Kyiv’s nightlife scene has a lot to offer partygoers, especially for those who love electronic music. The Ukrainian capital is regularly listed as one of the best places in the region to rave, and many places are now shifting their focus from their look to developing their music programs and atmosphere.
Closer
Closer is often described as Kyiv’s techno music Mecca. Located in an old factory building at 31 Nyzhnioyurkivska St. in the city’s historic Podil district, Closer is multipurpose space with a nightclub. Rave parties there go on all night long on Fridays and Saturdays.
The space also has a summer veranda, known as the Lesnoy Prichal (Russian for forest wharf), which functions as a separate clubbing space. Lesnoy Prichal usually works only in summer, but it will host a one-off party on Feb. 18. Entry usually costs Hr 250 before 2 a. m. and Hr 350 after, but prices vary depending on how many artists are performing on the night.
Gosha Kotov, who often visits parties at Closer, says the club is “a territory of freedom, where everyone can express themselves in any way.”
“Closer is a contrast to our society, where people are often reserved and scared,” Kotov said. “Closer is like a blank paper, and the people there are like brushes, and self-expression is the paint — and all together they create a single picture. I know it might sound romantic, but I can’t describe the place any other way.”
Closer (31 Nyzhnioyurkivska St.) Fridays, Saturdays. 11:55 p. m. Hr 250–350
Regenschirm
Regenschirm is a bar that hosts techno DJ sets and rave parties. The bar opened its doors just a year ago, but it inherited its numerous fans from Parasolka, a bar opened by the same owners. Parasolka was a small alternative bar not far away from the Zhovten cinema in Podil historical district. It was closed in 2016 Kyiv’s authorities cracked down on illegal constructions in the capital.
Regenschirm has two floors: The first, where most of the parties are held, has a dancefloor, and the second floor has tables and a bar. The bar holds most of its techno parties on Fridays and Saturdays, with entry costing Hr 100 before 2 a. m. and Hr 150 after.
Content manager Tanya Yatsenko describes the bar as “a cozy place in Podil, which is hard to pass by, especially in summer.” She praises its tasty cocktails and DJs playing music from vinyl. At the same time, she says that “in the summer we always hang out around the bar, sit near the entrance and chat.”
“The most memorable moment was when a man came with a bayan (type of a button accordion) and began to play near Regenshirm. So it was like two in one: music inside and outside,” Yatsenko said.
Regenschirm (25 Khoryva St.) Sun-Thu 12 p. m. — 11 p. m. Fri, Sat — 12 p. m. — 6 a. m. Hr 100–200 for parties
Alchemist
As well as Closer, Alchemist bar in the heart of Kyiv near Palace of Sports metro station is very popular among foreigners. However, it has a completely different atmosphere: While Closer is a downtown underground place for techno music fans, Alchemist is more about having a fun night out over a tasty cocktail.
Alchemist is tiny, so the area with a dancefloor and a bar is usually overcrowded during the weekends. The bar invites both local and international DJs that represent different music styles. Entry is free.
Lawyer Dmytro Honcharenko says that Alchemist “is one of the very few bars in Kyiv that has maintained its coziness, friendly atmosphere and most importantly its delicious cocktails well after the opening.”
“I especially value ability of the bartenders to correctly guess my mood and recommend a suitable drink,” he said.
Alchemist (12 Shota Rustaveli St.) 12 p. m. — 3 a. m. Free
Khlam
Khlam is the renowned art club in a building hidden away in Podil district. In the daytime, it works as a café with vegan food that holds poetry readings, art talks, and various meetups. In the evenings, there might be jazz or other live music performances. At night, it is a venue for underground parties.
The café takes its name from the legendary art café that existed in Kyiv at the beginning of 20th century and was popular among artists and writers. Khlam, which in Russian means trash, is also an abbreviation for Painters Writers Artists Musicians.
Frank Bilchik often goes to Khlam to listen to Ukrainian DJ Smereka Beats based in Kyiv. He praises the venue for the artists playing in unusual electronic music styles such as ketapop.
“When I got there for the first time, I felt like I was at a house party rather than in a club,” Bilchik said.
Khlam (23 Mezhyhirska St.) 12 p. m. — 11 p. m. (café) Parties usually take place from around 11 p. m. to 3 a. m. See prices at www.facebook.com/pg/hlamkyiv.
Plivka
Art space Plivka is located in the dilapidated building of the former Dovzhenko cinema studio in the southwest of Kyiv. The art space holds various lectures and workshops, contemporary music concerts played with classical music instruments, and, obviously, parties.
Plivka is well-known as a permanent home of the Cxema series of techno parties, which are on the international top-visit lists. Rhythm Büro, Kontrapunkt and other techno projects have performed at Plivka. The prices of entry is not fixed, and varies depending on which artist is performing: some parties are free, for others entry can be up to Hr 250.
Alexander Eryomin says Plivka is one of his favorite venues because it hosts a range of different events, from film screenings and flea markets to electronic music performances.
“I love Plivka for its special atmosphere, which is a mixture of a public space and an underground club,” he says.
Plivka (1 Vasylkivska St.) See the prices and schedule at www.facebook.com/plivka.prostir
Khorosho, Vsegda
Khorosho, Vsegda is a bar on Sichovykh Striltsiv Street that serves as a café in daytime and turns into a dance spot at night. The name of the bar translates from Russian as “Good, Always.” The owners of the bar previously managed Keller Bar in Podil district, which was famous for holding parties with various styles of electronic music, such as techno, deep house, drum’n’bass and more.
Khorosho, Vsegda (21 Sichovykh Striltsiv St.) Fri, Sat 11 a. m. — 5 a. m. Free, donations are encouraged.
