Fidel Bar
Fidel Bar at Dumskaya Street 9 has been anchoring the budget party strip since before most of its current clientele could legally drink. The Cuban theme extends beyond the name to include Che Guevara murals, revolutionary posters, tropical color schemes, and a cocktail list built around rum. The space is compact, holding about 60-70 people across a small dance floor, a bar, and standing areas. The mojitos are Fidel's signature draw: cheap, strong, and mixed in batches that keep the line moving on busy nights. The sound system handles reggaeton, Latin pop, and danceable mainstream hits at volumes that eliminate conversation. The dance floor gets packed after midnight, with bodies pressed close and drinks held overhead. The bar has survived multiple rounds of Dumskaya closures and regulatory pressure, earning a survival reputation that matches its revolutionary branding. It's not refined, it's not quiet, and it doesn't pretend to be either.
What to Expect
Pushing through the door, you hit a wall of reggaeton bass and warm, humid air. The room is lit in reds and greens, Che stares down from the wall, and the dance floor is already moving even if it's barely half full. The energy is immediate and physical.
Hot, loud, crowded, and unapologetically fun. It's a mess in the best possible way.
Reggaeton, Latin pop, dancehall, and mainstream club hits. The DJ plays for energy, not taste.
Whatever you're wearing is fine. Fidel's crowd dresses for dancing and sweating, not for Instagram.
Budget party nights, dancing, groups who want cheap drinks and high energy, anyone curious about Dumskaya's famous chaos
Cash is faster and preferred. Cards accepted but add wait time at the bar.
Price Range
Mojitos 300-400 RUB, beer 200-300 RUB, shots 150-250 RUB, cover 0-300 RUB (depends on night)
Mojitos ~$3-4/~2.50-3.50 EUR, beer ~$2-3/~1.75-2.50 EUR, shots ~$1.50-2.50/~1.25-2 EUR
Hours
20:00-06:00 daily
Insider Tip
The mojitos are the move; everything else on the cocktail menu is an afterthought. Arrive before midnight to secure a spot near the bar, because after that the room fills and service slows dramatically. Keep your valuables in front pockets; the crowded dance floor is where phones disappear.
Full Review
Fidel Bar is the venue that defines Dumskaya's character: cheap, loud, sweaty, and impossible to dislike if you're in the right mood. The Cuban theme is paper-thin, basically just Che posters and rum drinks, but it provides a visual identity that sets Fidel apart from the generic bars surrounding it.
The mojitos are the reason most people come. Priced at 300-400 RUB, they're mixed in volume rather than with precision. The mint is real, the lime is fresh, and the rum pour is generous enough that two or three will recalibrate your evening. They're not cocktail-bar quality, but that's not the point. They're party fuel, and they work.
The dance floor is where Fidel earns its reputation. The compact space and low ceiling create an intensity that bigger clubs can't match. When the room fills after midnight, the heat rises, the bass vibrates through the floor, and the crowd becomes a single moving organism. It's the kind of club experience that's either exhilarating or suffocating, depending on your tolerance for close contact.
Service is functional at best. The bartenders work at speed, not at craft. Order simple things (mojitos, beer, shots) and you'll get served quickly. Anything requiring more than two steps will slow the line behind you and earn some impatience.
Compared to other Dumskaya spots, Fidel is the most consistent. Datscha next door has charm but less dance energy. MOD Club on the canal has better sound but costs more. Fidel hits the sweet spot of cheap, fun, and reliable. It's been doing this longer than most competitors have existed.
Safety note: the packed room creates pickpocket opportunities. Keep your phone and wallet in front pockets or a zipped jacket. Don't leave drinks on surfaces and return to them.
The Neighborhood
Central Dumskaya, sharing the building at number 9 with Datscha. The rest of the street's bars are within a 30-second walk. Nevsky Prospekt and its late-night food options are one block north.
Getting There
Gostiny Dvor metro (green line) is a 2-minute walk. Exit onto Nevsky Prospekt and walk south to Dumskaya. The bar is at number 9, obvious from the Cuban-themed signage.
Address
Dumskaya Street 9
Other Venues in Dumskaya Street
Datscha
Soviet nostalgia bar with retro decor, cheap vodka, and an ironic atmosphere. Popular with students who appreciate the kitsch factor. Small space that fills up fast.
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.