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Club d'Elf Boston, Massachusetts

Club d’Elf is an ever-shifting collective of musicians fiercely dedicated to “the groove”, revolving around the foundation of bassist/leader Mike Rivard. The music draws from a startlingly wide spectrum of styles, including jazz, hip hop, Moroccan gnawa, electronica, avant garde, prog-rock and dub, with special guests including John Medeski, Billy Martin, Skerik, Ryan Montbleau & Marco Benevento. ...   more

• clubdelf.com
• Apr 19 Race Brook Lodge Sheffield, MA
• Apr 20 The Stone Church Brattleboro, VT
• Apr 27 The Press Room Portsmouth, NH
• May 3 The Spire Center for the Performing Arts/Lobby Series Plymouth, MA

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Club D'Elf Celebrates 25th Anniversary With U.S. Tour and Digital Re-Release

As Above will be available on all major digital streaming platforms on Feb. 8, 2023. 

For twenty-five years now, Boston-based dub-jazz collective Club d'Elf has been helping audiences lose track of time while creating mesmerizing musical chimeras that weave their distinct, Moroccan folk-infused trance with elements from an astonishing spectrum of other styles, including jazz, hip-hop, electronica, avant-garde, prog-rock, and dub.

To celebrate its silver anniversary, Club d'Elf is announcing a string of U.S. tour dates in February and March (see below) and the accompanying digital re-release of their storied debut album As Above ( dropping February 8, 2023).

With a core group currently consisting of founder/bassist/composer Mike Rivard, drummer Dean Johnston, Moroccan oud player Brahim Fribgane, and Mister Rourke on turntables - every Club d'Elf performance and recording over the past two-and-a-half decades has featured an ever-evolving and revolving cast of players, drawn from a who's who list of the most sought after and creative improvisers from the jazz, DJ, rock & world music scenes of Boston, NYC and beyond.

Originally released exclusively on CD in 2000, As Above will now be available for the first time ever on Spotify and all major digital streaming platforms.

Recorded live over the course of six performances in 1999/2000 at Cambridge's legendary subterranean venue The Lizard Lounge, the album's twenty tracks eternalize the early days of Club d'Elf's development while immortalizing some amazing musical pairings - including the historic meeting of Reeves Gabrels (The Cure) & Joe Maneri - one of Rivard's favorite mash-ups in the band's history.

"It's always been our style to remix the music with players who come from distinctly different backgrounds," says Rivard, "and this was one of the coolest examples of that. Reeves was playing with David Bowie at the time and Joe was a legend in the free jazz and microtonal scenes. They couldn't have been further apart musically speaking, but their openness to each other and deep listening helped to create something that defies categorization."

In addition to Rivard (on electric and acoustic basses), the eclectic cast of collaborators on As Above includes DJ Logic (turntables), Kenwood Dennard (drums), Reeves Gabrels (guitar), Duke Levine (guitar), Alain Mallet (keyboards), Mat Maneri (electric violin), Joe Maneri (tenor sax, clarinet), Erik Kerr (drums), Brahim Fribgane (oud, doumbek and qaraqab), and Dr. Didg (didgeridoo) amongst others.

Club d'Elf began in 1998 at the Lizard Lounge as a kind of controlled jam session, featuring Rivard's friends and associates from various bands. Mark Sandman (Morphine) was an important catalyst, suggesting that it was time for Rivard to form his own band.

An in-demand sideman, Rivard had earned notice playing bass with Jonatha Brooke & The Story, Paula Cole, Either/Orchestra, and a Sandman side project, Hypnosonics. Rivard envisioned a band that wasn't built around the specificity and spotlight that frontmen usually demand, but one that would facilitate and follow spontaneous cinematic soundscapes created by the unique contribution of each member of the collective.

Out of the original D'Elf jam pool emerged a core group, usually augmented by one or two other players from a rotating cast. (for a comprehensive list of rotating Club d'Elf cast members and special guests over the years, go here ).

The As Above digital re-release and the upcoming tour both follow fast on the heels of the April 2022 release of You Never Know, the collective's 3rd studio album (and its first since 2011). Touting an impressive lineup including John Medeski, Brahim Fribgane, Duke Levine, David Fiuczynski, Kevin Barry, Paul Schultheis, Dean Johnston, and Mister Rourke, the well-received album reached #2 on the Relix Chart.

The album features Rivard's commanding playing of the sintir, a three-stringed bass lute used in trance-healing ceremonies in Morocco. While the first half of YNK pays homage to some of the collective's primary influences, with renditions of Gnawa and Sufi folk tunes and covers from Miles Davis, Joe Zawinul, Moroccan band Nass el-Ghiwane, and Frank Zappa.

The second half of the album consists of meditative and trance-laden original compositions inspired by a long, dark period in Rivard's life following a harrowing health crisis in the remote Peruvian Amazon, and his eventual reemergence into the light.

