Hotels Restaurants Cafés Nightlife Sightseeing Events Maps MINSK

VVol.Volol. 1,1 , 20132 2001133

Inside A fully updated, impartial scrutiny of the best things Minsk has to offer visitors and residents

A walk to remember: 2013 Through the heart of the city. www.inyourpocket.com Part two. CONTENTS 3

ESSENTIAL CITY GUIDES

Contents

Arriving in Minsk 5 Are we there yet?

Basics 7 Essential information, from alcohol to visas

History 10 Some useful background information

Mail & phones 11 Keeping in touch

Culture & Events 12 Galleries, theatres, events and more

A walk to remember 14

Where to stay 17 A bed for all budgets Boy with a Swan (by L. Bernini, 1874). Together, not only did they survive the revolution and the war, Dining & Nightlife but also outlasted a monument to Stalin which stood Restaurants 20 across the avenue between 1952 and 1961 A roll call of recommended eateries

Cafés 29 Where to find the best espresso Nightlife 34 Drinking, dancing and other after-dark treats Sightseeing What to see 39 Travel A gencies Unmissable Minsk

Getting around 45 When legs just aren’t enough Directory Shopping 48 Lifestyle 51 Health 53 Business 54 Where to partake and observe Maps Street index 57 The fountain in front of the main entrance to the recently City centre map 58 renovated Opera House (I. Langbard, 1936) City map 60 is the favourite place of Minsk’s youth to get cooled off on a hot summer day Country map 62 minsk.inyourpocket.com Vol. 1, 2013 4 FOREWORD ARRIVING IN MINSK 5

Welcome to Minsk! The capital city of the sovereign Republic of Belarus cordially is greeting its visitors. The World of In Your Pocket The Independence Avenue with its famous ensemble of buildings – examples of the Stalinist neo-classical Northern style – that date back to the early postwar years; Ireland Estonia Ireland the greenery of Minsk’s public parks and gardens; Latvia Russia the sparkling crystal of the National Library washed Lithuania by warm summer rains; the city’s theatres and museums with their new exhibitions – all hoping to Belarus Netherlands draw your attention. A lot has changed in the city Poland since your previous visit. New hotels and restaurants Germany Ukraine Belgium have been opened, theatres have updated their Czech Republic repertoire, new dishes have appeared on the menu. One thing has remained intact however – the affability Austria Switzerland Slovenia Romania of Minsk residents towards the city’s visitors. If Croatia this is your first time here, we have no doubts that Italy Bosnia Serbia having discovered Minsk you will love it as much as Bulgaria Montenegro Kosovo we love our city. Explore the urban environment, try FYR Macedonia the Belarusian cuisine, communicate with the city Albania Greece residents – and share your impressions with us. Help Minsk Central Train Station us make the city better, praise, advise, complain; all the comments you have posted on our website in the Arriving in and getting around Minsk are fairly simple affairs section http://www.inyourpocket.com/belarus/ once you understand the basics. Accordingly, travelling By car minsk-russian do not go unnoticed. Send your It’s now 21 years since we published the first In Your further afield is relatively painless if you’re prepared to do Driving in Belarus is generally much better than it used to Pocket guide - to Vilnius in Lithuania - in which time your research beforehand and use some sign language be, and certainly less fraught with danger than in some of e-mails to [email protected]. Go ahead, when using buses and trains. Car rental is relatively cheap its EU neighbours. There’s a risk of receiving on-the-spot the city is waiting! we have grown to become the largest publisher of locally produced city guides in Europe. We now cover by Western standards. ‘fines’ from traffic police, so stay within the speed limits. more than 75 cities across the continent (with Tbilisi, Road signs are in Belarusian only with the exception of the M1 (E30) Brest-Minsk highway. At the border it’s necessary Cover story in Georgia, the latest city to be pocketed) and the By bus to fill out a declaration on your car and buy Belarusian vehicle number of concise, witty, well-written and downright Minsk is served by three different international bus stations, insurance which is cheap, but be sure you have the money indispensable In Your Pocket guides published each namely Tsentralny (Central), Vostochny (Eastern) and Mosk- in cash (Russian roubles, US dollars and euros only). There MinskM City Hall was built anew in 2002– year is approaching five million. We also publish an ovsky (Moscow). Check which one you’ll be arriving at when may not be controls at the border coming in from Russia, 20032 on its original site confirmed iPhone app, including more than 40 guides, which you buy your ticket. but there could be sporadic checks. You’ll have to pay a byb archaeological excavations. It was can be downloaded for free from the AppStore. small toll for using the Brest-Minsk highway, again payable reconstructedr according to old pictures Search for ‘IYP Guides’ by name. Getting to town Tsentralny is located next to the train sta- only in Russian roubles, US dollars and euros. In the event anda drawings. The emblem of the city tion. See Arriving by train for more information. Vostochny of a breakdown trouble, call tel. 116. anda a clock with chimes were installed on To keep up to date with all that’s new at In Your is out in the suburbs. Getting to the city centre from it thet 32-meter tower with a weather vane. Pocket, like us on Facebook (facebook.com/ is complicated for anyone who doesn’t speak Russian, By plane TheT first floor of the City Hall houses the inyourpocket) or follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/ involving multiple stops and boundless possibilities to get museumm of Minsk. inyourpocket). seriously lost. A taxi is by far the best bet. Moskovsky is Minsk has two airports, the tiny and hardly used Minsk-1 in located close to the National Library, a short walk from the the city centre and the larger National Airport Minsk (Minsk-2), Moskovskaya Metro station. where the majority of international flights arrive and depart.

MinskMikIY In Your Pocket P Copyright notice published by LLC TopPRINT/ Text and photos copyright LLC TopPRINT ESSENTIAL CITY GUIDES In Your Pocket. 1992-2011. Maps copyright LLC TopPRINT. Belarus, 220040 Minsk, All rights reserved. No part of this publication Справочное издание 155, ul. M.Bogdanovicha, 1013 may be reproduced in any form, except brief Минск в твоем кармане extracts for the purpose of review, without Справочник. Вып. 1, 2013 [email protected] written permission from the publisher and На английском языке tel./fax: (+375 17) 331 34 52, copyright. Составители: Мартынов Виктор Вадимович, www.inyourpocket.com Чудникова Елена Андреевна Editor’s note Фотографы А.П. Дрибас, Е.И. Страшнова Editorial The editorial content of In Your Pocket guides Ответственный за выпуск М.В. Чудников Editor Sco is independent from paid-for advertising. Редактор В.В. Мартынов Sponsored listings are clearly marked as Компьютерная верстка Е.В. Павлова Contributors Andrew Quested, such. We welcome all readers‘ comments

1 Tim Orr and suggestions. We have made every effort Подписано в печать 28.06.2013. Формат 60x84 /16. Бумага мелованая. Печать офсетная. Усл. печ. л. 3,72. Researchers Victor Martynov, to ensure the accuracy of the information at Уч.-изд. л. 7,6. Тираж 20000 экз. Заказ № 108. Elena Chudnikova the time of going to press and assume no Издатель и полиграфическое исполнение: responsibility for changes and errors. ООО “ТОППРИНТ” Photos Anatoly Dribas, Elena Strashnova © Составление, оформление. ООО “ТОППРИНТ”, ЛИ № 02330/614 от 07.10.2011. 2012. ЛП № 02330/188 от 03.04.2009. General Manager Vadim Martynov © Дрибас А.П., Страшнова Е.И., фото, 2013 Ул. Богдановича, 155-1013, 220040, Минск. Layout & Design Elena Pavlova © Государственный комитет по имуществу ISBN 978-985-90313-2-8 Республики Беларусь, картоснова, 2013 Distribution (+375 17) 334 87 23 © Квадрограф, составление, 2013. National Airport Minsk (Minsk-2)

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СЕРВИС - ЦЕНТР Service Center CLUB SV tel. (+375 17) 225-00-52 Alcohol Basic data “КЛУБ ” (Highly comfortable area) fax. (+375 17) 225-52-00 As one would expect to find in this part of the world, vodka is essentially the Belarusian national drink. Local brands Population станции МинскCB-Пассажирский Open daily e-mail: [email protected] are inexpensive and generally very good. Three to watch Belarus 9,503,800 Minsk 1,850,000 from 07.00 to 23.00 out for are Bulbash (Бульбашъ), Minsk Kristal (Минск Admission payable Кристалл) and Belalco (Белалко). For men, knocking Ethnic composition (Belarus, 2009) For passengers with SV (First Class) tickets back ice-cold shots in one is considered the correct way Belarusians 83.7% free stay to drink. Mixing vodka is looked on as being somewhat Russians 8.3% at the Service Center unmanly. Belarusian beer comes in all shapes and sizes Poles 3.1% within three hours on the day from the mass-produced brands such as Krinica (Криница) Ukrainians 1.7% to the more interesting ales such as the live Beaver Dark of arrival or departure Others 3.2% Privokzalnaya sq., 5, Minsk (Бивер Темное) and the light Lidskoye Beloye (Лидское The Railway Station Building, second floor Белое). Minsk has three or four microbreweries worth investigating. See the Nightlife section of this guide for Territory more information. The choice of imported beers, wines and 207,595 square kilometres. Predominantly flat, spirits is fairly good, although prices are high, especially landlocked country. Fertile lowland with around Minsk-1 so for imported wines. 11,000 lakes. Slightly smaller than Great Britain. A classic Socialist Realist building not dissimilar to the façade Trains of the nearby airport in Vilnius, Minsk-1, some 3km south of Nostalgia Borders the centre, hardly qualifies as an airport at all. A currency Central Train Station (Центральный Latvia 143 km exchange and café are the only services. вокзал) E-3, Privokzalnaya pl. 5 (Привокзаль- Politics and business aside, like its neighbour Russia, Be- Lithuania 462 km ная пл., 5), tel. (+375 17) 225 70 00, 150. Tickets larus is still very much visually as it was during Soviet times. Poland 399 km Getting to town Bus N°100 goes to the city centre and to domestic destinations are sold in the two narrow Statues, hammers and sickles and many other remnants Russia 990 km runs along Nezavisimosti. Buy a ticket on board for halls that flank the main entrance. International tickets, of Soviet art and architecture are in abundance, especially Ukraine 975 km. 2000 BYR. Taxis outside may or may not be reliable. See for some reason, are still sold in the old train station so in the capital. Minsk was almost entirely destroyed Taxis for details on how to spot which is which. building (Open 09:00 - 20:00) to the right as you during WWII and was rebuilt along strict Socialist-Realist Longest river face the new building. Call tel. (+375 17) 225 70 00 lines. Visitors looking for the ultimate Soviet-era ostalgie Dnieper (Belarusian, Dnyapro). One of the longest National Airport Minsk (Minsk-2) experience won’t be disappointed. for information about international trains, or tel. 105 rivers in Europe, the Dnieper rises in the Valdai The city’s main international airport, National Airport Minsk for any train-related enquiries. When looking for your Hills of Russia and flows south 2,201 km through (Minsk-2), is located 42 km north-east of the city. Once you go train, keep in mind that there are platform numbers through the usual customs torture, you end up at the arrivals Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine before emptying into and track numbers, so there could be two trains on the Black Sea. hall on the first floor. The currency exchange, directly opposite, the same platform. Check the signs carefully if you usually operates when flights arrive. Otherwise, head to the Militia don’t want to end up in Izhevsk. The train station is Largest lake larger one on the second floor (Open 09:00 - 13:00, 13:30 - packed with kiosks selling everything from flowers to Naroch 79.6 square kilometres 20:00). An ATM is located on the third floor, next to departure instant noodles. People travelling First Class can take One thing you’ll notice immediately upon arrival in gate N°1. For public telephones, long distance calls, Internet advantage of the VIP lounge. Minsk is that there’s rather a lot of people wearing and post, head to the post office on the third floor. uniforms and carrying guns and sticks. Police and Highest point military personnel seem to be everywhere all the time. Dzerzhinskaya gora (гора Дзержинская) 345 m This can be a bit disconcerting at first, but don’t worry. The most exciting authority action that you’re likely Getting to town Taxis can be found parked outside gates to experience is that you’ll be approached and asked Crime & Safety N°5 and 6. If you’re quoted more than €25 for a ride into the to show your documents. The police will understand city centre you’re literally and metaphorically being taken for that you may have left your passport with the hotel The streets of Minsk are among some of the safest in Eu- a ride. Bus N°300 goes to both bus stations in the city. Pay rope, although that shouldn’t stop visitors from exercising for registration purposes. Unless you’ve been doing the driver currently about 20,000 BYR. Buses run between caution as they would in any other large metropolis. The city around 04:15 and 01:00. something very mischievous, the police are only likely is policed by an armed militia who effectively do the work of to approach you from utter boredom. Let them have an ordinary police force and who, when we’ve needed them, their fun. They’ve already sorted out all the crime and, have been the epitome of courtesy. Having said that, people well, there’s just not much left to do. should be careful around any public demonstrations. The By train best option in such circumstances is to stay well away. Minsk’s gleaming train station is a tribute to the modernity of Belarus, and proof that no matter how much money you spend you can still come up with something just as chaotic as the old train station. It does have the welcoming look of a shopping mall though, and if you follow the pictographic signs you shouldn’t get lost. Currency exchange can be found at the top of the escalator. Find public telephones accepting chip cards on the ground floor and in the basement. The basement also contains public toilets (currently 1500 BYR) and a large, 24 hr left luggage room. Getting to Town Minsk-Passazhirsky station is in the centre of city, so walking might be an option. Otherwise, head to the basement level and follow the underground passage, which eventually leads to the entrance of the Ploschad Lenina Metro station (see Public transport). Otherwise, take one of the taxis parked in the immediate area (see Taxis). To be safe, go for one of the yellow, state-run taxis or a private Isle of Tears and a new block of flats, the most expensive one with 135, 157, 158 or 181 displayed on the car. Be sure ones in the city, by the Svisloch river they turn on the meter. View of the Svisloch river from the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit

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in New York, 10:00 in London, 11:00 in Warsaw and 13:00 in Moscow until the last Sunday of October when the first set of times will again be relevant. Money & Costs Travel agency Gastina The Belarusian rouble (BYR) comes in denominations of 50, Guided tours of Belarus 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000 and 200,000. Be careful not to confuse them during cash Individual tours transactions. Currency exchange offices and ATMs can be Corporate tours found throughout Minsk. Outside the capital and the larger towns and cities, cash should always be carried. Minsk is far English speaking guides from being the cheap city it used to be. Choosing where to eat Tel: +375-17-288-22-65 and drink can save considerable amounts of money, although finding a budget place to stay is almost impossible. A good night out for two in Minsk including a meal in a posh restaurant followed by drinks in a bar and a club to finish off won’t leave Customs The people you with much change, if any change at all, from €100. The rules governing what you can bring in and out of Be- The residents of Minsk are some of the friendliest people you’ll larus get increasingly complicated the more people you ask. ever come across. All you have to do is stand on a street corner To the best of our knowledge, the current situation is that non- and look confused and some affable local will probably come to Religion residents can import, tax free and undeclared, a maximum of your aid. Many younger people speak English and will be happy The majority of believers in Belarus belong to the Russian US$10,000 in cash, one litre of distilled alcohol, 200 cigarettes to give directions, read signs, take photographs, help you use Orthodox Church, with smaller communities of Catholics, Prot- or 200 g of tobacco, five pieces of jewellery, one watch, one the Metro and so on. While few restaurant and bar staff speak estants, Jews and Muslims also existing. Women should cover video-recording or video-playing device, three items of leather English, they’re generally very obliging. If there’s a place in town their heads when entering a Russian Orthodox Church. or fur clothing and four tyres (surplus to the ones attached to with grumpy people and bad service, we just couldn’t find it. your car if you’re arriving by road, we assume). When leaving, Even the once infamous border crossing is less hostile. As for you can take out up to 500 g of gold and 5kg of silver. Anecdotal socialising, it’s very easy in Minsk. Many locals are still delighted Service evidence also suggests that you should avoid trying to take to meet and interested to talk to foreigners. Belarus doesn’t disappoint when it comes to indifferent out icons, antiques or any works of art without the correct service, especially among public sector workers. As a rule, paperwork. For more information see the State Customs privately-owned business are much friendlier although the Committee website at www.gtk.gov.by/en. Language sort of polished service one expects to find in the sophis- Belarusian is an East Slavic language similar to Russian, is ticated capital cities of western Europe is generally lacking written using the Belarusian Cyrillic alphabet and is spoken by here. Tipping, if deserved, is fairly common, with 10% or Disabled travellers less than 40% of the country’s population. Both Belarusian and a rounding up of the bill considered the norm. There’s a long way to go before Minsk and the rest of Russian enjoy equal official status in Belarus, although Rus- Belarus is equipped to deal with disabled travellers. All sian is by far the dominant of the two. Street signs and metro new and renovated buildings must incorporate wheelchair- stations are almost without exception written in Belarusian. Smoking access into their design, and the capital’s newer buses and Outside of Minsk, Belarusian is more widely spoken, with Pol- Smoking is permitted in bars, clubs, restaurants, hotels and trolleybuses have low entries for wheelchair users. ish also used further to the west. Staff in many bars, hotels most public spaces although many restaurants provide a no- and restaurants speak at least a little English, although many smoking section. Locally-produced Western brand cigarettes Electricity menus in town remain in Russian only. are available and are considerably cheaper than in the West. Belarusian electricity flows out of standard European two- pin sockets at 220v AC, 50Hz. Adaptors are not easy to Local time Toilets find, and bringing your own is advisable. At the time of going to press, Belarus is at UTC/GMT +3hrs. Public toilets and those in restaurants, bars etc are getting When it’s 12:00 in Minsk it’s 04:00 in New York, 09:00 in better all the time, although there’s still a long way to go in London, 10:00 in Warsaw and 13:00 in Moscow. Unlike most many establishments. Don’t automatically expect toilet paper. Floors European countries, the Belarusians won’t be putting the In general, M marks the Gents and Ж the Ladies. Like the citizens of the United States, the Belarusians con- clocks forward by an hour at the end of March. Accordingly, sider the floor at street level to be the first floor, and so on. from then on when it’s 12:00 in Minsk it’s going to be 05:00 Visas With the exception of citizens of a small number of countries, National holidays all visitors to Belarus must have a valid visa. Visas can be VOKRUG SVETA obtained from any Belarusian consulate abroad or in some January 1 New Year’s Day cases through a travel agency. Visas are also available at TRAVEL COMPANY Minsk-2 airport around the clock, although just who’s entitled January 7 Orthodox Christmas Book hotels at the best prices online at to one is unclear. If there was a possibility to acquire a visa www.hotel.by March 8 International Women’s Day before you travelled you might possibly be refused entry. March 15 Constitution Day Visas issued at Minsk-2 must be paid for in cash. Visitors “VOKRUG SVETA” offers airline tickets booking and provides May 1 Labour Day also require medical insurance valid for the duration of the 24-hour customer support! May 9 Victory Day time spent in Belarus. On arriving in Belarus, visitors are given an immigration card, which must be filled in twice.

Minsk July 3 Independence Day Half is subsequently taken away and the other half must be 10 Internatsionalnaya Str. October 16 Mother’s Day (2011) presented when leaving the country. A Belarusian immigra- tel. (+375 17) 306-43-60, 226-83-92, 227-82-88 November 1-2 Dzyady (Remembrance Day) tion card is also valid for Russia if travelling onwards. There [email protected] November 7 Revolution Day is no border control between Russia and Belarus. For more December 25 Catholic & Protestant Christmas information, see the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at www.mfa.gov.by.

Minsk In Your Pocket minsk.inyourpocket.com minsk.inyourpocket.com Vol. 1, 2013 10 HISTORY MAIL & PHONES 11

Human history in the region now known as Belarus dates back to the Stone Age. Belarusian identity began somewhat The Minsk Free Emergency Calls later with the migration of the East Slavs between the 6th and 8th centuries AD. telephone code is +375 17 101 — Fire and Rescue Service 10th century Like the rest of the world, Belarus has come a long way in 980AD Rogvold, Prince of Polotsk, controls a region that now the last decade when it comes to communications. Most 102 —Militia (Police) makes up part of northern Belarus. The first written record hotels now boast some kind of Internet connection and many 103 —Ambulance Service of the Belarusian state. cafés and bars around the city provide free wireless Internet connections. The postal system and telephones, including 104 — Gas Network Emergency Service 11th century mobile networks, work just fine. 1067 The first written record of Minsk (Менескъ) and the ac- cepted year of the founding of the city. Minsk rapidly develops into a major regional centre of trade. Post Central Post Office D-3, Nezavisimosti pr. 10 UPS C-4, Muzykalny per. 3 (Музыкальный пер.3), 12th century (просп. Независимости, 10), tel. (+375) 200 04 tel. (+375 17) 328 55 80, www.ups.com. QOpen 09:00 Belarus is incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. 06, www.belpost.by. Head straight through to the main - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. Isle of Tears hall in the back to send letters, buy postcards and make pho- 16th century tocopies. For telephone and telegraph services, head to the The foundation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Peregovorny Punkt in Hall 1, on the left (Open 07:00 - 23:00). Also Mobile phones (Rzeczpospolita Obojga Narodów) in 1569 effectively writes 1991 on the left is the Internet centre, where people queue to use 12 BelCel C-5, ul. Zolotaya Gorka 5 (ул. Золотая Belarus out of existence as a national entity. Independence is officially declared after the collapse of the terminals. QOpen 08:30 - 17:30, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 17:00. Горка, 5), tel. (+375 17) 282 00 18, [email protected], hard-line putsch in Moscow on August 25. On December 8 www.belcel.by. “Diallog” service providers. Also at Neza- 18th century the leaders of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine sign an agreement visimosti 18, Nezavisimosti 42, Lenina 4. QOpen 09:00 - Belarus is incorporated into the Russian Empire after the bringing into existence the Commonwealth of Independent Express mail 21:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. third partition of Poland in 1795. Minsk becomes a regional States (CIS). Minsk becomes the administrative centre. The DHL ul. Brestskaya 18 (Head Office) (ул. Брестская, capital. Soviet Union is officially disestablished on December 26. 18), tel. (+375 17) 278 11 08, www.dhl.by. Also they Life D-4, ul. Krasnoarmeyskaya 24 (ул. Красно- have express centres at Pobediteley 5, tel. 289 30 68, and армейская, 24), tel. (+375 17) 295 99 99. Tu r k i s h 19th century 1992 XXI Vek Business Centre, Nezavisimosti 169, tel. 228 73 60, - Belarusian GSM company. Also at Nezavisimosti 18, Pobe- Intensified Russification between 1840 and 1850 leads to Belarus introduces its own coupons to replace the Soviet both open 09:00 - 13:00, 14:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun; diteley 1, Yakuba Kolasa 35, National airport Minsk-2. Nicholas I banning the Belarusian language and outlawing rouble on May 20, leaving the rouble zone on June 1. and at Central Post Office, Nezavisimosti 10, tel. 227 25 33. the use of the word Belarusia/Belarus. The region becomes QOpen 08:00 - 19:00. Closed Sun. MTS Nezavisimosti pr. 95 (просп. Независимости, 95), known as the Northwestern Territory. 1994 tel. (+375 17) 237 98 98, [email protected], www.mts.by. On March 15 the Supreme Soviet adopts a new constitution. EMS D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 10 (просп. Независимости, Russian-Belarusian GSM company, operating in Belarus and 20th century In the first free presidential elections on June 23 Alexander 10), tel. (+375 17) 222 65 11/(+375 17) 227 85 12, covering a rather nice part of it. Also at Revoliutsionnaya In the wake of the signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk on Lukashenko is elected president, taking office officially on www.belpost.by. QOpen 08:30 - 17:30, Sat, Sun 10:00 24b, Kalvariyskaya 60, Nezavisimosti, 6, Karla Marksa, 26. March 3, 1918 the short-lived Belarusian People’s Republic July 20. - 17:00. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00. is declared three weeks later on March 25. By February 1919 Belarus finds itself in the middle of the Polish-Soviet War. 1995 FedEx (M&M Militzer & Münch) C-3, Pobediteley pr. Velcom C-3, ul. Melnikaite 14 (Head office) The obscure Lithuanian-Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic In a national referendum on May 14 over 75% of the elector- 19 (просп. Pobediteley, 19), tel. (+375 17) 226 99 09, (ул. Мельникайте, 14), tel. (+375 17) 222 49 01, survives for several months in Belarus and eastern Lithuania ate says Yes to Russian becoming an official state language [email protected], www.mum.by. QOpen 08:00 - [email protected], www.velcom.by. The first GSM provider before a Polish victory sees the country split in two after the alongside Belarusian and the return of the old Belarusian 20:00, Sat 08:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. in Belarus with a very informative website. The information Riga Peace Treaty of March 18, 1921. The western half Soviet insignia including the Soviet-looking flag without the number is 222 49 01 for all offices, or just 411 from mobiles. goes to the Poles and, in December 1922, the eastern half hammer and sickle. TNT C-6, ul. Platonova 10 (ул. Платонова, 10), tel. Also at Kalvariyskaya 4, Nezavisimosty 60, Nezavisimosty including Minsk becomes a founding member of the Soviet (+375 17) 294 80 00/(+375 17) 284 90 44, [email protected], 105, Partizansky 12, Varvasheni 73, Masherova 19, Internat- Union. The German invasion of the Soviet Union that starts 1996 www.tnt.by. TNT at Minsk-2 airport tel. 279 11 86. QOpen sionalnaya 3. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00. on June 22, 1941 in Belarus and that becomes the Great President Lukashenko and Boris Yeltsin sign a treaty calling 09:00 - 19:00. Closed Sun. Patriotic War leaves over 30% of the population dead and for a political union between Russia and Belarus on April 2. nine out of 10 buildings in the capital destroyed. The Minsk On May 24 Belarus and Russia sign a new unification deal Laptop login Ghetto holds some 100,000 Jews of whom nearly all perish ensuring freedom of the press and free activities for political Belarusian Telephone Codes Wireless during the Holocaust. On July 3, 1944 Minsk is liberated by parties. The treaty goes into effect on June 11, 1997. Several restaurants, cafés and bars around the city provide free the Red Army as it begins its slow advance on Berlin. Belarus Baranovichi (+375) 163 Myadel (+375) 1797 wireless internet services. Alternatively, there are a number of becomes a founding member of the United Nations in 1945. 2000 Bobruysk (+375) 225 Naroch (+375) 1797 paid services, among them one provided by Belarusian tele- In 1961 Lee Harvey Oswald, alleged assassin of US President On January 26 Belarus ratifies a treaty on the formation of coms provider, Beltelecom (cards available from any Beltelecom John F. Kennedy, lives in Minsk. At the 1972 Summer Olympics the Union State of Belarus and Russia Borisov (+375) 1777 Nesvizh (+375) 1770 outlet or post office) and another from byfly (www.byfly.by), in Munich, 17-year-old Olga Korbut from Grodno raises several Braslav (+375) 2153 Novogrudok (+375) 1597 the latter being extremely cheap and flexible. storms with her revolutionary gymnastic performances that 2001 Brest (+375) 162 Novopolotsk (+375) 214 Dialup see her winning a total of one silver and three gold medals. President Lukashenko is elected for a second term on The Belarusian telecoms provider Beltelecom also offers a Minsk is awarded the title of Hero City on June 16, 1974. A September 9. Gomel (+375) 232 Orsha (+375) 216 simple dialup service, useful when no other means of logging series of explosions and a resulting fire at reactor four at the Grodno (+375) 152 Pinsk (+375) 165 on is available. Using a scratch card system with several dif- Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the then Ukrainian Soviet 2006 Kobrin (+375) 1642 Polotsk (+375) 214 ferent time limits, cards can be bought from any Beltelecom Socialist Republic send a plume of radioactive smoke into the President Lukashenko is elected for a third term on March outlet, Belsoyuzpechat kiosk or post office in the city. atmosphere on April 26, 1986. The worst nuclear accident 19. The new Belarusian National Library building opens its Lida (+375) 1561 Shklov (+375) 2239 ever sees Belarus receive 70% of the radioactivity. doors to the public on June 16. Minsk (+375) 17 Slonim (+375) 1562 Telephone Miory (+375) 2152 Soligorsk (+375) 17 2010 Beltelecom D-4, ul. Engelsa 6, (ул. Энгельса, 6), Independence & Beyond President Lukashenko is elected for a fourth term on Decem- Mogilev (+375) 222 Vitebsk (+375) 212 tel. (+375 17) 217 10 05, www.beltelecom.by. National ber 19. On December 21 the Belarusian Parliament ratifies Molodechno (+375) 176 Zhlobin (+375) 2334 telecoms provider Beltelecom are the people to contact if 1990 documents forming the legal basis for a single economic Mozyr (+375) 2351 Zhodino (+375) 1775 you need a telephone line. They also provide a number of National sovereignty is declared on July 27. area comprising Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia. Internet services.

