Despite nationality, race or language there is always one common topic of interest between all people, which leads them to ask the same question: How can I have fun?

This is a theme that unites people. After a long day of work, a hectic week or even a stressful business meeting, all people enjoy some rest and relaxation. Thankfully, most Russian metropolises, including Ekaterinburg, provide us with a plethora of ways to scratch this itch.

Whatever you fancy, you are almost guaranteed to find, in some aspect. The city center is lined with restaurants in various styles and for a wide range of budgets. Some provide you with a posh, refined atmosphere, while others display the characteristics of a small, family owned business.

As in any modern urban hub, there are typical fast food joints and places to have a quick bite at an affordable price.

On the other hand, there are also many upscale cafes and classy bistros that cater to the likings of those with a more refined taste. While prices are comparable to those in most Western cities, it should be noted that the concept of customer service is somewhat discrete and, many times, culturally dissimilar to the Western equivalent.

Various theaters throughout the city provide both visitors and residents with the opportunity for a fun filled evening of performing arts. Although the variety of acts is somewhat limited, these venues draw large crowds and, at the very least, supply visitors with an interesting intercultural experience.

Most notably are the Theater of Musical Comedy, Drama Theater, and Theater of Opera and Ballet. Each organizes performances by acts from around the world.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of nightlife in Russian cities is nightclubs. While they range from extremely expensive and glamorous to cheap and casual, you are bound to find at least one nightclub you will enjoy for one reason or another.

Some are small and cozy and make the odds of meeting new acquaintances a near certainty. Others are so fancy, or claim to be anyways, that they will require you to meet specific requirements before entering; usually simply knowing someone who works there will do quite fine.

This is where the enigma of the Russian nightclub lies.

On one hand, these high class clubs exercise quality control routines known as "dress code" and "face control", while on the other hand the people who actually enter their businesses rarely meet the standards they project.

People of most countries are familiar with the requirements of dress code; however face control is a completely different obstacle, or even concept, to understand.

Although one may be sporting the newest and finest designer brands, enough to impress anyone who even glimpsed in his or her direction, the bouncer at one of these installments could, and probably will if you decide to take your chances here, that there is something displeasing about your attire or appearance in general and that you are not allowed to enter.

Of course you can find a back entrance, where you will pay a decent sum, by asking any of the other hundred people they dismissed from the front entrance that night, but by Western standards we usually feel that this type of club does not deserve our presence.

Thus, I strongly recommend a relatively small and comfortable place where you can relax, make some new friends and generally enjoy yourself.

For the 27 - 35 crowd I suggest "Hooch" or "Doctor Scotch", where they play some classic tracks, it is usually easy to find a table, or at least a barstool, and the atmosphere is relaxed and enjoyable for almost any occasion.

The younger, post university, crowd would enjoy "Jack and Jill's" or "Havana", where there is an equally balanced atmosphere of people dancing, socializing and relaxing at tables.

Finally, for the student crowd, there are an enormous amount of clubs that cater to various subculture groups and music styles.

Although not everyone enjoys restaurants, theaters and clubs, I believe there is something in almost every Russian city that anyone can find enjoyable.

Ekaterinburg, while smaller than other metropolises, has an impressive repertoire of nightlife opportunities and venues. With a heart of adventure, most foreigners can find it very easy to fall in love with this city and any Russian man or woman can sniff out a place to his or her liking as well.

As the bridge between European Russia and Siberia, this pitstop both fulfills and exceeds its purposes and expectations.

Christopher T. Huntley, M.A. International Relations

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