Produkty
Produkty (Russian for 'groceries') at Rubinshteyna Street 24 takes its name from the Soviet-era convenience shops that once occupied similar ground-floor spaces across Russian cities. The bar leans into this heritage with an interior that references its retail past: tiled walls, fluorescent-style lighting softened for bar purposes, and a no-frills approach that keeps the focus on affordable drinking. The space holds about 50 people, with a long bar, standing room, and a few tables along the walls. The drink menu is deliberately simple: a selection of beers on tap, a short cocktail list built around high-volume classics, and a shot-and-beer combo that's become the house signature. Prices are among the lowest on Rubinshteyna, attracting a crowd that skews young and social. The bar functions as Rubinshteyna's gathering point, the place where groups meet before deciding where to go next. On weekend nights, the space is packed and the energy is high.
What to Expect
Bright and unpretentious, with tiled walls and a long bar. The noise level is high even before it's full, as the hard surfaces bounce sound around the room. You'll be standing close to strangers, which is part of the appeal.
Loud, social, and democratic. The budget prices and no-frills setting create an egalitarian drinking culture where conversation starts easily.
Rock, pop, and indie at moderate-to-loud volume. The music gets louder as the night progresses.
Anything goes. This is the most casual bar on Rubinshteyna. Jeans, t-shirts, hoodies, whatever.
Budget-conscious drinkers, pre-game drinks, social butterflies, groups planning a multi-bar evening
Cash preferred for speed, cards accepted.
Price Range
Beer 200-300 RUB, shot-and-beer combo 350 RUB, cocktails 350-500 RUB, snacks 150-300 RUB
Beer ~$2-3/~1.75-2.50 EUR, combos ~$3.50/~3 EUR, cocktails ~$3.50-5/~3-4.50 EUR
Hours
16:00-04:00 daily
Insider Tip
The shot-and-beer combo is the signature order and genuinely good value. Come early (before 22:00) if you want a table; after that, it's standing room only. This is a great first stop on a Rubinshteyna crawl because the prices warm you up without breaking the budget.
Full Review
Produkty fills the essential role of the affordable, high-energy bar on a street that could easily tilt entirely toward craft cocktails and premium pricing. The concept is honest: cheap drinks, simple menu, good energy. The execution matches the promise.
The shot-and-beer combo is the move. Pick a beer from the short tap list and a shot from the rail, and you're in for 350 RUB, which is roughly the price of a single craft cocktail at El Copitas down the street. The beer selection isn't adventurous, covering standard Russian lagers and a couple of craft options, but it's cold and properly poured. The cocktails are simple: Moscow Mules, gin and tonics, and rum and Cokes made fast and strong.
The crowd is Produkty's real product. The low prices and central Rubinshteyna location attract a younger, more diverse mix than the street's cocktail bars. Students, backpackers, local workers, and Rubinshteyna bar staff on their nights off all end up here. The standing-room format encourages mingling, and the social barrier to conversation is essentially zero.
Compared to other Rubinshteyna venues, Produkty is the anti-El Copitas. Where El Copitas is intimate, quiet, and focused on craft, Produkty is loud, crowded, and focused on socializing. They're both excellent at what they do. Barakobamabar next door offers a similar price point with a kitschier concept, but Produkty's simplicity wins for pure drinking utility.
The trade-off is refinement. Don't come here for cocktail innovation or a quiet conversation. The noise level after midnight on weekends makes phone calls impossible, and the drinks are functional rather than artistic. But for a cheap, fun start (or middle, or end) to a Rubinshteyna night, nothing on the street beats it.
The Neighborhood
Central Rubinshteyna, directly across from or adjacent to several other bars. Barakobamabar is at number 26, El Copitas at 23, and Khroniki Bar at 20. The density means you can bar-hop without finishing your cigarette.
Getting There
Dostoevskaya metro (orange line), 5 minutes on foot. From Nevsky Prospekt, turn south on Rubinshteyna. Number 24 is roughly mid-street, well-marked.
Address
Rubinshteyna Street 24
Other Venues in Rubinshteyna Street
El Copitas
Tiny speakeasy-style cocktail bar that regularly appears on 'best bars in the world' lists. Seats about 25 people. No menu; tell the bartender what you like and they'll create something.
Mishka Bar
Cozy neighborhood bar with craft cocktails and a warm atmosphere. Exposed brick, dim lighting, and a bartender who remembers your last order. Popular with locals and regulars.
Barakobamabar
Irony-laden bar named after the former US president. Craft beer, pub food, and a tongue-in-cheek political theme. The name alone draws curious visitors through the door.
Khroniki Bar
Wine and cocktail bar with an intellectual atmosphere. Book-lined shelves, candlelight, and a quieter crowd than most Rubinshteyna spots. Good for conversation and a slower pace.
Dead Poets Bar
Literary-themed cocktail bar with drinks named after famous authors. Creative menu that changes seasonally. Attracts a mix of cocktail enthusiasts and poetry fans.