This is a very fancy bar located on the 22nd floor of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The view over Moscow is fascinating and so are the prices. But if you're in Moscow, you have to experience its high life at least once, no matter what the cost.

Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospekt, 32a; nearest metro: Leninsky Prospekt, walk towards the tall buildings with the orange roofs; Tel: 495 938 5104, 782 5045; www.skylounge.ru

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Genuine London Routemaster bus situated behind the Bolshoi Theatre. Serves pizza, chips and not very tasty sandwiches - but it is a great place for cheapish beer and awful Russian rock music. Candle-lit and full of Moscow skate kids. Looks beautiful in the snow.

Be warned though, the place is smoke-filled and its strongest point is its location.

Nearest metro: Teatralnaya; behind the Bolshoi Theatre. It's just parked up. You can't miss it

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The nicest thing I can say about Zen Coffee House near Byelorussky Train Station is that you'll never have to wait in line there. That's because even though there is room for at least 50 people, I've never seen more than half a dozen customers in the place. I suspect that's because their coffee is overpriced, even by Moscow standards. Another reason may be the unfriendly atmosphere. I recently saw a man come in to pick up one of the free newspapers that are on display by the entrance. The manager came from behind the counter and in a loud voice chewed him out, saying that these were for paying customers only. The reality is that in Moscow you can go into virtually any establishment that caters to foreigners and grab a paper and no one will blink an eye. But don't try it at Zen Coffee Shop unless you also want a free lecture.

Right across the street from Byelorussky Train Station

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Propaganda is one of the very first clubs in Moscow, and is still the best for those who are looking not only to get drunk and dance, but also to hear nice music, meet interesting people, and, well, dance.

The music is quality downtempo, nu-jazz, house by local DJs and at least twice a week they invite a big name from UK or US. So if you're into NinjaTunes, Jazzanova, Grand Central kind of stuff, this is the place to go.

During the day and until 11pm they have tables all around the place and serve nice inexpensive food. After 11, it's party time, the tables get moved towards the walls and people start dancing, usually until 4 or 5am.

Bolshoi Zlatoustinskiy Pereulok 15; nearest metro: Kitai Gorod; Tel: 095 924 5732; www.propagandamoscow.com

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A very nice, small cafe, with tasty, cheap food, original and fresh cocktails. It’s the best place to look in and have a snack at lunchtime or before going on to a club.

Not many people know about it, although I have seen Russian pop stars hanging out there.

Solianskii proezd, 4/1 921-1201; nearest metro: Kitai-gorod;
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8am-9pm, Friday 24 hours, Saturday-Sunday: 8pm-8am

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Outside the Conservatory concert hall on Bolshaya Nikitskaya. A summer terrace and a warm, cavernous interior for the endless winter.

13 Bolshaya Nikitskaya Ulitsa. Tel: 095 229 3901. Nearest metro: Okhotny Ryad

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