Three Sheets: Moscow

As you might expect in a city of over 12 million people Moscow has a stunning variety of nightlife options and a scene for just about anyone. In fact it’s difficult to generalize about the nightlife scene, simply because of its diversity. Of course Moscow being the city of sin that it is, there are some great places to hang out that are on the map, and some that are decidedly off the map. Wherever you are headed in Moscow though, you are virtually guaranteed a good time.

WHERE WE WENT

• Sanduny Bath House –
 Known as the czar of bathhouses, this one has been around for over 200 years. Stop in here for a unique bathing experience consisting of being beaten with branches, plunging into a cold tub, and being lathered up with soap.  After your treatment, try some 80-proof premium Sanduny Vodka, which is made specifically for this place and can only be purchased here. You can also try a Sibirskaya Corona Beer. Meaning “Siberian Crown” it is one of Russia’s premium lagers. For a snack, try some fresh water crawfish and Karushka – salt-cured fish that is similar in texture to jerky.
• Kitaishy Lyotchick — 
This authentic Russian bar serves up authentic drinks, like Baltika Beer, Russia’s top selling beer.
• Secret house party in Moscow –
It’s not that likely that you’ll end up at a secret house party, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t try some Putinka Vodka. Introduced in 2003, it’s one of Russia’s top-selling brands and costs about $5 per bottle. You can also try Yorsh – a shot of vodka dropped into a beer. 
• Kaft IIIKA –
To cure your hangover, try one of Moscow’s many food and beverage kiosks like this one. Take in some carbs with a baked potato and have a little hair of the dog with a Sibirskaya Corona Beer.

Secret Drinks:

Since you can’t actually get Samagon, or Russian Moonshine legally in Russia, you may have to search a little harder for this authentic drinking experience. This homemade liquor which literally translates to “self distillate” can be made from sugar, grains, fruit, root crops and in rare cases, plywood. Yuck!

Moscow Facts:

• It is often said that Moscow is the third Rome, because the main part of the city, according to the legend, was built on seven hills.
• An oft used term to “cheers” when drinking is “Budem zdorovy” meaning “Let’s stay healthy.”
• In 2007 Moscow was named the world’s most expensive city for the second year in a row.
• In 1980, Moscow hosted the Summer Olympic Games, which was boycotted by many countries due to the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in late 1979.
• The Federation Tower is a skyscraper currently under construction in Moscow, Russia and is designed to be the tallest building in Europe.
• Moscow is a sprawling metropolis located in the central-western portion of Russia, on the Moscow River.
• Moscow has more billionaires living in the area than any other city in the world. With a total of 33 billionaires, Moscow beats New York City’s statistic by two.