Minsk

2011
2011
www.inyourpocket.com
MINSK
Hotels Restaurants Cafs Nightlife Sightseeing Events Maps
Inside
A thoroughl y researched,
impartial scrutiny of the best
things Minsk has to offer
National
Art Museum
An in-depth look at one
of Belarus best cul tural
treasures
20 20 200000 2 11 11 11 1 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 111 11111111 11111 1111111 11111 111111111111111 1111111 11111 20000 20 20 20 200 20 20 20000000000000000000000000000011 1111 1111 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11111111 11111111 11 11 111111111111 1111111111111 1 11 11 111111111111 11 11 1111 111111111 111 111111 1111 11 1111111 111111 11111 1111111 111 11 1 11 1111 11111 111111111111 111111111111111 1111 11111111111111 11 1111111111111111 11111 1111111111 111111111111 1111
2011
"In Your Pocket: A cheeky, well-
written series of guidebooks."
The New York Times
3
CONTENTS
E S S E N T I A L C I TY G U I D E S
2011 minsk.inyourpocket.com
Archangel Michael dispatches the Devil in the form of a
dragon in front of the Catholic Church of Sts. Simon & Helena.
Read the sad story behind its construction on p. 33.
Arriving in Minsk 5
Are we there yet?
Basics 6
Essential information, from alcohol to visas
History 9
Some useful background information
Mail & phones 10
Keeping in touch
Culture & Events 11
Galleries, theatres, events and more
Where to stay 13
A bed for all budgets
Dining & Nightlife
Restaurants 15
A roll call of recommended eateries
Contents
Get In Your Pocket before you go
The full In Your Pocket range is available to purchase online at:
www.inyourpocket.com/clickandbuy
N60 - 1.20Ls
RIGA
Hockey Fever
Everything you need to
know about IIHF World
Championship in Riga
Explore Latvia
Take a day trip to
the seaside towns of
Jrmala and Liepja
April - May 2006
N7 - Free copy
BELFAST
The Great
Outdoors
Cycling, skydiving and
country pursuits
Gastro Tourism
Seafood, whiskey and
St. Georges Market
August - September 2006
WARSAW
Wilanw
Explore the Polish
Versailles
Out of town
Polands top spa town:
Naczw
N34 - 5z (w tym 7% VAT) www.inyourpocket.com
ISSN 1641-5264
N4 - 400 lek
TIRANA
Shopping fever
Tiranas first malls
Facade art
Painting the city pink
2006 - 2007
Museumnight
100 museums in one
night
Floating the
boat
Spree river tours
N23 - 1.75
BERLIN
ST. PETERSBURG
Easter Greetings
Egg breaking & church
walking
Russian in Russia
The best ways to discover
the language
Culture & Events
Simple Minds, t.A.T.u. &
Cosmonauts Day
April 2006
April 2006 N24
NEW
LOOK!
N47 - 35kr
TALLINN
Touring Narva
Cool sights at the EUs
eastern border
IYP gets a new
look
The inside scoop on the
new look inside
April - May 2006
N34 - 100 K
PRAGUE
Going to the
chapel
Karltejns renovated
jewel
Lets rock
Visiting the Bohemian
Paradise
N40 - 8.00 lei
BUCHAREST
A New Look
Weve never looked
better: In Your Pocket
gets a makeover
Blogging
Bucharest
Our guide to the best
politicall y incorrect
comment online
April - May 2006
KRAKW
Tarnw
Explore the Pearl of the
Renaissance
Leisure
Getting active in Krakw
ISSN 1508-2334
N23 - 1.75
FRANKFURT
Beach bars
Cocktail in hand, toes
in sand
Dram tram
Sipping ebbel wei on the
cider express
COLOGNE
Football events
Win or lose, this is
where to party
River tours
Wine and dine on the
Rhine
June - July 2006
N1
Complimentary copy
ISSN 1640-3592
GDASK
Kashubia
Exploring the Polish Alps
Hot spots
The Bal tics Beaches
August - November 2006
SOPOT & GDYNIA
Including
HAMBURG
Harbour tours
Down in the docks
Football events
where to party
June - July 2006
N1
Complimentary copy
D
Hollyd
Polands cinema city
Stars in your
eyes
From Polanski to Max
Factor, read about the
famous natives.
September - December 2006
N2 - 5z (w tym 7% VAT) www.inyourpocket.com ISSN 1896-1169
N1 - Complimentary copy
SKOPJE
Skopje
snapshots
The Marubi photo
collection
Around town
Daytrips to the lake,
beach and mountains
2006 - 2007
N1 - Complimentary copy
SHKODRA
Shkodra
snapshots
The Marubi photo
collection
Around town
Daytrips to the lake,
beach and mountains
2006 - 2007
N1 - 3
PRISTINA
Football events
where to party
Feature 2 - max
2 lines
Short description of the
feature. Should be max.
3 lines.
2006 - 2007
N1
Complimentary copy
KAISERSLAUTERN
Football events
where to party
Going Palatine
Strolling in the forest
June - July 2006
The magnificent Orthodox Cathedral of the Hol y Spirit is
one of Minsks most well known sights. Find it on p. 33
along with a whole host of other great places to visit.
Cafs 25
Where to find the best espresso
Nightlife 27
Drinking, dancing and other after-dark treats
Sightseeing
What to see 32
Unmissable Minsk
Getting around 37
When legs just arent enough
Shopping 43
What you need to know
Directory 46
Everything else you need to know
Sport & Leisure 51
Where to partake and observe
Maps
Street index 53
City centre map 54
City map 56
Country map 57
Minsk In Your Pocket minsk.inyourpocket.com
4
FOREWORD
5
ARRIVING IN MINSK
customs torture, you end up at the arrivals hall on the first
floor. The currency exchange, directl y opposite, usuall y oper-
ates when flights arrive. Otherwise, head to the larger one
on the second floor (Open 09:00 - 13:00, 13:30 - 20:00).
An ATM is located on the third floor, next to departure gate
N1. For public telephones, long distance calls, Internet and
post, head to the post office on the third floor.
Getting to town Taxis can be found parked outside gates
N5 and 6. If youre quoted more than 25 for a ride into the
city centre youre literall y and metaphoricall y being taken for
a ride. Bus N300 goes to both bus stations in the city. Pay
the driver, currentl y about 6,000BYR. Buses run between
around 04:15 and 01:00.
By train
Minsks 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 shouldnt 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 (currentl y 800BYR) and a large,
24hr left luggage room.
Getting to Town The 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 eventuall y leads
to the entrance of the Ploschad Nezavismosti 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 one with 135, 157, 158 or
181 displayed on the car. Be sure they turn on the meter.
E S S E N T I A L C I TY G U I D E S
Minsk In Your Pocket
published by JLLC TopPRINT/
In Your Pocket.
Belarus, 220040 Minsk,
155, ul. M.Bogdanovicha, 131
minsk@inyourpocket.com
tel./fax: (+375 17) 331 34 52,
Editorial
Editor Sco
Contributors Andrew Quested,
Tim Orr
Researchers Victor Martynov,
Elena Chudnikova
Photos Anatol y Dribas
General Manager Vadim Martynov
Layout & Design Elena Pavlova
Distribution (+375 17) 334 87 23

: .. , ..