"Sort of a Joseph Campbell Hero's Journey, I went through Chapel Perilous and lived to tell the tale," reflects Rivard. "During the period of my depression I was uncertain as to whether or not I had anything left to offer creatively, and going into the studio represented a "hail mary" on my part. I'm excited that it turned out as well as it did, and that I was able to assemble such an extraordinary crew of musicians to play with."

Fans can expect to encounter equally extraordinary and unique musicianship across each of Club d'Elf's 2023 tour dates, with special guests including Medeski, Gabrels, Lyle Brewer (Neighbor), Rob Compa (Dopapod), and Duke Levine (Bonnie Raitt). Since the collective's active personnel changes radically from show to show, many fans have their own favorite configurations of players.

But that sort of constant flow and remixing of disparate talent means the music itself is also in constant flux. Individual songs can vary dramatically from performance to performance as new alignments of players make every moment fresh, so each of the following shows will provide a wholly unique, and likely transcendent, musical experience:

Club d'Elf confirmed 2023 tour dates:

1/13/23 Newmarket, NH @ The Stone Church ( tickets )

2/4/23 Crested Butte CO - Alpenphunk Festival @ Public House feat. John Medeski ( tickets )

2/10/23 Fall River MA @ The Narrows Center feat Duke Levine ( tickets )

2/11/23 Stowe VT @ Stowe Cider feat. Rob Compa (Dopapod) ( tickets )

2/15/23 New York, NY @ Cutting Room ( tickets )

2/16/23 Providence RI @ Fete Music Hall ( tickets )

2/17/23 Cambridge MA @ Lizard Lounge feat. Lyle Brewer (Neighbor) (advance tickets SOLD OUT, a limited number will be available at the door)

2/18/23 Burlington VT @ Foam Brewers feat. Rob Compa (Dopapod) ( tickets )

2/22/23 Cambridge MA @ Lizard Lounge

2/23/23 Bridgeport CT @ Park City Music Hall ( tickets )

2/24/23 Northampton MA @ Bombyx ( tickets )

2/25.23 Portsmouth NH @ The Press Room ( tickets )

3/10/23 Marlboro NY @ The Falcon feat. John Medeski & Reeves Gabrels (The Cure) ( reservations )

More 25th Anniversary Dates coming soon!

As Above will be available on all major digital streaming platforms on Feb. 8, 2023.

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Published: 2023/01/06

Club d’Elf Plot 25th Anniversary Tour with John Medeski, Reeves Gabrels, Rob Compa and More

Photo Credit: Joan Hathaway

Club d’Elf have unveiled its plans for a 25th-anniversary tour, which is set to kick off at The Stone Church Music Club in Newmarket, N.H., on Jan. 13, before rolling through select midwest and east coast venues.

On the road, the group will be accompanied by rotating guests: John Medeski, Lyle Brewer (Neighbor), Rob Compa (Dopapod) and Reeves Gabrels (The Cure). In addition, the band will hit cities, including Denver, New York, and Cambridge, Mass., where the group first played in 1998.

After their first show in New Hampshire, Club d’Elf will take some time off before their Colorado run, which includes a gig at So Many Roads in Denver on Feb. 3, followed by an appearance at the Alpine Fun Festival in Crested Butte, Colo. From there, they’ll return to their native state for a show at the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, Mass., on Feb. 10.

East Coast shows will continue from Feb. 15 through 18, with performances slated for New York’s The Cutting Room, Providence, R.I.’s Fete Music Hall, and Burlington, Vt.’s Foam Brewers, before their highly anticipated Lizard Lounge show in Cambridge, Mass.

The last shows of the tour will happen on Feb. 23 at Bridgeport, Conn.’s Park City Music Hall, followed by performances at Bombyx Center for the Arts and The Press Room. The Club d’Elf 25th anniversary tour will conclude on March 10 with a final stand at The Falcon in Marlboro, N.Y. 

In a post on their Facebook page, the band shared that they will be releasing exclusive music for the occasion, expressing, “to commemorate this landmark, we’re releasing our long-out-of-print first album ‘As Above’ for the first time on Spotify and all digital platforms! It drops 2/1. See you out there on the spaceways!”

Tickets for the tour are on sale now and can be accessed here . Scroll down to Club d’Elf’s forthcoming tour dates. 

Club d’Elf 25th Anniversary Tour Dates:

Jan. 13 – The Stone Church Music Club – Newmarket, N.H. 

Feb. 3 – So Many Roads – Denver

Feb. 4 – Alpine Funk Festival – Crested Butte, Colo.

Feb. 10 – Narrows Center For The Arts – Fall River, Mass.

Feb. 11 – Stowe Cider – Stowe, Vt.

Feb. 15 – The Cutting Room – New York

Feb. 16 – Fete Music Hall – Providence, R.I.

