As well as being big on entertainment, the Kyiv club scene is big business – more than 25 established clubs in the city limits easily generate more than $10 million annually and provide direct employment to around 1,000 people.
But in Eastern Europe, Moscow remains the club scene king. With scores of nightlife establishments and top-name venues, such as Fabrique and Pacha, Russia’s capital is the indisputable champion.
However, Kyiv is gaining fast, building up its own nightlife industry. This summer was the biggest yet, with Kyiv’s clubs playing host to huge names in world deejaying, from Moscow’s DJ Smash to France’s DJ Pierre Sarkozy and Germany’s DJ Phonique.
So, the question is, can friendlier and warmer Kyiv overtake Moscow as the Eastern European nightlife king?
Kyiv has its own superstar DJ, DJ Lutique (Vladislav Chekhovich), its own celebrity face control, Aleks Face Control (Aleks Smushkov), and a superhot MC, Andrew MC (Andrei Kolesnikov). The Kyiv Post had a chat with all three of them to see whether Kyiv really has what it takes to be the best at night.
The DJ
Kyiv native Vladislav Chekhovich, better known as DJ Lutique, has been working the Kyiv scene for more than a decade, going from spinning decks in friends’ bars to collaborating with Svetlana Loboda, Alloise and more. He can be found playing at Kyiv’s top clubs. His YouTube videos have attracted countless thousands of hits and he’s a regular on Ukrainian television and radio.
Kyiv Post: Is there a connection between Kyiv and Moscow clubbing?
Lutique: “Of course, the two have some similarities, but there are also key differences. In Moscow, you will find the scene is very Russia-centric, whereas in Kyiv, we are more European leaning. Naturally, you hear Russian beats here, but you’ll hear as much or more European or American music. Kyiv’s strength as a nightclub city is that it’s very diverse – you have everything from micro-clubs to super clubs, clubs for VIPs and those with just a few hryvnia. I’m not sure even Moscow can boast quite the same diversity.”
KP: At the moment, you are the top DJ in Kyiv, are you tempted to try to emulate that in Moscow?
Lutique: “Well, being number 1 in Kyiv, if I can say I’m that, is something which requires a lot of work in itself – there are a lot of guys behind me, jostling for contention, who themselves would like to be the top DJ in town. Unquestionably, I wouldn’t say no to being number 1 in Moscow, but I don’t see that as my main aim – Kyiv is already the big leagues in terms of nightlife, perhaps more to be said for staying here and being part of this growing scene.”
KP: And what could be done to improve the Kyiv nightlife scene?
Lutique: “The issue is perhaps more of society in general. Many Ukrainians want to go clubbing more, but can’t afford it. And some can do it, but barely – so they can stretch to the admittance price of the club, then have hardly any money for drinks when they’re inside. In Moscow, you have more money in general, and that spills into the discos and bars. On the plus side, Kyiv clubbing is generally more affordable for most than its Moscow equivalent.”
Face control
Face control as a club concept is one which first took off in Moscow, with Pasha Face Control attaining legendary status, and billing sometimes above the DJ.
Clubgoers have been known to go to clubs where Pasha is in charge of face control just to see if they can get past his evaluative eyes. Pasha, with his every item sponsored, is noted for his exacting standards and harsh rejections. But love or loathe, he is as established a fixture on the Moscow nightlife scene as pricey cocktails and 6 foot-plus blondes.
Kyiv has acquired its own celebrity face control, Aleks Face Control, real name Aleks Smushkov, a Kyiv-born former male model. He is quick to point out he’s not nearly as brutal as his Moscow counterpart can be.
“I believe in giving people a chance, and taking more into account than God-given, aesthetic beauty. If you’ve put a look together, got something going on, I’ll give you as much credit as if you look like you’ve just strutted off a catwalk.”
Kyiv Post: And what about Kyiv and Moscow, what’s the difference?
Aleks: “Well, Moscow has around 10 million more in terms of population, so that means in Moscow, you can be find a proper club going on every night. Kyiv is still pretty Wednesday-Sunday-based, however, we’re doing what we can to become a seven-night club city. If you go back five years, you’ll see how much Kyiv has come on.”
KP: What are your plans in Kyiv, and could you see yourself moving to Moscow in the future?
Aleks: “Right now, I’m totally focused on my club, the Boom Boom Room, and getting into the World Top 100 Clubs. Perhaps someday I’d like to try myself in Europe, though I don’t see myself in Moscow, my heart is Kyiv. I’m a club guy, and here I get all the action I need, as well as being part of building the scene.”
The emcee
Any self-respecting night club has to have at least one MC. They serve many roles – moving around the club, creating a party atmosphere; introducing new DJs and compering competitions. Kyiv has more than 100.
One of them is Kharkiv-born MC Andrew, known to his parents as Andrei Kolesnikov, who sometimes works as part of troupe 2 M.A.C.H.O.S.
He is Kyiv’s biggest and most recognizable face among MCs, with his signature look (Michael Caine glasses and Mohawk) and style, and brand of wacky charisma lighting up club nights and TV screens alike.
Kyiv Post: How do you compare Kyiv and Moscow?
MC Andrew: “Well, firstly, you have to note how many Muscovites come to Kyiv to club. That surely tells you something in itself. A lot of them have passed onto me that they like the more laid-back vibe of Kyiv, comparing it favorably to the frenetic cut-and-thrust of Moscow.”
KP: How do you rate Kyiv as a club city?
MC Andrew: “Well, I’m from Kharkiv, and can say that Kyiv is far better than there, or anywhere else in Ukraine, as a club city (though Odesa during summer is something quite special, with the beach clubs). The superiority of Kyiv is out of proportion in terms of sheer population – what Kyiv has is a capital city buzz, vibrancy and energy. So, in that regard, it’s similar to Moscow, in that it has that magic.”
The moral of the story: Look out Moscow, Kyiv is gaining on you.
Graham Phillips is a freelance writer