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15.04.2011. 60x84
1
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. Pocket.
. . . . 3,5. .-. . 7,2.
25000 . 189.

02330/0131956 20.10.2006.
02330/0494191 03.04.2009.
. , 155-131, 220040, .
ISBN 978-985-90160-3-5
E
E
C

R

P
G
L
D
The Belarusian National Opera &
Ballet Theatre recently received a
complete overhaul and is looking
better than ever.
Worthy of a look without visiting
a per formance (see p. 11), the
bui l di ng i s the work of one of
Bel arus most famous Sovi et-
era archi tects, Joseph Langbard
(1882-1951).
Cover story
T
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b
W
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b
B
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(
2011
2011 www.inyourpocket.com
MINSK
Inside
A thoroughl y researched,
impartial scrutiny of the best
things Minsk has to offer
National
Art Museum
An in-depth look at one
of Belarus best cul tural
treasures
2011 2200011111 20111111 111 2011 2200011111 2011
"In Your Pocket: A cheeky, well-
written series of guidebooks."
The New York Times
Despite claiming a few outstanding historical sights
representing the citys rich and illustrious past,
Minsk is best known as a living monument to the
grandiose aspirations of Soviet architecture and
urban planning. Famously destroyed during the
Great Patriotic War, the Belarusian capital grew out
of the ashes of conflict to become a Socialist Realist
masterpiece complete with spacious avenues, lush
green parks and a battalion of buildings dating from
the 1940s and 1950s that simply have to be seen
to be believed. Minsk really is a city like no other. Yet
beneath its clean and regimented exterior lies an
underbelly of exuberance in the guise of exceptional
restaurants, world-class bars, clubs to rival those
in any major city around the world and a cultural
life offering everything from theatre to opera to
experimental dance. The only thing missing in the
past has been a comprehensive, English-language
guidebook to the city, a situation now remedied by
the regularly updated publication of Minsk In Your
Pocket, produced by natives of the city and packed
with everything a visitor needs from information
on the best hotels to where to get your hair cut.
Minsk In Your Pocket welcomes comments and
suggestions on any subject related to the city.
Email us at minsk@inyourpocket.com or join the
conversation online at minsk.inyourpocket.com.
In Your Pocket has broken much new ground of
late, publishing new guides in the Netherlands (Den
Bosch, Utrecht), Austria (Vienna), Croatia (Bra
and Senj), Slovenia (Celje), Serbia (Ni) and Swit-
zerland (Zurich). A new guide to Minsk in Belarus
is the next In Your Pocket to launch, the proof
of which youre now holding in your hands. Weve
also started rolling out iPhone apps to all our cities
and will be launching even more In Your Pocket
guides as apps throughout the year. To find out
which cities well be covering and to keep up to
date with all In Your Pocket news and events, join
In Your Pocket on Facebook (facebook.com/
inyourpocket) or follow us on Twitter (twitter.
com/inyourpocket).
Europe In Your Pocket
Arriving in and getting around Minsk are fairl y simple affairs
once you understand the basi cs. Accordingl y, travelling
further afield is relativel y painless if youre prepared to do
your research beforehand and use some sign language
when using buses and trains. Car rental is relativel y cheap
by Western standards.
By bus
The convenientl y located Central Bus Station is closed
for reconstruction until the end of 2011, leaving the far
l ess conveni ent Vostochny (Eastern) and Moscovsky
(Moscow) bus stations to deal wi th international buses.
Both stations have lockers for luggage and other basic
facul ties including pay toilets, cafs, currency exchange
and numerous kiosks.
Getting to town Taking a bus to the city centre is complicated
and invol ves mul tiple stops so a taxi is the best bet.
By car
Dri ving in Belarus is generall y much better than i t used to
be, and certainl y less fraught wi th danger than in some of
i ts EU neighbours. Theres a risk of recei ving on-the-spot
fines from traffic police, so stay wi thin the speed limi ts.
Road signs are in Belarusian onl y wi th the exception of the
M1 (E30) Brest-Minsk highway. At the border i ts necessary
to fill out a declaration on your car and buy Belarusian vehicle
insurance which is cheap, but be sure you have the money
in cash (Russian roubles, US dollars and euros onl y). There
may not be controls at the border coming in from Russia,
but there could be sporadic checks. Youll have to pay a
small toll for using the Brest-Minsk highway, again payable
onl y in Russian roubles, US dollars and euros. In the event
of a breakdown trouble, call tel. 116.
By plane
Minsk has two airports, the tiny and hardl y used Minsk-1 in
the city centre and the larger Minsk-2, where the majority of
international flights arrive and depart.
Minsk-1
A classic Socialist Realist building not dissimilar to the faade
of the nearby airport in Vilnius, Minsk-1, some 3km south of
the centre, hardl y qualifies as an airport at all. A currency
exchange and caf are the onl y services.
Getting to town Bus N100 goes to the ci ty centre and
runs along Nezavisimosti. Buy a ticket on board for 850BYR.
Taxis outside may or may not be reliable. See Taxis for
details on how to spot which is which.
Minsk-2
The ci tys main international airport, Minsk-2, is located
42km north-east of the city. Once you go through the usual Minsk-2 International Airport
Copyright notice
Text and photos copyright JLLC TopPRINT
1992-2011. Maps copyright JLLC TopPRINT.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication
may be reproduced in any form, except brief
extracts for the purpose of review, without
written permission from the publisher and
copyright.
Editors note
The editorial content of In Your Pocket
guides is independent from paid-for
advertising. Sponsored listings are clearl y
marked as such. We welcome all readers
comments and suggestions. We have
made every effort to ensure the accuracy
of the information at the time of going to
press and assume no responsibility for
changes and errors.
, ,
, 2011
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6
BASICS
7
BASICS
Alcohol
As one would expect to find in this part of the world, vodka
is essentiall y the Belarusian national drink. Local brands are
inexpensive and generall y very good. Three to watch out for
are Minsk Kristal ( ), Belalco ()
and Bulbash (). For men, knocking back ice-cold
shots in one is considered the correct way to drink. Mixing
vodka is looked on as being somewhat unmanl y. Belarusian
beer comes in all shapes and sizes from the mass-produced
brands such as Krinica () to the more interesting
ales such as the live Beaver Dark ( ) and the
light Lidskoye Beloye ( ). Minsk has one or two
microbreweries worth investigating. See the Nightlife section
of this guide for more information. The choice of imported
beers, wines and spirits is fairl y good, al though prices are
high, especiall y so for imported wines.
Communism
Politics and business aside, like its neighbour Russia, Be-
larus is still very much visuall y as it was during Soviet times.
Statues, hammers and sickles and many other remnants of
Soviet art and architecture are in abundance, especiall y so
in the capital. Minsk was almost entirel y destroyed during
WWII and was rebuil t along strict Socialist-Realist lines. Visi-
tors looking for the ul timate Soviet-era ostalgie experience
wont be disappointed.
Crime & Safety
The streets of Minsk are among some of the safest in Europe,
al though that shouldnt stop visitors from exercising caution
as they would in any other large metropolis. The city is policed
by an armed militia who effectivel y do the work of an ordinary
police force and who, when weve needed them, have been
the epitome of courtesy. Having said that, people should be
careful around any public demonstrations. The best option
in such circumstances is to stay well away.
