Sochi’s 9 Hours Ahead: It’s Already Time to Go Bar-Hopping at the Winter Olympics

By Ryan Howe | BSU at the Games

Traveling to Russia can have its share of ups and downs.

While one gets to experience new culture and surroundings, it also means leaving your favorite bar, club or hangout behind.

Finding one that suits your desires when overseas in places like Russia can be difficult and frustrating.

Luckily, customer reviews and tour guide Pavel Senkiv, who has an affiliation with Sochi Magazine, helped narrow a long list of nightspots in Sochi, Russia, to explore during the Sochi Winter Olympics.

Just make sure to shake off your jet lag quickly, because there's a nine-hour time difference between Sochi and Grand Rapids.

Harat’s Pub

With a slogan like “adds Ireland to your blood,” the bartender should be pumping Guinness through an IV. Instead, Harat's Pubsells Guinness for $9 a glass. For that price, one can get an entire meal from the 12-page menu full of food ranging from chicken wings to pasta to calamari rings.

The pictures of the place on vk.com, Russia’s version of Facebook and the nation's most popular social media site, show just how hard they party Irish-style. Cheers, lads and lassies.

Pervaya Rakovaya

If you've made it to Sochi, but are tapped out -- and can’t afford the ridiculously priced tickets for the Games -- don’t fret. Pervaya Rakovaya is a warm sports bar airing events live while serving beer and live cancer (a rough translation in Russian for crab).

They even deliver the delicacy in 40 minutes. Don’t worry because the bar promises this on its website: “Cancer—the very best snack!”

Senkiv said: “It’s a small but cozy place to watch foo, … sorry, soccer games, and have some beer."

Bar London

Dance floor. Live music. Karaoke bar. This little piece of London stashed away along the Black Sea sounds like the perfect place to enjoy a night out with friends. Not to mention it’s open 24/7.

But wait, there’s a catch. Bar London is a bit pricey. A gin and tonic will set you back $12, and that’s a cheap drink. If you’re on a budget, you might want to find a cheaper place and avoid spending your trip's entire budget in one night.

Treugol’nik Rock Club

No pop music; classic and contemporary rock music only.

This bar has some of the best qualities for a night out: loud music, dinner, beer, milkshakes and arm wrestling. The prices aren’t bad either.

The schedule on the bar’s website has a detailed line-up during the Games, including a tribute to Kurt Cobain on Feb. 22.

“Beer, cigarette smoke and rock,” Senkiv said. “Sometimes everyone sings along to Russian rock songs. Yeah, Russian rock exists.”

Abba Bar

Mamma mia! An entire bar dedicated to the Swedish pop group Abba.

Enough said. The bar is decked out in retro style with records and a disco hall.

The dedication to Abba is taken a step further with an ever-changing menu that coordinates with memorable dates of the group’s history, according to Travel RU, a Russian travel site. Step into the time machine and let the dancing queen take over.

Cabaret Mayak

The only gay bar in Sochi, Cabaret Mayak’s website pays tribute to the Winter Olympics with a poster of drag queens recreating the Games.

The bar, known for one of the only drag shows in Russia, has been in the limelight the last few months as visitors worry about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LBGT) laws in Sochi. With that much attention, the performers could be raking in a lot of money during the Olympic Games.

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