Beergeek, like many similar places in St Petersburg, is part bottle shop and part bar. It opened in August 2014, and the smell of yeast and hops is already noticeable as you turn into the first gateway off the Nevsky Prospekt. A steep little stairway into the cellar is marked by a small, modest sign. But despite the descent, I can't say that it goes downhill from there.
Not only is Beergeek in the basement but it is also teeny-tiny. There is a small bar with only a dozen taps at most, mostly serving local beers by breweries like Bakunin and Knightberg. On the left-hand side, a plywood amphitheatre (for want of better description, which is caused by the idiosyncratic character of this structure) with pillows offers seating. On the right-hand side, beer bottles are organised into something of a filing cabinet - boxes marked "Red ale", "Stout" etc. There are crisps and connoisseur glasses, and light relief is available in the form of lemonade and ginger ale.
Underground location and inebriation are very conductive to discussions of death, sex, contemporary art, and the meaning of life. Beergeek have granted me an opportunity to check that, with a mate who's got a degree in philosophy no less. It's not all doom and gloom though -- there are sometimes acoustic gigs in there, one of which was by a shanty choir, and I once attended a very inspiring lecture on applying anarchist principles to brewing.
Find your way with 106 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
I like it when historic places suddenly get their second life. This is exactly what's happened with Anna "Pavlova's Room" in Saint Petersburg...
By
"Berthold Centre" in St. Petersburg creates cozy and historic vibes with its big umbrella yard. I always have trouble deciding between the pizza & syrniki!
By
The "Chaev Mansion" in St. Petersburg is a dental clinic that's actually in an old pre-revolutionary mansion! You can't miss it...
By
"The Manege" in Saint Petersburg isn't just a place for trade fairs anymore -- the art exhibitions in this historical riding hall are just stunning!
By
You are likely to see sunbathers and swimmers past St Peters and Paul Fortress on Troitsky bridge on any sunny day in Saint Petersburg -- or ice fishers!
By
"Mariniere by Maison de Zhirobas" is one of the best seasonal restaurants, with the best seafood in Saint Petersburg! Not pretentious at all, either...
By
Getting a ride on a marshrutka in Saint Petersburg is a small taste of local life, but getting the front seat -- that's a ride to rival a rollercoaster!
By
"Doroga Zhizni Memorial", or The Road of Life, is a memorial to the 900 days of the Siege of Leningrad. You should also check out the famous marathon...
By
"Eat Market" is a gourmet gastro-bar dining heaven in retail mall Galeria in St. Pete -- brought to you us by the masterminds behind Vasilievsky Market!
By
"Dovlatov Statue" in Saint Peterburg is in the city's unoffical nightlife center. The spirit of this rebel continues to live on this street every day...
By
"AF Brew Taproom" in Saint Petersburg is a beer enthusiast's dream! It's so fashionably hip it hurts & its vaulted ceiling is reminiscent of an old church.
By
106 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 106 Insider Tips