Moscow
An evening at the Bolshoi is still one of Moscow’s most romantic and entertaining options for a night on the town. The glittering six-tier auditorium has…
Must-see entertainment in Eastern Europe
St Petersburg
St Petersburg's most spectacular venue for ballet and opera, the Mariinsky Theatre is an attraction in its own right. Tickets can be bought online or in…
Taras Shevchenko National Opera Theatre
Kyiv
Performances at this lavish theatre (opened 1901) are grandiose affairs, but tickets are cheap. True disciples of Ukrainian culture should not miss a…
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Jūrmala
This legendary open-air concert hall (there is a roof, but no walls) dates back to 1897. Now modernised, there are two stages – one large and one small –…
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Serbia
Reminiscent of Belgrade's ultra-cool KC Grad, this NGO-run, basement cafe-club organises all manner of alternative events from concerts, exhibitions and…
St Petersburg
This magnificent venue is just one part of an immaculate architectural ensemble designed by Carlo Rossi. The theatre’s interior oozes 19th-century…
Kyiv
Originally the Kyiv Merchants' Assembly headquarters, this beautiful building is now home to the national orchestra, plus many other musical treats.
Belgrade
A Savamala stalwart (it's been running since 2009), this wonderful warehouse space promotes local creativity with workshops, exhibitions, a restaurant…
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St Petersburg
This illustrious stage delivers the Russian ballet or operatic experience, complete with multitiered theatre, frescoed ceiling and elaborate productions…
Moscow
Renowned performance artist Boris Yukhananov has revived this old theatre as Moscow's hottest venue for experimental performance and visual art. Dance,…
Bucharest
Housed in a restored heritage building, Point is a three-floor cultural hub fostering contemporary arts through exhibitions, screenings, artist…
Moscow
This theatre company was founded in 1991 by then-mayor Luzhkov and artistic director Evgeny Kolobov. Maestro Kolobov stated, ‘We do not pretend to be…
Kyiv
Definitely check the website to see what's going on here, as they draw some really top-notch international music talent, especially jazz and blues. In the…
Nikulin Circus on Tsvetnoy Bulvar
Moscow
Founded in 1880, this circus is now named after beloved actor and clown Yury Nikulin (1921–97), who performed at the studio here for many years. Nikulin’s…
Moscow
Often called the most influential theatre in Europe, this is where method acting was founded over 100 years ago, by Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko…
Kyiv
This industrial-style multistorey venue, complete with roof terrace, caters to all musical tastes – from techno to heavy metal – with a sprinkling of…
Bucharest
This is a favourite among club-goers who like alternative, turbo-folk, indie and garage sounds. Hosts both live acts and DJs, depending on the night.
Sofia
This trendy, art-house cinema does triple duty as a contemporary art gallery and a secluded, garden drinking spot.
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Veliko Târnovo
Marvel as Veliko Târnovo's Tsarevets Fortress skyline is bathed in multicoloured light and lasers during the Sound & Light Show. This 40-minute…
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Mariinsky Theatre Primorsky Stage
Vladivostok
This impressive new theatre is the Far Eastern stage of the venerable Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg and is the best place to see serious classical…
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Constanţa
Legendary rock club with a rep that goes back to the '90s for bringing to Constanţa Romania's biggest rock and metal acts. Check the walls for a list of…
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Sofia
This slick venue, located in the National Palace of Culture (NDK), is the city's largest live-music club. All swished up in cabaret style, it hosts local…
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Vilnius
Closed over the summer season, in the darker months this atmospheric cellar hosts live jazz acts – both homegrown talent and acts from abroad. Cover…
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Bucharest
Run by students, this underground club is a classic and beloved by all who go there. Most weekends bring live music, with anything from rock and pop to…
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Western Estonia & the Islands
This striking riverside glass-and-steel auditorium with first-rate acoustics is considered the best concert venue in Estonia.
St Petersburg
Finally opening its doors in 2013 after more than a decade of construction, legal wrangles, scandal and rumour, the Mariinsky II is a showpiece for St…
Zagreb
It does what it says on the tin. Perched at the top of the buzzy Tkalča strip, this haven of jazz, blues and soul rhythms stands out with its weekend live…
Kyiv
Kyiv's main football arena was completely rebuilt for the Euro 2012 football (soccer) tournament. Today it's the home stadium for Dynamo Kyiv and hosts…
Belgrade
Part of the Tašmajdan Sports Centre, Belgrade’s favourite basketball court is formally named after the legendary Yugoslav national team's coach Aleksandar…
Moscow
‘Maly’ means small, meaning smaller than the Bolshoi across the street. Actually, the name dates back to the time when there were only two theatres in…
Belgrade
Somewhat shielded from the crowds of nearby Knez Mihailova by its more ostentatious neighbours, at first glance this is just a bar inspired by Alphonse…
Bucharest
Housed in the courtyard of the French Institute, one of the most frequented cultural institutions in Bucharest, this cinema screens a variety of…
Belgrade
The Yugoslav Cinematheque's impressive and recently renovated building across from the Ethnographic Museum screens everything from the classics of world…
Bucharest
The National Theatre is the country's most prestigious dramatic stage. The building is a 1970s-era big box that's gotten a long-overdue facelift; the…
Bucharest
Situated in the renovated former Gabroveni Inn, ARCUB is a multidisciplinary cultural centre, with a regular line-up of art exhibitions, happenings,…
Belgrade
Serbia’s largest stadium and home to Red Star football club is officially named after its legendary player Rajko Mitić, but is better known as Marakana…
Belgrade
A collective of young and restless artists scouted, cleaned up and created a three-storey art space in an abandoned building next to the New Cemetery…
Belgrade
Mikser House is a creative nucleus that once transformed Savamala with its focus on design, sustainable development, art, music and culture. It has since…
Bucharest
This old-school basement jazz club runs a lively program of jazz and experimental theatre most nights through the week, and hosts an international jazz…
St Petersburg
This historic hall was constructed for Russia’s oldest professional choir, the Emperor Court Choir Capella, founded in 1473. Originally based in Moscow,…
