Clubs
Jazz/blues
Jazz and blues clubs in St.Petersburg
Blues Billiard
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Blues bar, billiards and gambling machines. The repertoire is lovingly compiled by ex-Akvarium guitarist Alexander Lyapin, who often performs there himself.
Daily, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Strip shows, Thursday, 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Free entrance. Live blues concerts start at 9 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. 48 Ulitsa Professora Popova.
M: Petrogradskaya. Tel.: 234-4448.
Che Cafe-Club - Located just off Nevsky Prospect, Che has became one of the city's most popular hangouts. Although named after the legendary guerrilla, Che is aimed primarily at trendy, well-off young people. Open 24 hours. Live music nightly, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. 3 Poltavskaya Ulitsa. M: Ploshchad Vosstaniya. Tel.: 277-7600. www.cafeclubche.ru
Jazz Philharmonic Hall - Staid, state-sponsored jazz venue, intended by its founder, local jazz patriarch David Goloshchokin, to be Russia's answer to New York's seminal Blue Note club. Mostly mainstream and Dixieland repertoire, with the occasional drop of blues. Home of the annual White Nights Swing jazz festival. Concerts most days, 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Entrance 100 to 120 rubles. Tickets in advance at box-office, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. 27 Zagorodny Pr. M: Vladimirskaya/Dostoevskaya. Tel.: 164-8565. www.jazz-hall.spb.ru.
Jazz Time Bar - A new addition to the local jazz scene that was launched by one of the co-owners of the established JFC Jazz Club. It is located in the three small rooms once occupied by the ill-fated Ryba Jazz cafe. Jazz, blues and Latin. Live concerts Wednesday through Sunday at 9 p.m. Daily, 11 a.m. until the last person leaves. 41 Mokhovaya Ul. M: Chernyshevskaya. Tel. 273 5379.
JFC Jazz Club
- Probably the most innovative and progressive
jazz venue in town. Less formal atmosphere, featuring all styles up to avant-garde and improv. Occasional classical and folk concerts. The latest addition is Ethno World, a monthly concert of world music. Mostly
jazz crowd and expats. Bar and snacks.
Daily, from 7 p.m. Entrance 60 to 100 rub. 33 Shpalernaya Ul. M: Chernyshevskaya. Tel.: 272-9850. www.jfc.sp.ru
Jimi Hendrix Blues Club
- What was once the Armenian cafe "Shagane" (Armenian cuisine is still available) now offers live
blues,
rock and
jazz concerts, with videos from the likes of Eric Clapton and Blue Cheer in between.
Open 24 hours. Concerts start at 7:30 p.m. Entrance 50 to 70 rubles. 33 Liteiny Pr. M: Chernyshevskaya. Tel.: 279-8813.
Neo Jazz Club
- What the restaurant "Mukha Tsokotukha" (opposite the Mukhina Art College) turns into at night. Neat design, although the place has still yet to find its own atmosphere. Specializes for the most part in mellow
jazz styles, with duos and trios usually performing without a drummer. Capacity 35 to 40. Armenian and European cuisine.
Daily, 9 a.m.to midnight. Entrance 50 rubles after 8 p.m. 14 Solyanoi Per. Tel.: 273-3830.
Palitra Art Cafe - Yet another medium-priced art cafe with live jazz and blues and, less frequently, some rock and country. Photo and art exhibitions. Music program is basically equivalent to Jimi Hendrix Blues Club, Neo Jazz Club and Sunduk Art cafe. Daily, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Concerts daily, 9 p.m. Entrance 30 rubles when a band is playing. 5 Malaya Morskaya Ul. M: Nevsky Prospect. Tel.: 312-3435.
Sunduk Art Cafe- Another small place with a pleasant atmosphere and live music. Alhough it used to feature restaurant musicians and Soviet pop songs, it has recently featured mostly jazz, blues and some rock. Daily, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Entrance 30 rubles from 8:30 p.m. 42 Furshtatskaya Ul. M: Chernyshevskaya. Tel.: 272-3100.