Customs
The rules governing what you can bring in and out of Belarus
get increasingl y complicated the more people you ask. To
the best of our knowledge, the current si tuation is that non-
residents can import, tax free and undeclared, a maximum
of US$10,000 (about 7,250) in cash, one li tre of distilled
alcohol, 200 cigarettes or 200g of tobacco, fi ve pieces of
jewellery, one watch, one video-recording or video-playing
device, three i tems of leather or fur clothing and four tyres
(surplus to the ones attached to your car i f youre arri ving
by road, we assume). When leaving, you can take out up
to 500g of gold and 5kg of sil ver. Anecdotal evidence also
suggests that you should avoid trying to take out icons,
antiques or any works of art wi thout the correct paperwork.
For more information see the State Customs Commi ttee
websi te at www.gtk.gov.by.
Disabled travellers
Theres a long way to go before Minsk and the rest of Belarus
is equipped to deal with disabled travellers. All new and reno-
vated buildings must incorporate wheelchair-access into their
design, and the capitals newer buses and trolleybuses have
low entries for wheelchair users.
Electricity
Belarusian electricity flows out of standard European two-pin
sockets at 220v AC, 50Hz. Adaptors are not easy to find, and
bringing your own is advisable.
Floors
Like the citizens of the United States, the Belarusians con-
sider the floor at street level to be the first floor, and so on.
Population
Belarus 9,503,800 Minsk 1,850,000
Ethnic composition (Belarus, 2009)
Belarusians 83.7%
Russians 8.3%
Poles 3.1%
Ukrainians 1.7%
Others 3.2%
Territory
207,595 square ki l ometres. Predomi nantl y fl at,
l andl ocked country. Ferti l e l owl and wi th around
11,000 lakes. Slightly smaller than Great Britain.
Borders
Latvia 143 km
Lithuania 462 km
Poland 399 km
Russia 990 km
Ukraine 975 km.
Longest river
Dnieper (Belarusian, Dnyapro). One of the longest
ri vers i n Europe, the Dni eper rises i n the Val dai
Hills of Russia and flows south 2,201 km through
Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine before emptying into
the Black Sea.
Largest lake
Naroch 79.6 square kilometres
Highest point
Dzerzhinskaya gora ( ) 345 m
Basic data
Minsk In Your Pocket
One thing youll notice immediately upon arrival in Minsk is
that theres rather a lot of people wearing uniforms and car-
rying guns and sticks. Police and military personnel seem to
be everywhere all the time. This can be a bit disconcerting
at first, but dont worry, theyre probably not going to shoot
you. The most exciting authority action that youre likely to
experience is that youll be approached and asked to show
your documents. Passport, drivers license, Mickey Mouse
Club membership card, pretty much anything slightly
official-looking with a name and photograph will do. The
police will understand that you may have left your passport
with the hotel for registration purposes. Unless youve been
doing something very mischievous, the police are only likely
to approach you from utter boredom. Theyll look at your ID,
inwardly chuckle at how foolish you look in the photograph,
and wander off to find someone else to annoy. Let them
have their fun. Theyve already sorted out all the crime and,
well, theres just not much left to do.
Good Cops
Language
Belarusian is an East Slavic language similar to Russian, is
written using the Belarusian Cyrillic alphabet and is spoken
by less than 40% of the countrys population. Both Belarusian
and Russian enjoy equal official status in Belarus, al though
Russian is by far the dominant of the two. Street signs and
metro stations are almost without exception written in Be-
larusian. Outside of Minsk, Belarusian is more widely spoken,
with Polish also used further to the west. Staff in many bars,
hotels and restaurants speak at least a little English, although
many menus in town remain in Russian onl y.
Local time
Belarus is in the Eastern European Time (EET) zone at
GMT+2hrs. When its 12:00 in Minsk its 05:00 in New York,
10:00 in London, 11:00 in Warsaw, 13:00 in Moscow and
19:00 in Tokyo. Eastern European Summer Time (EEST,
GMT+3hrs) falls between the last Sundays of March and
October respectivel y.
Money & Costs
The Belarusian rouble (BYR) comes in denominations of 10,
20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000
and 100,000. Be careful not to confuse them during cash
transactions. Currency exchange offices and ATMs can be
found throughout Minsk. Outside the capi tal and the larger
towns and ci ties, cash should al ways be carried. Minsk is
far from being the cheap ci ty i t used to be. Choosing where
to eat and drink can save considerable amounts of money,
al though finding a budget place to stay is almost impos-
sible. 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 wont leave you wi th much change, i f any change
at all, from 100.
Religion
The majority of believers in Belarus belong to the Russian
Orthodox Church, with smaller communities of Catholics, Prot-
estants, Jews and Muslims also existing. Women should cover
their heads when entering a Russian Orthodox Church.
Service
Belarus doesnt disappoint when i t comes to indi fferent
service, especiall y among public sector workers. As a rule,
privatel y-owned business are much friendlier al though the
sort of polished service one expects to find in the sophis-
ticated capital cities of western Europe is generall y lacking
here. Tipping, if deserved, is fairl y common, with 10% or a
rounding up of the bill considered the norm.
Smoking
Smoking is permi tted in bars, clubs, restaurants, hotels
and most public spaces al though many restaurants provide
a no-smoking section. Locall y-produced Western brand
cigarettes are available and are considerabl y cheaper than
in the West.
January 1 New Years Day
January 7 Orthodox Christmas
March 8 International Womens Day
March 15 Constitution Day
May 1 Labour Day
May 9 Victory Day
July 3 Independence Day
October 16 Mothers Day (2011)
November 1-2 Dzyady (Remembrance Day)
November 7 Revolution Day
December 25 Catholic & Protestant Christmas
National holidays
English Belarusian Russian Russian
pronunciation
To / / v / k
From / / iz / ot
Train i poiezd
Train
Station

zheleznodo
rozhnyi
vokzal
Bus avtobus
Bus Station avtovokzal
Ticket i bilet
Taxi i taksi
Today sevodnia
Tomorrow zaftra
Monday ponedelnik
Tuesday ftornik
Wednesday sreda
Thursday chetverg
Friday i piatnitsa
Saturday subota
Sunday voskresenie
Morning i utro
Evening vecher
Travel talk
English Russian pronunciation
1 odin
2 dva
3 tri
4 chetyre
5 piat
6 shest
7 sem
8 vosem
9 deviat
10 desiat
More bol'she
Less men'she
Numbers
8
BASICS
9
2011
HISTORY
Toilets
Public toilets and those in restaurants, bars etc are getting
better all the time, al though theres still a long way to go in
many establishments. Dont automatically expect toilet paper.
In general, M marks the Gents and the Ladies.
Visas
With the exception of citizens of a small number of countries,
all visitors to Belarus must have a valid visa. Visas can be
obtained from any Belarusian consulate abroad or in some
cases through a travel agency. Visas are also available at
Minsk-2 airport around the clock, although just whos entitled
to one is unclear. If there was a possibility to acquire a visa
before you travelled you might possibl y be refused entry.