MinskMinsk InIn YourYour PPocketocket minsk.inyourpocket.com minsk.inyourpocket.com Vol. 1, 2013 12 CULTURE & EVENTS CULTURE & EVENTS 13

Much more than screaming cocktail bars, nostalgic Soviet Opera & Ballet Minsk State Circus 327 17 96. Gallery of Modern Art and young talents’creative sights and girls in miniskirts, Minsk is also remarkably well workshop. QOpen 10.00 - 19.00. Closed Sun. endowed in the culture department. Concerts are of an Belarusian Na- D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 32 (просп. Независимости, exceptionally high quality and cost next to nothing to attend, tional Opera & 32, tеl. (+375 17) 327 88 23 cinemas screen everything from underground classics to Ballet Theatre The origins of the Minsk Theatres the latest Hollywood blockbuster and there’s a number of (Национальный State Circus date to 1930 Belarusian Republican Young Spectator Theatre very good galleries around too. If you’re in town and you академический and the construction of a (Белорусский Республиканский театр юного need a dose of serious culture, you won’t be disappointed. Большой театр tent in what’s now Gorky зрителя) D-4, ul. Engelsa 26 (ул. Энгельса, 26), tel. Also check the Sightseeing section of this guide for more оперы и балета) Park. Today’s building (+375 17) 327 09 34, www.beltuz.by. With its origins in museums and galleries. C-4, Parizhskoy took four years to com- the early 1930s, this recommended theatre gives a space Kommuny pl. 1 plete and was opened to young writers and performers. (пл. Парижской Коммуны, 1), tel. (+375 17) to the public on February Cinemas 334 10 41, www.belarusopera.by. The Belarusian 11, 1959. Completely Belarusian State Puppet Theatre (Белорусский Autocinema (Авто кинотеатр) ul. Menkovsky Opera & Ballet Theatre began performances in 1933 renovated in 2010, the circus now also boasts a hotel государственный театр кукол) D-4, ul. Engelsa 20 Tract 2, Ozertso (ул. Меньковский тракт, 2, Озерцо). although this building dates from considerably later. The for visiting performers and a museum. (ул. Энгельса, 20), MKupalovskaya (Купаловская), The only drive-in cinema in Minsk, complete with a 144 repertoire is extensive and includes many classics. tel. (+375 17) 327 05 32. A marvellous institution staging square-meter screen. performances of all kinds for children and adults alike. Рокоссовского, 49), tel. (+375 17) 291 16 76. In one of the the Belarus (Беларусь) C-3, ul. Romanovskaya Sloboda www.palace.by. A wide range of concerts and performances. two Art Gallery halls there are changeable art exhibitions, in the Yanka Kupala National Academic Theatre 28 (ул. Романовская Слобода, 29), MFrunzenskaya Other facilities include cafés, bars, billiards and a restaurant other hall – the constant exhibition of People’s Artist of Belarus (Национальный академический театр (Фрунзенская), tel. (+375 17) 209 40 34. Minsk’s first that puts on shows during the evenings. Q JLK – Leonid Shchemelev. QOpen Tue – Sat 11:00 - 19:00. им. Янки Купалы) D-4, ul. Engelsa 7 (ул. Энгельса, 7), multiplex. Five halls. MKupalovskaya (Купаловская), tel. (+375 17) Kontseptsiya (Концепция) D-4, ul. Karla Marxa 327 60 81. An established theatre company staging classics Moskva (Москва) С-3, Pobediteley pr. 13 (просп. Cultural centres 20/9, (ул. Карла Маркса, 20/9), tel. (+375 17) from home and abroad. Language: Belarusian. Победителей, 13), tel. (+375 17) 203 14 48. Goethe Institut Minsk (Институт имени Гете в Минске) B-4, ul. Very Khoruzhey 25/3 (ул. Веры Oktyabr (Октябрь) B-6, Nezavisimosti pr. 73 (просп. Хоружей, 25/3), (+375 17) 237 71 19, (+375 17) National Art Museum Независимости, 73), MAkademiya Nauk (Академия 237 46 79, www.goethe.de/minsk. In Belarus since 1993, Наук), tel. (+375 17) 292 94 26. the Goethe Institut in Minsk offers the same educational and D-4, ul. Lenina 20 (ул. Ленина, 20), MOktyabrskaya ran operations for 33 years from 1944 until her retirement. cultural services they do in cities all over the world. QOpen (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 17) 328 68 44/(+375 17) After the war the museum moved from home to home as Pobeda (Победа) D-4, ul. Internatsionalnaya 20 09.00 - 21.00. 327 71 63, www.artmuseum.by. the collection slowly grew. Greatly extended in 2006 and (ул. Интернациональная, 20), tel. (+375 17) 203 77 66. Minsk’s fabulous National Art Museum, or the National possessing over 30,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, One of the city’s oldest surviving cinemas specialising in seri- Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus to give it its full porcelain and other works of art in total in its contemporary ous cinema. Seasons include screenings of works by interna- Galleries title, holds the largest single collection of Belarusian and collection, the museum’s current home dates from 1957 tional directors as well as films from one specific country. Art Gallery “Belart” (Художественная галерея international art in the country and is a must-see sight for and was designed by the Belarusian architect Mikhail Bak- Беларт) C-4, ul. K.Marksa 4 (ул. К.Маркса, 4), anyone visiting the city. Holding individual collections of lanov (1914-1990). The museum manages to exhibit only a Tsentralny (Центральный) D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 13 MPloschad Lenina (Площадь Ленина), tel. (+375 17) Belarusian Art from the 12th to the 20th Century, Russian small fraction of its entire collection, none of it the work of a (просп. Независимости, 13), tel. (+375 17) 200 34 16. 327 61 24, http://bel-art.by, [email protected]. A It’s worth Art from the 18th to the 20th Century, Western European household name in the West (the absence of Marc Chagall paying a visit to the centrally-located art gallery “BELART”, obvi- Art from the 16th to the 20th Century and Oriental Art from continues to cause mild embarrassment for a few, but the ously one of the best art galleries opened in the city in the mid the 15th to the 20th Century, the museum’s origins date museum really isn’t any worse off without him), although Concert halls 1990s through the effort of the Belarusian Union of Artists. The back to before the war and a Resolution of the Council of much of it truly outstanding all the same. Belarusian State Music Theatre (Белорусский gallery features well-known masters whom you’ll find familiar People’s Commissars of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Notable among the many great works on display are several государственный академический музыкаль- from your visits to large museums and private collections in Republic, passed on January 24, 1939, its official founding landscapes by the French painter Huber Robert (1733-1808), ный театр) D-3, ul. Myasnikova 44 (ул. Мясникова, Belarus and worldwide. The gallery also offers traditional Be- date. Starting life in the humble surroundings of Minsk’s some truly exquisite Chinese woodcarvings and Japanese 44), tel. (+375 17) 200 81 26. Established in 1970, the larusian handicraft. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. Upper Communist Agricultural School, by 1941 the mu- ceramics, one or two outstanding pieces by the Jewish- extensive repertoire includes operettas, musicals, comic opera seum’s collection numbered 2,711 works of art, most of Belarusian artist and Chagall’s teacher Yehuda (Yuri) Pen and more from home and abroad. Galereya Mastatstva (Мастацтва Галерея) D-3, them donated by galleries in cities in Russia and Belarus. (1854-1937) and a particular favourite, Mikhail Savitski’s Nezavisimosti pr. 12 (просп. Независимости, 12), The coming of the Great Patriotic War however saw the (1922-2010) extraordinary painting, Partisan Madonna, Belarusian State Philharmonic (Белорусская MPloschad Lenina (Площадь Ленина), tel. (+375 collection looted by the occupying Nazis and spread far dating from 1967. Even the least cultured visitor with only a государственная филармония) B-5, Nezavisi- 17) 327 83 63. A range of art and artsy souvenirs. QOpen and wide, with not one item remaining and almost nothing passing interest in art should give the museum at least an mosti pr. 50 (просп. Независимости, 50), MPloschad 10:00 - 20:00, Sat 10:00 - 19:00. Closed Sun. A recovered at the end of hostilities. hour. More serious connoisseurs might like to give up half a Yakuba Kolasa (Площадь Якуба Коласа), tel. (+375 Starting from new, like the city in which it was housed, the day or so to the work on display. A floor plan of the 19 halls 17) 333 16 17. Comprising three separate concert halls, Modern Arts Gallery Y (Галерея современного collection was rebuilt from scratch with the notable work that make up the entire exhibition can be purchased inside the Belarusian State Philharmonic hosts international festivals искусства Ў) C-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 37a (просп. of the museum’s Director, Elena Aladova (1907-1986) who the museum. QOpen 11:00 - 19:00. Closed Tues. and contests alongside its own repertoire. Независимости, 37а), tel. (+375 17) 284 53 99. A small space inside the same building as the former Moloko Minsk-Arena (Минск-Арена) Pobediteley pr. 111 bar, exhibitions are temporary and very contemporary. De- (просп. Победителей, 111), tel. (+375 17) 254 77 36. spite the address, find this place hidden away through a gap When it’s not putting on major sporting events the 15,000- in the buildings well away from the main street. capacity Minsk-Arena hosts live music concerts. Verkhny Gorod (Верхний город) C-4, Svobody pl. Minsk Concert Hall (Концертный зал Минск) 5 (пл. Свободы, 5), tel. (+375 17) 203 45 47. The E-4, ul. Oktyabrskaya 5 (ул. Октябрьская, 5), tel. "Upper Town" Gallery exhibition – paintings and sculptures (+375 17) 328 66 38. A large, 1,300-seater for mostly pop by modern Belarusian artists. Q Open 10:00 - 19:00, Sat and rock music concerts. 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun.

Palace of the Republic (Дворец Республики) City Art Gallery of L. Shemelev’s Artworks (Город- D-4, Oktyabrskaya pl. 1 (Октябрьская пл., 1), MOk- ская художественная галерея произведений tyabrskaya (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 17) 216 22 44, Л. Щемелева) Rokossovskogo pr., 49 (просп.

Minsk In Your Pocket minsk.inyourpocket.com minskminsk.inyourpocket.com inyourpocket com Vol.Vol 11, 2013 14 A WALK TO REMEMBER A WALK TO REMEMBER 15

A walk to remember: Through the heart of the city Part two. Moving further east along Nezavisimosti Avenue in the direc- tion and crossing it at a right angle is Yanka Kupala Street. Here is the recently renovated building of the Belarusian State Circus. Construction on the building (V. Zhukov) started October 30, 1954 after the former circus building was burned to the ground during a bombing raid at the start of the war. Completed in 1958, the new circus was officially opened on February 11, 1959. At the time it was the largest and most beautiful Circus in the Soviet Union. Opposite the circus across the avenue is Yanka Kupala Park. Here the beauty of the avenue, with the combina- tion of open spaces and monumental buildings, is quite Fountain Venok (Wreath) in the park named after vivid. In the right corner of the park at the entrance from Yanka Kupala Nezavisimosti Avenue is a monument to the national Victory Square poet Yanka Kupala (1882-1942). Nearby is a Fountain complex canlled Venok (wreath, or garland) featuring subsequent renovation work. Here the avenue crosses the female sculptures and the work of A. Anikeychik. According river Svisloch on a bridge designed by M. Parusnikov and only possible to make out the fine details of the rotunda, A. Bembel, A. Glebov, S. Selikhanov). The architectural to local folklore when he showed the model for the fountain G. Badanov. There are some beautiful views of the river but, also, three people sitting under its arches and clearly ensemble of the square began to take shape before the each individual Commission of experts he needed to get and embankment. On the right of the bridge is the greenery sharing a bottle of something. Attempts to airbrush out the war. In 1938 they started construction of two arc-shaped approval from forced him to reduce the girls' 'size' as they of Gorky Park, the former City Governor's garden. On the bottle resulted in complete disappointment as the picture houses, which are crowned now with the huge letters forming were simply too 'sexy'. Good news for Anikeychik in the left is a story described by a collector of stories about now showed three persons striking a most unusual pose. the slogan 'The Heroic Dead of the People are Immortal'. end as when the project was finally completed he was left Minsk M. Volodin. Finally, the whole print run was shredded, the Art Director Now in its centre is a 38-metre obelisk, topped with the with several hundred kilos of plasticine. The fountain has On the riverbank, at the foot of Belarusian Military fired and the offending photographer unable to find work. Order of Victory and dedicated to the soldiers and partisans become one of the most popular meeting places in the city headquarters building, there’s a stone rotunda. Like many Surviving copies of the book are now considered a real rarity who fell in battle against the Nazis. The opening of the monu- for young lovers. other Stalin-era buildings in the city the rotunda bears the and something of a collectors' item. ment took place in 1954 and was dedicated to the 10th Cross the square and moving from the avenue is the also distinctive mark of antiquity. In 1981 Belarusian Communists Moving up the avenue soon reveals one of the main land- anniversary of the liberation of Belarus. The four sides of recently renovated Opera House (I. Langbard, 1936). After celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Party. One of the marks in the city, Victory Square, or as it was known before the obelisk pedestal are decorated with bronze high reliefs, significant war damage the building was rebuilt in 1948. A points of the programme of celebrations was the publication the construction of the monument in 1954 as is stilled namely May 9, 1945, The Soviet Army during World War II, local version of the Phantom of the Opera legend says a of the colourful album with views of the capital. It was only occasionally referred to nowadays, Round Square. The Partisans of Belarus and Glory to the Fallen Heroes. German soldier stayed in the basement after the occupiers after 50,000 albums were printed on the best imported surrounding Socialist Realist buildings create a magnificent Moving further in the direction of the National Library of abandoned the city, living on a diet of rats and condensa- glossy paper that somebody noticed something was wrong. ensemble, while the main focus and attraction is the Victory Belarus, the next square is named in honour of the writer tion. His mummified body was allegedly found there during In one particular photograph of the panorama it was not Monument in the centre (G. Zaborsky, V. Korol, Z. Azgur, and poet Yakub Kolas (1882-1956) and is located on the

Belarusian National Opera and Ballet Theatre Embankment of the river Svisloch

Minsk In Your Pocket minsk.inyourpocket.com minsk.inyourpocket.com Vol. 1, 2013 16 A WALK TO REMEMBER WHERE TO STAY 17

Accommodation is usually the biggest expense in what’s Symbol key otherwise a relatively good value city. Luckily things are changing, and if you shop around a bit you can often find a P Air conditioning A Credit cards accepted reasonable deal on a decent room. The cheaper places tend O H to be out of the centre, although taxis remain cheap. Almost Casino Conference facilities without exception, Minsk’s hotels are state run. Registration T Child friendly U Facilities for the disabled is included in the price of the room. F Fitness centre L Guarded parking Cream of the crop R LAN connection G Non-smoking rooms K J Crowne Plaza Minsk (Краун Плаза Минск) Restaurant Central location M D-4, ul. Kirova 13 (ул. Кирова, 13), Ploschad D Sauna C Swimming pool Lenina (Площадь Ленина), tel. (+375 17) 218 34 I W 00, fax (+375 17) 200 80 60, www.cpminsk.com. Fireplace Wireless Internet access Minsk’s first international chain hotel sets new standards X Smoking section which will have some of its rivals seething with envy. The two-floor Presidential Suite, with its private lift and sauna, is the last word in luxury and will no doubt put up many style. The level of service is excellent, while the impressive a visiting head of state and megalomaniacal pop star. facilities include a well equipped fitness centre and swim- Standard rooms are also well furnished and equipped and ming pool, business centre, underground parking and five come quite reasonably priced by Western standards. The bars in which to unwind. The Europe also boasts some of Crowne Plaza’s convenient central location and outstand- the best views to be had in Minsk. Q 67 rooms: 13 singles ing facilities, which include a swimming pool, fitness centre, €265, 11 doubles €310, 7 twins €353, 25 deluxe rooms spa, business centre, fine dining restaurant Dolce Vita and €465, 9 suites €526, 1 apartment €588, 1 presedential glitzy nightclub, should ensure it’s regularly booked out. suite €1150. PJHAFLKCWhhhhh Q POJHAFLKCWhhhhh President Hotel (Президент Отель) D-4, ul. Engelsa Europe (Европа) D-4, ul. Internatsionalnaya 13 (ул. Энгельса, 13). A substantial addition to Minsk’s five- 28 (ул. Интернациональная, 28), MOktyabrs- star hotels: the city has seen the chocolate-milk complex of Yakub Kolas square kaya (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 17) 229 83 39, President Hotel opened at the place of the former Oktiabrskaya fax (+375 17) 229 83 34, [email protected], Hotel, built back in 1980 for the participants of the Moscow site of the historic village of Komarovka after which the all the work of Z. Azgur, architects Y. Gradov, G. Zaborsky www.hoteleurope.by. The superbly located five-star Eu- Olympics. The new hotel can rightly claim to be the flagship of nearby Komarovsky Market gets its name. Covering some and L. Levin. rope is one of Minsk’s finest hotels. The lovely, atrium-like all Minsk hotels, offering its guests a refined service against the two hectares of space, the square features apartment As has already been pointed out, the epic post-war reconstruc- lobby includes a towering painting of Minsk in a quasi-historic luxurious interiors. The complex includes decorated with onyx, buildings dating from 1960 with the Stolichny grocery tion of Minsk was the direct consequence of Stalin's vision to store, the largest of its kind in the country when it was build a gateway to his vast and glorious empire, a prelude to opened, occupying one of them at ground level. In 1963 the all the good things to come 700km to the east in Moscow. But ensemble of buildings neared completion with the opening like so many of Stalin's megalomaniacal dreams, things didn't of the Belarusian State Philharmonic (G. Benedict), quite go to plan. Instead of acting as an architectural overture, and, finally, in 1964, TSUM, the Central Department the sheer and overwhelmingly bombastic appearance of the Store, also the largest department store of its kind in the Socialist Realist buildings made Moscow rather tame in com- country at the time. parison. Also, despite Moscow's clutch of awesome Socialist The monument in the centre of the square featuring Kolas Realist architecture, the city also possessed many other and several heroes from his collected writing dates from buildings from its past, thus diluting the overall effect. If there 1972 and was commissioned to coincide with the 90th an- was ever a city that represented Stalin's vision of Paradise on niversary of his birth. Nearby are a small park and fountains, Earth, Minsk must surely claim the title.

The building of the National Olympic Committee (Olympus sports complex) and Department Store "Minsk"

Minsk In Your Pocket minsk.inyourpocket.com minsk.inyourpocket.com Vol. 1, 2013 18 WHERE TO STAY WHERE TO STAY 19

Q granite and marble restaurants and conference facilities, an Hostels 18 rooms (2 singles €46, 14 doubles €66-82, 2 suites amphitheater for 600 seats, a SPA-center and a beauty salon, €119). PAULGKDXWhhh a swimming pool and two underground parking facilities. Q The number of rooms comes up to 154, covering a total of 12 Hostel «VIVA» (Хостел «ВИВА») ul. Zhu- Yubileynaya (Юбилейная) С-3, Pobediteley pr. 19 650 sq. m. and ranging from a standard 32 sq. m. single room kovskogo 4 (ул. Жуковского, 4), MInstitut (просп. Победителей, 19), tel. (+375 17) 226 90 24, at USD 340 up to the 500 sq. m. Presidential Suite with its own Kultury (Институт Культуры), tel. (+375 33) fax (+375 17) 226 91 71. Currently undergoing renova- bar, a swimming pool and a private elevator, worth USD 2 400 627 11 33, [email protected], www.hostelviva. tion work on a couple of floors, everything is comfortable per day. POJHAFKCWhhhhh by. Another great hostel in Minsk! “VIVA” is a brand new and the hotel comes with a good range of services. It’s a hostel designed to meet the requirements of advanced good compromise between not-very-central location and contemporary travelers interested in both savings and not-very-expensive price. Tattoos and other professional comfortable accommodation. Located right in the centre services available in the lobby. Q 230 rooms (119 singles Upmarket of Minsk it boasts of well equipped rooms for 4 and 6 US$59-92, 83 doubles US$79-118, 19 suites US$153- Minsk( Минск) D-3, Nezavisimosti pr. 11 persons supplied with irons, hair dryers, fridges, micro- 243). OJHALKhhh (просп. Независимости, 11), MPloschad Lenina waves, kettles and crockery and what not. They have (Площадь Ленина), tel. (+375 17) 209 90 78, Wi-Fi Internet here, TV-sets in every room, X-Boxes and fax (+375 17) 209 91 11, [email protected], board games to keep you busy and they also rent out Motels www.hotelminsk.by. Are we still in Minsk? This grand bicycles if you are in a sporting mood. To complete the KADM (КАДМ) ul. Uborevicha 128/2 (ул. Уборевича, hotel with stylish subdued marble in the foyer and classy Garni (Гарни) В-4, ul. Internatsionalnaya 11 (ул. Ин- picture, “VIVA” is located in the close proximity to the 128/2), tel. (+375 44) 757 75 57. The recently opened coffee-and-cream decor in all the rooms could have you тернациональная, 11), MNemiga (Немига), tel. (+375 metro station which will make you feel right in the middle mini-hotel Kadm is one of the budget-line hotels which believing that you are in any western city. Until you step out 17) 229 76 00. The new hotel Garni in the historic city centre of Minsk’s urban life! QOpen 24 hours. ALW Minsk so obviously falls short of. Housed in a modern five- the door. Some rooms have views of the adjacent Indepen- is setting a new standard of comfort and service to the city’s story building, it offers 27 comfortable rooms, ranging from dence Square, but all have satellite television, minibar, air three-star hotels. It is fully restored to recreate the original economy class to spacious semi-suites. The rooms come conditioning and nice firm beds. The ‘superior’ rooms are exterior of Machiz, a 19th century hotel that belonged to a with double beds and orthopedic mattresses, upholstered worth considering for having even larger beds. Other facili- merchant, Soutin. The name Garni is also historic and comes century, the staff are at least very friendly and most of them furniture, LCD TVs and free wi-fi. The hotel benefits from its ties include a fitness and sauna centre (weights, cardio, from one of Minsk hotels located nearby. The designers did now speak good English. The rooms come in a number of location in a rapidly developing part of Minsk with excellent green bubbling vat and both Turkish and Finnish style sau- their best to convey the spirit of the epoch: interior decora- different classes to suit all tastes and pockets, with the infrastructure: not far you’ll find a hypermarket, a mini- nas), business centre and a helpful English-speaking guest tion, furniture made to order, old pictures of the city streets ones high up in the building boasting beautiful views of the market, the city’s zoo and dolphinarium, the Chizhovskoie relations person who will help you with just about anything. and stained glass windows with views of the city's sights all river and city spread out below. Wireless Internet is available reservoir, and a major sports and entertainment complex, Breakfast included, and it’s edible. Q 252 rooms (singles recreate the atmosphere of the late 19th century. Garni can throughout the building and the breakfast, served inside a the Chizhovka Arena, presently under construction. Despite US$183, doubles US$209-255, triples US$432, suites boast of well-trained and qualified personnel who speak foreign gorgeous room complete with brightly coloured Socialist its young age, the mini-hotel can boast of having won regular US$300-1120). JHARFLGKDhhhh languages, the latter still being uncommon for Minsk. It has a Realist ceramic art, is ample. Recommended. Q306 rooms customers and a good reputation among the guests ofvisi- nice restaurant, a fully equipped business center, dry cleaning, (306 Total rooms ). OHAFLKDChhh tors to the capital. Victoria (Виктория) B-2, Pobediteley pr. 59 Wi-Fi and other small pleasures of modern civilization. All taken (просп. Победителей, 59), tel. (+375 17) 204 88 44, in, Garni is a pleasant addition to Minsk’s hotels, one of the best Sputnik (Спутник) ul. Brilevskaya 2 (ул. Брилевс- fax (+375 17) 204 88 33. It might only have opened in the options in terms of price/quality relationship. Q 50 rooms: кая, 2), tel. (+375 17) 220 36 19. Judging by the Apartments 21st century but it proudly glistens with exciting, late-60’s double rooms and suites. OHAFLKDChhh lobby, some remodelling may have been done in the VIP-KVARTIRA.BY ul. Leningradskaya 5/6 décor. Very time-trippy, but also very opulent. You’ll be happy last five years, and the place seems to be popular with (ул. Ленинградская, 5/6), MPloschad Lenina with flat-screen televisions, minibar, brand-spanking new Juravinka (Журавинка) C-4, ul. Yanki Kupaly 25 budget tourists from Russia. Q 162 rooms (singles US$ (Площадь Ленина), tel. (+375 29) 111 22 22/ furniture and swish bathrooms. Q 169 rooms (115 singles (ул. Янки Купалы, 25), tel. (+375 17) 328 69 00, 66 - 128, doubles US$ 94 - 125, suite rooms US$160). (+375 29) 554 54 54, fax (+375 17) 200 76 46, US$145-165, 45 doubles US$185, 8 suites US$225-570). fax (+375 17) 327 55 42, [email protected], ADhhh [email protected], www.vip-kvartira.by. PHAFLGKDCWhhhh www.juravinka.by. Spoiled, decadent Westerners welcome! Many of those who come to visit the Belarusian capital For luxury and comfort, this small but smart central hotel at- Tourist (Турист) Partizansky pr. 81 (просп. Парти- prefer to stay in apartments which are specially designed tached to the Juravinka business and recreation complex is a занский, 81), MPartizanskaya (Партизанская), tel. for a short-term rent and provide services similar to those Mid-range tough one to beat. Its single and double rooms are comfortable (+375 17) 295 40 31, fax (+375 17) 295 44 94. Not of a hotel. The choice of apartments for rent is wide by far, 40 Let Pobedy (40 лет Победы) D-5, ul. Azgura 3 affairs, and even come with adjustable climate control. If you’ve too far from the city centre in Minsk’s south-eastern sub- the number of rooms ranges from one to four, the kitchens (ул. Азгура, 3), MPloschad Pobedy (Площадь got money to burn you can dip into the realm of the surreal by urbs, Tourist fuses timeless Soviet style and modernity to are well-equipped, the decoration is always at the high level; Победы), tel. (+375 17) 294 79 63. Tucked away in a booking the Presidential Suite, which has its own glass-covered create an entirely unique effect. Offering excellent value for besides, the apartments with exclusive interior design are quiet housing district not far from the centre it’s quite easy swimming pool. Q 18 rooms (13 singles US$190, 4 doubles money in a city where finding a room for a good price isn’t always available, the location of apartments caters for all to mistake 40 Let Pobedy for just another tower block, es- US$270, 1 suite US$1200). PJAFLKhhh easy, the rooms are clean and comfortable with communal tastes, you can always find an apartment in the city centre. pecially after dark. The fact that they have over 100 rooms, extras galore including a massive restaurant that serves a What’s more, «VIP-KVARTIRA.BY» will register a foreign visitor all recently renovated and brought up to a good standard, Orbita (Орбита) C-1, Pushkina pr. 39 (просп. not inedible buffet breakfast and a bar complete with two at the visa and registration office free of charge (!), will arrange means you’re quite likely to get one. Everything is clean and Пушкина, 39), MPushkinskaya (Пушкинская), pool tables and six more for Russian billiards. Wireless a transfer if necessary, will provide an interpreter, any informa- all rooms have en suite facilities. Ask for one at the back, tel. (+375 17) 252 39 33/(+375 17) 257 14 20. internet needs to be paid for, but the price is so cheap it’s tion needed, and all the documents for reports and accounts as the view over the small park is far superior to that of the It’s a bit trippy and will require a journey on the Metro to almost free anyway. Good public transport connections as proof of your stay in Minsk. The list of mandatory services road at the front of the building. Q 50 rooms (20 singles get there, but it offers a range of rooms from fair-value, too. Definitely one worth considering. Q Single Standard also includes cleaning and changing linen every three days (or US$75, 30 doubles US$120). PJAKhhh clean and tidy basic business rooms to the most ex- - €40-51, Double Standard - €55-73, Triple Standard - €67, you can ask for daily cleaning), the high speed Internet (Wi-Fi), pensive hotel room in the country with its own gym and Single Half Suite - €43-57, Double Half Suite - €75-92. cable and satellite TV, check-in with the express delivery of the IBB Gazety Pravda pr. 11 (просп. Газеты Правда, sauna. There’s also a sauna and conference facilities for OALGKXWhhh keys to the apartment. The apartment from «VIP-KVARTIRA. 11), tel. (+375 17) 270 39 94, fax (+375 17) up to 50 persons. Q200 rooms (41 singles US$76-91, BY» – the house in which you are the master. 270 39 95. As if to demonstrate that Germany has more 140 doubles US$85-137, 24 suites US$190-200, 2 apart- U Fontana (У Фонтана) C-2, ul. Amuratorskaya 4 to offer than BMWs with blacked-out windows, the German ments US$500). OHALKChhh (ул. Амураторская, 4), tel. (+375 17) 203 58 18/ Apartment Rental Service C-5, Nezavisimosti pr. Association for International Education and Exchange set up (+375 17) 203 14 00, fax (+375 17) 203 14 74. At 40 (просп. Независимости, 40), MPloschad Pobedy this marvellous hotel and conference centre. The rooms are Planeta (Планета) С-3, Pobediteley pr. 31 (просп. last, a healthy refuge in this vodka and potato pancake (Площадь Победы), tel. (+375 29) 655 05 88, eu- clean, bright and somehow both stylish and austere, with Победителей, 31), tel. (+375 17) 226 78 55/ culture. Opened in 2005, this tiny hotel attached to a [email protected], www.eurokvartira.narod.ru/ a few having a very modern-art-minimalist theme to them. (+375 17) 203 85 87, fax (+375 17) 226 77 80, fitness centre is perfect for aerobics bunnies and muscle- english.html. They have a good choice of centrally located It can feel a bit 1980s, but that’s futuristic in Minsk. The [email protected], www.hotelplaneta.by. An heads. It even has its own ‘sports restaurant’. That said, apartments for rent, fully furnished and equipped with all attached Westfalia restaurant is a big plus, but the sleeping absolutely marvellous hotel featuring the very best in what even a slob with a beer gut or an In Your Pocket editor is appliances you might need for a comfortable stay. They also district location isn’t. Q 35 rooms (singles US$79, doubles most hotels behind the former Iron Curtain gave up years welcome here, and will definitely appreciate the sparkling, provide visa support, registration, airport transfer and custom US $109). HAUKDhhh ago. Still slightly struggling to come to terms with the 21st high-quality rooms, relatively central location and spa bath. tours around Minsk and Belarus.

