Simachev Bar
Simachev Bar occupies the ground floor of a converted building at Stoleshnikov Pereulok 12/2, one of Moscow's most fashionable lanes. The space doubles as a fashion boutique during daytime hours, with clothing racks lining the walls that get pushed aside as the evening crowd arrives. The interior mixes industrial elements with pop art touches: exposed ductwork overhead, a long wooden bar, and rotating art pieces on the walls. Capacity sits around 80-100, and the room fills up after midnight on weekends. The sound system handles DJ sets well without overwhelming conversation at the bar. The cocktail menu runs to about 30 options, mixing classic recipes with house originals that use Russian ingredients like sea buckthorn and birch sap. The crowd is Moscow's creative and fashion set: designers, photographers, stylists, and the people who orbit their world. The door has some selectivity on busy nights, but it's based on vibe rather than the aggressive face control you'll encounter at bigger clubs.
What to Expect
Walking through the door, you pass clothing racks and glass display cases before reaching the bar. The lighting shifts from retail bright to bar dim as the evening progresses. The music is present but not overwhelming, and groups cluster around small tables and along the bar.
Stylish and social without being pretentious. The fashion-retail backdrop gives it a gallery opening feel that loosens up as the night progresses.
Eclectic mix of indie, electronica, disco, and soul. DJ-dependent, but the general tone is stylish and danceable without being aggressive.
Fashion-forward but not formal. Think curated streetwear, designer pieces, interesting accessories. The crowd pays attention to what they're wearing, and you should too, though nobody will turn you away for jeans and a clean shirt.
Fashion-conscious visitors, creative professionals, anyone who wants to experience Moscow's art and design scene over drinks
Cards accepted everywhere. Apple Pay and Google Pay work at the bar.
Price Range
Cocktails 700-1,200 RUB, wine 500-900 RUB, beer 400-550 RUB
Cocktails ~$7-12/~6-10 EUR, wine ~$5-9/~4.50-8 EUR, beer ~$4-5.50/~3.50-5 EUR
Hours
12:00-02:00 daily (boutique hours 12:00-20:00, bar from 18:00)
Insider Tip
Thursday nights tend to have the best DJ sets and a manageable crowd. The back corner near the window has the most comfortable seating if you arrive before 22:00. Ask the bartender about seasonal cocktails, as the menu board doesn't always list everything available.
Full Review
Simachev Bar is an odd concept that works better than it should. The boutique-bar hybrid could feel gimmicky, but the execution is genuine. During early evening hours, the space operates as a fashion retail shop with a bar attached. Customers browse clothing while sipping cocktails. After about 21:00, the retail element fades and the bar takes over completely.
The cocktail program is solid. The bartenders know their craft, and the house creations are thoughtful rather than just different for the sake of it. A sea buckthorn sour I tried was tart, balanced, and distinctly Russian in character. Classic cocktails are made properly. Prices are in line with Moscow's mid-to-upper cocktail bar range, which means expensive by global standards but fair for what you get.
The crowd is what makes Simachev distinctive. This is where Moscow's creative class drinks, and the conversations are as interesting as the cocktails. On any given night, you might sit next to a film editor, a fashion buyer, or an architect. The international contingent is higher than at most Moscow bars, drawn by the brand's reputation.
Compared to nearby options on Stoleshnikov, Simachev occupies a sweet spot between the expense of the big-name venues and the bare-bones aesthetic of underground bars. Mendeleev Bar, a few blocks away on Petrovka, is the closer comparison in cocktail quality but has a completely different atmosphere. Simachev is open and social where Mendeleev is hidden and intimate.
One limitation: the space is small. On popular nights, it can feel crowded rather than cozy. If you want room to move and talk comfortably, come on a weekday.
The Neighborhood
Stoleshnikov Pereulok is a pedestrianized lane full of high-end fashion boutiques and restaurants. The bar sits in the heart of Moscow's luxury shopping zone, steps from Petrovka and Tverskaya streets. Other bar options are within a short walk in every direction.
Getting There
Tverskaya metro (green line) is a 5-minute walk. Exit toward Tverskaya Street and walk southeast along Stoleshnikov Pereulok. The bar is at number 12/2, marked by the Simachev brand signage.
Address
Stoleshnikov Pereulok 12/2
Other Venues in Tverskaya
Propaganda
Moscow's longest-running underground club, open since 1997. Known for quality electronic music bookings and a no-pretense door policy. One of the few elite-level clubs that values music over money.
Mendeleev Bar
Hidden speakeasy behind a fake Chinese restaurant facade. Ring the bell, walk through the kitchen, and find one of Moscow's best cocktail bars. Reservations recommended on weekends.
Noor Bar
Upscale cocktail bar with Middle Eastern design touches. Extensive cocktail menu with house-made ingredients. Quiet enough for conversation early, busier after midnight.
Bar Klava
Neighborhood cocktail bar just off Tverskaya with a loyal local following. Relaxed atmosphere, fair prices by Moscow standards, and bartenders who know their craft.
Solyanka
Multi-room club and cultural space near the Boulevard Ring. Hosts electronic music nights, art exhibitions, and themed parties. Cover varies by event, typically 500-1,500 RUB.