Visas issued at Minsk-2 must be paid for in cash. Visitors
also require medical insurance valid for the duration of the
time spent in Belarus. On arri ving in Belarus, visi tors are
gi ven an immigration card, which must be filled in twice.
Half is subsequentl y taken away and the other half must be
presented when leaving the country. A Belarusian immigra-
tion card is also valid for Russia if travelling onwards. There
is no border control between Russia and Belarus. For more
information, see the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
website at www.mfa.gov.by.
The residents of Minsk are some of the friendliest people
youll ever come across. All you have to do is stand on a
street corner and look confused and some affable local will
probably come to your aid. Try to enter a shop through its
window, and someone will promptly be on hand to suggest
that you should use the door. Many younger people speak
English and will be happy to give directions, read signs, take
photographs, help you use the Metro and so on. While few
restaurant and bar staff speak English, theyre generally
very obliging. If theres a place in town with grumpy people
and bad service, we just couldnt find it. Even the once
infamous border crossing is less hostile. As for socialising,
its very easy in Minsk. Many locals are still delighted to
meet and interested to talk to foreigners.
The people
Minsk, Nemiga street
Human history in the region now known as Belarus dates
back to the Stone Age. Belarusian identity began somewhat
later with the migration of the East Slavs between the 6th
and 8th centuries AD.
10th century
980AD Rogvold, Prince of Polotsk, controls a region that now
makes up part of northern Belarus. The first written record
of the Belarusian state.
11th century
1067 The first written record of Minsk () and the ac-
cepted year of the founding of the city. Minsk rapidly develops
into a major regional centre of trade.
12th century
Belarus is incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
16th century
The foundation of the Polish-Li thuanian Commonweal th
(Rzeczpospolita Obojga Narodw) in 1569 effectivel y writes
Belarus out of existence as a national entity.
18th century
Belarus is incorporated into the Russian Empire after the
third partition of Poland in 1795. Minsk becomes a regional
capital.
19th century
Intensified Russification between 1840 and 1850 leads to
Nicholas I banning the Belarusian language and outlawing
the use of the word Belarusia/Belarus. The region becomes
known as the Northwestern Territory.
20th century
In the wake of the signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk on
March 3, 1918 the short-lived Belarusian Peoples Republic
is declared three weeks later on March 25. By February
1919 Belarus finds itself in the middle of the Polish-Soviet War.
The obscure Lithuanian-Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic
survives for several months in Belarus and eastern Lithuania
before a Polish victory sees the country split in two after the
Riga Peace Treaty of March 18, 1921. The western half
goes to the Poles and, in December 1922, the eastern half
including Minsk becomes a founding member of the Soviet
Union. The German invasion of the Soviet Union that starts
on June 22, 1941 in Belarus and that becomes the Great
Patriotic War leaves over 30% of the population dead and
nine out of 10 buildings in the capital destroyed. The Minsk
Ghetto holds some 100,000 Jews of whom nearly all perish
during the Holocaust. On July 3, 1944 Minsk is liberated by
the Red Army as it begins its slow advance on Berlin. Belarus
becomes a founding member of the United Nations in 1945.
In 1961 Lee Harvey Oswald, alleged assassin of US President
John F. Kennedy, lives in Minsk. At the 1972 Summer Olympics
in Munich, 17-year-old Olga Korbut from Grodno raises several
storms with her revolutionary gymnastic performances that
see her winning a total of one silver and three gold medals.
Minsk is awarded the title of Hero City on June 16, 1974. A
series of explosions and a resulting fire at reactor four at the
Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the then Ukrainian Soviet
Socialist Republic send a plume of radioactive smoke into the
atmosphere on April 26, 1986. The worst nuclear accident
ever sees Belarus receive 70% of the radioactivity.
Independence & Beyond
1990
National sovereignty is declared on July 27.
1991
Independence is officiall y declared after the collapse of the
hard-line putsch in Moscow on August 25. On December 8
the leaders of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine sign an agreement
bringing into existence the Commonweal th of Independent
States (CIS). Minsk becomes the administrative centre. The
Soviet Union is officiall y disestablished on December 26.
1992
Belarus introduces its own coupons to replace the Soviet
rouble on May 20, leaving the rouble zone on June 1.
1994
On March 15 the Supreme Soviet adopts a new constitution.
In the first free presidential elections on June 23 Alexander
Lukashenko is elected president, taking office officiall y on
July 20.
1995
In a national referendum on May 14 over 75% of the elector-
ate says Yes to Russian becoming an official state language
alongside Belarusian and the return of the old Belarusian
Soviet insignia including the Soviet-looking flag without the
hammer and sickle.
1996
President Lukashenko and Boris Yel tsin sign a treaty calling
for a political union between Russia and Belarus on April 2.
On May 24 Belarus and Russia sign a new unification deal
ensuring freedom of the press and free activities for political
parties. The treaty goes into effect on June 11, 1997.
2000
On January 26 Belarus ratifies a treaty on the formation of
the Union State of Belarus and Russia
2001
President Lukashenko is el ected for a second term on
September 9.
2006
President Lukashenko is elected for a third term on March
19. The new Belarusian National Library building opens its
doors to the public on June 16.
2010
President Lukashenko is elected for a fourth term on Decem-
ber 19. On December 21 the Belarusian Parliament ratifies
documents forming the legal basis for a single economic
area comprising Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia.
Victory Square
10
MAIL & PHONES
11
CULTURE & EVENTS
Like the rest of the world, Belarus has come a long way in
the last decade when it comes to communications. Most
hotels now boast some kind of Internet connection and many
cafs and bars around the city provide free wireless Internet
connections. The postal system and telephones, including
mobile networks, work just fine.
Post
Central Post Office D-3, Nezavisimosti pr. 10 (.
, 10), tel. (+375) 226 06 82, www.
belpost.by. Head straight through to the main hall in the back
to send letters, buy postcards and make photocopies. For
telephone and telegraph services, head to the Peregovorny
Punkt in Hall 1, on the left (Open 07:00 - 23:00). Also on the
left is the Internet centre, where people queue to use 12
terminals. QOpen 08:30 - 17:30, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 17:00.
Express mail
DHL ul. Brestskaya 18 (Head Office) (. ,
18), tel. (+375 17) 278 11 08, www.dhl.by. Also they
have express centres at Pobediteley 5, tel. 289 30 68, and
XXI Vek Business Centre, Nezavisimosti 169, tel. 228 73 60,
both open 09:00 - 13:00, 14:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun;
and at Central Post Office, Nezavisimosti 10, tel. 227 25 33.
QOpen 08:00 - 19:00. Closed Sun.
EMS D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 10 (. ,
10), tel. (+375 17) 222 65 11/(+375 17) 227 85 12,
www.belpost.by. QOpen 08:30 - 17:30, Sat, Sun 10:00
- 17:00.
FedEx (M&M Militzer & Mnch) C-3, Pobediteley
pr. 19 (. Pobediteley, 19), tel. (+375 17) 226 99
09, callcenter@mum.by, www.mum.by. QOpen 08:00 -
20:00, Sat 08:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun.
TNT C-6, ul. Platonova 10 (. , 10), tel.
(+375 17) 294 80 00/(+375 17) 284 90 44, info@tnt.by,
www.tnt.by. TNT at Minsk-2 airport tel. 279 11 86. QOpen
09:00 - 19:00. Closed Sun.