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Eating out in Minsk continues to improve on an almost daily Symbol key Победы), tel. (+375 17) 284 75 41/(+375 29) basis. There’s still a handful of places that fail to impress with 304 86 22. Opposite the apartment where Lee Harvey either food or service, but these are thankfully few and far be- P Air conditioning A Credit cards accepted Oswald used to live, this delightfully wicked, wacky and tween. If it’s awful, we generally don’t write about it. Likewise, E S ropey little restaurant and bar is a very cool hang-out with a the diversity of cuisine in Minsk is far from all-encompasing, Live music Ta k e a wa y mad medieval theme. There’s rope, wrought iron, sackcloth with what international food there is thankfully getting better T Child friendly U Facilities for the disabled and wood everywhere, and a jaunty knight in jangly armour all the time. Be aware that many restaurants list garnishes watches over it all. The crowd is young and hip and the place G Non-smoking W Wireless Internet access such as French fries, vegetables, rice and, butter and tomato is so groovy that no one cares that the food is a bitQ basic. ketchup as separate items. X Smoking place B Outside seating It’s a great venue for a pre-club snack and chat. Open I J 009:00 - 24:00, Fri 09:00 - 02:00, Sat 12:00 - 02:00, Sun Belarusian Fireplace Old town location 12:00 - 24:00. PAIGBXS There are essentially two types of Belarusian restaurant in Starovilenskaya Korchma (Старовиленская Belarus. The first and most obvious variety features pigtailed weekends see a number of live events taking place includ- корчма) C-4, ul. Starovilenskaya 2 (ул. Старовилен- waitresses in national dress serving plates of potatoes and ing music on Fridays and traditional dancing on Sundays. ская, 2), MNemiga (Немига), tel. (+375 17) 335 45 02/ beetroot soup in an atmosphere reminiscent of an old barn. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00. PTAUIVEXS (+375 44) 775 45 02. The barman evidently learned cus- The second is less easy to pin down, and is perhaps best tomer relations from a Siberian camp guard, but if you man- described as a restaurant or café serving predominantly Kuchmistr (Кухмистр) D-4, ul. Karla Marxa age to overlook this minor inconvenience this can be a very but not exclusively Belarusian favourites in an atmosphere 40 (ул. Карла Маркса, 40), tеl. (+375 17) pleasant place to eat. The interior of the restored house on you won’t find anywhere other than in Belarus. Rather than 327 48 48, www.kuxmistr.relax.by. Absolutely one of the the edge of Trinity is a nice enough venue, although the place insult the best intentions of the good restaurant owners of best restaurants we’ve experienced in Minsk, Kuchmistr serves really comes into its own during the warmer part of the year Minsk and call the former of the two Folk restaurants, we an excellent selection of regional dishes that nudge peasant when visitors flock to sit out by the river and enjoy the mag- choose to list both types of restaurant together. food into the arena of gourmet cuisine. Our last meal here saw nificent view. QOpen 09:00 - 24:00. AIEBXS five of us tucking into a range of treats, of which none failed Kamyanitsa (Камянiца) D-5, ul. Pervomayskaya 18 to impress entirely. The surroundings are swish, the service Stary Gorod (Старый город) С-4, ul. Maxima (ул. Первомайская, 18), tel. (+375 17) 294 51 24/ is friendly and there’s a strict no-smoking policy which plenty Bogdanovicha 19 (ул. Максима Богдановича, 19), (+375 17) 285 39 47, www.kamyanitsa.by. Recreating of visitors will no doubt enjoy in a city where smoking in public MNemiga (Немига), tel. (+375 17) 286 05 08. It’s safe the time when Belarus formed part of the Grand Duchy of is practically enforced. Don’t forget to have a glass of vodka to assume that any restaurant set in Minsk’s recreated old Lithuania, this fine little restaurant churns out classic dishes flavoured with horseradish while you’re waiting. Excellent loca- town has a certain tourist orientation, but Stary Gorod isn’t from days gone by with a heavy emphasis on roasted, grilled tion too. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. PTAEGBW one to write off. The classics of national cuisine arrive at your and stewed meat. The staff dress in authentic costumes table on a hot griddle, and most are sanely priced. Dine on and the menu is held inside a large leather wallet. If you’re Megapolis (Мегаполис) Nezavisimosti pr. 116 the relaxing back terrace during the summer or check out not starving, do at least try one of their recommended (просп. Независимости, 116), MVostok (Восток), seating in the funky cellar. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat soups or indulge in a glass or two of the local firewater. The tel. (+375 17) 266 39 53/(+375 29) 664 35 96, 12:00 - 02:00. PJUNBXS fax (+375 17) 266 39 41. A modern take on an old Soviet theme, the National Library’s in-house restaurant, as one Staraya Melnitsa (Старая Мельница) B-6, Neza- Chelyuskintsev (Парк Челюскинцев), tel. (+375 17) would perhaps expect, specialises in national dishes. The visimosti pr. 78 (просп. Независимости, 78), MPark 280 28 72. A perfectly adequate although by no means translated menu tempts diners with a beguiling list of dishes special place to eat hearty local snacks for a good price, including The Tongue Baked Under Souse and (a particular thet Old Mill also features a small outdoor terraceQ for some favourite) Smoky Sturgeon Kegs From A Cucumber. Whatever Buffet express excellente people-watching opportunities. Open 11:00 - you choose to eat, expect it to be accompanied by live cabaret 001:00. PUNBX music and the occasional bit of dancing during the weekends. If you’ve just read the entire restaurant chapter of this guide Megapolis also offers an excellent value weekday lunch menu. and you still haven’t been served, stay calm, collect your TalakaT (Талака) С-3, ul. Rakovskaya 18 (ул. Раковс- QOpen 12:00 - 23:00, Mon 12:00 - 18:00. PAE belongings and pop into a place where the food is served ккая, 18), MNemiga (Немига), tel./fax (+375 17) piping hot and straight from metal containers. 2203 27 94, tel. (+375 29) 637 03 80. An eclectic cellar Mirsky Zamok (Мирский Замок) D-3, ul. Gorodskoy rrestaurant with a hunting theme (stuffed rabbits are among Val 9 (ул. Городской Вал, 9), MNemiga (Немига), tel. Lido (Лидо) B-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 49/1 (просп. iits décor victims), Talaka is one to seek out for its magnificent (+375 17) 328 69 38/(+375 29) 616 69 38. Meaning Mir Независимости, 49/1), MPloschad Yakuba Kolasa ffood and unusual atmosphere. Tables are made from old beds, Castle and named after the Unesco World Heritage complex (Площадь Якуба Коласа), tel. (+375 17) 284 82 08/ ccarriages and the like, and what’s served on them is mostly some 60km or so west of Minsk after which the interior deco- (+375 29) 368 66 86. For those who aren’t familiar with ppotato snacks and skewered meat. A bit pricier than elsewhere, ration owes more than a passing nod, inside the menus held this successful Latvian chain, Lido’s philosophy is to serve an rreservations are a good idea since this small place tends to get together with metal clasps is a meat-heavy choice of dishes absolutely enormous selection of foods such as pizza, pork bbooked up. QOpen 10:00 - 06:00. PJAEBXS plus one or two offerings for vegetarians. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00, chops, ice-cream and much more in a fun, folksy cafeteria Fri, Sat 12:00 - 02:00. PAUEGBSW set-up for a bargain price and, best of all, in an instant. A staff TraktirT na Parkovoy (Трактир на Парковой) equalling the population of Riga buzz around the dining room CC-3, Pobediteley pr. 11 (просп. Победителей, 11), Pechki Lavochki (Печки-лавочки) D-4, Nezavisimosti ready to whisk away your plate the instant the last morsel MNemiga (Немига), tel. (+375 17) 203 69 91/(+375 pr. 22 (просп. Независимости, 22), MOktyabrskaya of food goes into your mouth. Also at Kulman 5a. QOpen 29)2 135 77 36. Right from the threshold of rich merchant (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 17) 327 78 79. Not so long 08:00 - 23:00, Sat, Sun 11:00 - 23:00. PAEBS peasant’sp log hut “Traktir” heartily welcomes you with bread ago this place was marvelous. Today it’s anything but. The ringsr and fruit wine. The real Russian stove gives out the Business~lunch menu from 12:00 to 16:00 food (which tastes like it’s been cooked in oil that’s been in Maestro (Маэстро) D-3, Nezavisimosti pr. warmth,w boils and fries - dishes here are cooked according Live music the kitchen since the 1970s or perhaps recently drained from TC “Stolitsa”, upper level (просп. Независимости, tot the time-honoured recipes. And in the evening there is Homelike atmosphere the gearbox of a Volga 24) is a disaster to the point that they ТЦ “Столица”), tel. (+375 17) 327 60 26/(+375 17) a “joy till you drop” – dancing to live music, performance of can’t even prepare an edible borsch. The music is painful and 327 81 24. Classic local food plus an array of other treats GypsyG band and the picnic on the terrace with bonfire and Authentic Belarusian & old Lithuanian the smell coming from the aforementioned galley isn’t the including sausages and mash, pasta and garlic bread, all friedf pork that you can eat with puffy toasted pancakes! sort of thing to be wished on anyone’s nostrils. Avoid. QOpen ready to plonk on your plate straight from hot metal contain- QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. PJAIEGBS ul. Karla Marxa 40 12:00 - 23:00. PJAGKXSW ers. An excellent choice if you’re in a hurry, although try to avoid during lunchtimes as the queues literally snake out VasilkiV (Васильки) D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 16 tel. (+375 29) 119 49 00 Q www. kuxmistr.relax.by Skif (Скиф) C-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 34 (просп. the door. Open 10:00 - 22:00. (просп. Независимости, 16), tеl. (+375 29) 706-44- Независимости, 34), MPloschad Pobedy (Площадь 52,5 www.vasilki.by. Although there’s absolutely nothing

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wrong with the dining area at street level, the upstairs Bulgarian Table talk area complete with hand-painted furniture and a ringside seat of the attached delicatessen is the place to be here, Traktir na Marksa (Трактир на Маркса) D-4, unless you don’t like cigarette smoke when you dine. The ul. Karla Marxa 21 (ул. Карла Маркса, 21), MKu- English Belarusian Russian Russian menu is extensive, affordable, filing, and, for an entirely palovskaya (Купаловская), tel. (+375 17) 226 03 41. pronunciation unpretentious restaurant, exceptionally good. Because A dark, underground labyrinth of booths in the heart of the city you’re now east of Berlin you’ll need to do battle with centre, find all manner of locals sat at chequered tablecloths Café кафе кафе ka´fe piped music and a television, but it’s amazing how quickly tucking into a range of dishes not just from Bulgaria but also Restaurant рэстаран ресторан resto´ran one acclimatises to such nonsense. A recommended from further afield. Recommended are the Bulgarian salad and venue in a superb central location. Also at ul. Yakuba Ko- the golden chicken. The food is unpretentious, filling and good Bar бар бар bar lasa 37 and Nezavisimosti pr. 89. QOpen 08:00 - 23:00. value. Perhaps too gloomy to be enjoyed during the daytime, Toilet туалет туалет tua´let LPAIEBS this would be a better place to frequent after the sun has set. QOpen 10:00 - 23:00. PNGW курыца / курица/ kuritsa / Chicken Verkhniy Gorod (Верхний Город) C-4, Svobody кураня цыпленок tsyp´lionok pl. 4 (пл. Свободы, 4), tel. (+375 17) 321 20 89/ (+375 17) 321 20 59, www.verhniy-gorod.prazdnik.by. Caucasian Beef ялавiчына говядина go´viadina A much talked about and much loved restaurant in the heart Verba (Верба) B-4, ul. Kropotkina 51 (ул. Кропоткина, Pork свiнiна свинина svi´nina of the city featuring a great view of the Cathedral of the Holy 51), tel. (+375 17) 334 69 95, fax (+375 17) 334 34 67. паста / паста / ´pasta / Traditional Belarusian restaurant Spirit and the river, Verkhniy Gorod is in the eyes of many A favourite place to come for shashlyk, that tasty, shish- Pasta макароны макароны maka´rony in the very heart of Minsk with great views who’ve experienced it the best place in Minsk to dine on kebab-like dish that originated in the mountains of the quality Belarusian and international cuisine in sumptuous Caucasus and became a culinary hit all over the USSR. Pizza пiцца пицца ´pizza of the city surroundings. Popular with locals and foreigners alike, legend Tiny, cosy and well worth a visit. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. has it that one group of visiting Germans refused to eat PTA6ULBXS Sushi сушы суши ´sushi anywhere else during their stay in the city and insisted on Fish рыба рыба ´ryba taking the recipe for the pike perch in a clay pot back home with them. Recommended. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat Fast food Soup суп суп sup PAIEBS 10:00 - 02:00. McDonald’s (Мак Дональдс) C-2, Nezavisimosti гарачы / горячий / go´riachii / M Hot / Cold pr. 23 (просп. Независимости, 23), Oktyabrskaya халодны холодный ho´lodnyi (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 33) 340 90 90, (+375 29) American 340 90 90, (+375 25) 790 90 90. The local McMecca картофель / kar´tofel’/ Potatoes бульба TGI Friday’s (Фрайдис) D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. for spotty youth on weekend evenings. The outisde tables картошка kar´toshka 22 (просп. Независимости, 22), MOktyabrskaya are a good spot to watch the world go by. Also at Surganova Vegetables гароднiна овощи ´ovoshchi (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 17) 327 23 31. Silly hats, 63, Dzerzhinskogo 96, NemigaQ 12b, Pritytskogo 28, Logo- Svobody 4 (пл. Свободы, 4) klaxons, loud shirts and all the other nonsense that those isky Trakt 35, Shugaeva 2. Open 07:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat Tea гарбата чай chai tel. (+375 17) 321 20 89 who know this American chain will have come to expect, the 07:00 - 24:00. JB Coffee кава кофе ´kofe (+375 29) 321 20 59 formula is unchanged here with decent food such as burgers, Open 10:00 - 24:00, chicken wings, steaks and ribs, although not served in such Fine dining Bread хлеб хлеб hleb Fri 10:00 - 02:00, large portions. Worth it for the New York cheesecake alone. A good choice if you want to play it safe and go somewhere Bella Rosa (Белла Роса) B-5, ul. Gikalo 3 Sugar цукар сахар ´sahar Sat 10:00 - 02:00. Q M where you know exactly what you’re going to get. Open (ул. Гикало, 3), Ploschad Yakuba Kolasa (Пло- Milk малако молоко molo´ko 10:00 - 23:00. PJVGXS щадь Якуба Коласа), tel. (+375 17) 284 53 03/ (+375 17) 284 52 55. The exemplary if somewhat Cream вяршкi сливки ´slivki pricey kitchen in this classy establishment whisks up Beer пiва пиво ´pivo Asian more than pizza and pasta, including oysters and Tuscan вiно вино vi´no Dzhomalungma (Джомалунгма) B-5, ul. Gikalo 7 goulash. Also serving a few more local dishes such as an Wine (red/ M (чырвонае/ (красное/ (krasnoie/ (ул. Гикало, 7), Ploschad Yakuba Kolasa (Площадь extremely good shchi, other things worth further applause white) Якуба Коласа), tel. (+375 17) 280 53 88. Just the are exceptionally good focaccia and an espresso that белае) белое) beloie) kind of Asian restaurant Minsk has been waiting for, find a could’ve come direct from Rome. QOpen 12:00 - 02:00. Vodka водка водка ´vodka well-orchestrated affair set in a cheerful room of explosive PJHALBKX colours. The outstanding food is mainly Tibetan, with a few Bill / чэк / чек / счет chek/shchiot Nepalese, Indian and Thai choices thrown in. Hot towels Dolce Vita (Дольче Вита) D-4, ul. Kirova 13 cheque рахунак precede your meal, and tea comes in a tiny pot set on a (ул. Кирова, 13), MPloschad Lenina (Площадь wooden platform. Also at International airport Minsk-2. Ленина), tel. (+375 17) 218 35 55/(+375 17) 200 Change здача сдача ´zdacha Q PJAEBKXS Open 12:00 - 02:00. 47 81. Predominantly fine Italian dishes served inside the Tip на чай чаевые chae´vyie Crowne Plaza’s flagship restaurant, everything was imported Azerbaijani from Italy and the food is very good indeed. It being a hotel Thank you дзякуй спасибо spa´sibo restaurant, don’t expect value for money or too much in Goodbye Да пабачэння До свидания Do svi´daniia Astara (Астара) D-5, ul. Pulihova 37 (ул. Пулихова, the way of atmosphere. Having said that, there are many 37), tel. (+375 17) 299 97 61/(+375 29) 115 94 01. worse hotel restaurants to be found in the world. QOpen We’ll be Мы Мы My Absolutely fantastic for anyone who hasn’t experienced the 12:00 - 02:00. back вернемся вернемся ver´niomsia full-on extravagance of cheesy Azerbaijani décor before, Which way Як прайсцi Как пройти Kak proi´ti this cavernous recommendation is popular with all kinds of Europa Restaurant (ресторан г-цы “Европа”) to...? да...? к...? k...? diners from diplomats to movie stars. The menu positively D-4, ul. Internatsionalnaya 28 (ул. Интернациональная, heaves with classic dishes which need to be tasted to be 28), MOktyabrskaya (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 17) believed, Azerbaijani festivals are celebrated with small 229 84 31. Classy in a stilted, stifling sort of way, Europa festivals inside the restaurant plus, as is so often the tries just a little too hard to be elegant and sophisticated the fried camembert with sesame and raspberry sauce, sauce or case inside a Minsk restaurant, there’s live shows and (we grimaced while watching a waitress struggle with one the kebab with tiger prawns. The à la carte menu is pricey, belly dancing during the weekends. QOpen 10:00 - 23:00. hand to open a plastic bottle of water balanced on a silver although there’s a much cheaper, if very limited, set lunch PTALEGBXS tray). Concentrate on the excellent food instead, such as option. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. PJA

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Spanish 3FTUBVSBOU$MVC Casa Agustin Lopez (Каса Аугустин Лопез) C-5, ul. Zakharova 31 (ул. Захарова, 31), tel. (+375 17) 233 95 84. They’ve packed in all manner of Spanish šÄÂ
–¹ÉÇȾÃ
¡ÄÅ»Ç clichés but fortunately have stopped short of wearing silly costumes or charging like wounded bulls. The food is mildly authentic, reasonably priced and quite pleasing for us gringo types. The menu is in English and has pictures for the linguistically or culinarily challenged. Flamenco and Salsa parties fire up on weekend evenings. QOpen 12:00 - 01:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 03:00. PALBX

Tapas Bar (Тапас Бар) D-4, ul. Internatsional- naya 9 (ул. Интернациональная, 9), MNemiga (Немига), tel. (+375 17) 203 11 27, (+375 29) 399 11 11. Right across the street from one of the city’s iconic, Stalin-era cinemas, if you’re in town and you’re looking for generously proportioned tapas or paella, this might be just the ticket. A simple and stylish cantina-like décor provides the backdrop whilst the drinks menu features a number of classic favourites plus the usual wine and beer. The staff are friendly and, unusual for Minsk, knowledgeable. The BelarusianQ capital would be a slightly worse place for its absence. Open 11:00 - 24:00. JAGXSW ©£¥

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XXXDBTBBHVTUJOMPQF[CZ Q PTJALEX Open 12:00 - 24:00. http//www.facebook.com/AgustinBy http://vk.com/agustin @MINSK_РЕСТОРАН French Falcone (Фальконе) D-3, ul. Korolya 9 (ул. Коро- cooked on a charcoal grill, plus handmade lightshades and La Crête d’Or (Золотой гребешок) D-4, ul. Lenina La Dame De Pique (Пиковая дама) D-4, ul. Yanki ля, 9), MFrunzenskaya (Фрунзенская), tel. (+375 29) expert Russian hands overseeing the operation. At ground 3 (ул. Ленина, 3), MOktyabrskaya (Октябрьская), Kupaly 17 (ул. Янки Купалы, 17), MOktyabrskaya 377 77 76. If there was a Ministry of Bling this is where level there’s a bar where a range of international food can tel. (+375 17) 327 32 04. The name suggests it is the (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 17) 327 73 14/(+375 they’d have their meetings. Truly extraordinary decoration also be ordered, while upstairs is a more sophisticated highest cock, but somehow that sounds a bit too coarse 29) 615 13 13. Conjuring images of decadent France that manages to stay within the boundaries of good taste restaurant setting with leather seating and all the trim- for this fine and refined restaurant. Expect softly spoken at every opportunity this gorgeous little anomaly is the and an outstanding range of Italian dishes provided cour- mings. The draught beer goes down a treat, the steaks men in black roll-neck skivvies perusing a menu that is too ultimate in bling. Models of lithe greyhounds chained tesy of an inspired policy that sees the restaurant import we demolished were fantastic and the service is both good to be translated into English (you’ll have to read it in to the walls welcome visitors to a restaurant that’s top Italian chefs who work as culinary ‘artists in residence’. helpful and attentive. Newman also offers a good value Russian or French, darling). Both kitchen and waitstaff are a feast on both the eyes and the taste buds. Not the At the moment this is none other than Giuseppe Zanotti, business lunch during the week which can be ordered from internationally trained, the environment is exquisite and cheapest place in town, the menu tempts with a roll who’s been overseeing dishes that we personally can’t get either floor. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 02:00. the prices are not as stratospherically high as one might call of dishes including the mischievous-sounding Rus- enough of. Try the tagliatelle with seafood and don’t forget JHALGXW expect. A perfect choice for a quality evening. QOpen sian Proposal in Paris (it’s a salad), Veal Martignon the best Carpaccio to ever pass our lips in Minsk. Knock- 11:00 - 23:00. PJAX and that old favourite, crème brûlée. Visitors look- out stuff. Highly recommended. QOpen 12:00 - 02:00. Renaissance (Ренессанс) D-4, Svobody pl. 23 PTJA6UILEGBXSW (пл. Свободы, 23), MOktyabrskaya (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 17) 327 09 91, fax (+375 17) 327 09 64. Grand Café (Гранд Кафе) D-4, ul. Lenina 2 Named after the European Renaissance style in which the (ул. Ленина, 2), MOktyabrskaya (Октябрьская), tel. three dining halls inside this sumptuous restaurant are (+375 44) 703 11 11. Relatively new although already decorated, this stylish Minsk offering is located inside a buzzing, this crisp, white tablecloth affair provides Italian former monastic printing house and provides a superb range food and other treats cooked to perfection and served with of classy dishes for the discerning palate. Highly recom- a rare taste for quality and flair. The décor is interesting mended is the fillet of lamb in brandy sauce, or why not take indeed, combining the classic look of a classy restaurant advantage of their unusual Happy Hour, which rather than offset with large photographs of Soviet-era housing on the usual business lunch arrange simply knocks 30% of the the walls. Barmen mix drinks in white tuxedos to give the à la carte menu. Recommended. QOpen 12:00 - 02:00. place an added touch of sophistication. Recommended PJAULVEBXS among the many great dishes is the Chateaubriand steak, whilst Friday evenings see the arrival of fresh oysters and some of the best DJs in the city. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. Fish PJAGXW Porto del Mare (Порто дель Маре) C-5, ul. Ko- zlova 3 (ул. Козлова, 3), MPloschad Pobedy (Площадь Newman (Ньюман) D-3, ul. Nemiga 36 (ул. Немига, Победы), tel. (+375 29) 197 00 00. The former Porto 36), MPloschad Lenina (Площадь Ленина), tel. (+375 Maltese has made a few slight changes but remains more 17) 306 48 39/(+375 44) 777 42 42. A magnificent find, or less as it was before. For the uninitiated, it’s an aquatic- Newman offers great steaks on two floors including several looking fish restaurant with a few other dishes on the menu Summer terrace of a popular fast food restaurant

