Other Attractions, Saint Petersburg

The Rimsky-Korsakov String Quartet performs regularly around Saint Petersburg and also tour Europe and just recently the US. They perform Russian music as well as other composers. They are especially known for "The Fridays" music from the get togethers Rimsky-Korsakov had on Friday at his place for composers and musicians to get together and try out their new works together.

Dress Code: Dressy to casual, tourists set the lower end of the dress code.

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1 or 2am in the morning you can see the bridges rising along the full length of the river, its a party atmosphere as you watch the river heading up stream....

"A bascule bridge is a drawbridge with a counterweight that continuously balances the span, or "leaf", throughout the entire upward swing in providing clearance for boat traffic. Bascule is a French term for seesaw and balance, and bascule bridges operate along the same principle. They are the most common type of movable bridge in existence because they open quickly and require relatively little energy to operate."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bascule_bridge

St Petersburg is the first place to have one (in 1850). The bridge is close to Blagoveshchenskaya (Annunciation) Square, which was reflected in its original name. It was renamed Nikolayevsky Bridge in 1885 in honour of Emperor Nicholas I, and in 1918 was renamed again in memory of Lieutenant Schmidt.

There are 21 today across the Neva, the first non-bascule opened in 2003.

Dress Code: It might be a bit chilly.

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One of the best places to hear live Jazz.
open 1900-2300, admission 100-300 rubles.

It has about 15 small tables and some stools along the bar.
If you want to sit at a table you need to call and make a reservation, about 400 rubles for table.
You can come early and claim a barstool, 150-250 rubles cover charge.
Or come around 8 when the music starts and stand all night :)

Dress Code: Casual, come as you want.
schedule
http://www.jfc.sp.ru/afisha.html

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Well, maybe it is not a real nightlife tip, in the literal sense of the word, but we enjoy the views at night, especially after this big rain shower and with the play of the sunset light.

In the rear you can see the golden peak of the Admiralty building. I just love that reflection on the wet road surface.
This photo is along the Moika River in the city center

See other pictures too :)

Dress Code: a good umbrella

Irish or British pub on Kazanskaya Street, a little quieter than most featuring many British brews. Said to be owned by the same people who own Mollies Irish Bar.
Atmosphere more commercial, comfortable like a restaurant.

Dress Code: casual but you want to look a little better!

Apelsin Band, new young jazz band playing around St. Petersburg and other parts of Russia led by Sax player Yuri Bedrak. They have a fresh funky sound featureing many original compositons. Great to listen to if you get the chance.

Their first album called Unicorn featured:

Yuri Bedrak Saxophone, Keyboards
Tatiana Schebetun Vocal
Mikhail Alekseenko Guitar
Herbert Lazdin Guitar
Pavel Tsvetkov Bass
Petr Zaharov Drums
Roman Sadirbaev Percussion

A second album is in the works.
A short clip is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnRK1UpSiLo

Saint-Petersburg is home to over 300 different bridges - bridges that are spectacularly lit up at night - and that, at certain fix times (from May to November) open up to let ships pass up the city's waterways. Here are some of their timetables:

Palace Bridge - 1:35-2:55 am, 3:15- 4:50 am
Alexander Nevsky Bridge - 2:20-5:05 am
Bolsheokhtinsky Bridge - 2:00-5:00 am
Finlyandsky Bridge - 2:30-5:10 am
Liteiny Bridge - 1:50-4:40 am
Troitsky Bridge - 1:50-4:50 am
Lieutenant Schmidt Bridge - 1:40-4:45 am
Birzhevoy Bridge - 2:10-4:50 am
Volodarsky Bridge - 2-3:45 am, 4:15-5:45 am
Sampsonievsky Bridge - 2:10-2:45 am, 3:20-4:25 am
Grenadersky Bridge - 2:45-3:45 am, 4:20-4:50 am
Kantemirovsky Bridge - 2:45-3:45 am, 4:20-4:50 am

The name of this place of business is "***es" strip club. Sounds like wholesome fun! We, of course didn't go inside to see for ourselves, but I thought the outside of the club was fairly amusing!

Dress Code: Gee, I would have no idea what to wear to a place called "***es." Maybe something leather or vinyl with a riding crop as an accessory?

Well, maybe it is not a real nightlife tip, in the literal sense of the word, but anyway I enjoyed the views at night, especially after this big rain shower and with the play of the sunset light.

In the rear you can see the golden peak of the Admiralty building. I just love that reflection on the wet road surface.

Dress Code: a good umbrella

The trip takes about 5h. The bus is going around St.Peter. You can see a lot of interesting buildings and of course opening of the Neva bridges.

The price for such a trip is app. 10-15 USD for person and it is worth it !