Tsentralny Bucket List: 10 Things to Do in Saint Petersburg

This page gathers ten places to eat, drink and go out in the Tsentralny District of Saint Petersburg. It helps visitors who want a dinner, a cocktail or live music within a short walk of Nevsky Prospekt. Browse the list, choose a style of evening and pick a venue that suits your plans.

This list collects ten places to eat, drink and go out in the Tsentralny District of Saint Petersburg. It suits visitors who want a dinner, a cocktail or live music within a short walk of Nevsky Prospekt and the canals. Traditional Russian restaurants sit beside cocktail bars, a jazz bar and a retro dance floor, so the list covers several moods. The order is not a ranking. Choose one place for dinner and one for later, and check each venue's details before going, because menus and programmes change from season to season.

0 of 10 done

Done
Ruki Vverkh! Bar on Griboyedov Canal, Saint Petersburg
NightlifeTsentralny
Step into a bar styled after the 1990s, with a dance floor, retro game consoles and a karaoke hall all under one roof. It sits on the Griboyedov Canal embankment and ties in with the singer Sergey Zhukov. The mix of music and nostalgia makes it an easy choice for a lively group evening.
Done
Palkin, Saint Petersburg
RestaurantTsentralny
Palkin serves aristocratic Russian cuisine in restored historic dining rooms on Nevsky Prospekt. The restaurant continues a tradition that reaches back to the eighteenth century, which gives the evening a sense of occasion. Reserve a table, dress smartly and take your time over a multi-course dinner.
Done
Gogol, Saint Petersburg
RestaurantTsentralny
Gogol serves traditional Russian cuisine in four dining rooms inspired by the nineteenth century, close to Nevsky Prospekt. Classic soups and pelmeni come in a setting that nods to literature. Visit for a hearty, unhurried meal and a feel for old-fashioned Petersburg hospitality.
Done
Daiquiri Bar, Saint Petersburg
NightlifeTsentralny
Daiquiri Bar was the first cocktail bar in Saint Petersburg and still draws a loyal crowd. Red sofas, a very large cocktail list and late hours make it an easy stop near Nevsky Prospekt. Settle in for a long evening and ask the bartenders to suggest something off the main page.
Done
Union Bar, Saint Petersburg
NightlifeTsentralny
Union Bar fills a large space on Liteyny Prospekt with a long counter and an industrial interior. A dance floor and a courtyard terrace give you options, and street food keeps going late into the night. It suits groups that want to move between drinking, talking and dancing.
Done
Orthodox Bar, Saint Petersburg
NightlifeTsentralny
This small cocktail bar on Rubinstein Street is built around Russian spirits. Drinks take inspiration from Russian writers and composers, and snacks come from Russian cuisine. It is a good place to taste local flavours in a cosy room, so ask the bartender to guide your choice.
Done
Katyusha, Saint Petersburg
RestaurantTsentralny
Katyusha serves blini, pelmeni and hearty classics in nostalgic dining rooms on Nevsky Prospekt. Dinner shows add songs and performance to the meal. Choose it for a cheerful evening with the whole group, and book ahead on weekends when the dining rooms fill up.
Done
The Hat Jazz Bar, Saint Petersburg
NightlifeTsentralny
The Hat Jazz Bar is a standing jazz bar on Belinskogo Street styled after an American bar of the 1950s. Live jam sessions run every night without an advance programme, so each visit differs. Arrive early for a spot near the musicians and expect a friendly, informal crowd.
Done
Bar 812, Saint Petersburg
NightlifeTsentralny
Bar 812 on Zhukovskogo Street, near Mayakovskaya metro, mixes original cocktails with fusion food. DJs play at weekends, which turns the room lively. Choose it for a relaxed start to the evening, then stay for the music or move on to nearby bars.
Done
El Copitas Bar, Saint Petersburg
NightlifeTsentralny
El Copitas is a small, semi-secret Mexican-style cocktail bar and taqueria in a courtyard near Dostoevskaya metro. Tequila, mezcal, cocktails and tacos make up the menu, and booking is required. Reserve ahead and expect a cosy, intimate setting rather than a large party.

Start with dinner at Palkin, Gogol or Katyusha on or near Nevsky Prospekt, then walk on to a bar. Daiquiri Bar and Bar 812 suit cocktails, The Hat suits live jazz, and Union Bar and Ruki Vverkh! suit late dancing. El Copitas needs a booking, so reserve in advance, and the small bar on Rubinstein Street is a short walk for Russian spirits.

Final thoughts

Start with dinner on or near Nevsky Prospekt, then walk on to a bar or a music venue. Pick one style per night and plan your way back in advance. Before you go, check opening days and programmes with the official source, and carry cash or a payment option that works locally.