Minsk In Your Pocket minsk.inyourpocket.com minsk.inyourpocket.com Vol. 1, 2013 26 RESTAURANTS RESTAURANTS 27

Georgian Indian Russian Taj (Тадж) C-3, ul. Romanovskaya Sloboda 26 M Tiflis (Тифлисъ) B-6, ul. Tolbuhina 3 (ул. Тол- (ул. Романовская Слобода, 26), Frunzenskaya .BLF
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IPNF бухина, 3), tel. (+375 17) 385 64 74, (+375 44) (Фрунзенская), tel. (+375 44) 711 11 10, fax (+375 17) Russkiye Sezony / Russian Seasons/ (Русские 555 50 50. A nice modern twist on the classic Geor- 306 29 61. Opened to much blowing of trumpets, Taj is by all Сезоны) С-4, ul. Pashkevicha 5 (ул. Пашкевича, M $BGFCBS gian restaurant theme albeit with plenty of traditional accounts a welcome addition to Minsk’s ever growing and ever 5), Nemiga (Немига), tel. (+375 17) 334 06 51, touches to give the place a definite Georgian feel, Tiflis improving restaurant scene. Bright, understated and modern (+375 29) 313 11 00. There are restaurants in Minsk that stand out, the aristocratic Russkiye sezony (Russian (Tbilisi) uses skilled Georgian chefs to prepare a range withw plenty of Indian touches, an Indian chef oversees the )PNF
$VJTJOF traditional Georgian dishes that really do need to be preparation of a good choice of food, some cooked in a tandoor Seasons) among them. An heir to the Russian nobility, eaten. Find four dining areas including two VIP halls oven plus a few vegetarian options as well. There’s an authentic more like it. And the only restaurant in Minsk featuring complete with the usual old photographs of the Georgian Indian dance group during the weekends too, to really spice up traditional Russian cuisine with the chef’s signature. The 
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capital plus reproductions of the work of the outstand- thet evening. Open 12:00 - 24:00. 




ing Georgian painter Pirosmani. They even bake their mansion, markedly affluent and sophisticated. The spa- own bread. Magic stuff indeed. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. cious venue seats 50 people; a fireplace, furniture made 
IPVST PJHALBKX International to order, reproductions of Russian classical art on the El Pomidoro (Эль Помидоро) E-3, ul. Kirova 6 (ул. walls, exquisitely laid tables with candlelight and abun- Natvris He (Натврис Хе) ul. Svyazis- Кирова, 6), MPloschad Lenina (Площадь Ленина), tel. dance of drapes in deep colours – all set a solemn mood. tov 4 (ул. Связистов, 4), tel. (+375 17) (+375 17) 226 10 20/(+375 29) 702 02 07, fax (+375 Come prepared – no haste! – to relish the dishes of Rus- 385 02 55, (+375 29) 133 73 37. Translating as 17) 200 65 51. The Tomato is a busy restaurant near the train sian cuisine expertly made by the chef. The restaurant’s The Wishing Tree and named after a classic Soviet-era station that’s one step up from fast food. Ask for El Menu and location in the city centre not far from the Opera and Ballet film of the same name, Natvris-Heh is the sort of Geor- thent order El Pizza or El Salad. It’s hardly spectacular but decent Theater is also worth mentioning here, and no doubt gian restaurant every town should have. Run entirely enough to fill an undiscerning hole. Kebabs and breakfast are the dinner at the restaurant will be no less of a cultural experience than the visit to the renowned theatre itself. by Georgians and producing a marvellous selection of also served. Expect a 15-20 minute wait during the lunchtime Q PJAULBXSIW classic dishes such as shashlyk, satsivi, khachapuri rush. Also at Krasnaya 23, Bogdanovicha 102, Nezavisimosti Open 12:00 - 23:00. and khinkali, this small house located in the far flung 83. QOpen 09:00 - 23:00. PJAUGBS suburbs of the city is more than worth the taxi fare. Few would disagree that Georgian food ranks among some Gostiny Dvor (Гостиный Двор) D-3, ul. Sovetskaya (+375 17) 290 02 00/(+375 44) 753 34 44. In short, of the best food in the world, and this place certainly 17 (ул. Советская, 17), MPloschad Lenina (Площадь two floors, lounge music, World Fashion on the television knows how to cook it. Wash it all down with copious Ленина), tel. (+375 17) 328 64 17, www.gostinydvor.biz. and groups of rich young women demolishing tables of amounts of Georgian wine, including a bottle of fabu- A recommended cellar restaurant complete with knights in expensive food and drink. A restaurant that serves borsch lous red Saperavi. QOpen 12:00 -24:00. Closed Mon. armour, painted ceilings and waitresses in green waistcoats, and sushi probably doesn’t deserve to be called a tratorria PJHALBKX thet food, a favourite among diplomats and wealthy wedding as this place likes to call itself, but that’s of little interest parties, is excellent. Recommended comes the Belarusian to the scores of people who flock here every day. We had casserole, the ideal accompaniment to the live music that Mexican Goulash and a pizza and thought both were ok if generally livens things up during the weekend. QOpen 12:00 nothing to write home about. Smoking is upstairs, it’s a ing to push the boat out as far as it can go take note - 24:00. PJALEXS bit out of the way and is definitely worth a visit for anyone U Admirala (У Адмирала) B-2, Svobody pl. 8 that at the time of going to press there was a cham- with even a passing interest in anthropology. Also at (пл. Свободы, 8), MNemiga (Немига), tel. (+375 pagne on the menu going for a cool 9,135,000 BYR. Kushavel (Кушавель) B-3, Pobediteley pr. 49 Byaduli 11. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sun 12:00 - 02:00. 17) 328 53 32. Tumble down the rabbit-hole stairs for an QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. (просп. Победителей, 49), tel. (+375 44) 788 80 00, PJAKX adventure in blunderland. There’s a rubble floor, a forest-like, fax (+375 17) 226 68 91. An almost Scandinavian feel here, fairy-tale atmosphere, little wine barrels that have been including lots of sharp corners and emphatic curves, the menu My English Granny (Моя английская бабушка) turned into mushroom-style stools and a freaky toy rabbit Fun features a number of original dishes that garner good com- D-4, ul. Karla Marxa 36 (ул. Карла Маркса, 36), MKu- on one of the walls. Despite the wine-suggestive name, the Kalyannaya # 1 (Кальянная №1) D-4, ul. Karla ments from those who’ve eaten from it. Very tourist-friendly palovskaya (Купаловская), tel. (+375 17) 327 22 24. place has a bog-standard menu with everything from simple Marxa 33 (ул. Карла Маркса, 33), tel. (+375 17) 222 and with English menus and English-speaking staff, locals Granny’s still got a bit of spunk left in her yet. Just look at this sandwiches to proper meaty meals. Prices go up after 27 07. Once you’ve finally figured out how to get through insist that they have the best summer terrace in the city. The place. Sure, it’s a bit frilly and they serve your food on paper midnight. And the coat-check man turns into a pumpkin. the front door you’ll wish you’d bought a torch. Illuminated location might well prove them right. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, doilies, but somehow the place is rather cool. It attracts Probably. QOpen 24 hours. PJAEBX by a handful of scrawny red lightbulbs to give atmosphere Thu, Fri, Sat. 11:00 - 02:00 PABXS young hipsters who drink juice and have pillow fights and just but really just to disorientate and make you bang your seem to feel very comfortable here. Probably because it’s just U Ratushi (У Ратуши) C-4, ul. Gertsena 1 shins on things, the main draw here are the hookahs. The Limoncello (Лимончелло) B-6, ul. Bogdana Khmel- like Granny’s place. Flick through the packed-with-classics (ул. Герцена, 1), MNemiga (Немига), tel. (+375 concept, so the website says, is to bring like-minded people nitskogo 7 (ул. Богдана Хмельницкого, 7), tel. menu, pick and partake. A good option for breakfast or just 17) 226 06 43. Set over three levels, this spacious and together over a bubbling smoke and, well, that’s the end couching around with friends at any time. QOpen 09:00 - pleasant bar-restaurant is an excellent place for a meal of the concept really. Also on offer is a limited range of 24:00. PJA6NBXSW after an exhausting day walking around Minsk’s blister- drinks and light refreshments. QOpen 08:00 - 24:00, Fri, Ukrainian inducingly long streets. The diverse menu is a notch above Sat 08:00 - 02:00, Sun 10:00 - 24:00. Olivye (Оливье) C-4, ul. Internatsionalnaya 27 average and throws everything from chicken masala to Chumatsky Shlyakh (Чумацький шлях) D-3, M ul. Myasnikova 34 (ул. Мясникова, 34), MPlo- (ул. Интернациональная, 27), Nemiga (Немига), Thai stir fry to steak au poivre into the mix. There’s also German schad Lenina (Площадь Ленина), tel. (+375 29) tel. (+375 17) 203 93 55/(+375 29) 639 93 55. First a good selection of beers, while local bands churn out 190 77 77. The rather over-the-top folksy atmosphere of all, top marks for finding us a table when they were fully bland pop tunes and jazz most evenings. Booking during Westfalia (Вестфалия) Gazety Pravda pr. 11 booked. Second, top marks for the food. One could easily the weekends is highly recommended. QOpen 12:00 - in no way impinges on what’s one of the best places to PJAEX (просп. Газеты Правда, 11), tel. (+375 17) 270 eat peasant food in the city. Set out on two floors, the overlook this place, thinking it one of a crowd of mediocre 02:00. 57 27/ (+375 29) 172 00 00. A perfect escape from real magic here can be found inside the kitchen. Choos- affairs in town, and that, judging from the food we ate, the overbearing atmosphere found elsewhere in the city, would be a grave error indeed. A good steak, a better-than- Vostochny Express (Восточный экспресс) ing what to eat can be difficult as it’s a big menu and it’s M the restaurant attached to the IBB centre offers excel- all good. Recommended are either of the two offerings of average Greek salad and an exemplary vegetarian lasagne E-3, ul. Kirova 1 (ул. Кирова, 1), Ploschad Lenina lent, fresh food, a soft, modern interior and an overall borsch, the vareniki and the potato pancakes. There’s all passed with flying colours, plus there’s plenty more (Площадь Ленина), tel. (+375 17) 225 62 43. A great unpretentious dining experience. Try the Zurich veal or several vodkas to help it all down too, and a rather mar- on offer including pasta, sushi and the intriguingly named city centre location for a really nice-looking place complete the speciality, pike perch Papillote style. Live jazz is vellous photograph of happy factory workers just on the Salad Oliver’s USSR with Doctor’s Sausage. The hunting with engraved wine glasses, the staff speak English and the performed on Friday evenings, instrumental music on right as you enter. Highly recommended, especially for season sees the arrival of game on the menu, plus there’s menu features everything from Belarusian to Latin American. Saturdays and Sundays. Also note that the breakfast buf- Q a splendid outdoor terrace in operation between May and There’s a super list of cocktails too to make the food go with a Q those eating in groups. In a word, magnificent. Open Q Q fet here may be the best in town. Open 07:30 - 23:00. 10:00 - 23:00. PJAULBXSW October. An excellent city centre choice. Open 24 hours. bang. A VIP room is also available for private parties. Open PTA6ULEGBXSW PTJHALEBKS 12:00 - 23:00. PJAX

Minsk In Your Pocket minsk.inyourpocket.com minsk.inyourpocket.com Vol. 1, 2013 28 RESTAURANTS CAFÉS 29

Italian AirGrip (Эйр Грип) D-4, ul. Komsomolskaya 19 (ул. Комсомольская, 19), MNemiga (Немига), tel. (+375 17) 328 37 93. There’s a definite Italian-ness to Air BERGAMO Bergamo (Бергамо) A-4, ul. Kulman 37 Grip. After all, it has the same owners as the Voglia Matta (ул. Кульман, 37), tel. (+375 17) 334 45 56, fax restaurant. The emphasis here, though, is on ice-cream and
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DVJTJOF a number of years, the interior is classy but not too ostenta- Atelier (Ателье) C-3, ul. Melnikaite 4 (ул. Authentic Italian Cuisine tious and the food has a very good reputation. The menu Мельникайте, 4) MFrunzenskaya (Фрунзенская). comes complete with a large collection of Italian favourites (+375 17) 203 90 16. This relatively new restaurant including plenty of good pasta dishes and thin, crispy pizza. Q PA6UEGXSW complete with large photographs of famous chefs on the Open 10:00 - 24:00. walls comes with a dressmaking theme as the name sug- gests and is well worth a visit. The menu features a wealth Carpaccio (Карпаччо) C-4, ul. Starovilenskaya of classic dishes from the kitchens of Europe including a 4 (ул. Старовиленская, 4), MNemiga (Немига), great menu of grilled meats as well as a better than aver- tel. (+375 17) 334 97 21. A great addition to Minsk’s age wine list. Don’t eat too much though or you’ll miss the classy dining scene, Carpaccio is a small and intimate mouth-watering Sacher cake, claimed by those who’ve affair complete with the full requisite of pecking-order tried it to be as good as any you’ll ever come across. staff on hand to make meals go as smoothly as possible. Atelier is also worth a visit to catch sight of the owner, The current global economic crisis meant we plumped for tennis star Maxim Mirnyi who likes to turn up whenever he can and put on a bit of a show. QOpen 12:00 - 02:00. the good value business lunch, although if you’re looking PTJHALEBKS to push the boat of a bit you won’t be disappointed. The menu features an intelligent slice of Italian cuisine including Banana Café (Банана Кафе) C-4, ul. Storozhovs- ravioli, gnocchi, black pasta and sorbet with vodka and M champagne for pudding. If you can afford €30 for lamb and kaya 7 (ул. Сторожевская, 7), Nemiga (Немига), like to impress, come in the evening although you might like tel./fax (+375 17) 289 50 79. It’s certainly bent, but to book a table in advance. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat more bruised-banana brown than happy-smiley yellow. 12:00 - 01:00. PJAVGBXS We don’t know what goes on behind the mirrored VIP Open 10:00 - 24:00, door downstairs, but upstairs is a dark café with a lit- 100% - handmade! closed on Sundays ter of wooden cottage-style tables and chairs. Twigs on Il Patio (Иль Патио) D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 22 M the ceiling add a rustic, fire-hazard charm. It looks like 'PMMPX
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FWFOUT (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 17) 327 17 91. You really used when we visited in May. No menus in English, and can’t go wrong here. Central location, friendly prices, effi- cient service, cosy brick décor. What more could you pos- we don’t know if the staff speak English because they Kebabs sibly ask for? Formerly Patio Pizza, this popular restaurant didn’t bother to actually serve us. QOpen 10:00 - 05:00. Byblos (Библос) D-4, ul. Internatsionalnaya 21 and meeting place still serves some of the best pizza in The best places to eat, drink, see, sleep PAIEBXS (ул. Интернациональная, 21), MOktyabrskaya town, although as the name change suggests, they’ve got and experience could be metres away. (Октярьская), tel. (+375 17) 289 12 18. A bright, busy, plenty of other Italian dishes as well. It also has some of the Beze Café (Безе Кафе) D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 18 freshest, best-tasting salads in Minsk. Also at Surganova M noisy kebab house where you can fill your belly without emp- Q PJAVGBXS (просп. Независимости, 18), Oktyabrskaya tying your wallet. Along with the kebab and salad plates you 50. Open 09:00 - 23:00. (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 17) 328 64 09. Beze bills can get a decently priced chicken shawarma with French fries itself as A Gallery of Sweet Masterpieces, and that’s a fairly and chichtawook (chicken legs), among many other goodies. accurate summary of what this nice old-fashioned café is Q JA Perfetto (Перфетто) D-3, ul. Romanovskaya Open 12:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 02:00. Sloboda 1 (ул. Романовская Слобода, 1), MNe- all about. It specialises in all kinds of Austrian desserts miga (Немига), tel. (+375 17) 200 28 99/(+375 including strudels and the like. Inexpensive Belarusian meals Pizza 29) 607 99 99. A doorman in a suit ushers customers are also served in case youQ feel guilty about not finishing into this moderately classy affair. The pizzas are excel- all your vegetables first. Open 10:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat Amsterdam (Амстердам) C-2, ul. Kalvariyskaya 10:00 - 01:00. PJAGBXS M lent, although the pasta and salads are poor imitations 24 (ул. Кальварийская, 24), Molodezhnaya of what they purport to be despite being served up on (Молодежная), tel. (+375 17) 200 81 55. A perfectly Boulevard (Бульвар) D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 22 fancy crockery. The best reason to come is to watch the M adequate if hardly outstanding little place inside the Korona local posers hard at it. The barman helps the atmosphere (просп. Независимости, 22), Oktyabrskaya shopping centre, Amsterdam probably serves more pizza than along with his well-rehearsed cocktail bottle-flipping routine. (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 29) 111 47 47/(+375 anything else although there’s plenty of other dishes on the QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. PJABXSW 17) 328 45 96. Giving the two expat favourites around menu. A good enough place for filling food for a decent price The In Your Pocket app. Europe’s best the corner a run for their money, this relatively new venture without the frills. QOpen 09:00 - 01:00. PTAXS is already awash with the babble of spoken and broken Marxa 26, Pobediteley 37, Gromova 20, Yakuba Kolasa 37, city guides. Now with added GPS. English. Categorised as a cocktail bar simply because the Peperoni (Пеперони) ul. Tsentralnaya 9 (ул. Dolginovski Trakt 178.QOpen 008:00 - 23:00. NBS cocktail menu outweighs the one with the food on it, the Центральная, 9), MAvtozavodskaya (Автозаводская), latter, which changes regularly, offers nouvelle cuisine and tel. (+375 17) 242 89 79. A classic diner-style pizza place Out now. other favourites including schnitzel and mashed potato with bright orange seating, a children’s menu and even a few Sushi whilst the cocktail menu features every concoction you cocktails. We haven’t tried the pizza so will reserve judgement Blackberry (Блекберри) D-3, ul. Bersona 3 (ул. could possibly dream of. Purple and grey and spread out on until we do. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. AUXSW Берсона, 3), MPloschad Lenina (Площадь Ленина), two floors, Boulevard also works very well as a café and is tel. (+375 17) 200 74 82/(+375 29) 196 89 68. Two a good place to visit any time of day. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00. Tempo (Темпо) B-6, Nezavisimosti pr. 78 (просп. for the price of one. To the right find a large space for the PTJHALEBKS Независимости, 78), tel. (+375 17) 292 11 11. The enjoyment of international dishes to the sound of live mu- name says it all. This is a fast-paced pizza joint popular with sic at the weekend, and to the left a smaller area serving Brutto (Брутто) B-6, ul. Petrusya Brovky 3/2 students from the nearby university building. Small, packed and fresh sushi from a Russian-only menu. QOpen Mon - Wed, (ул. Петруся Бровки, 3/2), tel. (+375 29) 5 630 630, highly recommended. Also at Lobanka 94, Karla Marxa 9, Karla Sun 11:00 - 24:00, Thu, Sat, 11:00 - 02:00. PJHEX fax (+375 17) 294 92 85. Nice, exposed brick walls, silver

Minsk In Your Pocket minsk.inyourpocket.com minsk.inyourpocket.com Vol. 1, 2013 30 CAFÉS CAFÉS 31

candelabras and a good mix of diners are to be found inside Feelini (Феллини) D-4, ul. Internatsionalnaya 36 FreshCafe (ФрэшКафе) C-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 42 this fairly new Minsk offering. The menu provides a few local (ул. Интернациональная, 36), MNemiga (Немига), (просп. Независимости, 42), MPloschad Pobedy and international choices plus there’s cold draught beer to tel. (+375 44) 555 55 56. Another newly opened café (Площадь Победы), tel. (+375 17) 284 54 04, fax (+375 drink outside during the summer. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Fri, which was immediately noticed by sophisticated Minsk resi- 17) 288 17 14. One of Minsk’s better cafés, this place has a Sat 24 hours, Sun 09:00 - 24:00. PAEGSW dents. Your coat taken upon entering, feel free to choose a nice modern look to it with lots of angular furniture and bright place to your liking. Guests may even see and talk to Kasper, colours plus a gaggle of young and friendly waitresses scuttling Buvette (Бувет) C-3, ul. Rakovskaya 34 Feelini’s chef who comes from Lithuania. Maestro will enquire about and keeping everyone happy with smiles glued to their (ул. Раковская, 34), MNemiga (Немига), tel. if you like the food and willingly accept your gratitude. The faces. As well as being a recommended place to fuel up on coffee, (+375 29) 609 00 66. The idea of a French bistro with wine list is excellent, a rarity for Minsk, with most expen- they also serve a few dishes from a menu of international dishes its own mini-bakery, and it’s a pretty close shot. Minimalist sive wines ordered by a bottle (which is understandable). plus a few sushi options. Be warned that the business lunch interior, everything really lovely, light and natural. Not to Cuisine, in a nutshell, is top class; seafood and carpaccio menus are known to stay on the tables after they stop serving mention the smell! Buvette chefs can take pride in their we had were a tasty. And their desserts deserve attention, it, a situation that can be frustrating for hungry people in a hurry. enormous, juicy sandwiches. Salads were less to our far from some boring and standard offerings on the menu. Menus in English also remain little more than a vague and distant liking, but desserts were great and filling, with stuffing in We were pleasantly surprised to find something original, dream. QOpen 10:00 - 01:00. PAGBS abundance. Happen to walk through old Minsk somewhere say, a dessert of Dor Blue or Creme Brulee with poppy not far from Rakovskaya Street? Make sure to drop into seeds and mango ice cream, all perfectly made. Prices are Golden Coffee B-4, ul. Maxima Bogdanovicha 26 Buvette, you’ll have no regrets! QOpen 10:00 – 23:00. espresso this place also boasts a small Internet café at the acceptable, salad up to BYR 100,000, main course up to (ул. Максима Богдановича, 26), tel. (+375 44) PAEGSW top of the stairs. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00, Sun 10:00 - 22:00. BYR 200,000. Feelini, keep it up! Hope time and popularity 777 78 84. Slow and surly service aside, Golden Coffee PALGBS won’t spoil this lovely cafe and we’ll visit it again. QOpen could be a lot worse. Basically two floors of budget sophis- Chill Out (Чилл Аут) C-4, Svobody pl. 4 (пл. Свободы, Mon - Thu: 17:00-24:00, Fri - Sat 17:00-02:00, Sun: 12:00- tication, the pizzas are surprisingly good, the espressos 4), MNemiga (Немига), tel. (+375 17) 328 63 43. Soft CoffeeBOX (КофеБОКС) C-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 39 24:00. PAGBS are exactly as espressos should be, there’s free wireless tones of beige and brown with just a hint of neon purple and (просп. Независимости, 39), MPloschad Pobedy internet and the owners have won us over completely with lime green inside this restaurant and cocktail bar in the heart (Площадь Победы), tel. (+375 29) 609 94 49. Minsk’s the addition of menus in English. All in all a decent spot for of the city. Surplus to the telephone directory of cocktails is a seen the arrival of a new coffee chain, CoffeeBOX. The chain unpretentious food in the evening or a pick-me-up coffee menu of international dishes and the added bonus of a summer of small and smug Western-type cafes targets primarily the during the day. Also at Nezavisimosti 18 (08:00 - 02:00) and barbecue terrace. Chill Out also has a reputation for its parties, younger generation. One of the cafes nestled in the very Shopping Centre Expobel.QOpen 24 hours. PJW popular with some of the better off youth of the capital. QOpen center of Minsk at the Victory square wouldn’t look out of 11:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 04:00. PABXSW place in any European city. The decor is dominated by the Graf Café (Граф Кафе) Nezavisimosti pr. 116, (просп. motives of the British capital, with comfortable sofas and Независимости, 116), tel. (+375 17) 266 37 22/ Coffeeberry (Кофеберри) D-3, Nezavisimo- lots of pillows, the aroma of freshly made coffee and pastries (+375 29) 690 62 17. Perched up high on the 22nd floor sti pr. SC “Stolitsa” (просп. Независимости, ТЦ fill the air. A nice choice of coffees in the hall and take-away, of the National Library, this average café hosts changing “Столица”), tel. (+375 29) 187 45 02. A somewhat young sociable staff, free Wi-Fi and power sockets to plug in art exhibitions and sells a drinkable cup of coffee. Access is noisy, circular affair with a glass roof inside one of the city’s your gadgets – what else do the young need to be happy? only possible with a ticket to the viewing gallery on top of the best shopping centres. As well as serving a respectable Also at Stolitsa trade-centre, pavilion 414. QOpen 08:00 – building. QOpen 13:00 - 23:00. PW 23:00. PALGBS Grunvald Café (Грюнвальд Кафе) D-4, ul. Karla Coffee Inn (Кофе Инн) C-4, ul. Internatsional- Marxa 19 (ул. Карла Маркса, 19), MKupalovskaya naya 23 (ул. Интернациональная, 23), MNemiga (Купаловская), tel. (+375 17) 210 42 55/(+375 29) (Немига), tel. (+375 17) 327 40 41/(+375 29) 199 177 56 90. A half-hearted attempt to cash in on the great- 00 99. Featuring two interestingly decorated rooms and est battle of medieval Europe. The food is a bit pricey and an all-weather terrace, each in their own distinct style as is the atmosphere is nothing special, so other than the suit of the fashion in Minsk, Coffee Inn functions as both a classic armour by the door and some photographs of modern-day café for a good range of coffees as well as a decent place enthusiasts pretending to be medieval, it actually lacks an to stock up on calories. If you need the latter you could do outstanding appeal. Outdoor seating on a relatively quiet a lot worse than plump for the Chicken Philadelphia, or, if street is a bonus during the summer. QOpen 08:00 - 24:00, you simply need to boost your blood sugar for a while, the Sat, Sun 10:00 - 24:00. PJABKXSW espressos do the job very well indeed. There’s also an excellent selection of pastries and desserts. This is also Gurman (Гурман) C-4 ul. Kommunisticheskaya 7 another Minsk venue where you’re likely to bump into tennis (ул. Коммунистическая, 7), tel. (+375 17) 290 67 74. star Maxim Mirnyi, one of the café’s owners who likes to The Gourmet name is perhaps a bit of an overstatement but frequent the place from time to time. QOpen 08:00 - 24:00, we can happily overlook such hyperbole. Gurman is one of the Sat, Sun 10:00 - 24:00. PJALEBX nicest places in Minsk and would snugly fit into any Western capital. The food is good, if not exactly haute cuisine, and ENZO café (ЭНЦО кафе) E-5, ul. Oktyabrskaya 19В includes Indian, Italian, Belarusian and a good breakfast menu. (ул. Октябрьская, 19В), MPervomayskaya (Перво- It’s casual, friendly and delightfully easy-going, and just the sort майская), tel. (+375 29) 177 00 88, fax (+375 17) of place you’d regularly hang out at if it were in your neighbour- 328 46 28. Judging by the café’s name, we assumed that hood. Menus are available in English. Also at Pobediteley 1 red would dominate the colour scheme, the interior design QOpen 08:00 - 23:00. PW would feature the characteristic Ferrari style, and cuisine would favour all Italian. We had made no mistake, actually. GURU Coffee Club (ГУРУ Кофе Клаб) D-4 ul. Kom- The interior part of the cafe with halls on two levels is replete somolskaya 34 (ул. Комсомольская, 34), MNemiga with symbols of the famous Italian brand; the ground floor (Немига), tel. (+375 29) 150 22 55. A relatively new tables surrounded by comfortable red sofas are placed in a row, according to the principle of the American "diner", all is made in style, with creativity. The cuisine is a mix of international and Italian, they have burgers with fries on www.inyourpocket.com/ the menu along with pasta and risotto. A cute place, really worthy of your visit, no doubt. QOpen Fri, Sat 11:00 – 03:00, clickandbuy Sun – Thu 11:00 – 24:00 PJALBX