UPS C-4, Muzykalny per. 3 ( .3),
tel. (+375 17) 328 55 80, www.ups.com. QOpen 09:00
- 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Mobile phones
BelCel C-5, ul. Zolotaya Gorka 5 (.
, 5), tel. (+375 17) 282 00 18, belcel@belcel.
by, www.belcel.by. Diallog service providers. Also at
Nezavisimosti 18, Nezavisimosti 42, Lenina 4. QOpen 09:00 -
21:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 18:00.
Lif e D-4, ul. Krasnoarmeyskaya 24 (. -
, 24), tel. (+375 17) 321 20 54. Turkish
- Belarusian GSM company. Also at Nezavisimosti 18, Pobe-
diteley 1, Yakuba Kolasa 35, National airport Minsk-2.
MTS Nezavisimosti pr. 95 (. , 95),
tel. (+375 17) 237 98 98, info@mts.by, www.mts.by.
Russian-Belarusian GSM company, operating in Belarus and
covering a rather nice part of i t. Also at Revoliutsionnaya
24b, Kal variyskaya 60, Nezavisimosti, 6, Karla Marksa, 26.
QOpen 09:00 - 21:00.
Vel com C- 3, ul . Mel ni kai te 14 (Head off i ce)
(. , 14), tel. (+375 17) 222 49 01,
info@velcom.by, www.velcom.by. The first GSM provider
in Belarus with a very informative website. The information
number is 222 49 01 for all offices, or just 411 from mobiles.
Also at Kal variyskaya 4, Nezavisimosty 60, Nezavisimosty
105, Partizansky 12, Varvasheni 73, Masherova 19, Internat-
sionalnaya 3. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00.
Internet cafs
Soyuz Online ( ) D-4, ul. Krasno-
armeiskaya 3, in the Central House of Officers(.
, 3), tel. (+375 17) 226 02 79, Info@
soyuzonline.by, www.soyuzonline.by. Wow! Its open 24
hours, they speak English, serve pizza and even let you pay
by credit card! What more do you need? The granddaddy of
Minsk Internet cafs has around 60 terminals, including a
VIP hall. Rates depend on the time of day, but are still cheap.
A sure place to bump into people from every corner of Europe.
QOpen 08:00 - 07:00. A
Laptop login
Wireless
Several restaurants, cafs and bars around the city provide
free wireless Internet services. Al ternativel y keep an eye out
for the countrywide paid service available from the Belarusian
telecoms provider, Bel telecom. Cards for this service can be
bought from any Bel telecom outlet or post office.
Dialup
The Belarusian telecoms provider Bel telecom also offers a
simple dialup service, useful when no other means of logging
on is available. Using a scratch card system with several dif-
ferent time limits, cards can be bought from any Bel telecom
outlet, Belsoyuzpechat kiosk or post office in the city.
Telephone
Beltelecom D-4, ul. Engelsa 6, (. , 6),
tel. (+375 17) 217 10 05, www.beltelecom.by. National
telecoms provider Bel telecom are the people to contact if
you need a telephone line. They also provide a number of
Internet services.
The Minsk
telephone code is +375 17
Belarusian Telephone Codes
Baranovichi (+375) 163
Bobruysk (+375) 225
Borisov (+375) 1777
Braslav (+375) 2153
Brest (+375) 162
Gomel (+375) 232
Grodno (+375) 152
Kobrin (+375) 1642
Lida (+375) 1561
Minsk (+375) 17
Miory (+375) 2152
Mogilev (+375) 222
Molodechno (+375) 176
Mozyr (+375) 2351
Myadel (+375) 1797
Naroch (+375) 1797
Nesvizh (+375) 1770
Novogrudok (+375) 1597
Novopolotsk (+375) 214
Orsha (+375) 216
Pinsk (+375) 165
Polotsk (+375) 214
Shklov (+375) 2239
Slonim (+375) 1562
Soligorsk (+375) 17
Vitebsk (+375) 212
Zhlobin (+375) 2334
Zhodino (+375) 1775
Much more than screaming cocktail bars, nostalgic Soviet
sights and girls in miniskirts, Minsk is also remarkabl y well
endowed in the cul ture department. Concerts are of an
exceptionall y high quality and cost next to nothing to attend,
cinemas screen everything from underground classics to
the latest Holl ywood blockbuster and theres a number of
very good galleries around too. If youre in town and you
need a dose of serious cul ture, you wont be disappointed.
Also check the Sightseeing section of this guide for more
museums and galleries.
Cinemas
Autocinema ( ) ul. Menkovsky
Tract 2, Ozertso (. , 2, ).
The onl y dri ve-in cinema in Minsk, complete wi th a 144
square-meter screen.
Belarus () C-3, ul. Romanovskaya Sloboda
28 (. , 29), MFrunzenskaya
(), tel. (+375 17) 209 40 34. Minsks first
mul tiplex. Five halls.
Moskva () -3, Pobediteley pr. 13 (.
, 13), tel. (+375 17) 203 14 48.
Oktyabr () B-6, Nezavisimosti pr. 73 (.
, 73), MAkademiya Nauk (
), tel. (+375 17) 292 94 26.
Pobeda () D-4, ul. Internatsionalnaya 20 (.
, 20), tel. (+375 17) 203 77 66. One
of the citys oldest surviving cinemas specialising in serious
cinema. Seasons include screenings of works by international
directors as well as films from one specific country.
Tsentralny () D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 13
(. , 13), tel. (+375 17) 200 34 16.
Video Complex Centre (-) E-3,
Ploschad Nezavisimosti, Shopping Centre Stolitsa
( ), MPloschad Lenina
( ), tel. (+375 17) 227 01 75. Films in
3D, plus shaking seats etc.
Concert halls
Belarusian State Music Theatre (
-
) D-3, ul. Myasnikova 44 (. ,
44), tel. (+375 17) 200 81 26. Established in 1970, the
extensive repertoire includes operettas, musicals, comic opera
and more from home and abroad.
Belarusian State Philharmonic (
) B-5, Nezavisi-
mosti pr. 50 (. , 50), MPloschad
Yakuba Kolasa ( ), tel. (+375
17) 333 16 17. Comprising three separate concert halls,
the Belarusian State Philharmonic hosts international festivals
and contests alongside its own repertoire.
Minsk-Arena (-) Pobediteley pr. 111
(. , 111), tel. (+375 17) 254 77 36.
When its not putting on major sporting events the 15,000-
capacity Minsk-Arena hosts live music concerts.
Minsk Concert Hall ( )
E-4, ul. Oktyabrskaya 5 (. , 5), tel.
(+375 17) 328 66 38. A large, 1,300-seater for mostl y pop
and rock music concerts.
Palace of the Republic ( ) D-4,
Oktyabrskaya pl. 1 ( . 1), MOktyabrs-
kaya (), tel. (+375 17) 216 22 44, www.
palace.by. A wide range of concerts and performances.
Other facilities include cafs, bars, billiards and a restaurant
that puts on shows during the evenings. Q JLK
Cul tural centres
Goethe Institut Minsk (
) B-4, ul. Very Khoruzhey 25/3 (.
