68. Show bar Marilyn is situated in the basement of beer¬house Talgen. It offers you a Non-Stop Programme with erotic show of beautiful dancers. Crazy menu. Private shows and VIP-rooms. Admission 40Hr. > Open 20:00 - 06:00.
Miatniy Nosorog Strip bar (Mint Rhinoceros) G-6, Chervonoarmiys'ka 111/113, (M) Palats Ukraina, tel. 529 20 00. A little cosy place that hosts as many as 40 people. There are 8 private tables. Indian decor with plastered illustra¬tions from Kamasutra. Bar and European cuisine. Beer costs 15-20Hr. Main dishes are around 40Hr. Admissions: Fri-Sat 70 Hr, Sun - Thu 50 Hr. > Open 20:00 - 06:00.
Milennium , Khreschatyk 1/2, (M) Maidan Nezalezh-nosti, tel. 279 82 02/279 38 77, www.milennium-bar.kiev.ua. Milennium claims to put on a 'non-stop erotic show' of beautiful dancers, complete with private shows and table dancing. This fantasy world at Dnipro Hotel is yours for the taking - after forking 100 Hr for the admission. But for that price you get to enjoy 'gour¬met snacks' from the bar. > Open 21:00 - 06:00.
Tsvetochnyi Nosorog strip-club (Flowered Rhinoceros) L-6, Dniprovska Naberezhna, 7, (M) Livoberezhna, tel. 490 54 44/550 51 53, fax 451 92 91. Located on the left bank of the Dnipro River, Tsvetochnyi Nosorog is easy reachable by minivans from Livoberezhna metro station. It's situated in the basement of restaurant Kleopatra. Cosy venue with 7 VIP-rooms. > Open 20:00 - 06:00. Admission: Sun-Thu 50Hr, Fri-Sat 70Hr.
Androgyn Harmatna 26/2, (M) Shuliavs'ka, tel. 496 19 83, www.androgin. com. The city's first gay night-spot underwent remodeling and got a new name in the process. The Soviet-style exterior is now a far cry from its ultra-hip interior. Androgyn's distinguishing features are intimate dark rooms and a 'ladies' night' promotion on Tuesdays. > Open 20:00 - 06:00. Closed Mon. Admission 10-40Hr.
Cyber cafe , Prorizna 21, (M) Kreschatyk, tel. 278 05 48. This cafe has three halls: disco, hookah and a restaurant. The menu offers reasonable priced European cuisine. Music is presented in European radio format. A "Travesty show", and a men and women strip show. Admission: Mon-Tue 10 Hr, Wed, Thu, Sun - 15Hr, Fri, Sat - 20 Hr for men, 30 Hr for women.
Pomada (Lipstick) , Zan'kovets'koi 6, (M) Khreschatyk, tel. 279 55 52. This is an elite club for people with non-traditional orientation that offers parties, concerts, and a disco with popular DJ's. During the day it is a restaurant that offers European cuisine. > Open 00:00 - 24:00.