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cafe in the city centre that serves good coffee made from or head upstairs to lounge out. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00, Fri, freshly roasted beans. Good news the number and popular- Sat 10:00 - 02:00. PJNBW Share the experience ity of coffee houses and coffee shops in the city is going up. Looks like this invigorating aroma of fresh coffee and pastries Lozhki (Ложки) D-4, ul. Komsomolskaya 34 is beating up potatoes-and-vodka tastes. GURU is a coffee (ул Комсомольская, 34), tel. (+375 17) 327 07 72. Get in touch with the In Your Pocket team and other shop with relaxing interior in milky-chocolate shades and a Deliciously silly, this quirky and fun café-restaurant is littered big coffee/tea card. You can have a coffee here or buy your with spoons (lozhki) on the walls and ceiling. A former much- favorite coffee or tea blend and enjoy at home. QOpen loved café, it’s now home to a range of international dishes readers on any of the major social platforms. Let us know 08:00 - 23:00. PW including the usual selection of grilled meat and Italian offer- ings. The waiters speak English and there’s rooms for those your thoughts on places you loved and hated, the cities In Vino (Ин Вино) B-4, ul. Very Khoruzhey 22 who smoke and those who don’t. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00, (ул. Веры Хоружей, 22), tel. (+375 17) 288 27 74, Thu, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 24:00. you’ve visited and the people you’ve met. And pick up fax (+375 17) 283 16 34. A pleasant modern setting with lots of cool brown shades with the chance to dine sat on News Café (Ньюс Кафе) D-4, ul. Karla Marxa 34 some exclusive prizes and discounts along the way. a sofa, In Vino offers a good choice of international dishes (ул. Карла Маркса, 34), MOktyabrskaya (Октябрь- alongside menus for coffee and dessert. The grilled meats ская), tel. (+375 17) 327 78 67. The good news is that are particularly talked about here. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00, News Café has been providing quality international fare to Fri, Sat 12:00 - 01:00. PALXS scores of well-heeled locals and top notch foreigners for years. Friendly English-speaking staff oversee the delivery La Crête d’Or Café (Кофейня Золотой of a feast of food including some fine pasta dishes such гребешок) D-4, ul. Lenina 3 (ул. Ленина, 3), tel. as the knockout tagliatelle with rabbit ragout. There’s free (+375 29) 105 05 03. Right next door to the superb French wireless Internet, a trendy layout and an overall laid-back restaurant of the same name, don’t expect anything even feel to the place. The bad news is that because of this it’s vaguely resembling a French café though. La Crête d’Or is quite often difficult to find a seat. Reserving a table is highly a pleasant but rather nondescript little place which does recommended. QOpen 08:00 - 24:00, Sat, Sun 11:00 - a good cup of coffee and a nice selection of gunk-filled 24:00. PJAGBXW pastries and cakes. The best thing it has going for it is its location on one of Minsk’s most attractive streets. QOpen SunCafe (СанКафе) B-5, ul. Kuibysheva 38 09:00 - 23:00. PJAS (ул. Куйбышева, 38), tel. (+375 17) 286 03 72/ (+375 44) 777 13 33. One of a chain of restaurants London (Лондон) D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 18 across the city serving Italian and international dishes (просп. Независимости, 18), MOktyabrskaya as well as functioning as a simple café, Sun Café is (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 17) 289 15 29. Once you popular with students and others looking for simple food see past the mountains of London souvenirs at this cheer- served in modern surroundings with a professional touch. ful little café, you’ll notice it has two narrow levels, it’s Also at Yakuba Kolasa 52, Gintovta 1, Nezavisimosti at decorated with red paint, and it has a spiral staircase at SC “Stolitsa” and Borovaya 7. QOpen 10:00 - 23:00. the back. Drop in for a quick cup of coffee from Guatemala PAGBSW

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Europe's biggest publisher of locally produced city guides Pobediteley Avenue at night inyourpocket.com Minsk In Your Pocket minsk.inyourpocket.com minsk.inyourpocket.com Vol. 1, 2013 34 NIGHTLIFE NIGHTLIFE 35

Nightlife options in Minsk are diverse, friendly and at times Rounding things up Gvozd (Гвоздь) B-5, ul. Gikalo 5 (ул. Гикало, 5), refreshingly odd, making the city an excellent option for all MYakuba Kolasa (Якуба Коласа), tel. (+375 17) manner of adventures after dark. Borders blur a bit, with bars A new custom has recently emerged in cafés, bars and 290 28 91/ (+375 29) 606 03 97. Hammers and being a bit like clubs and cafés turning into cabaret venues restaurants in which the bill is rounded up to the near- nails (the name of the place translates as The Nail) all and live music striking up in the most unlikely places. The est 1,000 rouble note. Don’t consider it a tip but rather over the walls and one of the best selections of bottled streets are safe and the taxis are cheap. There’s really no a minuscule service charge. beer within five hours of the place, Gvozd panders to the excuse for not having a good night out. local addicts who can’t live without the constant hum of a television set but, easily avoided, there’s plenty more on Well chosen background music is always on, there’s a DJ on offer inside. The aforementioned bottles include Master Bars Friday and at weekends. QOpen Mon - Thu, Sun: 10:00 - Tmavý and Master Zlatý, plus there’s a decent menu of AUroom (АУрум) Nezavisimosti pr. 117а (просп. 05:00, Fri - Sat: 10:00 - 06:00. JABXS international food and live music. Great atmosphere too. Независимости, 117а), tel. (+375 29) 190 22 22. Definitely one for the pub crawl. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00, Situated on the 16th and 17th floors of Alexandrov Passage Coyote (Койот) Nezavisimosti pr. 117a (просп. Thu, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 02:00. business center, AUroom is currently a most popular place Независимости, 117а), MVostok (Восток), tel. in the city. The atmosphere is far from common for Minsk. (+375 29) 190 66 66. A wonderful blending of styles ID Bar (ID-бар) С-5, ul. Zakharova 19 (ул. Захарова, The interior features Indian motifs, with lots of Buddhist incorporating such diametrically opposed ideas as plush 19), MPloschad Pobedy (Площадь Победы), symbols, draperies, the dominant colour of the 16th floor is leather sofas and anarchic scribbling on the walls, this tel. (+375 17) 293 13 96/(+375 44) 793 13 96. a combination of various shades of red and gold, the 17th magnificent place close to the National Library a few ki- Mannequins as coat hangers, dangerously exposed floor is decorated in golden-green tints. AUroom positions lometres from the city centre is more than just a bar, also lighting and a large evacuation plan on the wall make itself as a lounge club. And, according to many, it serves the functioning perfectly well as a restaurant and club. The food this place a little bit odd but worthy of further atten- best sushi in Minsk. QOpen : Mon: 18:00 - 02:00, Fri - Sat: includes everything from Belarusian to sushi, the massive tion. The service is friendly if a little hit and miss, plus 18:00 - 06:00. PAIGBXS bar features Cuban barmen and there’s a different show and they had the audacity to run out of bottled beer be- club night on every evening including the popular Thursday fore we arrived. Set in a gloomy, L-shaped basement, Barin (Барин) C-3, Pobediteley pr. 17 (просп. night jazz sessions. The face control is much more relaxed ID also offers free wireless Internet, has a limited menu Победителей, 17), MNemiga (Немига), tel. (+375 than it is at other places of this level of sophistication and of pricey food and is a decent place for a decent drink 17) 209 44 01/(+375 29) 348 24 22, fax (+375 17) it’s getting rave reviews from the young crowd who like to or two. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 02:00. 203 09 69. Close to the Planeta hotel a little bit of a way out come here. QOpen 18:00 - 06:00. PA6GBXS of the city centre, Barin is essentially a café-bar with food on the menu offering a truly authentic vision of Belarus without Drozhzhi United (Ирландский паб Дрожжи Live Pub (Лайв Паб) D-4, ul. Komsomolskaya 34 the tourist trimmings. A little bit bling and laid out on two Юнайтед) D-3, ul. Sverdlova 2 (ул. Свердлова, 2), (ул. Комсомольская, 34), MNemiga (Немига), tel. floors, it’s dark and moody in here and often full of people with MPloschad Lenina (Площадь Ленина), tel. (+375 17) (+375 29) 170 57 71/(+375 17) 210 58 25. They say large bank accounts. There’s also a small VIP room complete 200 54 56/(+375 44) 700 54 56. Translating as Yeast, it’s a replica of a classic Parisian beer restaurant and they with a grand old fireplace. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00, Sat, Sun Drozhzhi offers familiar Irish pub surroundings to a mix of lo- also say its owners are French, but neither of these things 12:00 - 02:00. PAIGBXS cal and expat drinkers alike. There’s sport of the television, really matter because it looks great and by all accounts it Kilkenny, Guinness and Harp on draught, booth seating and of is great. Choose from a smoking and non-smoking hall and Bar T34 (Бар Т34) D-4, ul. Krasnoarmeyskaya 3 course a wealth of paraphernalia nailed to the walls. There’s get set to drink yourself stupid on draught beer and a long (ул. Красноармейская, 3), MOktyabrskaya also a limited menu of local and international dishes and, so cocktail list including such unforgettable concoctions as (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 29) 768 90 73/(+375 44) we’re reliably informed, live music at the weekends. QOpen Jeans with Tonic. There’s chanson over the speakers Thurs- 782 46 11. Named after the infamous WWII Soviet tank 09:00 - 02:00. PJAEBX day to Sunday and a menu of classic pub grub including fish of which an example can be found outside, Bar T-34 func- and chips, chicken wings and steak in pepper sauce. Take tions like so many other places in Minsk as both a place Free’Dom (ФриДом) С-5, ul. Krasnaya 23 (ул. advantage of the weekday lunch here nine times and you’ll to eat and to drink. Made up of two underground rooms Красная, 23), MYakuba Kolasa (Якуба Коласа), get the 10th one for free. Magic. QOpen 12:00 - 01:00. decorated with lashings of military paraphernalia, the tel. (+375 17) 284 69 00. A new bar in the center of PIENGBXW charming waitresses come complete with saucy slogans Minsk with good service and a good choice of cocktails. on their T-shirts and are on hand to deliver everything from Staff is attentive, apparently, from the moment they take Moraskino (Мораскино) Nezavisimosti pr. 117а bottled Asahi beer to pancakes. The menu unfortunately your coat to the moment it’s returned to you, for you won’t (просп. Независимости, 117а), tel. (+375 29) remains in Russian only and the gentleman on the door be forgotten for a minute, whilst there’s no excessive 192 10 00. Located on the 18th floor of Alexandrov Pas- is apt to keep riff raff out, which generally doesn’t include intrusiveness to annoy you. The interior is bright, sharp, sage business center, Moraskino is a small VIP bar with foreigners. Great for a meal or a beer or both. QOpen disco, which seemed to us a bit unbalanced and eclectic. panoramic views of the city. To enjoy this panorama to the 17:00 - 04:00. JABXS But the prices for alcohol and local dishes were surprisingly full, however, you have to be lucky to get the table by the friendly, along with good quality. We had a good time and window, the views from others being blocked by the bar Bessonitsa (Бессоница) C-4, ul. Gertsena 3 left with pleasant feelings. Salmon steak is recommended, stand. But you shouldn’t worry, there’ll be plenty of time to (ул. Герцена, 1), MNemiga (Немига), tel. (+375 29) inexpensive but very good, and any alcohol – they know admire the National Library and its surroundings along the 144 11 55. This cafe, as they say now, is very atmospheric: how to get their cocktails right. QOpen Sun - Thu: 11:00 way – there’s a panoramic elevator to get to Moraskino. an oblong room with tables in a row, a long bar, clocks on - 24:00, Fri - Sat: 11:00 - 02:00. The bar is usually quiet and uncrowded, subdued sound the wall over the bar showing time in different time zones, and lighting creates the ambience of a lounge. Moraskino a light display similar to one at airports with information Gosti (Гости) D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 25 (просп. has friendly staff, international and original cuisine and good about dishes and drinks instead of flight details, bartenders Независимости, 25), tel. (+375 29) 677 79 99. cocktails though not numerous on the menu, but bartenders serving the public in pilot's uniforms. The wall opposite the A veritable aircraft hangar lies behind the innocuous frontage will mix any when asked. If you want to relax, book a table in entrance is decorated with plenty of pillows with images of of this splendid addition to the delights of the Belarusian advance. And after some delicious dinner, go down to Aurum sleeping faces, all of them seeming strangely familiar, but we capital. A predominantly booth-seated affair with lots of on the 16th floor to have a bit more fun. QOpen Tue - Thu: did not get it if these images had prototypes. Generally, the wood panelling and posters of pre-war American film heart- 10:00 - 05:00, Fri - Sat: 18:00 - 06:00, Sun: 18:00 - 02:00. bar "Insomnia" features a lot of spatial illusions associated throbs on the walls, there’s a bit of everything for everyone PA6GBXS with Alice in Wonderland, in the interior you will find charac- in here. The kitchen churns out a range of staples including ters familiar from childhood and invented by Lewis Carroll, chicken wings and squid whilst the bar packs both draught Pub CLub Mixx (Паб Клаб Микс) С-5, Mash- and some of them do misbehave. The menu is international, Guinness and Pilsner Urquell. Aimed at a 30-something erova pr. 10, ul. Krasnaya 12 (просп. Машерова, cocktails are made professionally, a cup of coffee/tea is up crowd although attracting plenty more besides, there’s also 10/ул. Красная, 12), tel. (+375 29) 699 44 44. The to BYR 40,000. Everyone likes the place, so you’d better live music every night from 21:00. QOpen 12:00 - 01:00, only place in Minsk with a jukebox, so visitors can choose come and spend the whole evening - relax in the bar or dine. Fri, Sat 12:00 - 03:00. PAUEX the music (one token BYR 10,000). This two-floored pub

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features a hearty and relaxed atmosphere, with guests in (+375 29) 345 22 33. Dozari means Until Dawn, which Crowne Plaza Minsk’s very own in-house club is aimed at their early to mid thirties on the average. On the minus side, is the first thing you need to understand about this place. young, successful professionals with money in their bank it’s filled with heavy cigarette smoke. QOpen Mon - Sun: This dazzling new addition to the city’s nightlife scene is for accounts to match. Among the many treats in store are no 12:00 - 03:00. PA6GBXS serious party animals who believe a good night out ends in less than four bars, one of which is generally alive with the taxi ride home at sunrise. Spread out over two floors and skills of an acrobatic cocktail-maker. The music is quality covering a total of 1,500 square metres, the designers mainstream club music, pumped out onto a dance floor Clubs have pulled out all the stops here and have opted for a more often than not awash with good-looking things hav- Alcatraz (Алькатраз) D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 25 mind-boggling mix of Baroque and Art Deco sprinkled with ing the time of their life. Professional security keeps the (просп. Независимости, 25), MOktyabrskaya ultramodern lighting and a big, big sound. Famous names riff-raff out, guaranteeing a relaxed and fun night out for all. (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 29) 355 33 33. Hidden away from home and abroad feature on the flyers. If you thought QOpen 10:00 - 06:00. POJHALEGKXW of all places underneath the Trade Union Palace of Culture, Eastern Europe was all about cabbage soup and old ladies whilst this extraordinary if not outright kinky little club is no in headscarves, think again. QOpen 10:00 - 06:00, Closed Overtime (Овертайм) C-3, Pobediteley pr. 4 (просп. longer the force it was a decade ago, it’s still a great place Mon, Tue. PAULEXSW Победителей, 4), MNemiga (Немига), tel. (+375 to visit for a bit of fun. There’s a good sized dance floor to 29) 1 414 414. A big sports-themed hall with mediocre move around on with the help of a collection of mainstream Madison Royal Club (Мэдисон Роял Клаб) C-2, facilities has somehow managed to become a happening DJs. QOpen 12:00 - 06:00. PALEBXS ul. Timiryazeva 9 (ул. Тимирязева, 9), tel. (+375 17) nightspot. Really, there’s no accounting for taste. Most of 219 00 10/ (+375 29) 619 00 40. The ultimate night club the floor space is given over to restaurant-style seating, with Black Door (Блэк дор) B-4, ul. Very Khoruzhey 29 experience, Madison Royal Club is about as exclusive, luxurious blue plastic swivelling egg-cups accommodating some of (ул. Веры Хоружей, 29), MPloschad Yakuba Kolasa and hedonistic as it gets. The face control is legendary, but the prettiest bottoms in town. There’s a small tiled dance (Площадь Якуба Коласа), tel. (+375 17) 334 43 44/ assuming you get in (men should be sober and sophisticated, floor with not much in the way of lighting that quickly gets (+375 44) 734 43 44. Dark and moody and featuring a women beautiful and scantily dressed) expect, according to packed. Bar staff keep the crowd amused by juggling and bar that changes colour, Black Door lives in that classic them, a New York concrete and Soho glass extravaganza. dropping bottles. Wannabe thugs keep their ape ambi- Belarusian twilight zone that’s not quite a restaurant and not Many male DJs come from Ibiza, the women DJs spin tunes tions alive with an arcade style punching bag in the foyer. quite a club. The food is much better than average, making whilst practically naked and the bill at the end of the evening Popular and fun. QOpen 18:00 - 06:00. Entrance fee: €4+. even more of an argument for calling it a restaurant. The is going to cost you more than the flight home. If you don’t like PJAKX music sways between anything from funk to jazz, DJs come this kind of thing then move on. If on the other hand you do, the from abroad and they often have raucous music-theme word on the street is that it’s extremely well organised, safe nights. QOpen 12:00 - 06:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 09:00. and one of the best nights out of its kind anywhere. QOpen TNT ROCK CLUB D-3, ul. Revoliutsionnaya 9 (ул. Ре- POJHALEGKXW 22:00 - 06:00. Closed Mon, Tue. PALKX волюционная, 9) MNemiga (Немига), tel. (+375 29) 655-55-55. Minsk is rocking with powerful AC/DC Goodwin (Гудвин) D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 19 Max Show (Макс Шоу) B-6, Nezavisimosti pr. 73 riffs! TNT ROCK CLUB in Revolutsionnaya street has every (просп. Независимости, 19), MOktyabrskaya (просп. Независимости, 73), MAkademia Nauk chance to turn into iconic venue, for there’s lots more to

(Октябрьская), tel. (+375 17) 327 04 16/(+375 44) (Академия наук), tel. (+375 17) 337 38 05/(+375 17) it than just a glass of tap beer, a plate of American fare, ЛЛициц. №02310/059260802310/0592608 УУНПНП 119102667091026670 797 64 96. A bit of a nondescript restaurant by day and 292 00 38/(+375 44) 703 07 84. This round, blue and live sound and dance floor! Along with entertaining, TNT’s early evening, Goodwin slumps into a kind of gritty-groovy popular club in the Oktyabr cinema puts particular emphasis mission’s to enlighten, so its walls, apparently, are covered nightclub mode after midnight. Of particular note is the small on its erotic show programmes, meaning go-go dancers in with rock memorabilia. Displayed musical instruments that all on offer here, and if that’s not enough it’s located inside dance floor and stage which quickly becomes packed with various states of nakedness taking to the stage just about at one time belonged to famed rock stars would do honour the amazing Juravinka complex which boasts among its mildly inebriated happy locals with few pretentions and few every night. In a surprising display of egalitarianism, it also to a museum or an HRC in any big city. What concerns live temptations bowling, bars, a disco, fitness centre and even inhibitions. Get in among them and, provided you don’t have caters to the ladies by offering a male striptease review some music, the focus is on original programmes. A chance is a hotel for those who don’t want to stray too far from the any snobbish tendencies, you’re bound to enjoy the evening. nights. Check the schedule ahead of time to see whether given to young and promising rock musicians and bands action. QOpen 24 hours. POJALEKX Friendly English-speaking staff are a bonus. QOpen 12:00 - it’ll be a Boris or a Natasha flapping their privates in your to demonstrate their skill, they have the club on Friday 05:00. PTAEGBXW face. QOpen 13:00 - 06:00. Entrance fee - €10 (from 22:30 evenings and at weekends. Come and you’ll have a feeling Millennium (Казино-клуб «Миллениум») till 06:00). PAULEXSW that you’ve been invited to a party of old buddies. Hearty and С-3, Pobediteley pr. 7 (просп. Победителей, 7), Dozari (Дозари) B-5 Nezavisimosti pr. 58 (просп. no-pathos atmosphere pleasantly contrasts with Minsk’s tel. (+375 17) 209 42 25, (+375 29) 177 00 77, Независимости, 58), MPloschad Yakuba Kolasa Next (Некст) D-4, ul. Kirova 13 (ул. Кирова, 13), mainstream. On weekdays, the entrance to the club is free. www.casinozeus.by. This elite entertainment complex (Площадь Якуба Коласа), tel. (+375 17) 290 05 60/, tel. (+375 44) 718 77 77, www.cpminsk.com. The No glamour - just good old rock 'n' roll. Recommended! can be found located in the very heart of Minsk. An eye- QOpen 12:00 - 02:00, Fri, Sat: 12:00 -04:00, Sun: 12:00 candy setting of the casino, friendly and highly skilled -02:00. POJHALEGKXW staff, impeccable service and an individual approach to each client – all add up to create a pleasing and comfort- able environment where nothing hampers you enjoying Casinos the game. Four American roulette tables and six card Diamond Princess (Даймонд Принцесс) D-4, tables are at your disposal. Those favouring privacy and ul. Kirova 13 (ул. Кирова, 13), MPloshchad Lenina playing for high stakes can have it all in the VIP hall. The (Площадь Ленина), tel. (+375 17) 218 34 46, diamond- casino offers most popular and exciting four kinds of [email protected], www.worldofprincess. poker (Caribbean, Russian, Texas, Caribbean), Blackjack com. Inside the Crowne Plaza hotel, Diamond Princess offers and American Roulette, plus 50 slot machines with latest over 1,000 square metres of space for nine table games games. "MILLENNIUM" -–Success begins with a chance! including Blackjack, Roulette, Caribbean poker and Russian QOpen 24 hours. POULENGXW Poker as well as over 100 slot machines. Open around the clock there’s also an in-house bookmakers for those who like Zeus (Зевс) A-4, ul. Orlovskaya 40a (ул. Орловская, to have a flutter on sporting events. A range of drinks and 40а), tel. (+375 17) 335 03 22, www.casinozeus.by. snacks is available from the casino bar. QOpen 24 hours. A fun atmosphere thanks to an Ancient Greek theme, Casino POJAKX Zeus features three areas, one for serious gambling with the help of slot machines, roulette, black jack, Russian poker, Juravinka Princess (Журавинка Принцесс) Texas poker and three-card poker, a bar to keep lubricated С-4, ul. Yanki Kupaly 25 (ул. Янки Купалы, 25), whilst betting and a lounge area to relax. There’s also the MOktyabrskaya (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 17) 328 opportunity to eat, with a menu full of good things to eat 69 17, www.worldofprincess.com. Roulette, black jack, including the now ubiquitous Minsk staple, sushi. QOpen Troitskoye Predmestye (Trinity Suburb) at night poker, slot machines, a nice bar and international food are 24 hours. POULENGXW