, 25/3), (+375 17) 237 71 19, (+375 17) 237 46
79, www.goethe.de/minsk. In Belarus since 1993, the Goethe
Institut in Minsk offers the same educational and cultural services
they do in cities all over the world. QOpen 09.00 - 21.00.
Galleries
Modern Arts Gallery Y (
) C-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 37a (.
, 37), tel. (+375 17) 284 53 99.
A small space inside the same building as the recommended
Moloko bar, exhibitions are temporary and very contemporary.
Despite the address, find this place hidden away through a
gap in the buildings well away from the main street.
Theatres
Belarusian Republican Young Spectator Theatre
(
) D-4, ul. Engelsa 26 (. , 26), tel.
(+375 17) 227 09 34, www.beltuz.by. With its origins in
the earl y 1930s, this recommended theatre gives a space
to young writers and performers. The theatre company also
travels extensivel y.
Belarusian State Puppet Theatre (
) D-4, ul. Engelsa 20
(. , 20), MKupalovskaya (),
tel. (+375 17) 227 05 32. A marvellous institution staging
performances of all kinds for children and adul ts alike.
Yanka Kupala National Academic Theatre
( .
) D-4, ul. Engelsa 7 (. ,
7), MKupalovskaya (), tel. (+375 17)
227 60 81. An established theatre company staging classics
from home and abroad. Language: Belarusian.
Bel arusi an Na-
tional Opera &
Bal l et Theatr e
(

)
C- 4, Par i zhskoy
Kommuny pl . 1
(. , 1), tel. (+375 17) 334
10 41, www.belarusopera.by. The Belarusian Opera
& Ballet Theatre began performances in 1933 al though
this building dates from considerabl y later. The reper-
toire is extensi ve and includes many classics.
Opera & Ballet
12
CULTURE & EVENTS
13
WHERE TO STAY
21.06 Tuesday
Paquita
Ballet in one act by Ludwig Minkus. Choreography - Marius
Petipa. Premiere - May 12, 2008. QStarts at 19:00
23.06 Wednesday/ 24.06 Thursday
Premiere
La Sylphide
Romantic ballet in two acts by Herman Lovenskiold. Libretto
- Adolphe Nourri t and Filippo Taglioni. Premiere - March 18,
2011. QStarts at 19:00
Opera & Ballet
All performances take place at the Belarusian National
Opera & Ballet Theatre, C-4, Parizhskoy Kommuny pl. 1
(. , 1)
Ticket office, tel. (+375 17) 334 06 66,
(+375 17) 334 10 41
02.06 Thursday
Giselle
Ballet in two acts by Adolphe Adam. Libretto - Vernoy de
Saint-Georges, Thophile Gautier, Jean Coralli. Premiere -
May 10, 1987 QStarts at 19:00
03.06 Friday
Nabucco
Opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi. Libretto - Temistocle
Solera. Language: I talian. Production was staged in 2010
QStarts at 19:00
08.06 Wednesday
Iolanta
Opera in two acts by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Libretto - Modest
Tchaikovsky. Language: Russian. First night of the new stage
version - February 5, 2004 QStarts at 19:00
09.06 Thursday
Carmen
Opera in three acts by George Bi zet. Libretto by Henri
Meilhac and Ludovic Halvy. Language: French. First night -
February 24, 2005. QStarts at 19:00
10.06 Friday
Creation of The World
Ballet in two acts by Andrey Petrov. Libretto - Natalia Kasat-
kina, Vladimir Vasiliev. QStarts at 19:00
13.06 Monday
Premiere
Aida
Opera in three Acts by Giuseppe Verdi. Libretto - Antonio
Ghislanzoni. Language: I talian. Premiere - May 30, 2011.
QStarts at 19:00
14.06 Tuesday
The Nutcracker Suite
Ballet in 2 acts by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Libretto - Marius Petipa.
Premiere - April 15, 1982. QStarts at 19:00
15.06 Wednesday
Premiere
The Snow Maiden
Opera in two Acts with Prologue by Nicolay Rimsky-Korsakov.
Libretto - Nicolay Rimsky-Korsakov. Language: Russian.
Premiere - January 28, 2011. QStarts at 19:00
17.06 Friday
The Fountain Of Bakhchisarai
Ballet in three acts by Boris Asafjev. Libretto - Nikolay Volkov.
Premiere - September 28, 2007. QStarts at 19:00
20.06 Monday
King Stakh's Wild Hunt
Opera in two acts by Vladimir Sol tan. Libretto - Svetlana
Klimkovich. Language: Belarusian. First night - April 6, 1989.
QStarts at 19:00
17.05 Tuesday
Bruno Pelletier
C- 3, Sport Palace, Pobediteley pr. 4 (.
, 4). Tel . (+375 17) 203 27 33.
QStarts at 20:00
19.05 Thursday
Shakira
Mi nsk- Ar ena, Pobedi tel ey pr. 111 (.
, 111). Tel. (+375 17) 253 53 61.
QStarts at 20:00
22.05 Sunday
Chris de Bourg with the Belarusian Presidents
Orchestra
D- 4, Big Hall of the Palace of the Republic,
Oktyabr skaya pl . 1 ( . 1)
MOktyabrskaya (). Tel. (+375 17)
216 22 99. QStarts at 19:00
25.05 Wednesday
Thomas Anders
, 4). Tel . (+375 17) 203 27 33.
QStarts at 19:00
26.05 Thursday
Korn
, 4). Tel . (+375 17) 203 27 33.
QStarts at 20:00
12.06 Sunday
Moby
, 111). Tel. (+375 17) 253 53 61.
QStarts at 20:00
27.06 Monday
Sting
, 111). Tel. (+375 17) 253 53 61.
QStarts at 20:00
Concerts
P Air conditioning A Credit cards accepted
O Casino H Conference facilities
T Child friendl y U Facilities for the disabled
F Fitness centre L Guarded parking
R LAN connection G Non-smoking rooms
K Restaurant J Central location
D Sauna C Swimming pool
I Fireplace W Wireless Internet access
X Smoking section
Symbol key
Accommodation is usuall y the biggest expense in whats
otherwise a relati vel y good value ci ty. Luckil y things are
changing, and if you shop around a bit you can often find a
reasonable deal on a decent room. The cheaper places tend
to be out of the centre, al though taxis remain cheap. Almost
without exception, Minsks hotels are state run. Registration
is included in the price of the room.
Cream of the crop
Crowne Plaza Minsk ( ) D-4,
ul. Kirova 13 (. , 13), MPloschad Lenina
( ), tel. (+375 17) 218 34 00, fax
(+375 17) 200 80 60, www.cpminsk.com. Minsks
first international chain hotel sets new standards which will
have some of i ts ri vals seething wi th 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 a visiting head
of state and megalomaniacal pop star. Standard rooms are
also well furnished and equipped and come quite reasonabl y
priced by Western standards. The Crowne Plazas convenient
central location and outstanding facilities, which include a
swimming pool, fi tness centre, spa, business centre and
gli tzy nightclub, should ensure i ts regularl y booked out.
Q POJHAFLKCWhhhhh
Europe () D-4, ul. Internatsionalnaya 28
(. , 28), MOktyabrskaya
(), tel. (+375 17) 229 83 39, fax (+375 17)
229 83 34, info@hoteleurope.by, www.hoteleurope.by.
