Experience the best of Russian nightlife

By Marcelo De Vivo

If you want to give your buddies or girlfriends the time of their lives, why don't you get off the beaten weekend getaways track and head for Russia? Exotic and mysterious, this Eurasian country has the best of both worlds. Pure beauty and local color from its Asian side and a certain cozy familiarity for which its European side is to credit.

If you're travelling for culture, Russia is a cornucopia of historical insight. This is, indeed, where writers Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, acclaimed ballerina Anna Pavlova and  abstract painter Wassily Kandinsky were born. But if you're in it for the late nights, drinking and having a blast, you might have to turn your weekend escape into a whole month

Moscow and Saint Petersburg's clubbing scenes take nightlife to a whole different level because these people know how to make you feel good and they know how to party.

Moscow

Moscow is Russia's capital city and it's a goldmine for clubbers, locals and travelers alike. According to Forbes, Moscow has more billionaires than any other city in the world, so you can imagine the level of opulence you'll be able to experience first hand in some of the nightclubs. This makes the destination a great place for a guys' getaway or the perfect location for the most epic stag parties.

If you're interested in dancing the night away in a hip, trendy and a bit alternative venue, try Gogol. This restaurant slash bar slash club is the place the cool russian kids hang out in. Indie, pop-rock, drum n bass, disco and funk are regulars in this hip place. Expect DJs and live acts practically every night!

Did you know Moscow actually has its very own Chinatown? For the complete Moscow experience make sure to visit Chinese Pilot, this super friendly and (who would have thought) cheap place to dance the night away. This is a locals favorite, has concerts every night and only closes at 6 am, so it's the perfect joint to hit for a relaxed afterparty.

Solyanka is where you should be heading if you want to experience the authentic russian party scene. This 2007-born club is known for its trendy parties, creative events and happy audience. Not only do people dance and have fun here. The club hosts lectures, runs a fashion boutique and restaurant and runs a monthly magazine. And the concerts are simply divine: underground DJs, indie performers from across the globe and famous musicians you haven't seen anywhere else. On the whole, you're sure to make very interesting friends here.

St. Petersburg

Often described as the most Western city of Russia, Peter (as Russians often call it) is a beautiful cultural capital and home of The Hermitage, one of the largest art museums in the world. As for the party scene, it has a spunky, young feel to it. Think Soho with a touch of Paris.

Fish Fabrique is the first underground club in Saint Petersburg and it still attracts a cool crowd. This intimate live music venue is open all day long, so if you want to chill out over a drink during the day you can definitely do that and later come back to a packed club at night. With its unpretentious vibe and its great music, Fish Fabrique definitely delivers. 

How about a bit of celebration? This is what Purga is all about - celebrating New Year's Eve each day of the year. In Russia, New Year's Eve is the biggest holiday and they usually reserve a week of partying to greet the New Year, so expect an over-the-top experience. If you're still breathing after it, Purga-2, their second venue, has a wedding per day. So go ahead and be the groom or the bride for the night. Nobody will judge you.

Griboedov is that club that everybody knows. Mind you, that doesn't mean it's commercial. This is the place where the fashionable underground Russian clubbers meet and it's housed in a bomb shelter. How cool is that? They have daily performances, ranging from DJs and live music to exhibitions, banquets and lectures. The music goes from funk to soul and from rock to indie smoothly and beautifully.

If you're looking for an unforgettable time with your friends for an escape from the ordinary or to celebrate a special event such as a stag party, Russia is definitely the hidden gem on the map. The stories you'll be able to tell after a stag party in Moscow or Saint Petersburg are definitely not your cookie cutter adventures. Russia is mesmerizing, alluring and surprisingly friendly.

Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer from Los Angeles who has traveled all over the world and loves sharing her top picks for a great vacation. She has spent some time backpacking through Europe and is always searching for her next travel adventures.