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Cocktails Microbreweries Despite its predominantly post-war character, Minsk is a exhibits including icons, folk art and even a collection of items Stravinsky Bar (Стравинский Бар) С-4, Nezavi- Rakovsky Brovar (Раковский Бровар) C-3, fabulous city to explore. One of the world’s masterpieces of relating to the Chernobyl disaster. QOpen 11:00 - 16:00. simosti pr. 25b (просп. Независимости, 25б), MOk- ul. Vitebskaya 10 (ул. Витебская, 10), tel. (+375 17) Socialist-Realist urban planning, the city also throws aficio- Closed Sat, Sun. Admission free. tyabrskaya (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 29) 190 99 99. 328 64 04. An absolutely enormous place, hard to find and nados of antiquity a handful of titbits such as a scattering of A little bit of sophistication tucked away behind the tourist decorated in the manner of a large hunting lodge, the main marvellous old churches. Fire Museum D-3, ul. Gorodskoy Val 12 (ул. Городской market, Stravinsky boasts a menu of over 60 cocktails, reason for dropping by is to drink yourself silly on the in-house Вал, 12), tel. (+375 17) 294 61 22. The fascinating a glass bar, angle-poise lamps screwed to the ceiling and beer. On offer are a choice of four brews, all of them superb history of Minsk’s fire brigade, with tours conducted by contemporary wall art made from red wine stains. One and all of them liable to mislead as the percentage refers to Museums & Galleries grinning firemen. Visits must be booked in advance, and of the nicest places in town to head for a drink, added something other than the alcohol content. A favourite among Ancient Belarusian Culture Museum B-6, keep in mind that tours are in the Russian language only. bonuses include the blues oozing from the loudspeakers resident and visiting foreigners alike, the food on offer includes ul. Surganova 1/2 (ул. Сурганова, 1/2), tel. (+375 17) QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. and small selection of things to eat. QOpen 17:00 - 02:00, ostrich, brains and buckwheat and fish soup. The itinerant 284 27 32/(+375 17) 284 24 97. Opened in 1979 on the Fri, Sat 17:00 - 05:00. PA6UBX band may be good, but it probably won’t stop you wanting to 50th anniversary of the National Academy of Sciences, the First Congress of the Russian Social-Democratic slap them. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. AUGXS collection includes a wide range of ethnographic and cultural Workers Party Museum C-5, Nezavisimosti pr. Sweet & Sour (Свит энд Сауэр) D-4, ul. Karla Marxa 14 (ул. Карла Маркса, 14), MPloschad Lenina (Площадь Ленина), tel. (+375 17) 218 25 93, Live music Travel agencies www.sweetandsour.by. Relive pre-Prohibition era Amer- DooDah King (ДуДа Кинг) D-3, ul. Bersona 14 ica inside this small and exclusive, centrally located bar (ул. Берсона, 14), MPloschad Lenina (Площадь Champagne (Шампань) E-4, ul. Oktyabrskaya 5, seminars and presentations. Q Open 09:00 - 19:00, Sat popular with a range of well-heeled visitors from their 20s Ленина), tel. (+375 29) 103 10 00. Featuring live music al- 111 (ул. Октябрьская, 5-111), MPervomaiskaya 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. to their 50s. The lively bar staff conjure up all manner of most every night from around 23:00 and a fabulous collection (Первомайская), tel. (+375 29) 606 26 79, (+375 29) fancy drinks including the highly recommended Prescription of art, graffiti and American road signs covering every available 709 26 79, (+375 17) 327 86 42, www.shampan.by, Planet Travel (Планет Травел) D-3, ul. Gorodskoy Julep made from cognac, rye whiskey, mint leaves, sugar wall space, Doodah King also provides music performances [email protected]. Travel company arranges tours around Val 8-23 (ул. Городской вал, 8-23), tel./fax (+375 and spring water. Inspired by the likes of legendary bar- on an array of large screens when there’s nobody prancing Belarus with theatrical performances and pageants based 17) 228 18 18 , tel. (+375 17) 219 03 69, (+375 29) tender Jerry Thomas, the cocktails are truly fantastic, plus around on the stage. The booze selection is good, the menu on historic events and legends ("A visit to Santa Claus," "The 312 07 60, www.planetby-travel.com, e-mail: office. there’s a choice of quality beer to keep everyone happy. is bursting with Russian and American favourites and you’ll be Marriage of King Jagiello," etc.). Travel company Champagne [email protected]. They offer recreation and hunting tours, visa Superb alcohol is accompanied by delicious appetizers and hard pressed to find a seat if you arrive too late. Friendly staff also provides organization of business trips, seminars, support, booking international flights and accommodation. snacks from the minimalist but sufficient menu. This bar is too. QOpen 11:00 - 05:00. PJENXSW presentations, corporate celebrations; arranges visa support, Recommended. Q Open 09:00 - 19:00, Sat 11:00 - 15:00. open to all, but more suitable for those who can value old booking hotels and transportation for individual travelers and Closed Sun. school drinking and serving. Be aware that you can only groups, provides "dental tourism" services. It has a centrally pay in cash and there is no chance for morning espresso, Adult entertainment located office: Svobody, 23, of. 102. QOpen 09:00 - 19:00, Travel and Leisure Fans Club (Клуб любителей as the bar starts at 4 p.m. Deliciously sophisticated and Laguna (Лагуна) C-1, Pushkina pr. 39 (просп. Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. путешествий и отдыха) D-3, ul. Komsomolskaya highly recommended. QOpen 16:00 - 02:00. Closed Sun. Пушкина, 39), MPushkinskaya (Пушкинская), tel. 18, 208 (ул. Комсомольская, 18, 208), MNemiga PJENX (+375 17) 257 37 80. Strip club QOpen 21:30 - 05:30. Driant (Дриант) D-3, ul. Revoliutsionnaya 12, (Немига), tel. (+375 17) 226 42 78, (+375 17) PNK (ул. Революционная, 12), tel./fax (+375 17) 306 21 226 42 82, (+375 29) 349 44 68, http://clp-by.com, 14, tel. (+375 29) 306 21 14, (+375 33) 306 21 14, [email protected]. Travel company provides visa support, Wine Texas (Техас) C-3, Pobediteley pr. 19 (просп. e-mail: [email protected], www.driant.com. They provide accommodation services, transportation services (shuttle to Galereya Vin (Галерея вин) C-3, Pobediteley pr. 23 Победителей, 19), tel. (+375 17) 226 99 04. Strip club visa support, accommodation and airline tickets booking, the National airport and Minsk train station), sightseeing tours - 1 (просп. Победителей, 23 - 1), MNemiga (Немига), QOpen 20:00 – 05:00. PAULBKX arrival and departure transfers. QOpen 09:00 - 19:00, Sat and a vast selection of services for corporate tourists, and tel. (+375 17) 226 63 90. Wine Gallery is actually a wine 10:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun. visitors interested in Belarusian health care and agro-tourism. shop, but it has a small bar in the back and a handful of Versus (Версус) D-3, Nezavisimosti pr. 11 Q Open 10:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun. wooden tables where you can enjoy a nice vintage by the (просп. Независимости, 11), MPloschad Lenina Gastina (Гастина) С-5, Masherova pr. 3/9 (просп. glass. A very civilised alternative to the flashy casinos and (Площадь Ленина), tel. (+375 17) 200 25 20/ Машерова, 3/9), MPloshchad Pobedy (Площадь Travel Wheel (Колесо путешествий) B-5, beer gardens that surround it. QOpen 10:00 - 22:00, Mon (+375 29) 634 44 12. Strip club QOpen 21:00 - 07:00. Победы), tel. (+375 17) 288 22 65/(+375 29) ul. Kulman 1, 42 (Кульман, 1, 42), MPloschad 10:00 - 19:00. PAS PAULBKX 636 20 17, [email protected], www.gastina.by. Yakuba Kolasa (Площадь Якуба Коласа), tel. (+375 The agency can help you with visa support, airline tickets 29) 690 99 79, (+375 29) 590 99 83, fax (+375 17) and hotel booking, airport arrival and departure transfers. 209 80 93, www. bytur.by, [email protected]. Travel QOpen 10:00 - 17:00. Closed Sat, Sun. agency “Travel Wheel” offers a complete range of tourist services in Belarus: assistance in organizing individual and Golden Globe (Золотой Глобус) D-3, ul. Bogdanovi- group tours; services of guides/interpreters/translators; cha 7 (ул. М. Богдановича, 7), MNemiga (Немига), transfers (pick up at the airport or train station); coaches tel. (+375 17) 335 48 30/31/32, tel./fax (+375 17) for traveling; organizing entertainment events, excursions 335 48 35, [email protected], www.inbelarus.by. and animation programs; assistance in finding and booking The company arranges reception of tourist groups and accommodation; and other services. QOpen 09:30 - individual tourists in Belarus (more than 100 routes) 18:30. Closed Sat, Sun. and provides a full range of services (transportation, accommodation, meals, various entertainment programs, Vokrug Sveta (Вокруг света) D-4, ul. Internatsion- etc.). QOpen 09:00 - 19:00. Closed Sat, Sun. alnaya 10 (ул. Интернациональная, 10), tel./fax (+375 17) 200 16 86, 226 83 92, www.vokrugsveta.by. Master Travel (Мастер путешествий) Vokrug Sveta (Around the World) is the legal owner of the B-5, ul. Kulman 9-513 (ул. Кульман, 9-513), tel. trade mark HOTEL.BYTM and sole owner of the on-line hotel (+375 17) 286 03 39, 334 04 82, www.1-mt.com, booking service in Belarus made accessible on the website e-mail: [email protected]. The A team of travel experts at http://hotel.by. On-line hotel booking is a free service for Master Puteshestviy (Master Travel) offers visitors to Belarus corporate clients and individuals from any part of the world. a whole array of travel-relating services, such as visa support, You can in no time book accommodation in a Belarus’ hotel hotel booking, accommodation at discount prices, tours and of any category, your booking being accepted straight away. excursions of any kind, programmes of medical treatment The company offers expert travel-related services to match all and health improvement at sanatoria and rest-homes of budgets – from economy to VIP – to foreign tourist groups and the country, as well as arranging corporate holidays, trips, individual visitors. Q Open 9:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. Lenin Street at night

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31a (просп. Независимости, 31а), tel. (+375 17) Cemeteries This little known 290 68 47. Home to the first Party Congress way back in museum, housed 1898, the building was destroyed during the Great Patriotic inside the sculp- War. Such is the importance of the building, it was completely Eastern Cemetery tor’s former home rebuilt after the war and remains a testament to all things Nezavisimosti pr. 161 and workshop, is Soviet. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Wed. (просп. Независимос- a real jaw-dropper, ти, 161), tel. (+375 17) and should feature Great Patriotic War Museum D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 267 53 04. Also known on all itineraries to 25a (просп. Независимости, 25а), tel. (+375 17) as the Moscow Cemetery the city. A massive 327 56 11. Opened barely three months after Minsk was liber- due to its position on the head of Karl Marx greets visitors, although the main reason for ated by the Red Army, the city’s must-see Great Patriotic War main road out of Minsk in dropping by is the vast space on the second floor, dominated Museum has come a long way over the last six decades and the direction of the Rus- by a series of large floor-to-ceiling shelves packed with Azgur’s is currently based inside a building where it’s been since 1966. sian capital, this must-see, work. Magnificent. QOpen 11:00 - 16:00. Closed Sat, Sun. Presenting the full horrors of World War II from the perspective 23-hectare masterpiece of the Soviet Union, you won’t find much mention of the Allied was opened in 1952 near efforts, but you will get insight into the suffering of the Belaru- the site of a burial ground Churches sians and the immense sacrifices made by the Red Army to containing German soldiers Aleksander Nevsky Church C-5, ul. Kozlova 11 liberate their territory from the ‘facist-German’ [sic] occupiers. from WWII. The final resting (ул. Козлова, 11). Built inside the grounds of the city’s After passing a magnificent statue of Lenin, you can visit some place of Belarus’ finest fig- Military Cemetery to commemorate victory in the Russo- original tanks and planes in the back yard of the museum. All ures from politics, the arts Turkish War of 1877-1878 and completed in 1898, this texts are in Russian, and it’s highly recommended to telephone and other high-ranking professions, a stroll around the splendid little Russian Baroque church is the only religious or drop by in advance to arrange a guided tour in English to get place, especially with the help of a local guide, is a veri- building in the city to retain its original appearance. The the full benefit of the experience. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed table lesson in recent Belarusian history. Notable graves interior is somewhat austere, featuring lots of black marble Mon. Closed Mon Admission 5,000BYR. among the many include those of former First Secretary with inscriptions to those lost in bloody battle. In February of the Belarusian Communist Party Petr (Pyotr) Masherov 1938 the church was the last to be closed in the city, three Maxim Bogdanovich Literature Museum C-4, (1918-1980), the writers Vasil Bykov (1924-2003) and years before a Luftwaffe bomb fell through the roof on June ul. Bogdanovicha 7a (ул. Богдановича, 7а), tel. Vladimir Korotkevich (1930-1984), the sculptor Zair Azgur 24, 1941, landing in front of the icon of St. Nicholas but (+375 17) 334 42 69. The Belarusian poet and journalist (1908-1995), the Soviet partisan Elena Mazanik, who failing to explode. Another bomb during the same air raid Maxim Bogdanovich (1891-1917) had an enormous effect on assassinated the infamous Nazi controller of occupied had better luck, destroying much of the roof. Reopened Belarusian literature, a fact reflected in the naming of several Belarus, Wilhelm Kube and figures from more popular by the occupying Germans soon after, the church was streets throughout the country in his honour. This museum, spheres of life, among them Sverdlovsk/Ekaterinburg-born closed again by the Soviets who did at least spend time one of several in Belarus dedicated to his life, is somewhat Vladimir Mulyavin (1941-2003), founder of the immensely restoring the building. Church of Sts. Simon & Helena specialised as well as lacking in any English explanations to popular Soviet-era folk-rock group Pesniary, and the the exhibits. QOpen 10:00 - 17:00. Closed Mon. Also closed former captain of the Belarusian ice hockey team Ruslan Cathedral of Sts. Peter & Paul C-3, ul. Rakovskaya 4 Cathedral of the Holy Spirit С-4, ul. Kirilla i Mefodiya Sundays in summer. Salei (1974-2011) who lost his life and the lives of the (ул. Раковская, 4), MNemiga (Немига). Built in 1613, 3 (ул. Кирилла и Мефодия, 3). One of the most instantly entire Lokomotiv Yaroslavl ice hockey team who Salei was the so-called Yellow Church is the oldest surviving religious recognisable symbols of Minsk is this magnificent, gleaming, National Museum of History & Culture D-4, ul. Karla playing for at the time when a Yakovlev Yak-42 destined building in Minsk. The building was closed by the Bolsheviks two-towered Orthodox cathedral in the heart of the city. Marxa 12 (ул. Карла Маркса, 12), tel. (+375 17) for Minsk crashed on take off. The cemetery, which also at the start after the October revolution, reopened by the Completed in 1642 as part of a larger ensemble to serve 327 43 22. Artefacts relating to the history of Belarus from features an extraordinary collection of Jewish graves, was Nazis, closed again by the Soviets in 1944 and reopened Bernadine nuns, consecration was delayed for 40 years 40,000BC to the present day are sprinkled throughout this officially closed for burial in 2003 although it continues to once more in 1992. because of the Muscovite invasions. In 1741 the original creaky old museum, the largest repository of archaeological function under special circumstances. To get there, take items in the country. Axe-heads, swords, portraits, an old the Moskovskaya metro line to Vostok station and follow printing press and exhibits on fishing, hunting and folklore are the main road out of the city. The cemetery is on the north among the many rewards for those who visit. Unfortunately side of the road and is impossible to miss. there’s no text to describe any of it in English. QOpen 11:00 - 19:00. Closed Mon. Admission 3,000BYR. Military Cemetery C-5, Between ul. Kozlova and ul. Krasnozvezdnaya (между ул. Козлова и ул. Nature Museum D-2, ul. Karla Marxa 12 (ул. Карла Краснозвездная). First opened in 1840 and moved Маркса, 12), tel. (+375 17) 206 69 56. Located in the to its current location in 1895, the cemetery contains the bowels of the Museum of History and Culture (see Museums), war dead from countless campaigns from the Russo-Turk- this small museum is the most exciting place in town to see ish War of 1877-1878 to those who fell during the Great Patriotic War. The cemetery also contains the graves of several notable figures in Belarusian culture including that of the poet and writer Yanka Kupala (1882-1942), whose name crops up in several places around the capital.

dusty mammoth bones and stuffed bears. Don’t miss the institution’s pride and joy - a nice pile of potatoes. QOpen 11:00 - 19:00. Closed Mon. Admission 3,000BYR.

Zair Azgur Museum D-5 ul. Azgura 8 (ул. Азгура, 8), tel. (+375 17) 294 73 01. The award-winning, Vitebsk-born Zair Isaakovich Azgur (1908-1995) is a household name in Belarus. Azgur being one of the most celebrated Belarusian artists of the Soviet era, his busts of soldiers, the political elite and a few surprising others graced and in many cases Aleksander Nevsky Church still grace plinths throughout the former mighty empire. Children's Philharmonic Concert Hall "Upper Town" in the reconstructed building of the Church of the Holy Spirit

Minsk In Your Pocket minsk.inyourpocket.com minsk.inyourpocket.com Vol. 1, 2013 42 WHAT TO SEE WHAT TO SEE 43

Holy Martyr Grand Princess Elizabeth Convent was built on the site of an earlier wooden structure. Also on until the first half of the 19th century, October Square is now the same territory are, to the left, a small church dedicated to a massive open space that effectively serves as the centre of John the Baptist and consecrated in 1995 and, to the right, the city where a small granite pyramid marks the spot. Most ul. Vygotskogo 6, (ул. Выготского, 6) tel. (+375 17) a chapel dating from 1998. Used as a film, photography and famous as a place of celebration, public events and an outdoor 289 88 06, (+375 17) 289 01 59 www.obitel-minsk.by sound archive during the Soviet period, Mary Magdalena skating rink during the winter. Perhaps the most interesting if not e-mail: [email protected]. Named after the Grand Church was the first religious building in the city to be given bizarre story of the square is the discovery of several mammoth Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna of Russia (1864-1918), back to the religious community, the first service taking skeletons when the Metro line below was being built. a granddaughter of Queen Victoria who was arrested place on November 25, 1990. and thrown down a mineshaft by the Bolsheviks soon Troitskoye Predmestye (Trinity Suburb) C-4, West after the October Revolution and who was subsequently Maryinsky Cathedral D-4, Svobody pl. 9 (пл. Свободы, bank of the river, between ul. Maxima Bogdanovicha canonised by the anti-Soviet Russian Orthodox Church 9). This Catholic cathedral survived the ravages of both world and ul. Starovilenskaya (между ул. Богдановича и ул. Outside Russia in 1981 and wars but in the 1950s lost its two towers when it received a Старовиленской). Minsk’s old town, more commonly known by the Russian Orthodox thorough Soviet makeover. The twin towers have since been as Troitskoye Predmestye (Trinity Suburb, or just Trinity) after Church 11 years later, this restored, with copper domes sparkling impressively. the former Trinity Church that once stood in the area, is a slight extraordinary ensemble misnomer in that it dates from just three decades ago. Built on the outskirts of Minsk between 1982 and 1985 on the site of a former settlement including four churches, a Places of interest dating from the 12th century, Trinity does at least offer a break shop, crafts facilities and Isle of Tears B-2, On the Svisloch, near Storozhevs- from the sprawling concrete of the city centre. The birthplace other buildings was founded kaya, MNemiga (Немига). A small footbridge leads from of the Belarusian poet and journalist Maxim Bogdanovich, the in 1999 as a centre for over the Trinity to the Isle of Tears, a memorial commemorating area boasts a number of decent restaurants and bars, making 70 Orthodox nuns, novices include not only new works of art but a small department Soviet soldiers from Belarus who died in the decade-long war it worth having a look round, especially during the summer. and lay labourers who’ve all who renovate damaged icons from Belarus and beyond. The with Afghanistan between 1979 and 1989. The centrepiece given their lives to providing churches can also be visited, perhaps the most interesting is the chapel, with haunting figures of grieving mothers, spiritual and social help being the Church of St. Nicolas the Wonder Worker, where sisters and widows at its base. A nearby fountain features Parks & Gardens to the sick and suffering. the women of the convent read from the Psalter around the boy-like figure of an angel, rigged up to cry teardrops. Central Botanical Garden B-6, ul. Surganova 2a (ул. Also involved in a tireless the clock in hour-long shifts in order to save the world. You may notice that a certain part of his anatomy is shinier Сурганова, 2а), tel. (+375 17) 284 14 84. Taking up a amount of outreach work as There’s also a shop where you can buy produce from the than the rest. This is explained by the tradition of newlyweds considerable portion of the city’s Chelyuskintsev Park, the well as running a farmstead farmstead including jars of honey and a small café selling visiting war memorials on their wedding day, and a modern Central Botanical Gardens date from 1932 and feature some for recovering alcoholics excellent value potato pancakes. Located in the suburb on folk belief that if the bride gropes this poor young lad’s 9,000 different species. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00. Closed Mon. and other people down on their luck, the women oversee an Novinki (Навiнкi) about 8km north of the city centre, the privates she’ll be guaranteed children. enormous amount of activity at the convent. The complex convent can be reached on the N°18 bus, which runs every Chelyuskintsev Park The sprawling, 78-hectare Chely- is open to the public with tours available in English, taking in 10 minutes or so during the day. Get off at the Novinki stop Minsk State Circus D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 32 (просп. uskintsev Park is a hugely popular place for people of all ages several of the things taking place inside the buildings includ- and keep walking in the same direction. The convent is on Независимости, 32), tel. (+375 17) 226 10 08/ to visit during the warmer part of the year. Great for strolling ing a number of workshops making stained glass, icons the right. Keep an eye out for the onion domes. (+375 17) 327 22 45. The origins of the Minsk State Circus around under the trees or taking a picnic, attractions include and other works of art that date to 1930 and the construction of a tent in what’s now an ancient amusement park complete with 28-metre Ferris as well as help decorate Gorky Park. Today’s building took four years to complete and wheel, a narrow gauge railway run entirely by young people and, the convent and its four was opened to the public on February 11, 1959. Completely next door, the lovely Central Botanical Gardens (see above). churches also give young renovated in 2010, the circus now also boasts a hotel for Interestingly, the park is named after the SS Chelyuskin, a people new skills and, visiting performers and a museum. Soviet steamship that found itself stranded along the Northern through the sale of many Sea Route in the early 1930s. Trapped in ice and eventually of the things they make, a Minsk Zoo ul. Tashkentskaya 40, Chizhovka district (ул. sinking, the pilots who rescued the crew were the first ever to valuable source of income. Ташкентская, 40), tel. (+375 17) 240 23 97. Established receive the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Much of the stained glass in 1984 in true Soviet style by workers at the neighbouring is fashioned into small Minsk Automobile Plant, this 42-hectare menagerie features Gorky Park C-5, D-5, Along Nezavisimosti pr., between items including plates and over 160 species of animals including eagle owls, brown bears, ul. Yanki Kupaly and ul. Frunze (Между ул. Янки Купалы fridge magnets, all of which Egyptian fruit bats, lamas and others. As well as functioning as и ул. Фрунзе). The oldest park in Minsk and founded in 1800 are available to buy from an ordinary zoo open to the general public, Minsk Zoo is also as the City Gardens, Gorky Park received its current name in around €2 to somewhere involved in several conservation and breeding programmes. honour of the Soviet-era writer in 1936. Originally designed in the region of €30. The QOpen 10:00 - 17:00, Fri 10:00 - 18:00. along the lines of a classic English park, the hugely popular icon workshops are par- public space has seen many transformations over the years. ticularly fascinating and National Library Nezavisimosti pr. 116 (просп. Now geared towards children although frequented by people of Независимости, 116), tel. (+375 17) 229 24 94, all ages, it’s home among other things to an amusement park www.nlb.by. Opened on June 16, 2006 and the work of archi- complete with a 56-metre Ferris wheel, a small observatory and tects Mihail Vinogradov and Viktor Kramarenko, the Belarusian planetarium and an indoor skating rink. During the summer it’s structure was damaged by fire but later reconstructed. The two smaller towers are named after the offspring, while National Library is well worth a trip out of the centre for a closer possible for children to take a ride round the park on a pony. The convent was closed in 1852 and the building given the larger one represents the grief of the parents. Under inspection. Standing at 72 metres tall and boasting an impressive to the Russian Orthodox Church for use as a monastery the Soviets the church was turned into a cinema then a 22 floors, the extraordinary rhombicuboctahedron construction before being closed by the Bolsheviks after the October film studio. Now once again used for its original purpose, houses 20 state-of-the-art reading rooms, has full disabled ac- Revolution. Today the church has been restored to its former the building adds a nice splash of history to an otherwise cess, contains its very own Book Museum, lights up at night and glory. Look out for the famed Minsk Icon, supposedly dating modern square. The bronze statue in front of the church even has an observation point on top for superb views of the city from around 1500. represents Archangel Michael slaying the Devil, represented reached via a ride in a glass lift that clings to the edge of the build- as a dragon. Also of interest is the so-called Nagasaki Bell, a ing. A statue of the 16th-century father of Belarusian publishing, Church of Sts. Simon & Helena D-3, ul. Sovetskaya 15 replica of the one that used to hang in Nagasaki’s Urakami Francysk Skaryna stands near the entrance, whilst membership (ул. Советская, 15), MPloschad Lenina (Площадь Cathedral before it was destroyed in the nuclear attack on is open to anyone in possession of a valid passport regardless of Ленина), tel. (+375 17) 220 44 15. Known in the local August 9, 1945. nationality. QOpen 10:00 - 21:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. vernacular as the Red Church, the city’s best-known Catholic building was constructed between 1908 and 1910 on the Maria Magdalena Church B-4, ul. Kiselyova 42 Oktyabrskaya (October) Square D-4, Oktyabrskaya pl., orders of a rich Belarusian family upon the premature death (ул. Киселева, 42). Founded in 1847, this lovely little next to Museum of Great Patriotic War, MOktyabrskaya of their two children after whom the church is dedicated. church with a fine octagonal bell tower and splendid dome (Октябрьская). Originally functioning as a small marketplace Winter Garden in Central Botanical Gardens

Minsk In Your Pocket minsk.inyourpocket.com minsk.inyourpocket.com Vol. 1, 2013 44 WHAT TO SEE GETTING AROUND 45

Hero City Monuments Airlines Aeroflot Russian Airlines C-4, ul. Yanki Kupaly 25 (ул. Янки Купалы, 25), tel. (+375 17) 327 28 87, Lenin (+375 17) 328 69 79, www.aeroflot.ru. The country’s most well known monument to the engineer of the October Revolution Bus stations stands outside the Moscovsky (Московский автовокзал) ul. Fili- House of Government monova 63 (ул. Филимонова, 63), MMoskovskaya and dates from 1933. (Московская), tel. (+375 17) 219 36 52. QOpen The work of architect I 05:00 - 23:00. Langbard and sculptor M Manizer, the seven- Tsentralny (Центральный автовокзал) E-3 metre statue was the ul. Bobruyskaya 6 (ул. Бобруйская, 6), MPloschad tallest of the great Lenina (Площадь Ленина), tel. (+375 17) 226 09 94, On the day Hitler’s Wehrmacht took control of the Be- man throughout the e-mail: [email protected]. QOpen 24 hours. larusian capital in the summer of 1941, Minsk looked entire USSR and is more or less like any other historical city in the region, based on a real life Vostochny (Восточный автовокзал) ul. Vaneyeva a multi-ethnic mishmash of wooden houses, Catholic event from the Rus- 34 (ул. Ванеева, 34), tel. (+375 17) 248 06 28. spires, grand tsarist façades, synagogues and other sian Civil War when QOpen 05:30 - 23:00. miscellaneous architecture. on May 5, 1920 Vladi- When the Red Army took it back again three years later, mir Ilyich addressed over 90 per cent of the city lay in ruins. Rebuilt literally a group of Red Army soldiers before they left for the from the ashes of the Great Patriotic War in accordance Western Front. The sides of the base feature four with the strictest Socialist Realist principles, Minsk, bas-reliefs, October Revolution, Protecting the granted the title Hero City on June 26, 1974 along Homeland, The Industrialisation of the Country Car rental with 11 other cities in the Soviet Union in honour of and The Collectivisation of Agriculture. The statue Avis (Авис) D-3, Hotel Minsk, Nezavisimosti pr. 11 the special role it played during the aforementioned is a 1945 reproduction made from one of Manizer’s (просп. Независимости, 11), MPloschad Lenina hostilities, offers a rare glimpse at Stalin-era social working models as the original was destroyed during (Площадь Ленина), tel. (+375 17) 334 79 90, fax planning on a truly epic scale. the German occupation. (+375 17) 239 16 13. QOpen 08:00 - 17:00, Sat, Sun The city’s crowning masterpiece is the grand avenue 09:00 - 16:00. stretching several kilometres northeast from the mostly pre-war Independence Square through the Strela Car Rental C-2, ul. Tanka 81/2 (ул. Танка, heart of the city along Nezavisimosti and out past Out of town 81/2), tel. (+375 25) 604 93 15/(+375 29) 190 78 59. the pseudo-Classical Belarusian National Technical Minsk Sea (Минское море) A large artificial expanse QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. University into the suburbs. Lined with countless fine of water 5km or so north of Minsk, the Minsk Sea is popular examples, of particular interest are the 1953 Central place to escape during warm weekends. Scattered around Post Office at Nezavisimosti 10 and complete with the edge are beaches, cafés, places to rent pedalos and the inyourpocket.com hammer and sickle over the entrance, the 1951 GUM like and much more besides. department store at Nezavisimosti 23 and, a little Driving further on, the cathedral-looking structure dating from Mound of Glory (Курган Славы) 30km north of Petrol stations. The highways, towns and cities twitter.com/inyourpocket 1954 that’s the Trade Union Palace of Culture. Further Minsk, at junction of Moscow and Minsk-2 highways. of Belarus are lined with shiny, state-of-the art petrol on at the centre of the magnificent Victory Square This rather extraordinary, artificial 70-metre mound out in stations including Lukoil, Slavneft and BelNefteKhim. is the arguably the most representative structure in the direction of Minsk-2 airport was constructed in 1969 at Unleaded petrol is freely available, as are maps, news- facebook.com/inyourpocket the entire city. the point where four Red Army divisions met on their drive papers, food and all the other things associated with The Victory Monument is a 38-metre granite column towards Berlin in 1944. Made from soil taken from thousands Western-style stations. Payment is in Belarusian roubles with a three-metre replica of the Soviet Order of Vic- of Belarusian towns and villages affected by the German oc- only. At the time of going to press, a litre of 95 cost youtube.com/inyourpocket tory on top, unveiled on the 10th anniversary of the cupation, at the top of a 240-step walk on top of the mound around 7800 BYR. liberation of the city by the Red Army on July 3, 1954 are three huge bayonets rimmed by an elaborate mosaic to honour Belarusian Red Army soldiers and Partisans depicting the horrors of war in both words and pictures. A who gave their lives during the Great Patriotic War. At popular place of pilgrimage as well as one of the places local its base are four magnificent bronze reliefs (pictured) newlyweds come to have their photograph taken. Flight schedule representing May 9, 1945 (Victory Day), the Red Army During the Great Patriotic War, Belarusian Partisans Stalin’s Line (Линия Сталина) 31km west of Minsk and Honour for the Deceased Heroes of the Libera- along the Molodechno road, 6km from Zaslavl, tel. From Minsk To Minsk tion. Nearby lie small granite plinths with the names (+375 17) 503 20 22, www.stalin-line.by. Opened in of the other 11 Hero Cities throughout Belarus, Russia 2005 to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Great Days Dep. Arr. Destination Days Dep. Arr. and Ukraine. Patriotic War, Stalin’s Line forms part of a chain of defences An eternal flame at the base of the monument, burning along or close to the former western border of the Soviet 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6:10 8:35 (SU1835) MOSCOW (SU1830) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9:25 9:55 since July 3, 1961, is a popular place for newlyweds Union that ran from the Finnish border to the Black Sea. to lay flowers and have their photograph taken. In- Made up of a large collection of old tanks, aircraft, artillery 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10:45 13:05 (SU1831) MOSCOW (SU1832) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 19:15 19:40 terestingly, an entire three kilometre-long stretch of and other military hardware and set among old bunkers Nezavisimosti and the buildings surrounding it were and other defensive structures visitors; are free to wander 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 20:35 22:55 (SU1833) MOSCOW (SU1834) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 23:20 23:50 at one time mooted for inclusion on the Unesco World around at their leisure or to take one of the guided tours on Heritage list, an event which sadly never happened offer by men in military uniforms. Stalin’s Line is about 30km Notes: (1 – Mon, 2 – Tue, 3 – Wed etc...). thanks to some rather careless planning in 2002 that northwestQ of the capital. Tours are available in Russian only. For details check at airport.by. destroyed the overall appearance of the area. Open 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon. Entrance: 24 000 BYR Airline Codes: SU – Aeroflot. Tour: 30 000 BYR.