The superbl y located fi ve-star Europe is one of Minsks
finest hotels. The lovel y, atrium-like lobby includes a tower-
ing painting of Minsk in a quasi-historic style. The level of
service is excellent, while the impressi ve facili ties include
a well equipped fi tness centre and swimming pool, busi-
ness centre, underground parking and five bars in which to
unwind. The Europe also boasts some of the best views to
be had in Minsk. Q 67 rooms: 13 singles 265, 11 doubles
310, 7 twins 353, 25 deluxe rooms 465, 9 sui tes
526, 1 apartment 588, 1 presedential sui te 1150.
PJHAFLKCWhhhhh
Upmarket
Juravinka () C-4, ul. Yanki Kupaly 25
(. , 25), tel. (+375 17) 328 69 00,
fax (+375 17) 227 55 42, contacts@juravinka.by,
www.juravinka.by. Spoiled, decadent Westerners welcome!
For luxury and comfort, this small but smart central hotel
attached to the Juravinka business and recreation complex
is a tough one to beat. I ts single and double rooms are
comfortable affairs, and even come with adjustable climate
control. If youve got money to burn you can dip into the
realm of the surreal by booking the Presidential Suite, which
has i ts own glass-covered swimming pool. Q 18 rooms
(13 singles US$190, 4 doubles US$270, 1 suite US$1200).
PJAFLKhhhh
Mi nsk( ) D- 3, Nezavi si most i pr . 11
(. , 11), MPloschad Lenina
( ), tel. (+375 17) 209 90 78, fax
(+375 17) 209 91 11, hotelminsk@pmrb.gov.by, www.
hotelminsk.by. Are we still in Minsk? This grand hotel wi th
stylish subdued marble in the foyer and classy coffee-and-
cream decor in all the rooms could have you believing that
you are in any western ci ty. Until you step out the door.
Some rooms have views of the adjacent Independence
Square, but all have satelli te television, minibar, air condi-
tioning and nice firm beds. The superior rooms are worth
considering for having even larger beds. Other facili ties
include a fi tness and sauna centre (weights, cardio, green
bubbling vat and both Turkish and Finnish style saunas),
business centre and a helpful English-speaking guest rela-
tions person who will help you wi th just about anything.
Breakfast included, and i ts edible. Q 252 rooms (singles
US$183, doubl es US$209-255, tripl es US$432, sui tes
US$300-1120). JHARFLGKDhhhh
Victoria () B-2, Pobediteley pr. 59
(. , 59), tel. (+375 17) 204 88 44,
fax (+375 17) 204 88 33. It might onl y have opened in the
21st century but it proudl y glistens with exciting, late-60s
dcor. Very time-trippy, but also very opulent. Youll be happy
wi th flat-screen televisions, minibar, brand-spanking new
furniture and swish bathrooms. Q 169 rooms (115 singles
US$145-165, 45 doubles US$185, 8 suites US$225-570).
PHAFLGKDCWhhhh
14
WHERE TO STAY
15
RESTAURANTS
Mid-range
40 Let Pobedy (40 ) D-5, ul. Azgura 3
(. , 3), MPloschad Pobedy (
), tel. (+375 17) 294 79 63. Tucked away in a
quiet housing district not far from the centre its quite easy
to mistake 40 Let Pobedy for just another tower block, es-
peciall y after dark. The fact that they have over 100 rooms,
all recentl y renovated and brought up to a good standard,
means youre quite likel y to get one. Everything is clean and
all rooms have en suite facilities. Ask for one at the back, as
the view over the small park is far superior to that of the road
at the front of the building. Q 50 rooms (20 singles US$75,
30 doubles US$120). PJAKhhh
IBB Gazety Pravda pr. 11 (. , 11),
tel. (+375 17) 270 39 94, fax (+375 17) 270 39 95.
As if to demonstrate that Germany has more to offer than
BMWs with blacked-out windows, the German Association
for International Education and Exchange set up this mar-
vellous hotel and conference centre. The rooms are clean,
bright and somehow both stylish and austere, with a few
having a very modern-art-minimalist theme to them. It can
feel a bit 1980s, but thats futuristic in Minsk. The attached
Westfalia restaurant is a big plus, but the sleeping district
location isnt. Q 35 rooms (singles US$79, doubles US $109).
HAUKDhhh
Orbita () C-1, Pushkina pr. 39 (.
, 39), MPushkinskaya (),
tel. (+375 17) 252 39 33/(+375 17) 257 14 20. Its
a bi t trippy and will require a journey on the Metro to get
there, but it offers a range of rooms from fair-value, clean
and tidy basic business rooms to the most expensive hotel
room in the country with its own gym and sauna. Theres
also a sauna and conference facili ties for up to 50 per-
sons. Q200 rooms (41 singles US$76-91, 140 doubles
US$85-137, 24 sui tes US$190-200, 2 apar tments
US$500). OHALKChhh
Planeta () -3, Pobediteley pr. 31 (.
, 31), tel. (+375 17) 226 78 55/
(+375 17) 203 85 87, fax (+375 17) 226 77 80,
booking@hotelplaneta.by, www.hotelplaneta.by. An
absolutel y mar vell ous hotel featuring the ver y best in
what most hotels behind the former Iron Curtain gave up
years ago. Still slightl y struggling to come to terms wi th
the 21st century, the staff are at least very friendl y and
most of them now speak good English. The rooms come
in a number of di fferent classes to sui t all tastes and
pockets, wi th the ones high up in the building boasting
beauti ful views of the ri ver and ci ty spread out below.
Wireless Internet is available throughout the building and
the breakfast, served inside a gorgeous room complete
wi th bri ghtl y col oured Socialist Realist cerami c ar t, is
ample. Recommended. Q306 rooms (306 Total rooms ).
OHAFLKDChhh
Sputnik () ul. Brilevskaya 2 (. ,
2), tel. (+375 17) 220 36 19. Judging by the lobby, some
remodelling may have been done in the last five years, and
the place seems to be popular wi th budget tourists from
Russia. Q 162 rooms (singles US$ 66 - 128, doubles US$
94 - 125, suite rooms US$160). ADhhh
Tourist () Partizansky pr. 81 (. -
, 81), MPartizanskaya (),
tel. (+375 17) 295 40 31, fax (+375 17) 295 44 94.
Tourist is your typical, large-scale Minsk hotel. The ladies
at reception are friendl y enough, and the quick Metro ride
(four stops) to the centre makes this one of the best deals
in town. The lobby has currency exchange and a buffet.
I f you get thirsty, try the bar in the second floor casino
rather than the over-priced restaurant, which is usuall y
booked by a wedding party anyway. Q Single Standard -
40-51, Double Standard - 55-73, Triple Standard - 67,
Single Hal f Sui te - 43-57, Double Hal f Sui te - 75-92.
