Minsk nightlife

Consider it true or not but your impression of the city can never be complete until you explore its night scene.

Basically, Minsk being known as a calm and secure capital doesn’t boast the reputation of a bustling nightlife centre. Indeed after midnight you are likely to find most central streets and prospects emptied rather than crowded. However don’t get so easily deceived by the surface. Go deeper. At least as deep as behind the doors of one of Minsk night clubs, bars or pubs and you’ll see that it actually has so good entertainment to offer.

Minsk is always full of students and thus can justly be called the city of youth. And youth of this part of the world knows how to have fun!
It won’t be an exaggeration to say that Minsk brims with amusement venues where all tastes are catered for. I did my best to collect information about the worthiest ones.

Night clubs in Minsk

In case you feel that partying is your natural habitat it must be hard for you leave a place without discovering its best night clubs. Minsk has night venues to party in style where even the choosiest clubber can be satisfied.

Dozari

DoZari can be called the most famous club in Minsk. It has a reputation of being a fashionable nightclub for golden youth and dandies. That’s why everyone who longs for classy entertainment comes here.

However as you’ve probably guessed you’ll have to splash out on it. The entrance fee is about $15-25. The bar menu won’t come cheap either.
Also note that face control is strict and if you come here you are required to look impeccable.
The highlight of the club is its spacious dance-floor in the form of a huge multimedia screen. In combination with impressive light effects and proper music it creates amazing vibe.

Address: Nezavisimosti ave 58
Working hours: 22:00 – 06:00 every night except Mondays and Tuesdays
Phone: +375 29 3452233

Auroom lounge club

Here’s another venue worth checking out. This is a bit off-format club which is located on the 16th and 17th floors of the business center “Alexandrov Passage”.
In essence it’s a two-level nightclub with lounge atmosphere which is created by well-turned oriental interior.
Apparently the most peculiar thing about the venue is a breathtaking panorama of Minsk from a height of 50 meters. You can come here to relax and on Friday night and even break the dawn while chilling out and enjoying fine drinks, delicious food, attentive service and good music.
In addition every weekend different parties take place.
Address: Nezavisimosti ave 117a
Working hours: Thu: 18:00 – 02:00, Fri – Sat 18:00 – 06:00
Phone: +375 29 190-22-22

 

Fashion club

The name of the club speaks for itself. This premium class venue does it best to keep up with the world best club tendencies.
Fashion club boasts glassy dance-floor and regular performances of the top European DJs. Here you will find the longest bar in Minsk and in case you fancy being a VIP client there will be a separate entrance for you as well as guarded parking.
What is more the venue is located in the most picturesque place of the city on the riverside. When leaving the club in the early morning if in a condition you can enjoy a peaceful walking down the river contemplating the empty city in the light of the rising sun.
The entrance fee is about 10-20$.

Address: Yanki Kupaly str 25
Working hours: 22:00 – 06:00 on the weekends
Phone: +375 17 328-69-12

Theatre- karaoke Bohema

Bohema is a venue for people who appreciate entertainment not only with style but also with creativity.
Here you can try yourself as a professional singer and be assisted by a theatre-group which includes a sound producer, a light designer, back voice accompaniment. The support of such professionals will surely save you from an embarrassing karaoke experience that everyone fears.
In case you are not into singing you’ll still be able to enjoy the classy atmosphere sipping you finely made drink and contemplating the organized entertainment or dancing along for a change. The entrance is free of charge. However menu is rather pricy.

Address: Masherova Avenue 17/1
Working hours: 20:00 – 09:00 daily
Phone: +375 29 650-65-65

 

Alternative clubs and pubs in Minsk

For those of you who are not enthusiastic about regular clubs but still don’t want to spend their nights at home alternative venues have been made. Here’s a list of some you can visit in Minsk.

 

Loft

The Loft is a particular place in Minsk. It’s usually talked up by the locals for its uniqueness. Following the trendy loft culture concept which proclaims freedom of limits and clichés Minsk’s Loft comprises 3 things in one. In the morning it works as a café or a snack bar, in the evening it turns into a concert venue and at late at night it’s a great place for partying at the weekend in particular.
The purpose of this place is to unite people with good taste and creative minds. Loft’s playlist is composed of various genres including Funk, Indie, Disco, Modern Jazz, Electronic and Club music.

Address: Brovki str 22
Working hours: Fri – Sat 11:00 – 05:00, Sun – Thu11:00 – 00:00
Phone: +375 29 380-00-10

Huligan

Huligan is a highly non-formal place for extravagant people. Those who don’t like banal night clubs should surely discover Huligan for a change.
The literal translation of the name is a rebel. And I have to confess that indeed the venue has something revolutionary about it. It’s located in an old red brick building in an uncrowded part of the city. At first sight the interior might remind an artist’s studio which shapes the artistic atmosphere of the place. People come here to have a drink, enjoy fine music of various genres (indie, house, grunge, rock’n’roll, blues etc.), play a game of table soccer, sometimes watch a movie on a huge projector … Perhaps the biggest advantage is that in this place you can have a conversation as well as dance till you drop!
Depending on the season they have a big terrace open which serves a nice chill-out area. Usually this place is full of young people who denounce mainstream culture and sometimes proudly sometimes ironically call themselves hipsters. The prices in a bar are reasonable. An average cocktail will cost you up to 10$.
Address: Oktyaborskaya str 16
Working hours: Fri – Sat12:00 – 4:00, Sun – Thu 12:00 – 02:00
Phone: +375 (17) 327-10-45