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Minsk tourist information Long-distance buses International bus schedule International bus schedule

centre From Minsk To Minsk From Minsk To Minsk Intercars BELARUS D-3, ul. Revolyutsionnaya 13-119 ul. Filimonova 63, 3 Dep. Arr. City Dep. Arr. Dep. Arr. City Dep. Arr. (ул. Революционная, 13-119), (ул. Филимонова, 63, 18:00 5:00 M (2,5) AMSTERDAM (1,5) 23:00 11:00 9:00 22:00 M (6) STRASBOURG (1) 5:00 18:00 tel./fax (+375 17) 203-39-95, 3), tel.(+375 17) 267 http://www.minsktourism.by, 16 72, (+375 17) 265 08 58, http://en.intercars. 18:00 8:00 M (2,5) ANTWERPEN (1,5) 21:00 11:00 17:00 5:30 M (2) STUTTGART (1) 8:00 18:00 e-mail: [email protected]. ru, e-mail: [email protected]. National and M M international services to countries including Portugal, 18:00 15:30 (2,5) BERLIN (1) 20:00 18:00 9:00 19:10 (6) STUTTGART (6) 0:00 11:00 Minsk tourist information centre is glad to greet the Spain, England, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, 9:00 7:20 M (6) BERLIN (2.6) 12:00 11:00 18:00 13:30 M (2,5) TORZHIM (1) 22:00 18:00 guests of the capital! Here you may: Germany, Poland, Italy, etc. QOpen 09:00 - 19:00, Sat • book a hotel 09:00 - 13:00. Closed Sun. –– M BERLIN (7) 21:30 16:00 9:00 5:30 M (6) TORZHIM –– • get free information about the history, culture, sports 18:00 19:30 M (2,5) BIELEFELD (2,6) 6:30 11:00 18:00 5:30 M (5) VERONA (1) 0:15 11:00 events of Minsk in different languages (English, German, Italian) 18:00 22:10 M (2,5) BOCHUM (1,5) 4:00 11:00 18:00 6:40 M (2,5) WARSAW (1) 6:00 16:00

• learn the repertoire of museums and theatres, M M cinemas and galleries Public transport 18:00 11:15 (5) BOLOGNA (1) 18:45 11:00 9:00 19:00 (6) WARSAW (2,6) 22:00 11:00 • order sightseeing tours around Minsk 18:00 16:30 M (2,5) BRANDENBURG (2,6) 11:30 11:00 • get free brochures and booklets, maps and city guides, Notes: Schedule valid until Sep 1, 2012. Timetable key: souvenirs and video films Metro 9:00 10:55 M(6) BRAUNSHWEIG (1) 16:00 18:00 Departs Minsk. Arrives destination. Days of the week M The centre has existed for 6 years and is visited by Anyone who’s ever ex- –– M BREMEN (6) 19:00 18:00 (1 = Monday). Departs destination. Arrives Minsk. – thousands of tourists from different countries perienced the beauty Moscovsky bus station (Московский вокзал) of the Moscow Metro 18:00 9:00 M (2,5) BRUSSEL (1,5) 20:00 11:00 QWorking hours: and is in need of more 18:00 21:40 M (2,5) DORTMUND (1,5) 4:30 11:00 Mon. – Th.: 08.45-13.00, 14.00-18.00 inspiration should see Fr.: 08.45-13.00, 14.00-16.45 what they got up to 18:00 22:40 M (2,5) DUISBURG (1,5) 3:30 11:00 Train schedule Days off: Sat, Sun. in Minsk. A surviving M testament to Soviet 18:00 23:20 (2,5) DUSSELDORF (1,5) 3:00 11:00 From Minsk To Minsk design, all major sta- M 18:00 22:30 (2,5) ESSEN (1,5) 3:50 11:00 Dep. Arr. City Dep. Arr. tions in the city centre remain intact since they were Taxis constructed with such inspiration. The use of glass is 18:00 12:30 M(5) FLORENCIA (1,5) 16:30 11:00 8:35 0:29 BERLIN 21:06 14:36 of particular interest, as are the occasional busts of 17:00 1:00 M (2) FRANKFURT (1) 11:00 18:00 Lenin found lurking in one or two subterranean niches. 13:02 0:39 KIEV 21:56 9:03 If you use your common sense, taxis can be a surpris- Using them on the other hand remains at best difficult. 9:00 16:20 M (6) FRANKFURT (6) 3:00 11:00 21:20 8:36 KIEV –– ingly cheap and reliable way to get around Minsk. Just Two lines cover central Minsk. Purple plastic tokens M 15:48 4:48 (O) LVIV 19:48 9:03 like in any other major city, however, Minsk boats plenty costing 2000 BYR are sold from booths inside Metro –– HAMBURG (7) 21:00 16:00 of entrepreneurial drivers out to take visitors for a ride stations. Drop those toy tokens into the slot machine- 18:00 21:00 M (2,5) HAMM (2,6) 5:00 11:00 17:38 5:52 (E) LVIV -- in more ways than one. To minimise the risk, look for like turnstiles. Other tickets, including a 10-day pass, 2:07 11:45 MOSCOW 9:51 19:53 either the official yellow taxis or those run by some of the come in the form of magnetic cards. These you either 18:00 18:00 M (2,5) HANNOVER (2,6) 8:00 11:00 3:40 16:23 MOSCOW 14:29 22:57 more reliable private companies, such as 135, 157, 158 swipe at the turnstile or shove in sideways until they 17:00 7:00 M (2) KARLSRUHE (1) 6:30 18:00 and 181. These numbers not only show the company pop back out, toaster-like a second later. Trains run 8:59 20:21 MOSCOW 15:43 0:49 affiliation, they’re also the short telephone numbers every two minutes or so during rush hour and every 9:00 20:30 M (6) KARLSRUHE (6) 0:45 11:00 you need to call them. Make sure the meter is running five minutes off-peak. After 21:00 trains run every 18:28 5:57 MOSCOW 16:50 0:10 9:00 13:20 M (6) KASSEL (1) 14:00 18:00 before you set off. seven to 10 minutes until 01:00. 21:30 8:05 MOSCOW 17:08 2:06 M –– KASSEL (7) 14:00 16:00 22:09 9:01 MOSCOW 18:55 3:09 Buses, Trams & Trolleybuses Minsk has 12 tram lines, 56 trolleybus routes and over 18:00 0:15 M (2,5) KOLN (1,5) 2:00 11:00 22:18 9:21 MOSCOW 19:39 6:34 100 bus routes. All three run from around 05:35 to 17:00 17:50 M (2) LEIPZIG (2,6) 10:30 11:00 23:20 10:26 MOSCOW 22:25 7:22 00:55 seven days a week. Avoid peak hours if you value your limbs. Public transport tickets costing 2000 BYR 18:00 11:00 M (2,5) LILLE (1,5) 18:00 11:00 23:38 9:37 MOSCOW 23:34 8:27 are sold at most kiosks. Punch them inside the vehicle 9:00 17:50 M (2) MANHEIM (1) 9:30 18:00 23:45 9:27 MOSCOW 23:44 8:06 or risk a fine. 17:00 3:00 M (4) MANHEIM (6) 2:00 11:00 8:35 6:44 PRAGUE 21:40 23:13 Minibuses M 9:00 10:33 SIMFEROLPOL 13:03 16:08 Known in the vernacular as a marshrutka the private 18:00 7:50 (5) MILAN (1) 21:30 11:00 17:41 8:16 ST. PETERSBOURGH 15:22 3:53 minibus is an excellent way of getting around the city 11:00 0:00 M (3,7) MOSCOW (2,5) 7:00 18:00 to the other in a hurry without the expense of a taxi. 18:48 9:28 ST. PETERSBOURGH 19:13 7:14 18:00 23:30 M (5) MUNCHEN (1) 5:30 11:00 Operating along the same routes as Minsk’s buses 3:33 8:00 VILNIUS 6:55 9:25 and trolleybuses and displaying the same route 18:00 19:30 M (5) NEAPOL (1) 10:00 11:00 numbers with the addition of a 10 at the start (the 7:40 10:10 VILNIUS 14:58 17:45 1053 operates the same route as trolleybus number 17:00 21:15 M (2) NURNBERG (2,6) 7:30 11:00 18:50 21:20 VILNIUS 18:14 20:44 53 for example), they ride for a current flat fare of M 7,000 BYR. People used to using similar transport in 18:00 20:40 (2,5) OSNABRUCK (2,6) 6:00 11:00 0:22 9:09 WARSAW 9:55 23:13 other former Soviet countries should be aware that 18:00 14:30 M (2,5) PARIS (1,5) 14:00 11:00 8:35 19:05 WARSAW 14:55 1:55 in Minsk a marshrutka only picks up and puts down at official stops. 18:00 16:30 M (5) ROME (1,5) 12:30 11:00 20:44 5:50 WARSAW 20:50 08:03 18:00 17:00 M (2,5) SALZGITTER (2,6) 9:00 11:00 Notes: (E, O – even or odd days of the month). Vostochny Bus Station

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Minsk is hardly a shoppers’ paradise, although most things of shops selling everything from saucy underwear to Независимости, 19), tel. (+375 17) 327 49 18. The Department stores are available, for a price. dictionaries, plus currency exchange and one of the best largest bookshop in Minsk. Along with a rather interesting, supermarkets in the city. There’s also a pharmacy that stays if random, selection of English-language novels, it also has open late and a couple of average restaurants. Upstairs Belarus guidebooks in English, Italian and German. It also Shopping centres also find Korona Techno, a large shop selling electrical and has some good postcards of Minsk as well as a selection of Bigzz (Бигз) Borovaya 5 (д. Боровая, 5), tel. (+375 17) electronic goods from digital cameras to washing machines. stationary. QOpen 10:00 - 21:00, Sat 10:00 - 20:00, Sun 237 93 33. A large hypermarket-style shopping centre not too QOpen 09:00 - 02:00. TAK 10:00 - 19:00. far from the city centre. QOpen 09:00 - 23:00. PALK Kupalovsky (ТЦ Купаловский) D-4, Under Kilo- Dom Knigi Svetoch (Дом Книги Светоч) С-3, Evroopt (Евроопт) ul. Montazhnikov 2 (ул. meter Zero at Oktiabrskaya metro stop, MOktyabr- Pobediteley pr. 11 (просп. Победителей, 11), tel. Монтажников, 2), tel. (+375 17) 201 16 40. Essen- skaya (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 17) 287 77 14. (+375 17) 203 34 96. An old Minsk favourite for many tially a fully fledged hypermarket complete with parking for A labyrinth of tiny shops and stalls, mostly selling women’s years, this recommended bookshop holds a large collection 2,000 cars, it may not be central but what it lacks in loca- clothes, although there are a few other places selling of literature albeit with little in English with the exception of tion it more than makes up for in choice. Selling everything household items, cheap CDs and one little stall selling a few books about Belarus. Those who use the place say at bargain prices, the Evroopt chain also has a number of children’s toys. There’s also a tiny café hiding in one corner. that the English-speaking staff that work here are some of smaller outlets throughout the city. Also at Nezavisimosti QOpen 11:00 - 19:00. N the friendliest in the city. QOpen 10:00 - 21:00, Sat 11:00 48, Kalinovskogo 23. QOpen 09:00 - 23:00. - 21:00, Sun 11:00 - 19:00. ProStore (ПроСтор) Dzerzhinskogo pr. 126 (просп. TSUM Hippo (Гиппо) Rokossovskogo pr. 2 (просп. Дзержинского, 126), tel. (+375 17) 256 45 59. Рокоссовского, 2), tel. (+375 17) 214 47 46. As well Another quality Western-style outlet selling the usual Flowers & Plants as their larger shopping centre outlets the Hippo chain also array of goods. Also here find an in-house bakery and Flora - Design (Флора-дизайн) A-6, ul. Yakuba GUM (ГУМ) D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 23 (просп. has several smaller shops scattered around the centre. delicatessen. Also at Partizansky 182 and Uborevicha 176. Kolasa 50 (ул. Якуба Коласа, 50), tel. (+375 29) Независимости, 23), MOktyabrskaya (Октябрь- QOpen 09:00 - 23:00. QOpen 09:00 - 23:00. 666 17 32, www.gloss.by. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00, Sat, ская), tel. (+375 17) 327 88 76. Built in 1951, Minsk’s Sun 10:00 - 19:00. showcase department store is a must for fans of clas- Korona (ТЦ Корона) С-2, ul. Kalvariyskaya Shopping Centre Stolitsa (Подземный sic Socialist Realist architecture. Otherwise it’s a fairly 24 (ул. Кальварийская, 24), MFrunzenskaya торговый центр “Столица”) D-3, Nezavisimosti Terra (Терра) C-3, Pobediteley pr., underground cross- dreary shopping experience. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00, Sun (Фрунзенская), tel. (+375 17) 226 52 19. Two floors pl. (Площадь Независимости), MPloschad Lenina ing by Yubileynaya hotel (просп. Победителей), tel. 10:00 - 19:00. JA (Площадь Ленина), tel. (+375 17) 226 11 67/(+375 (+375 17) 204 85 91, [email protected]. QOpen 17) 226 18 31. According to many Minsk’s best shopping 08:00 - 19:00, Sat 08:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. Na Nemige (На Немиге Торговый дом) D-3, centre, Stolitsa is a great place for gift shopping as it’s got ul. Nemiga 8 (ул. Немига, 8), MNemiga (Немига), What to buy pretty much everything from clothes to alcohol to souve- tel. (+375 17) 220 97 47. A decidedly uninspiring nirs. As well as heaps of retail outlets on three floors, this Food & Drink department store in vintage Soviet style. QOpen 09:00 Contrary to popu- centrally located, 75,000 square-metre underground gem Tsentralny (Центральный) D-4, Nezavisimo- - 21:00, Sun 10:00 - 20:00. A lar opinion, Be- features a host of cafés, restaurants and, at the time of go- sti pr. 23 (просп. Независмости, 23), MOktyabr- larus has plenty ing to press, an Internet café. QOpen 10:00 - 22:00. skaya (Октябрьская), tel. (+375 17) 327 88 of fantastic indig- 76. One of the best, most Western-style food halls in TSUM (ЦУМ) B-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 54 (просп. enous products Minsk despite its gloriously Soviet appearance. There Nezavisimosti, 54), MYakuba Kolasa (Я. Коласа), that serve well Markets are cafés, bakeries and a shop selling alcohol on the tel. (+375 17) 284 21 64. Several floors of goods as both gifts and Car Market (Автомобильный рынок) Malinovka first floor plus a well stocked supermarket upstairs. from pens to beds. Hardly inspiring, although quite souvenirs. Classic district, southwest of the ring road (микрорайон Worth a visit even if you’re not going to buy anything. good fun. Look out for your wallet and note there’s folk-related things Малиновка), tel. (+375 17) 223 05 09. Motor vehicles QOpen 09:00 - 22:00. an ATM on the first floor. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00, Sun include nesting and the associated bits that make them tick. QOpen 11:00 - 18:00. A matryoshka dolls, 06:00 - 17:00. N Jubileyny-92 (Юбилейный-92) C-3, ul. Zaslavs- hand-painted kaya 23/1 (ул. Заславская, 23/1), tel. (+375 17) Univermag Belarus (Универмаг Беларусь) wooden spoons, Komarovsky Market (Комаровский рынок) B-5, 223 04 93. Everything and more to fill up your basket. ul. Zhilunovicha 4 (ул. Жилуновича, 4), MPar- plus a wealth of ul. Very Khoruzhey 6 (ул. Веры Хоружей, 6), MPloschad QOpen 09:00 - 23:00. tizanskaya (Партизанская), tel. (+375 17) bits and pieces Yakuba Kolasa (Площадь Якуба Коласа), tel. (+375 17) 245 11 11. Another large collection of everything fashioned from 331 90 33. This former traditional marketplace has been Preston Market (Престон Маркет) B-5, ul. Max- imaginable for fair prices. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00, Sun straw and flax, completely modernised. Meat is now kept in refrigerators and ima Bogdanovicha 153 (ул. Максима Богдановича, 10:00 - 18:00. A among them dolls everything is in jolly good shape. Despite having lost its old- 153), tel. (+375 17) 331 77 65. A popular haunt of in national cos- world charm, this is still a great place to come and shop for local hungry expats, Preston Market sells a good selection of tumes plus straw produce. QOpen 10:00 - 17:00. Closed Mon. N horses and chick- ens popular with children. If you look around you can also pick up some nice inlaid wooden boxes which Books etc. make great little jewellery boxes. Linen is a favourite, None of the shops we found had any great selection of and is represented predominantly as tablecloths and books in English. napkins, usually for a very good price. Or why not some chocolate? Two well established brands making Akademkniga (Академкнига) B-6, Nezavisimosti a range of chocolates of exceptional quality are Kom- pr. 72 (просп. Независимости, 72), tel. (+375 17) munarka and Spartak. Locally-produced glass and 292 00 52/(+375 17) 292 46 52. As part of the Belaru- ceramics are both good value and can be really very sian Academy of Sciences, this distinguished shop has many nice indeed, and, last but not least, Milavitsa has been interesting books on history, science and art among other making quality ladies underwear since Soviet times. subjects. Unfortunately, there’s little in English, so it’s mainly As well as the Gifts & Souvenirs section on p. 45, keep of interest to Russian speakers. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00, Sat an eye out for other shops and the markets listed in 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. this guide, several of which provide perfect gift and souvenir solutions. Central Bookshop (Центральный книжный магазин) D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 19 (просп. Panoramic view of the river Svisloch and Troitskoye Predmestye (Trinity Suburb)

Minsk In Your Pocket minsk.inyourpocket.com minsk.inyourpocket.com Vol. 1, 2013 50 SHOPPING LIFESTYLE DIRECTORY 51

Looking for something very specific? Here’s a quick guide to Sport & Leisure the city that goes beyond the obvious. Fitness centres EVO Wellness Club (EVO Велнес клуб) Barbers & Beauty ul. Bogdanovicha 155 v (ул. Богдановича, 155 в), Zhetal (Жеталь) E-3, ul. Mogilevskaya 2/1 tel. (+375 17) 237 14 71. QOpen 07:00 - 23:00, Sat, (ул. Могилевская, 2/1), tel. (+375 17) 228 14 17/ Sun 08:00 - 23:000. AL (+375 29) 333 14 17, www.zhetal.com. They offer all kinds of haircut, manicure, visage, face and body cosmetol- Beauty Free (Бьюти Фри) B-6, Nezavisimosti ogy, solarium, depilation, massage, laser surgery. Q Open pr. 86a (просп. Независимости, 86а), tel. (+375 08:00 – 21:00, Sun 08.00 - 18.00. PLN 17) 267 40 46. QOpen 09:00 - 23:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 17:00. PJAFC Iteira (Итейра) D-5, ul. Platonova 1b (ул. Платонова, 1б), tel. (+375 17) 331 66 99. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00. Fitness club Geut Gym (Фитнес-клуб Geut PJAL Gym) B-2, ul. Gvardeyskaya 10 (ул. Гвардейская, 10), tel. (+375 17) 306 39 89. QOpen 08:00 - 21:00, Lady Gadiva (Леди Гадива) D-3, ul. Nemiga 38 Sat, Sun 10:00 - 15:00. PJ (ул. Немига, 38), MNemiga (Немига), tel. (+375 17) 200 12 46/(+375 29) 670 12 46. QOpen 08:00 - 21:00, Mir Fitnessa (Мир Фитнесса) A-1, Pobediteley Sun 09:00 - 18:00. PAL pr. 20/1 (просп. Победителей, 20/1), tel. (+375 17) 202 46 44. QOpen 07:00 - 23:00, Sat, Sun 09:00 The First Lady and the Best Man (Первая - 22:00. PAFLG Minsk’s biggest shopping centre леди и лучший мужчина) C-3, Pobediteley pr., 23/1 (пр-т Победителей, 23 корп. 1), tel. (+375 National School of Beauty (Националь- processed foods and other delights. One of the first of candleholders, dried flowers and chiffon scarves. QOpen 17) 327 16 42, 327 16 45, (+375 25) 755 54 88, ная школа красоты) ul. Melnikayte 4 its kind, the place has been somewhat eclipsed over the 10:00 - 19:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 17:00. Also at Troitskaya (+375 29) 316 16 45, www.firstlady.relax.by. They (ул. Мельникайте, 4), MFrunzenskaya (Фрун- years by newer competition. Still worth a look inside though. naberezhnaya (embankment), 6, tel. (+375 17) 283 28 25. They offer all types of haircut, nail and hair extension, зенская), tel. (+375 17) 203 35 41. QOpen 09:00 QOpen 09:00 - 21:00. Open 10:00 - 19:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 17:00 manicure, pedicure, wax depilation and different kinds of - 21:00, Sat 12:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. L massage. Q Open 08.00 - 21.00, Mon 09:00 – 21:00, Sun Rublevski (Рублевский) D-3, ul. Romanovskaya Lasandr-art (Ласандр-арт) D-3, ul. Romanovskaya 08.00 - 21.00. N-fitness (N-фитнесc) B-5, Nezavisimosti pr. Sloboda 14 (ул. Романовская Слобода, 14), tel. Sloboda 24 (ул. Романовская Слобода, 24), tel. (+375 17) 51 (просп. Независимости, 51), tel. (+375 17) (+375 17) 214 89 85. Over 30 shops in Minsk selling a 327 79 46. The exhibition presents classical and modern works of Staroye Predmestye (Старое предместье) 292 86 80. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00, Sat 09:00 - 21:00. fairly average range of groceries and other household prod- art and sculpture. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00. Closed Sun. D-3, ul. Revoliutsionnaya 13 (ул. Революци- PJAF ucts for a decent price. Also at Pobediteley 1, etc. QOpen онная, 13), tel. (+375 17) 327 62 62, 08:00 - 23:00. Lyanok (Лянок) B-5, Nezavisimosty pr. 46 (просп. 327 07 00, (+375 29) 107 77 77. Q Open 08:00 - NonStop (Нон Стоп) Pobediteley pr. 89 (просп. Независимости, 46), MPloschad Yakuba Kolasa 21:00, Sun 10:00 - 16:00. PJAL Победителей, 89), tel. (+375 17) 228 52 66, (+375 Sosedi (Соседи) A-5, ul. Surganova 50 (ул. (Площадь Якуба Коласа), tel. (+375 17) 284 81 44. 17) 250 53 96. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00, Sat 09:00 - Сургано-ва, 50), tel. (+375 17) 334 82 33. A chain Gorgeous local flax and linen, plus a range of hand-made gifts Zolotaya Liniya/Gold Well (Золотая линия) 21:00, Sun 10:00 - 19:00. PJAF of supermarkets selling everything necessary. Their large and souvenirs. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 18:00. C-4, ul. Bogdanovicha 1 (ул. Богдановича, 1), shop, Riga, is generally considered to be the best. Also Closed Sun. tel. (+375 17) 286 02 07/ (+375 44) 786 02 07, Princess Spa (Принцесс Спа) D-4, ul. Kirova recommended for their great in-store bakeries. QOpen www.goldwell.by. Haircuts, hair styling, all types of hair 13, Crowne Plaza (ул. Кирова, 13, Crowne Plaza), 08:00 - 23:00. Minsky Vernisazh (Минский Вернисаж) D-4, colouring, hair treatment and recovery. Beauty salon, tel. (+375 17) 200 94 24. QOpen 07:00 - 23:00, Sat, Oktyabrskaya Square, next to Museum of Great Pa- manicure, pedicure, nail extensions, hot manicure. QOpen Sun 09:00 - 22:00. PJFLDW triotic War, MOktyabrskaya (Октябрьская). A small 09:00 - 21:00. Closed Sun. PLN Gifts & Souvenirs outdoor market aimed specifically at tourists, find plenty Gallery Slavutiya Maistry (Галерея “Славутыя of folk art, hats and the like as well as a few Soviet-era майстры”) C-4, ul. Bogdanovicha 21, 2-nd floor military trinkets thrown in for good measure. Arguably the (ул. М. Богдановича, 21, 2 этаж), MNemiga best place in the city for things like matryoshka dolls and (Немига), tel. (+375 17) 334 49 79, www.artfolk.by. lacquered wooden boxes. Find it hidden way immediately to A good collection of both grotesquely ugly and stagger- the left of the Trade Union Palace. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. ingly beautiful folk art, paintings, amber, large ceramic Closed Mon. N

Ruchnaya Rabota (Ручная работа) A-5, ul. Sur- ganova 50 (ул. Сурганова, 50), tel. (+375 17) Craft Gallery 559 88 81. Paintings, graphics, posters, tapestries, batik, Slavutiya Maistry china, wood and leather gifts. Custom made souvenirs. QOpen 11:00 - 20:00.