Feb. 17 – Lizard Lounge – Cambridge, Mass.

Feb. 18 – Foam Brewers – Burlington, Vt.

Feb. 23 – Park City Music Hall – Bridgeport, Conn. 

Feb. 24 – Bombyx Center For The Arts And Equity – Northampton, Mass.

Feb. 25 – The Press Room – Portsmouth, N.H.

March 10 – The Falcon – Marlboro, N.Y.

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Club d’Elf Plans 25th Anniversary Tour Ft. John Medeski, Rob Compa, More

Twenty-five years after  Club d’Elf  first made contact at Cambridge, MA’s  Lizard Lounge , the experimental collective will head out on an anniversary tour. The run of 13 shows throughout the Northeast and Colorado will feature a rotating cast of guest musicians including  John Medeski ,  Rob Compa  (Dopapod),  Lyle Brewer  (Neighbor), and  Reeves Gabrels (The Cure).

Included in the baker’s dozen tour dates is a February 17th spot at the band’s “home base,” the Lizard Lounge, where the Mike Rivard -led project has maintained a bimonthly residency for a quarter century. The “Moroccan dosed psychedelic dub jazz collective” will also appear at other Northeastern hot spots like New York City’s  The Cutting Room  (2/15), Bridgeport, CT’s  Park City Music Hall  (2/23), Portsmouth, NH’s  The Press Room  (2/25), and more. Club d’Elf will also head west for a pair of shows in Colorado with a February 3rd concert at So Many Roads  in Denver (2/3) and a set at Alpine Funk Festival  in Crested Butte the following day.

Related: Do Something: The Story Of Medeski Martin & Wood [Interview]

Club d’Elf will also celebrate its 25th anniversary by releasing its long out-of-print debut album,  As Above , on streaming services for the first time. The 2000 live album, recorded over six shows at Lizard Lounge, will hit digital platforms on February 1st.

Tickets for the Club d’Elf 25th anniversary tour are on sale now. Check the band’s website for a detailed lineup of each show.

Club d'Elf celebrates 25th anniversary with US tour & digital re-release

Article contributed by ron kadish pr | published on wednesday, january 11, 2023.

For twenty-five years now, Boston-based dub-jazz collective Club d’Elf has been helping audiences lose track of time while creating mesmerizing musical chimeras that weave their distinct, Moroccan folk-infused trance with elements from an astonishing spectrum of other styles, including jazz, hip-hop, electronica, avant-garde, prog-rock, and dub.

To celebrate its silver anniversary, Club d’Elf is announcing a string of U.S. tour dates in February and March (see below) and the accompanying digital re-release of their storied debut album As Above ( dropping February 8, 2023). 

With a core group currently consisting of founder/bassist/composer Mike Rivard, drummer Dean Johnston, Moroccan oud player Brahim Fribgane, and Mister Rourke on turntables — every Club d'Elf performance and recording over the past two-and-a-half decades has featured an ever-evolving and revolving cast of players, drawn from a who’s who list of the most sought after and creative improvisers from the jazz, DJ, rock & world music scenes of Boston, NYC and beyond.

Originally released exclusively on CD in 2000, As Above will now be available for the first time ever on Spotify and all major digital streaming platforms. Recorded live over the course of six performances in 1999/2000 at Cambridge’s legendary subterranean venue The Lizard Lounge, the album’s twenty tracks eternalize the early days of Club d’Elf‘s development while immortalizing some amazing musical pairings — including the historic meeting of Reeves Gabrels (The Cure) & Joe Maneri — one of  Rivard’s favorite mash-ups in the band's history.

“It's always been our style to remix the music with players who come from distinctly different backgrounds,” says Rivard, “and this was one of the coolest examples of that. Reeves was playing with David Bowie at the time and Joe was a legend in the free jazz and microtonal scenes. They couldn't have been further apart musically speaking, but their openness to each other and deep listening helped to create something that defies categorization.”

In addition to Rivard (on electric and acoustic basses), the eclectic cast of collaborators on As Above includes DJ Logic (turntables), Kenwood Dennard (drums), Reeves Gabrels (guitar), Duke Levine (guitar), Alain Mallet (keyboards), Mat Maneri (electric violin), Joe Maneri (tenor sax, clarinet), Erik Kerr (drums), Brahim Fribgane (oud, doumbek and qaraqab), and Dr. Didg (didgeridoo) amongst others.