Movie nights in Fisher’s House

Fisher’s house is a really curious place in Minsk. The peculiarity is that you don’t pay for food or drinks here but for the time you spend in. An hour will cost you around $3. You are allowed to use Fisher’s kitchen to grab some food or a drink. However don’t expect any delicacy and alcohol.
Fisher’s house actually reminds a huge cozy apartment with several rooms to fall in. Spending a night there would be close to staying over at a local’s place.
Fisher’s house main specialty is amusement. For every day they have an original program of activities. Pretty often they house small music concerts, exhibitions, literary meetings, photography trainings, travelling lessons …
Every Friday they traditionally organize movies nights. You come to Fisher’s house at midnight and stay there till 5 or 6 in the morning watching movies. Usually there are 3 movies that are united by some mutual theme. For instance, 3 movies about artists or 3 movies starring Tom Hanks, or 3 episodes of Star Wars etc.
Even though they usually show movies in Russian I’m pretty sure nobody will mind putting on a movie with English subtitles.

Address: Prospekt Nezavisimosti, 84A
Working hours: Fri – Sat 12:00 – 3:00, Sun – Thu 12:00 – 23:00
Phone: +375-25-982-08-48

Graffiti Pub

For discovering the underground groovy culture of the city Graffiti is an obligatory place to hang out in. Even though it’s hard to find as it’s located a little bit off the beaten track you should still try to get there.
Being a pub in the evening late at night it always turns into a club. Live concerts of popular local and foreign bands take place here practically every evening. There’s a music schedule for different days of the week. For this reason Wednesdays are usually for jazz, Fridays – for funk, and Saturdays – for blues or rock. Regular film screenings and theatre performances are also hosted in the club. On weekends different games are organized for guests.
Pub offers dozens of beer brands and wide range of snacks and national cuisine dishes.
Address: Kalinina pereulok 16
Working hours: Sun – Thu 11:00 – 23:00, Fri – Sat 11:00 – 02:00

Pubs

Another alternative to spend a good night is to head for a deserving pub. Today in Minsk more and more pubs open. Due to inevitable competition they aspire to be individual in format. So it isn’t hard to find a pub to your taste.

Doodah King bar

Doodah King can be worthily called one of the best bars in Minsk speaking in terms of music and atmosphere. The venue is located in the heart of Minsk just a few steps away from the Red Church which makes it easily accessible for a tourist.
Every corner here is musically inspired and penetrated with rock’n’roll. If you’re fond of the Rolling Stones, the Aerosmith, the RHCP, the Pink Floyd, AC/DC this is surely a place for you. Occasionally there are bands performing live music there.
Food and drinks are good but pricy. You might also be glad to find out that this is one of a few bars that is open everyday till 5 am.
Address: Bersona str 14
Working hours: 17:00 – 05:00 every day
Phone: +375 29 103-10-00

U Ratushi

Take a special note of this bar. It’s a must to visit as actually it’s a traditional bar. The interior has a number of wood elements and old Belarusian style motives.
Conveniently located in the very centre of Minsk it always invites you to drop in for a traditional meal or a glass of beer. A thing to mention is that here you can get a beer of any colour and flavor. In addition to cheerful music and friendly staff you’ll be pleasantly surprised with reasonable prices.
Keep in mind, it’s not easy to get in after 8-9 pm. on weekends.
Address: Gertsena str 1
Working hours: 12:00 – 02:00 every day
Phone: +375 17 226-06-43

Cherdak Bar

Сherdak is a cozy place that due to its wooden furniture and uncomplicated design makes you feel as if you are actually away from the noisy city. It’s a great place to spend some quality time with friends.
The menu looks extraordinary. You won’t find here typical mojito. Instead there are some improved cocktails with creative names. On your request a barman will carefully choose you a drink to match your uncommon dish. Cherdak offers a thoroughly selected wine-list. However they don’t serve beer here.
Regarding prices some people suppose they are unreasonably high (8-15 USD for a cocktail).
Address: Zybitskaya str 9
Working hours: Mon – Thu 17:00 – 02:00, Fri – Sat 14:00 – 05:00, Sun 14:00 – 02:00
Phone: +375 29 189-09-09

Cuba Libre Bar

As the owners of the venue say Cuba Libre bar is an island of freedom in Minsk.
This is hard to object as the whole place finely performed in colonial style really makes you feel like you’ve escaped to an island. The ceiling looks like sky, the floor looks like ocean. There’s even an aquarium with exotic fish installed in a column.
It goes without saying that rum is the most popular drink here and the base for the majority of cocktails.
To make you fall in love with this place even more I’ll mention that here you can watch salsa dancing sessions performed by professional dancers who will be eager to share their skill with you.

Address: Kropotkina str 93a
Working hours: Fri – Sat: 11:00 – 06:00, Sun – Thu: 11:00 – 02:00
Phone: +375 29 190 33 33

Casinos in Minsk

If you look at the list of casinos in Minsk you’ll most probably be awe-stricken to find out that there are over 30 of them. Contrary to what you might assume, the reason for this is not Belarusians’ desire for gambling. The actual reason is that Belarus is one of the few countries in the region where gambling is legal. That’s why a big number of casinos were opened to attract people from other countries.

As a matter of fact Minsk casinos are pretty much the same. Surrounded by numerous gambling machines and finely designed interiors you are promised to enjoy the lavish entertainments in assistance of high-class service.

The most popular and lauded are X.O. casino, Carat casino, Princess casino, Shangri La casino, Belaya Vezha casino, Royal casino, Victoria casino. They all are situated within the city centre.

Life is not about the moments we live but about the momets we remember. Or at least this is what they say. Hopefully I managed to convience you that Minsk with its vibrant night scene is a place to make some great memories.