Datscha
Datscha at Dumskaya Street 9 (sharing the building with Fidel Bar) takes the Soviet nostalgia concept and commits to it with deadpan Russian humor. The interior is decorated like a 1970s Soviet country house (dacha): floral wallpaper, vintage radios, retro television sets, lace curtains, and furniture sourced from actual Soviet-era apartments. The space is small, holding perhaps 35-40 people, and the coziness of the concept matches the physical constraints. Cheap vodka is the anchor of the drink menu, served in Soviet-era glasses and accompanied by traditional zakuski (drinking snacks) like pickles, black bread, and salo (cured pork fat). Beer and simple cocktails round out the options. The crowd is predominantly students and young Russians who appreciate the ironic nostalgia, plus international visitors drawn by the Instagrammable interior. The music shifts between Soviet-era pop, ironic Russian rock, and whatever the DJ feels like playing on any given night.
What to Expect
Stepping into Datscha is like entering a Soviet time capsule. Floral wallpaper, lace curtains, and furniture your grandmother might have owned create a setting that's simultaneously comforting and absurd. The lighting is warm, the music is nostalgic, and someone is probably toasting with vodka.
Nostalgic, ironic, and warmly absurd. The Soviet theme creates a conversation piece that lasts all evening.
Soviet-era pop, Russian rock classics, occasional electronic mixes. The soundtrack matches the decor: retro, ironic, and uniquely Russian.
Casual. The setting is deliberately informal. Some visitors lean into the theme with vintage clothing, but jeans and a t-shirt are standard.
Anyone curious about Soviet culture and Russian humor, vodka drinking with proper accompaniments, Instagram-worthy venues, cultural tourism
Cash preferred and faster. Cards accepted.
Price Range
Vodka shots 150-250 RUB, beer 200-300 RUB, cocktails 300-450 RUB, zakuski plate 200-350 RUB
Vodka ~$1.50-2.50/~1.25-2 EUR, beer ~$2-3/~1.75-2.50 EUR, cocktails ~$3-4.50/~2.50-4 EUR
Hours
18:00-06:00 daily
Insider Tip
Order vodka with a zakuski plate for the full experience; drinking vodka without snacks is considered uncivilized, and the pickles actually help. The window nook with the vintage radio is the most atmospheric seat. Come before midnight on a weeknight for the full retro vibe without the weekend chaos.
Full Review
Datscha works because it treats its concept with exactly the right amount of seriousness: enough to create a convincing atmosphere, not so much that it becomes a museum. The Soviet nostalgia is genuine in its details (the wallpaper, the glasses, the music) while being ironic in its presentation. Russian visitors laugh at the recognition; international visitors laugh at the discovery.
The vodka ritual is the centerpiece. Ordering a carafe of vodka with a zakuski plate, consisting of pickled cucumbers, black bread, and salo, is the correct move. The vodka is cheap domestic stuff, served cold in faceted Soviet glasses that are authentic to the era. The snacks aren't just accompaniments; they're the traditional Russian method of pacing your vodka consumption. Eat a pickle between shots, breathe, repeat. The bartenders will demonstrate if you look confused.
The interior is genuinely well-curated. Somebody put real effort into sourcing vintage Soviet items, and the result feels specific rather than generic. The vintage radios, the lace curtains, the patterned wallpaper that would look hideous in any other context but works perfectly here. It's a designed experience that doesn't feel over-designed.
Compared to Fidel next door, Datscha is smaller, quieter, and more about atmosphere than dancing. The two venues complement each other well: start at Datscha for vodka and culture, then move to Fidel for mojitos and dancing. Against the broader Dumskaya options, Datscha offers more personality than The Office Pub and more comfort than the basement clubs.
The small size is the main limitation. On busy weekends, 35 seats fill instantly, and the room loses its charm when you're standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Weeknight visits are strongly recommended for the best experience.
The Neighborhood
Shares the building with Fidel Bar at Dumskaya 9. The rest of the Dumskaya strip is steps away. Nevsky Prospekt is one block north with transport, food, and 24-hour options.
Getting There
Gostiny Dvor metro (green line), 2 minutes on foot. The entrance is at Dumskaya 9, separate from Fidel's entrance but in the same building.
Address
Dumskaya Street 9
Other Venues in Dumskaya Street
Fidel Bar
Cuban-themed bar that's been a Dumskaya anchor for years. Cheap mojitos, loud reggaeton, and a packed dance floor. One of the street's most reliable options for a fun, messy night.
MOD Club
One of Dumskaya's few proper clubs with a real sound system. Hosts DJ nights and themed parties. Cover is low (300-500 RUB) and the music varies from techno to hip-hop depending on the night.
The Office Pub
Irish-style pub that serves as a pre-game spot and late-night destination. Pub quizzes, sports on screens, and a steady flow of English-speaking tourists. Prices are slightly higher than the dive bars.
ZERNO
Underground electronic music venue near Dumskaya with a devoted following among local techno fans. Dark, loud, and focused on the music. A step up in quality from the typical Dumskaya club.