Club d’Elf began in 1998 at the Lizard Lounge as a kind of controlled jam session, featuring Rivard’s friends and associates from various bands. Mark Sandman (Morphine) was an important catalyst, suggesting that it was time for Rivard to form his own band.  An in-demand sideman, Rivard had earned notice playing bass with Jonatha Brooke & The Story, Paula Cole, Either/Orchestra, and a Sandman side project, Hypnosonics. Rivard envisioned a band that wasn’t built around the specificity and spotlight that frontmen usually demand, but one that would facilitate and follow spontaneous cinematic soundscapes created by the unique contribution of each member of the collective. Out of the original D’Elf jam pool emerged a core group, usually augmented by one or two other players from a rotating cast. (for a comprehensive list of rotating Club d’Elf cast members and special guests over the years, go here ).

The As Above digital re-release and the upcoming tour both follow fast on the heels of the April 2022 release of You Never Know, the collective's 3rd studio album (and its first since 2011). Touting an impressive lineup including John Medeski, Brahim Fribgane, Duke Levine, David Fiuczynski, Kevin Barry, Paul Schultheis, Dean Johnston, and Mister Rourke, the well-received album reached #2 on the Relix Chart. The album features Rivard’s commanding playing of the sintir, a three-stringed bass lute used in trance-healing ceremonies in Morocco. While the first half of YNK pays homage to some of the collective’s primary influences, with renditions of Gnawa and Sufi folk tunes and covers from Miles Davis, Joe Zawinul, Moroccan band Nass el-Ghiwane, and Frank Zappa — the second half of the album consists of meditative and trance-laden original compositions inspired by a long, dark period in Rivard’s life following a harrowing health crisis in the remote Peruvian Amazon, and his eventual reemergence into the light.

“Sort of a Joseph Campbell Hero's Journey, I went through Chapel Perilous and lived to tell the tale,” reflects Rivard. “During the period of my depression I was uncertain as to whether or not I had anything left to offer creatively, and going into the studio represented a “hail mary” on my part. I’m excited that it turned out as well as it did, and that I was able to assemble such an extraordinary crew of musicians to play with.”

Fans can expect to encounter equally extraordinary and unique musicianship across each of Club d’Elf’s 2023 tour dates, with special guests including Medeski, Gabrels, Lyle Brewer (Neighbor), Rob Compa (Dopapod), and Duke Levine (Bonnie Raitt). Since the collective’s active personnel changes radically from show to show, many fans have their own favorite configurations of players. But that sort of constant flow and remixing of disparate talent means the music itself is also in constant flux. Individual songs can vary dramatically from performance to performance as new alignments of players make every moment fresh, so each of the following shows will provide a wholly unique, and likely transcendent, musical experience:

Club d’Elf confirmed 2023 tour dates :

1/13/23 Newmarket, NH @ The Stone Church  ( tickets )

2/4/23 Crested Butte CO - Alpenphunk Festival @ Public House feat. John Medeski ( tickets )

2/10/23 Fall River MA @ The Narrows Center feat Duke Levine ( tickets )

2/11/23 Stowe VT @ Stowe Cider feat. Rob Compa (Dopapod) ( tickets )

2/15/23 New York, NY @ Cutting Room ( tickets )

2/16/23 Providence RI @ Fete Music Hall ( tickets )

2/17/23 Cambridge MA @ Lizard Lounge feat. Lyle Brewer (Neighbor) (advance tickets SOLD OUT, a limited number will be available at the door)

2/18/23 Burlington VT @ Foam Brewers feat. Rob Compa (Dopapod) ( tickets )

2/22/23 Cambridge MA @ Lizard Lounge

2/23/23 Bridgeport CT @ Park City Music Hall ( tickets )

2/24/23 Northampton MA @ Bombyx ( tickets )

2/25.23 Portsmouth NH @ The Press Room ( tickets )

3/10/23 Marlboro NY @ The Falcon feat. John Medeski & Reeves Gabrels (The Cure) ( reservations )

More 25th Anniversary Dates coming soon!

As Above will be available on all major digital streaming platforms on Feb. 8, 2023.

You can keep up to date on Club d’Elf tour dates here .

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Club d'Elf tour dates 2024

Club d'Elf is currently touring across 1 country and has 4 upcoming concerts.

Their next tour date is at Race Brook Lodge in Sheffield, after that they'll be at The Stone Church in Brattleboro.

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Enigmatic Boston-based music collective Club d’Elf celebrates 25th-anniversary w/ new U.S. tour dates & digital re-release of their debut album As Above

For twenty-five years now, Boston-based dub-jazz collective Club d’Elf has been helping audiences lose track of time while creating mesmerizing musical chimeras that weave their distinct, Moroccan folk-infused trance with elements from an astonishing spectrum of other styles, including jazz, hip-hop, electronica, avant-garde, prog-rock, and dub. To celebrate its silver anniversary, Club d’Elf is announcing a string of U.S. tour dates in February and March (see below) and the accompanying digital re-release of their storied debut album As Above ( dropping February 8, 2023) .