Soyuzpechat (Союзпечать) C-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 4PVWFOJST 44 (просп. Независимости, 44), MPloschad Pobedy GSPN
UIF
CFTU (Площадь Победы). Buy someone you love a bag of stamps. Philately will get you everywhere. QOpen 08:00 - DSBGUTNFO
PG
#FMBSVT 20:00, Sat 09:00 - 19:00. Minsk, Troitskoye suberb (+375 17) 334 49 85 Stay up to date: www. artfolk.by www.inyourpocket.com Fitness centre in Minsk

Minsk In Your Pocket minsk.inyourpocket.com minsk.inyourpocket.com Vol. 1, 2013 52 LIFESTYLE DIRECTORY HEALTH 53

Sport & Leisure Spectator sports Clinics & Hospitals 280 27 43, ul. Polevaya, 6-2 (ул. Полевая 6, пом. 2Н), Lekar (МЦ Лекарь) D-4, ul. Engelsa 34 A/2 www.nosorog.by. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00. Closed Sun. JAL Saunas Dinamo Stadium (Динамо Стадион) D-4, (ул. Энгельса, 34 А/ строение 2), tel. (+375 17) ul. Kirova 8 (ул. Кирова, 8), tel. (+375 17) 328 35 45, 328 35 36/(+375 29) 102 02 03, 501 02 03, Na Zamkovoy (Сауна-люкс На Замковой) www.lekar.by. QOpen 08:00 - 21:00, Sat 09:00 - 20:00, Dentko (Дентко) B-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 58 (просп. 226 00 55. Local heroes Dimano play at the 50,000- M C-3, ul. Zamkovaya 33 (ул. Замковая, 33),Q tel. capacity Dinamo stadium (the official address is Kirova 8, Sun 09:00 - 15:00. Независимости, 58), Ploschad Yakuba Kolasa (+375 17) 286 20 15/(+375 29) 688 77 11. Open although this information is rather superfluous as one can (Площадь Якуба Коласа), tel. (+375 17) 284 45 11, 24 hours. NXC Lode (ЛОДЭ) B-5, ul. Gikalo 1 (ул. Гикало, 1), [email protected], www.dentko.by. QOpen 08:00 - 21:00. see the floodlights from Moscow). Tickets are as good M PJULNW as free, although you`re recommended to buy them in Ploschad Yakuba Kolаsa (Площадь Якуба Коласа), Ne Parsya (Не парься) C-5, Masherova pr. 11 advance from the attached ticket office. For some seri- tel. (+375 17) 284 72 20/(+375 29) 638 30 03, www. (просп. Машерова, 11), tel. (+375 29) 660 92 60. lode.by. QOpen 08:00 - 21:00, Sat 09:00 - 20:00, Sun MiDent (МиДент) С-4, ul. Zybitskaya 3 (ул. Q NDXC ously thorough information in English on all things soccer AL M Open 24 hours. in Belarus, including schedules of up-coming matches, 09:00 - 15:00. Зыбицкая, 3), Nemiga (НемигаQ ), tel. (+375 17) surf on over to www.soccer-belarus.com. 321 23 80, http://eng.mident.by. Open 08:00 - 20:00, Princess Spa (Принцесс Спа) D-4, ul. Kirova Nordin (Нордин) A-5, ul. Surganova 47b (ул. Сурганова, Sat 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. JAL Q 13, Crowne Plaza (ул. Кирова, 13, Crowne Plaza), Minsk-Arena (Минск-Арена) Pobediteley pr. 47б), tel. (+375 17) 289 53 48, www.nordin.by. Open tel. (+375 17) 200 94 24. QOpen 07:00 - 23:00, Sun 08:00 - 22:00. JAUFLDC PJAFLGD 111 (просп. Победителей, 111), tel. (+375 17) 09:00 - 22:00. 253 53 61. The recently opened, multi-function Minsk- Pharmacies Arena provides sports and entertainment facilities for up Korona (МЦ Корона) C-4, ul. Kommunistiches- Taiti (Таити) E-5, ul. Serafimovicha 11 (ул. Сера- kaya 39 (ул. Коммунистическая, 3), tel./fax Pharmacy # 1 B-5, ul. Kuibysheva 57 (ул. Куйбышева, M to 15,000 spectators. Capable of handling everything фимовича, 11), Proletarskaya (Пролетарская), from rock concerts (Elton John and Sting among others (+375 17) 284 46 64, tel. (+375 17) 284 56 75, 57), tel. (+375 17) 284 68 67. tel. (+375 17) 298 27 99/(+375 29) 960 27 99. have already performed here) to indoor cycling competi- (+375 29) 358 12 04, (+375 29) 870 70 72, QOpen 24 hours. TNDXC www.mckorona.by. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00, Sat 09:00 - Pharmacy #13 D-4, ul. Karla Marxa 20 (ул. Карла tions, Minsk-Arena’s biggest claim to fame is that of being M home to HC Dinamo Minsk, the city’s top ice hockey team. 19:00. Closed Sun. Марска, 20), Kupalovskaya (Купаловская), tel. QOpen 08:00 - 23:00. PL (+375 17) 220 28 44. Swimming Kravira (МЦ Кравира) B-3, Pobediteley pr. 45 Beldorstroy Fitness Centre (ФОК (просп. Победителей, 45), tel. (+375 17) 211 28 61, Pharmacy # 13 D-3, pr. Nezavisimosti 16 (просп. Белдорстрой) ul. Kalvariyskaya 37 [email protected], www.kravira.by. QOpen 08:00 - Независимости, 16), MPloschad Lenina (Площадь (ул. Кальварийская, 37), tel. (+375 17) 251 66 81. 21:00, Sat, Sun 09:00 - 16:00. PDC Ленина), tel. (+375 17) 227 48 44/(+375 17) 227 QOpen 07:00 - 23:00. 83 40. Oko (МЦ Око) B-5, ul. Yakuba Kolasa 1 (ул. Я. Коласа, Piotr Masherov Fitness Centre (ФОЦ 1), tel. (+375 17) 292 15 75, www.glaza.by/ Pharmacy # 19 E-3, ul. Kirova 2 (ул. Кирова, 2), им. П.М. Машерова) C-3, Pobediteley pr. 23/1 oko. Q Open 10:00 - 20:00, Sat 10:00 - 18:00. MPloschad Lenina, tel. (+375 17) 225 61 80. QOpen (просп. Победителей, 23/1), tel. (+375 17) Closed Sun. 08:00 - 21:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. A 226 68 66. QOpen 07:00 - 23:00. PJF Pharmacy # 2 D-3, ul. Nemiga 30 (ул. Немига, 30), Olimp (Олимп) B-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 51 (просп. MNemiga (Немига), tel. (+375 17) 211 06 75. Независимости, 51), MPloschad Yakuba Ko- Dentists lasa (Площадь Якуба Коласа), tel. (+375 17) Belyi nosorog (Белый носорог) A-6, ul. Kuzmy Pharmacy # 36 A-4, blvd Shevchenko 11 (бульвар 331 07 11. QOpen 7:00 - 23:00, Sun 8:00 - 23:00. Chernogo, 31 (ул. Кузьмы Чорного, 31), tel. (+375 17) Шевченко, 11), tel. (+375 17) 288 97 43. PJDC Sport & Leisure

Water Sports Centre (Дворец водного Bowling & Billiards спорта) B-6, ul. Surganova 2a (ул. Сурганова, Bowling House (Боулинг Хаус) Nezavisimosti 2а), tel. (+375 17) 290 48 26. QOpen 07:00 - 21:30, pr. 117a (просп. Независимости, 117а), tel. (+375 Sun 09:00 - 21:30. 17) 268 01 90. QOpen 13:00 - 03:00, Fri 13:00 - 05:00, Sat 11:00 - 05:00, Sun 11:00 - 03:00.

NLO (НЛО) A-6, ul. Yakuba Kolasa 37 (ул. Я. Коласа, 37), tel. (+375 17) 290 20 80. QOpen 18:00 - 06:00, Fri 16:00 - 06:00, Sat, Sun 12:00 - 06:00. PALKX

Olimp (Олимп) B-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 51 (пр. Независимости, 51), tel. (+375 17) 290 79 03. QOpen 11:00 - 04:00. PJG

Planeta Hotel (Планета) C-3, Pobediteley pr. 31, 2-nd floor (просп. Победителей, 31, 3-й этаж), tel. (+375 17) 226 77 87. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. PJGX

Sharovnya (Шаровня) Partizanskiy pr. 12 (просп. Партизанский, 12), tel. (+375 17) 266 96 24. QOpen 11:00 - 06:00.

Start (Старт) ul. Kalinovskogo 66a (ул. Калиновского, 66а), tel. (+375 17) 267 15 86. QOpen 24 hours. Central Botanical Gardens

Minsk In Your Pocket minsk.inyourpocket.com minsk.inyourpocket.com Vol. 1, 2013 54 BUSINESSSHOPPING DIRECTORY BUSINESS DIRECTORY 55

Q Q Banks Officials diplomatie.gouv.fr, www.ambafrance-by.org. Open 17) 284 73 34, [email protected]. Open Belgazprombak (Белгазпромбанк) ul. Pritytskogo by prior arrangement. 09:00 - 12:00. Closed Sat, Sun. 60 (ул. Притыцкого, 60), tel. +375 17 229 1629. Germany (Германия) C-5, ul. Zakharova 26 Lithuania (Литва) D-5, ul. Zakharova 68 (ул. Belswissbank (Белсвиссбанк) C-3, Pobediteley (ул. Захарова, 26), tel. (+375 17) 217 59 00, fax (+375 Захарова, 68), tel. (+375 17) 285 24 49, fax (+375 17) pr. 23/3 (просп. Победителей, 23 к. 3), MNemiga 17) 294 85 52, [email protected], www. 285 33 37, [email protected], www.lithuania.by. (Немига), tel. (+375 17) 306 20 40. minsk.diplo.de. QOpen 09:00 - 12:00. Closed Sat, Sun. QOpen 09:00 - 13:00. Closed Sat, Sun.

Belvnesheconombank (Белвнешэкономбанк) Georgia (Грузия) C-4, Svobody pl. 4 (пл. Свободы, Moldova (Молдова) E-4, ul. Byelorusskaya 2 (ул. D-3, ul. Myasnikova 32 (ул. Мясникова, 32), tel. (+375 14), MNemiga (Немига), tel. (375 17) 327 62 19, Белорусская, 2), tel. (+375 17) 289 14 41/(+375 17) 17) 209 29 44, www.bveb.by. QOpen 09:00 - 16:00, Fri fax (375 17) 327 61 93. QOpen 09:00 - 12:00. Closed 289 11 47. QOpen, Tue, Thu 09:00 - 13:00. Closed Mon, 09:00 - 14:30. Closed Sat, Sun. Sat, Sun. Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun. J

Priorbank (Приорбанк) B-3, ul. Very Khoruzhey India (Индия) ul. Sobinova 63 (ул. Собинова, 63), Netherlands (Нидерланды) A-6, ul. Vostoch- 31a (ул. Веры Хоружей, 31а), tel. (+375 17) 289 tel. (+375 17) 262 93 99, fax (+375 17) 288 47 99, naya 133 (ул. Восточная, 133), tel. (+375 17) 262 90 87, www.priorbank.by. The largest private bank in [email protected], www.indembminsk.org. 53 23, fax (+375 17) 262 40 52, [email protected]. Belarus and part of the large Raiffeisen Bank International QOpen 09:00 - 11:00. Closed Sat, Sun. QOpen 09:00 - 12:00. Closed Fri, Sat, Sun. company. Operating since 1989, Priorbank provides the D-4, ul. Lenina 19 highest standards of service to private and business Ministry of Foreign Affairs Israel (Израиль) Partizansky pr. 6a (просп. Peru (Перу) ul. Prityskogo 34 (ул. Притыцкого, (ул. Ленина, 19), tel. (+375 17) 327 92 22, fax customers. Everything from car /mortgage loans to VISA/ Партизанский, 6а), tel. (+375 17) 298 44 02, fax 34), tel. (+375 17) 216 91 14/(+375 17) 216 91 15. (+375 17) 227-45-21, www.mfa.gov.by. QOpen MasterCard/Belcard credit cards and much, much more. (+375 17) 298 44 03. QOpen 9:00 - 11:30. QOpen by prior arrangment. 09:00 - 16:00. Closed Sat, Sun. A range of premium banking services is also available. For more information on their wide range of professional Italy (Италия) C-3, ul. Rakovskaya 16b (ул. Раковс- Poland (Польша) C-5, ul. Rumyantseva 6 services, take a look at their English-language website. Minsk City Executive Committee D-3, Neza- кая, 16б), tel. (+375 17) 229 29 69, fax (+ 375 (ул. Румянцева, 6), tel. (+375 17) 284 99 80/ QOpen 10:00 - 19:00. Closed Sat, Sun. visimosty pr. 8 (просп. Независимости, 8), tel. 17) 306 20 37, [email protected], www. (+375 17) 284 99 81, [email protected], (+375 17) 328 55 66, www.minsk.gov.by. QOpen ambminsk.esteri.it. QOpen 09:00 - 12:00. Closed Sat, Sun. www.polsha.by. QOpen 09:00 - 12:00. Closed Sat, 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. Sun. Japan (Япония) C-3, Pobediteley pr. 23/1 (просп. Business connections Победителей, 23/1), tel. (+375 17) 203 44 81/(+375 Romania (Румыния) B-2, Moskvina per. 4 (Москвина Belarus National Bank (НБ РБ) С-2, Nezavisi- 17) 203 62 33. QOpen by prior arrangment. пер. 4), tel. (+375 17) 203 77 26/(+375 17) 203 80 mosti pr. 20 (просп. Независимости, 20), tel. 97, fax (+375 17) 211 21 63, [email protected]. (+375) 327 50 37, www.nbrb.by. QOpen 9:00 - 16:00. Foreign representations Kazakhstan (Казахстан) С-4, ul. Kuibysheva 12 QOpen 09:00 - 12:00. Closed Sat, Sun. Closed Sun. Armenia (Армения) D-4, ul. Kirova 17 (ул. Кирова, 17), (ул. Куйбышева, 12), tel. (+375 17) 288 10 26/(+375 tel. (+375 17) 327 51 53/(+375 17) 327 05 63. QOpen 17) 334 96 50, [email protected]. QOpen 10:00 - 12:00. Russia (Россия) A-3, ul. Novovilenskaya 1a Belarusian Chamber of Commerce ul. Yakuba Kolasa, Tue, Thu 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun. Closed Fri, Sat, Sun. (ул. Нововиленская, 1а), tel. (+375 17) 250 36 66/ 65 (ул. Якуба Коласа, 65), tel. (+375 17) 266 04 73, (+375 17) 288 67 68. QOpen 09:00 - 16:00. Closed www.cci.by. QOpen 9:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. Belgium (Бельгия) B-4, Masherova pr. 54 (просп. Korea (Корея) Pobediteley pr. 59 (просп. Fri, Sat, Sun. Машерова, 54), tel./fax (+375 17) 293 19 44, Победителей, 59), tel. (+375 17) 306 01 47, fax Ernst & Young LLC С-3, ul. Korolya 51 (ул. Короля, [email protected], http://consulbel.at.tut.by. QOpen (+375 17) 306 01 60, [email protected], www.blr. Serbia (Сербия ) E-2, ul. Rumyantseva 4 51), tel. (+375 17) 209 45 35, [email protected], by prior arrangement. mofa.go.kr. QOpen 09:30 - 17:30. Closed Sat, Sun. (ул. Румянцева, 4), tel. (+375 17) 284 29 84, www.ey.com/belarus. [email protected]. QOpen Mon, Wed, Fri 10:00 - 12:00. Bulgaria (Болгария) C-4, Svobody pl. 11 ( пл. Свободы, Kyrgyzstan (Киргизстан) C-4, ul. Starovilenskaya Closed Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun. IMF D-3, ul. Volodarskogo 6 (ул. Володарского, 11), tel. (+375 17) 328 65 58, fax (+375 17) 328 65 59. 57 (ул. Старовиленская, 57), tel. (+375 17) 234 91 6), tel. (+375 17) 200 25 33, www.imf.org. QOpen QOpen 10:00 - 13:00. Closed Fri, Sat, Sun. 17, fax (+375 17) 334 16 02, [email protected]. Slovakia (Словакия) D-3, ul. Volodarskogo 6 09:00 - 18:00. QOpen 09:30 - 12:00. Closed Fri, Sat, Sun. (ул. Володарского, 6), tel. (+375 17) 285 29 99, China (Китай) C-5, ul. Berestyanskaya 22 fax (+375 17) 283 68 48, [email protected], Law firm Sorainen D-3, ul. Nemiga 40 (ул. Немига, (ул. Берестянская, 22), tel. (+375 17) 285 36 82/(+375 Latvia (Латвия) B-5, ul. Doroshevicha 6a (ул. www.mzv.sk/minsk. QOpen 09:00 - 11:30. Closed 40), tel. (+375 17) 306 21 02, [email protected], 17) 285 36 83. QOpen 10:00 - 13:00. Closed Sat, Sun. Дорошевича, 6а), tel. (+375 17) 284 93 93, fax (+375 Fri, Sat, Sun. www.sorainen.com. Cuba (Куба) C-5, ul. Krasnozvyozdnaya 13 Stepanovski, Papakul & partners LLC С-4, (ул. Краснозвездная, 13), tel. (+375 17) 200 03 83/ ul. Kuibysheva 16 (ул. Куйбышева, 16), tel. (+375 17) (+375 17) 284 76 36, [email protected]. QOpen 209 44 83, [email protected], www.spplaw.by. 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun.

UNDP D-4, ul. Kirova 17 (ул. Кирова, 17), tel. (+375 Czech Republic (Чешская Республика) С-4, 17) 327 48 76, www.un.by. Muzykalny per. 1/2 (Музыкальный пер. 1/2), tel. (+375 17) 226 55 40/(+375 17) 226 52 44, World Bank С-4, ul. Gertsena 2a (ул. Герцeна, 2а), [email protected], www.mzv.cz/minsk. QOpen tel. (+375 17) 226 52 84, www.worldbank.org. QOpen 09:00 - 12:30. Closed Wed, Sat, Sun. 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. J Estonia (Эстония) 2 Pereulok Koltsova 52 (2-й пер. Кольцова, 52), tel. (+375 17) 219 88 30/(+375 17) Consulting & Auditing 219 88 31, [email protected]. QOpen 15:00 - Dicsa (Дикса) ul. Melezha 5/2 (ул. Мележа, 16:00. Closed Fri, Sat, Sun. Open for visas Mon, Tue, Wed, 5/2), tel. (+375 17) 268 40 22, www.dicsa.net. Thu 10:00-13:00. Legal advice on investment projects, corporate law, construction law, tax planning and intellectual property France (Франция) С-4, Svobody pl. 11 (Свободы among many other services. See their website for more пл. 11), tel. (+375 17) 229 18 06/(+375 17) 229 information. 18 30, fax (+375 17) 210 25 48, webmestre.by@ City Festival in Minsk

Minsk In Your Pocket minsk.inyourpocket.com minsk.inyourpocket.com Vol. 1, 2013 56 BUSINESS DIRECTORY STREET REGISTER 57

Akademicheskaya ul. В-6 Kommunisticheskaya ul. В-4 Pobedy pl. С-5 Switzerland (Швейцария) D-4, ul. Krasnoarmey- Press Box Andreevskaya ul. Е-5 Komsomolskaya ul. D-3 Pritytskogo ul. С-1 skaya 22a (ул. Красноармейская, 22аQ), tel. (+375 Antonovskaya ul. D-5 Korolya ul. С-2/3 Pulikhova ul. D-5 17) 327 18 42, fax (+375 17) 217 84 62. Open 09:00 “From Albania to Ukraine In Your Pocket is a - 12:00. Closed Fri, Sat, Sun. Aranskaya ul. Е-4 Korzha ul. D-2 Pushkina pr. В/С-1 wonderful source of boutique hotels, spas and Azgura ul. D-5 Kozlova ul. D-6 Rakovskaya ul. С-3 great little bars.” Tajikistan (Таджикистан) D-4, ul. Kirova 17 (ул. Azizova ul. А-4 Kozlova ul. С-5 Romanovskaya Sloboda ul. С-3 Кирова, 17), tel. (+375 17) 222 37 98. QOpen 09:00 Elle Bangalor pl. А-5 Krasnaya ul. С-4/5 Rozy Luksemburg ul. Е-1/2 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. Belomorskaya ul. B-5 Krasnoarmeiskaya ul. D-4 Rumyantseva ul. С-5 “Detailed, carefully researched guides.” Berestyanskaya ul. С-5 Krasnozvyozdnaya ul. С-5 Rybalko ul. Е-6 Turkey (Турция) D-3, ul. Volodarskogo 6 (ул. Daily Mail Володарского, 6), tel. (+375 17) 327 13 83/ Bersona ul. D-3 Kropotkina ul. В-4 Sapyorov ul. В-2 (+375 17) 327 06 57. QOpen 09:00 - 12:00. Closed Betonny proezd Е-1 Kuibysheva ul. А-5, С-4 Serafimovicha ul. Е-5 “Solid, reliable information on everything from Biryuzova ul. В-1 Kulman ul. А-4, В-5 Shcherbakova ul. Е-6 Sat, Sun. where to book a reasonable B&B to how best Bobruiskaya ul. Е-3 Kupriyanova ul. D-2 Shchorsa ul. Е-1 to spend 72 hours in a city.” Ukraine (Украина) B-4, ul. Starovilenskaya 51 Bogdana Khmelnitskogo ul. А/В-6 Kuzmy Chornogo ul. А-6 Shevchenko blvd А-4 The Guardian (ул. Старовиленская, 51), tel. (+375 17) 283 19 90 / Boleslava Beruta ul. С-1 Lenina ul. D-4, Е-5 Skryganova ul. С-2 (+375 17) 283 19 80, [email protected], Q Botanicheskaya ul. D-6 Leonida Bedy ul. А-5 Slesarnaya ul. D-5 www.belarus.mfa.gov.ua. Open , Mon 14:00 - 16:00, “You do not even need to pack a guidebook: just Bronevoi per. D-5 Lermontova ul. D-1 Smolenskaya ul. Е-5/6 Tue, Wed, Thu 09:00 - 13:00. Closed Fri, Sat, Sun. pick up an In Your Pocket when you arrive.” Byelorusskaya ul. Е-4 Lesy Ukrainky ul. А-1 Sovetskaya ul. D-3 Simon Calder United Kingdom (Великобритания) D-4, Chapaeva ul. D-5 Lomonosova ul. А-6 Stakhanovskaya ul. Е-6 The Independent & LBC Radio ul. Karla Marxa 37 (ул. Карла Маркса, 37), tel. Chebotaryova ul. Е-6 Masherova pr. В-5, С-2 Stanislavskogo ul. Е-5 (+375 17) 210 59 20, fax (+375 17) 220 23 06, “In Your Pocket: a cheeky, well-written series Chernyshevskogo ul. А-6 Maxima Bogdanovicha ul. А-5, С-4 Starovilenskaya ul. В/С-4 [email protected], www.britain.by. Chervyakova ul. А-3 Maxima Tanka ul. С-2/3 Starovilensky tract А-3 QOpen , Mon, Thu 09:00 - 11:30. Closed Tue, Wed, Fri, of guidebooks.” Sat, Sun. The New York Times Chicherina ul. С-4 Melnikaite ul. С-3 Sudmalisa ul. Е-5 Chigladze ul.. А-1 Mikhasya Lynkova ul. А-1 Sukhaya ul. D-3 United States (США) C-4, ul. Starovilenskaya 46 “Most of the traditional guidebook companies Daumana ul. В-3 Mogilyovskaya ul. Е-3 Surganova ul. А-5, В-6 (ул. Старовиленская, 46), tel. (+375 17) 210 12 Dekabristov ul. Е-1 Moskovskaya ul. Е-3 Sverdlova ul. D-3 83/(+375 17) 226 16 01, fax (+375 17) 234 78 53, now have decent websites, with plenty of advi- ce and information either freely available or Dolgobrodskaya ul. D-6 Moskvina ul. В-2 Tarkhanova ul. В-2 [email protected], http://minsk.usembassy. Domashevskogo per. D-2 Myasnikova ul. D-3 Tatarskaya ul. В-2 gov. QOpen , Mon, Tue, Thu 08:30 - 12:00. Closed Wed, downloadable for a fee, but inyourpocket.com Fri, Sat, Sun. is also well worth a browse. Concentrating on Druzhnaya ul. Е-3 Nekrasova ul. А-6 Tretyego Sentyabrya ul. D-1, С-2 both well-known and more offbeat European Dzerzhinskogo pr. Е-1 Nemiga ul. D-3 Timiryazeva ul. А-1, В-2 Vatican (Ватикан) D-3, ul. Volodarskogo 6 destinations, its free downloadable city and Engelsa ul. D-4 Nezavisimosti pl. D-3 Tolstogo ul. Е-3 (ул. Володарского, 6), tel. (+375 17) 289 15 84, country guides are compiled by locals and Fabrichnaya ul. Е-5 Nezavisimosti pr. D-3, В-5 Tsnyanskaya ul. В-5 [email protected], http://nunciature.catholic.by. Fabritsiusa ul. Е-2 Novovilenskaya ul. А-3 Ulyanovskaya ul. Е-4 QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. regularly updated.” The Independent Frantishka Bogushevicha ul. D-3 Novovilensky per. А-3 Uralskaya ul. D-6 Frunze ul. С-5 Odoevskogo ul. С-1 Very Khoruzhey ul. В-4/5 Insurance “The secret of the In Your Pocket guides is that, Gaia ul. А-4 Oktyabrskaya ul. Е-4 Vereshchagina ul. С-1 Belgosstrakh (Белгосстрах) D-2, ul. Liebknechta unlike many expensive travel guides, they are Gikalo ul. B-5 Olshevskogo per. В-1 Volodarskogo ul. D-3 70 (ул. Либкнехта, 70), tel. (+375 17) 269 26 00, written by native English speakers living in the Gorodskoi Val ul. D-3 Olshevskogo ul. А/В-1 Volokha ul. D-1/2 fax (+375 17) 213Q 08 05, [email protected], www. city they are writing about.” Griboedova ul. В-2 Orlovskaya ul. А-1/4 Vostochnaya ul. А-6 belgosstrakh.by. Open 08:30 - 17:30, Fri 18:30 - 16:40. Grushevskaya ul. Е-2 Osipenko ul. А-4 Yakuba Kolasa pl. В-5 Closed Sat, Sun. The Irish Times Gusovskogo ul. С-1 Papanina ul. Е-2 Yakuba Kolasa ul. А-6, В-5 Belingosstrakh (Белингосстрах) C-3, Pobe- “With so many European cities now within easy Gvardeiskaya ul. С-2 Pervomaiskaya ul. D-5 Yanki Kupaly ul. С-4 di-eley pr. 19 (просп. Победителей, 19), tel. range, this website is a (literally) priceless first Ierusalimskaya ul. D-3 Pervy Tvyordy per. С-6 Zakharova ul. С/D-5 Ignatenko ul. В-2 Pervy Zagorodny per. С-2 Zapadnaya ul. D-2 (+375 17) 209 24 16/(+375Q 17) 209 25 46, stop before your holiday. The guides are free www.belingosstrakh.by. Open 08:40 - 17:10. Closed to download and print off as pdfs and have Internatsionalnaya ul. D-4 Petrusya Brovky ul. В-6 Zaslavskaya ul. С-3 Sat, Sun. information on where to eat and stay and what Izvoznaya ul. Е-2 Pinskaya ul. С-2 Zhukova pr. D-1 to see on European city breaks.” Kakhovskaya ul. А-3 Platonova ul. D-5, С-6 Zmitroka Byaduly ul. С-5 Language courses The Times Kalinina per. А-6 Pobediteley pr. А-1, В-3 Zolotaya Gorka ul. С-5 Minsk State Linguistic University B-3, ul. Zakharo- Kalinina pl. В-6 M va 21 (ул. Захарова, 21), Ploschad Pobedy “In Your Pocket guides are each written by an Kalinina ul. А-6 (Площадь Победы), tel. (+375 17) 213 76 63. English language writer who lives locally. All Kalvariyskaya ul. С-1 Street Smarts A huge and highly respected institution, who offer a multi- information is also available on the publisher’s Karastoyanovoy ul. А-4 tude of courses in a multitude of languages. They have a Karla Liebknechta ul. Е/D-2 Belarusian Russian good website in English http://international.mslu.byQOpen website.” 09:00 - 21:00. Closed Sun. Sueddeutsche Zeitung Karla Marxa ul. D-4 Street vulitsa / вулiца (вул.) ulitsa (ul.) / улица (ул.) Kharkovskaya ul. D-1/2 Square ploscha / плошча (пл.) ploschad (pl.) / площадь (пл.) Kirova ul. Е/D-4 Photographic services “The In Your Pocket series of guide booklets Avenue praspekt / prospekt (pr.) / have turned out to be highly useful in avoiding Kiselyova ul. В-4 праспект (прасп.) проспект (просп.) Foto Centre (Фото Центр) E-3, ul. Kirova 1 (op- Klary Zetkin ul. D-3 tourist traps and other travel hazards. They have Side street zavulak / завулак pereulok (per.) / переулок posite train station) (ул. Кирова, 1), tel. (+375 17) Klumova per. Е-6 225 62 25/(+375 17) 225 06 03. One-hour service. become a European publishing phenomenon.” (зав.) (пер.) QOpen 09:00 - 20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. International Herald Tribune Kollektornaya ul. D-3

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