With a core group currently consisting of founder/bassist/composer Mike Rivard , drummer Dean Johnston , Moroccan oud player Brahim Fribgane , and Mister Rourke on turntables — every Club d’Elf performance and recording over the past two-and-a-half decades has featured an ever-evolving and revolving cast of players, drawn from a who’s who list of the most sought after and creative improvisers from the jazz, DJ, rock & world music scenes of Boston, NYC and beyond.

Originally released exclusively on CD in 2000, As Above will now be available for the first time ever on Spotify and all major digital streaming platforms. Recorded live over the course of six performances in 1999/2000 at Cambridge’s legendary subterranean venue The Lizard Lounge, the album’s twenty tracks eternalize the early days of Club d’Elf‘s development while immortalizing some amazing musical pairings — including the historic meeting of Reeves Gabrels (The Cure) & Joe Maneri — one of  Rivard’s favorite mash-ups in the band’s history. 

“It’s always been our style to remix the music with players who come from distinctly different backgrounds,” says Rivard, “and this was one of the coolest examples of that. Reeves was playing with David Bowie at the time and Joe was a legend in the free jazz and microtonal scenes. They couldn’t have been further apart musically speaking, but their openness to each other and deep listening helped to create something that defies categorization.” 

In addition to Rivard (on electric and acoustic basses), the eclectic cast of collaborators on As Above includes DJ Logic (turntables), Kenwood Dennard (drums), Reeves Gabrels (guitar), Duke Levine (guitar), Alain Mallet (keyboards), Mat Maneri (electric violin), Joe Maneri (tenor sax, clarinet), Erik Kerr (drums), Brahim Fribgane (oud, doumbek and qaraqab), and Dr. Didg (didgeridoo) amongst others.

Club d’Elf began in 1998 at the Lizard Lounge as a kind of controlled jam session, featuring Rivard’s friends and associates from various bands. Mark Sandman (Morphine) was an important catalyst, suggesting that it was time for Rivard to form his own band.  An in-demand sideman, Rivard had earned notice playing bass with Jonatha Brooke & The Story, Paula Cole, Either/Orchestra, and a Sandman side project, Hypnosonics. Rivard envisioned a band that wasn’t built around the specificity and spotlight that frontmen usually demand, but one that would facilitate and follow spontaneous cinematic soundscapes created by the unique contribution of each member of the collective. Out of the original D’Elf jam pool emerged a core group, usually augmented by one or two other players from a rotating cast. (for a comprehensive list of rotating Club d’Elf cast members and special guests over the years, go here ).

The As Above digital re-release and the upcoming tour both follow fast on the heels of the April 2022 release of You Never Know , the collective’s 3rd studio album (and its first since 2011). Touting an impressive lineup including John Medeski, Brahim Fribgane, Duke Levine, David Fiuczynski, Kevin Barry, Paul Schultheis, Dean Johnston, and Mister Rourke, the well-received album reached #2 on the Relix Chart. The album features Rivard’s commanding playing of the sintir, a three-stringed bass lute used in trance-healing ceremonies in Morocco. While the first half of YNK pays homage to some of the collective’s primary influences, with renditions of Gnawa and Sufi folk tunes and covers from Miles Davis, Joe Zawinul, Moroccan band Nass el-Ghiwane, and Frank Zappa — the second half of the album consists of meditative and trance-laden original compositions inspired by a long, dark period in Rivard’s life following a harrowing health crisis in the remote Peruvian Amazon, and his eventual reemergence into the light. 

“Sort of a Joseph Campbell Hero’s Journey, I went through Chapel Perilous and lived to tell the tale,” reflects Rivard. “During the period of my depression I was uncertain as to whether or not I had anything left to offer creatively, and going into the studio represented a “hail mary” on my part. I’m excited that it turned out as well as it did, and that I was able to assemble such an extraordinary crew of musicians to play with.”

Fans can expect to encounter equally extraordinary and unique musicianship across each of Club d’Elf’s 2023 tour dates, with special guests including Medeski , Gabrels , Lyle Brewer (Neighbor), Rob Compa (Dopapod), and Duke Levine (Bonnie Raitt). Since the collective’s active personnel changes radically from show to show, many fans have their own favorite configurations of players. But that sort of constant flow and remixing of disparate talent means the music itself is also in constant flux. Individual songs can vary dramatically from performance to performance as new alignments of players make every moment fresh, so each of the following shows will provide a wholly unique, and likely transcendent, musical experience:

Club d’Elf confirmed 2023 tour dates:

1/13/23 Newmarket, NH @ The Stone Church  ( tickets ) 2/4/23 Crested Butte CO – Alpenphunk Fesstival @ Public House feat. John Medeski ( tickets ) 2/10/23 Fall River MA @ The Narrows Center feat Duke Levine ( tickets ) 2/11/23 Stowe VT @ Stowe Cider feat. Rob Compa (Dopapod) ( tickets ) 2/15/23 New York, NY @ Cutting Room ( tickets ) 2/16/23 Providence RI @ Fete Music Hall ( tickets ) 2/17/23 Cambridge MA @ Lizard Lounge feat. Lyle Brewer (Neighbor) (advance tickets SOLD OUT, a limited number will be available at the door) 2/18/23 Burlington VT @ Foam Brewers feat. Rob Compa (Dopapod) ( tickets ) 2/22/23 Cambridge MA @ Lizard Lounge Earlier Show 2/23/23 Bridgeport CT @ Park City Music Hall ( tickets )  2/24/23 Northampton MA @ Bombyx ( tickets ) 2/25.23 Portsmouth NH @ The Press Room ( tickets ) 3/10/23 Marlboro NY @ The Falcon feat. John Medeski & Reeves Gabrels (The Cure) ( reservations ) 3/11/23  Deep Dive , Ithaca 4/1/23 Stone Church, Newmarket 4/7/23  Soundcheck Studios , Pembroke MA

More 25th Anniversary Dates coming soon!

As Above will be available on all major digital streaming platforms on Feb. 8, 2023 . 

You can keep up to date on Club d’Elf tour dates here.

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A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

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Moscow Nightlife • A Complete Guide

Moscow is the capital of Russia and is one of the most populated cities in the country. Apart from traditional architecture, the city has been modernized to keep up with time. The nightlife of Moscow is exceptionally vibrant. You can find several casinos, nightclubs, and bars in the city. If you were planning a trip to Moscow and were confused about what during the night, don’t worry! Here are some of the best night-time experiences that you must try in Moscow!

When can you experience the nightlife in Moscow?

Although the bars and nightclubs are open daily, it is most vibrant on Saturdays and Fridays. Moscow residents like to work hard, and only on these days, they let their guard down. You can party for 12 hours straight on these days. There is almost no crowd on the other days of the week. Usually, the nightlife of Moscow begins at 11 am. You can catch your dinner early to prepare for all the partying. Most of the parties in clubs go on till 3 am. But the fun doesn’t end there. You can look for after-party clubs after that. 

Best bars in Moscow

Moscow bars are extremely lively. From beautiful women to authentic drinks – the bars in Moscow have a lot to offer. In recent times, several establishments have popped up. If you are a tourist, it can be difficult for you to pick out the right one. To clear your confusion, you can refer to the below-mentioned list of bars for your night-out in this city: 

This joint is not extremely glamorous and yet, is one of the most popular bars in Moscow. Kamchatka is a beer bar that has a vintage Soviet feel to it. The décor of this bar makes it look like a cafeteria and adds a dash of old-world charm to it. It is one of the most affordable bars in Moscow. Most locals tend to hang out here. The menu is simple yet hearty. If you want to avoid noisy places and enjoy a drink in peace, this is where you need to be in Moscow.

• I Like Wine

The bar is appropriately named, as you can get an extensive collection of wine at this joint. Wines are collected from all parts of the world and delivered to the customers at this bar. You can even get a couple of cocktails on the menu. But mostly wine lovers visit this pub. This wine bar also has a good food menu. The prices are extremely pocket-friendly, and you can eat on a budget at this place.

• Solyanka Bar

It is one of the indie bars in Moscow. The party atmosphere of this bar is infectious. Located in an old mansion, it serves fusion cuisine during the daytime. But at night, it becomes the hippest joint in town. The drinks are expensive but worth it. The DJs play the latest hits to keep up the spirits of the partygoers. The place lives up to its indie bar reputation as the décor is extremely rustic. The brick walls, exposed bulbs, and second-hand furniture make it a go-to spot for all the hipsters in Moscow.

You can always find students in Strelka as it is one of the popular bars in the city. The view from this bar is breathtaking as it overlooks the Moscow River. The 70s inspire the décor. It is aesthetic and yet comfortable. Moreover, the cocktail menu at this bar is fantastic. The concoctions are prepared by using local ingredients. Perhaps this is the reason why bar hoppers prefer this bar over others. If you are lucky, you will be able to witness one of the weekly concerts and events held here. 

If you want to experience something vintage, this is the place you should visit. Terma Bar is one of the oldest bars in the city. You can find over 150 alcoholic beverages at this bar. The bartenders are incredibly skilled and put up a show with fire while they prepare your drinks. There is an adventurous food menu at the club which serves Uzbek cuisine. Moreover, the bar is open 24/7, so you can drop by at any time.

Do you hate bars where the music is so loud that you cannot talk to anyone else? If you do, you can visit ‘Noor.’ This electro bar is located on Tverskaya street. It is incredibly cozy, and the music’s volume levels are kept in check to promote conversations. On weekends, you will be able to attend live music events of national and international artists. The décor of this club is chic and is an ideal place to grab a couple of drinks with family and friends.

• City Space Bar and Lounge

The City Space Bar and Club provides a stunning view of Moscow. This bar is located on the 34 th floor of a hotel. It is highly exclusive, and only those who can afford to spend big bucks visit this bar. The drinks and food are not cheap at City Space Bar and Lounge. However, it is worth it!

• Mendeleev Bar

This bar might be hard to locate as it is built behind a Chinese Shop. But you should put into finding the bar as if it is worth the experience. As soon as you enter this place, you will be able to see a dark cellar. You can find a long list of alcoholic beverages at this place. Moreover, if you are lucky, you will be able to witness the occasional jazz concerts hosted in this secret bar.

• Chinese Pilot Jao Dao (Kitaysky Lyotchk Dzhao-Da)

If you want to avoid the glitz and glamour, Kitaysky Lyotchk Dzhao-Da is the perfect place for you. The décor of this bar is extremely rustic. The youth of Moscow mostly visits it because it is incredibly affordable. You can always find new artists and musicians hang out here. On almost all days of the week, you will be able to witness live music performances at Kitaysky Lyotchk Dzhao-Da. From Punk Rock to Afro beats – different kinds of artists like to perform at this joint. Moreover, you can find some of the most affordable yet best Russian wines and beers. If you feel hungry, you can try out their Russian cuisine consisting of traditional Russian soups, blinis, and salads.

Located in the former Krasny Okytyabr Factory building, Gypsy is a brightly lit, colorful bar in Moscow. There is an indoor as well as an outdoor sitting arrangement. You can sit on the terrace on the deck chairs and enjoy the beautiful view of the Moscow River. There are over 300 disco balls used to light up this place. The drinks are affordable, and you will have a good time at this place.

Go on a night tour in Moscow

Moscow is a city that is rich in terms of culture and heritage. If you are not a party person, you can ditch the usual options and book yourself a seat in one of the Moscow tour events. Several companies offer different night-time tour packages for tourists in Moscow. But why should you depend on a guide when you can roam around on your own? A food tour will help you to discover the unconventional spots in the city as well. It can be difficult for a tourist to find out about Khitrovka and Kitay Gorod on his/her own.  Try to look for tours which take you to ‘Annushka’ – the infamous former restaurant on rails in this city.

Best nightclubs in Moscow

After you have had a drink or two, you can head over to the latest dance club. There are several options for dance clubs in Moscow. People usually party till the wee hours of w night on weekends. Here are some of the best ones:

It is a highly spacious dance club that allows you to dance freely. It is built using several levels. The audio system of this club is top-notch, which is perhaps why top Russian Bands perform at this joint. The drinks are excellent as the bartender has access to some of the best alcohol in the country. Moreover, you can get good finger food to complement your drinks as well.

• Vermeil Club

As soon as you reach the club, you will be greeted by the bright lights at the entrance. Vermeil Club is located right across the river and is near Kremlin. The club has a very friendly atmosphere, and the service is top-notch. If you like to try different kinds of alcohol, this is the right place for you. You will get tons of options when it comes to beers, cocktails, and wines.

Moreover, the food is cooked perfectly and presented elegantly at Vermel Club. Since it is a dance club, you will find some of the best DJs in Moscow play at this joint. It is the perfect place to party in this city.

A lot of international as well as Russian artists play at ’16 Tons’. Located in Presnenskiy Val, it is one of the best places to dance all night long. There is a fully functional brewery at this place, and hence, you need to try out their assorted beer collection. Named after a Merle Travis song, this place is ideal for all the music lovers who like to party.

• Looking Rooms

Want to dance till the wee hours of the night in Moscow? Look no further! Looking Room is the place for you. All the regular party goers in Moscow visit this place. This club is open till midnight on every other working day. But on Fridays and Saturdays, it remains open for its customers till 6 am. The place is extremely spacious and can host around 800 people at the same time. You can find the DJs at this joint play the best House music in Moscow during one of the epic parties of ‘Looking Room.’

• Night Flight

If you are looking for something exclusive, this is the place you should be. It is not easy to get entry to this fancy nightclub in Moscow. You need to be extremely wealthy to gain access to this club. Why? Because it was built for VIPs. Located on Tverskaya Street, it is a place if you want to experience something extravagant in Moscow.

• London Night Club

Located in Prospekt Vernadskogo, the London Night club is visited by both tourists as well as locals. The staff does not discriminate between the tourists and the Russians. As long as you are ready to spend, you will get good service. The cocktails at this joint are one of the best in the city. The bar is filled with good-looking men and women. Hence, your chances of meeting someone new are quite high at London Night Club. 

This place is always bustling with energy. The Soho Rooms have been in the business for years. It was closed down in 2017 for renovations. But it is back with a bang. The club is sprawled across three floors. There is a pool as well as a bar at this club. The parties hosted by Soho Rooms go on till at least 4 am. If you like commercial music and lively places, you should pay a visit to this club.

The only word that will come to your mind when you see this club is ‘posh.’ Club Oblaka is one of Moscow’s extravagant, high-end nightclubs. Mostly the club plays Russian Pop. Unlike any other club, the party doesn’t only occur on Fridays and Saturdays. Only the rich can afford to visit this club, and they like to party on all the days of the week. The VIP service available at this club is top-notch, and you should visit this club if you can spend a lot.

LGBTQIA bar and clubs in Moscow

Although none of the bars can discriminate against the LGBTQIA community, there are a few unique hangout spots for the community. You can meet new people as well as enjoy yourself with your old buddies at:

The Boyz club is a popular LGBTQIA nightclub in Moscow. Mostly the youth of the city visit this highly energetic joint. The place is extremely spacious. It has around three bars, one lounge bar, and two dance floors. If you do not enjoy dancing, you can start using karaoke equipment instead. The parties at this place are to die for. Boyz Club stays open till 10 am on weekends. The parties that are hosted at this place are wild. You can find several music events as well as drag shows at Boyz Club regularly. 

It is probably the most famous and oldest LGBTQIA bar in Moscow. Propaganda opened its doors for its customers back in the year 1997. It functions as a café in the morning where you can get the best cuisines in town. But at night, the whole look of this place changes. The LGBTQIA night events are hosted mostly on Saturdays. It is a place where everyone feels accepted. The staff is extremely friendly and quick with orders. 

If you want to witness cabaret shows, this place should be on your itinerary.  The energy of this club is infectious. Despite the decors being changed almost every year, the bar has held onto its authenticity. The warm and comfortable atmosphere can make anyone feel at home. The travesty shows are held on every Friday and Saturday. These shows begin at 1.30 am and go on all night long. 

• Central Station

Central Station is another decent LGBTQIA club in the city. There are about two dance floors with very different kinds of vibes. You can call your entire gang to their karaoke club and have a gala time. During the summer, you can hang around on the terrace. Drag shows are a regular event at Central Station. The prices are reasonable, and the staff is extremely efficient at this place. 

Located in Pokrovsky Boulevard, Mono Bar is a famous hangout spot for people from the LGBTQIA community. The club was started in 2014 and, since then, has gained a lot of regular customers. Mostly you will be able to hear European as well as Russian music at this club. There is a balcony which is the smoking area. If you want to meet more people, it is ideal for visiting this place after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. 

After-party clubs in Moscow

The Russians like to party hard, and hence, the party goes on till dawn. After the party ends around 1-3 am in certain clubs, you can head over to a couple of after-party venues to have fun. Here are some of the best ones in Moscow:

People who party at high-end clubs tend to visit Miks for the after-party. There is plenty of alcohol for you to get wasted. The DJs at this joint mostly like to play Tech and House. Do not worry about the price, as the cover charge is minimal at Miks. The place is dimly lit and is the perfect place to end the night.

Gazgolder offers a more Berlin like after-party atmosphere to its guests. The cover charge is a bit more than the other clubs, but it is worth it. The décor of this place is trendy and creative. The place is huge, and you can sit in the outdoor area during the summer months. On some days, the after-party might continue till the next afternoon. All in all, if you want to party like an animal, this is the place you should visit. 

Voda is an ultra-hip joint where you can head over for the after-party. It is a small yet vibrant place where you can get good cocktails. The décor of this club is incredibly quirky. You have to ring the doorbell to get inside the club. The walls are made up of exposed concrete. The main venue downstairs is properly lit. Lime-stone staircase, wooden beams, and bar stools give the place a vintage vibe. The DJs mostly play Electronic music at this pub. One of the most exciting features of this club is that there are no menus. It would be best to inform the bartender what you want to drink, and he will serve it to you. Do not worry, as all the mixologists can converse in English. 

This after-party venue makes you feel like you have been transported to Berlin. The interiors of this place have an industrial feel to them. During the day, this acts as a bike repair shop. But at night, you can party at Entuziast till late at night. Mostly the hipsters tend to party at this place. The bar is made up of metal, and you can see racing flags all over the place. You can get a wide array of choices when it comes to beers and cider. Craft beer is extremely popular at this joint.  During the summers, you can sit outside on the beach chairs arranged on the deck. The snacks are light and ideal for eating with a pint of beer. 

There are so many different things to do in Moscow during the night. Whether you want to grab a couple of drinks or dance into the night with your friends – you will find a spot for yourself in this city. It is advisable to try out almost all the places mentioned above when you are visiting Moscow. The Russian party life is different from any other culture. They believe in working hard and partying even harder. They mostly like to party when they are done with their work for the week. If you want to experience that culture, you must prepare yourself to party till the sun comes up. It will be one of the most memorable experiences of your life.

Keep exploring!

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