OALGKXWhhh
U Fontana ( ) C-2, ul. Amuratorskaya 4
(. , 4), tel. (+375 17) 203 58 18/
(+375 17) 203 14 00, fax (+375 17) 203 14 74. At
last, a heal thy refuge in this vodka and potato pancake
cul ture. Opened in 2005, this tiny hotel attached to a
fi tness centre is perfect for aerobics bunnies and muscle-
heads. I t even has i ts own sports restaurant. That said,
even a slob wi th a beer gut or an In Your Pocket edi tor is
welcome here, and will defini tel y appreciate the sparkling,
high-quali ty rooms, relati vel y central location and spa bath.
Q 18 rooms (2 singles 46, 14 doubles 66-82, 2 sui tes
119). PAULGKDXWhhh
Yubileynaya () -3, Pobediteley pr. 19
(. , 19), tel. (+375 17) 226 90 24,
fax (+375 17) 226 91 71. Currentl y undergoing renova-
tion work on a couple of floors, everything is comfortable
and the hotel comes with a good range of services. Its a
good compromise between not-very-central location and
not-very-expensi ve price. Tattoos and other professional
services available in the lobby. Q 230 rooms (119 singles
US$59-92, 83 doubles US$79-118, 19 suites US$153-243).
OJHALKhhh
Budget
Zvezda () Gazety Pravda pr. 47 (.
, 47), tel. (+375 17) 272 85 42/(+375
17) 270 74 85. Zvezda is a bit far from things on the south-
western edge of the city, and the building looks like it was
plucked right out of downtown Mogadishu. But the rooms are
clean and well maintained, and guests can use a spa bath,
sauna, solarium and massage. Apparentl y theres some kind
of privatisation going on too, with small dental clinics now
crowding the lower floors. Q Singles, doubles 20-70, 3 lux
rooms 70-100. No breakfast. HADhh
www.inyourpocket.com/
clickandbuy
P Air conditioning A Credit cards accepted
E Live music S Take away
T Child friendl y U Facilities for the disabled
G Non-smoking W WirelessInternet access
X Smoking place B Outside seating
I Fireplace J Old town location
Symbol key Eating out in Minsk continues to improve on an almost dail y
basis. Theres still a handful of places that fail to impress with
either food or service, but these are thankfully few and far be-
tween. If its awful, we generally dont write about it. Likewise,
the diversity of cuisine in Minsk is far from all-encompasing,
with what international food there is thankfull y getting better
all the time. Be aware that many restaurants list garnishes
such as French fries, vegetables, rice and, butter and tomato
ketchup as separate items.
Belarusian
There are essentiall y two types of Belarusian restaurant in
Belarus. The first and most obvious variety features pigtailed
waitresses in national dress serving plates of potatoes and
beetroot soup in an atmosphere reminiscent of an old barn.
The second is less easy to pin down, and is perhaps best
described as a restaurant or caf serving predominantl y but
not exclusivel y Belarusian favourites in an atmosphere you
wont find anywhere other than in Belarus. Rather than insul t
the best intentions of the good restaurant owners of Minsk
and call the former of the two Folk restaurants, we choose
to list both types of restaurant together.
Apricot () D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 23 (.
, 23), MOktyabrskaya (),
tel. (+375 17) 227 31 06. The sign on the wall says We Are
Inspired By Urban Creativity, whatever that means, a sure sign
that this is either a great place to spend time in or an attempt
to distract diners from their food with the help of some baffling
propaganda. Aimed squarely at teenagers, its all canteen style
in here, with wipe-clean everything, pancakes, pizza, sushi of
course and, last but not least, an English menu to boot. QOpen
11:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 01:00. Closed Sun.
Bambuk () D-3, Nezavisimosti pr. TC
Stolitsa (. , ), MPlo-
schad Lenina ( ), tel. (+375 17)
227 12 36. A rather average offering located inside a
shopping centre, the menu of dishes including Belarusian
and sushi, isnt going to win any awards soon. Good for a
harmless meal in convivial if not exactl y luxury surroundings.
QOpen 11:00 - 22:00. LNG
Brutto () B-6, ul. Petrusya Brovky 3/2
(. , 3/2), tel. (+375 29) 5 630 630,
fax (+375 17) 294 92 85. Nice, exposed brick walls,
sil ver candelabras and a good mix of diners are to be found
inside this fairl y new Minsk offering. The menu provides a
few local and international choices plus theres cold draught
beer to drink outside during the summer. QOpen 24 hours.
PAEGSW
Gastinets (i) D-4, Svobody pl. 2 (. ,
2), MNemiga (), tel. (+375 29) 388 00 02/
(+375 29) 690 19 89. Five different halls with lots of vaulted
brick ceilings from the 18th century and wrought ironwork
set the scene for a popular restaurant serving traditional
Belarusian food with a modern twist alongside a range of
international dishes. The chef here has a good reputa-
tion among the locals and the freshl y baked bread comes
particularl y recommended. Friendl y and attenti ve service,
plus a great drinks menu including some fine draught beers.
QOpen 12:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 02:00. PTA6
LEGBXW
Kushavel () B-3, Pobediteley pr. 49
(. , 49), tel. (+375 44) 788 80 00,
fax (+375 17) 297 93 53. An almost Scandinavian feel
here, including lots of sharp corners and emphatic curves,
the menu features a number of original dishes that garner
good comments from those whove eaten from i t. Very
tourist-friendl y and with English menus and English-speaking
staff, locals insist that they have the best summer ter-
race in the city. The location might well prove them right.
QOpen 11:00 - 01:00. PABXS
LOrange () D-4, ul. Karla Marxa 21 (.
, 21), tel. (+375 29) 370 90 01. Tree
trunks, corks on the walls, a rather enthusiastic television and
a Russian-onl y menu are the things that stand out here. Hov-
ering in the twilight world somewhere between and caf and
a restaurant, LOrange is perfect as the latter and perfectl y
adequate for the latter. On offer besides caffeine find a choice
of good value dishes including a plaudits-inducing collection of
salads and grilled shrimps. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00.
Megapolis () Nezavisimosti pr. 116
(. , 116), MVostok (),
tel. (+375 17) 266 39 53/(+375 29) 664 35 96,
fax (+375 17) 200 12 06. A modern take on an old Soviet
Enjoy the fresh Minsk Sea air
and complete relaxation on board our ships
and luxurious yachts
A restaurant and a bar on board,
live music and show
and beautiful nature around
will make your cruise unforgettable
www.belrest.info
pavelkovalev@gmail.com
tel.: +375 29 332 12 12
16
RESTAURANTS
17
RESTAURANTS
theme, the National Librarys in-house restaurant, as one
would perhaps expect, specialises in national dishes. The
translated menu tempts diners with a beguiling list of dishes
including The Tongue Baked Under Souse and (a particular
favourite) Smoky Sturgeon Kegs From A Cucumber. Whatever
you choose to eat, expect it to be accompanied by live cabaret
music and the occasional bit of dancing during the weekends.
Megapolis also offers an excellent value weekday lunch menu.
QOpen 11:00 - 02:00, Mon 11:00 - 19:00. PAE
Mirsky Zamok ( ) D-3, ul. Gorodskoy
Val 9 (. , 9), MNemiga (), tel.
(+375 17) 328 69 38/(+375 29) 616 69 38. Meaning Mir
Castle and named after the Unesco World Heritage complex
some 60km or so west of Minsk after which the interior deco-
ration owes more than a passing nod, inside the menus held
together with metal clasps is a meat-heavy choice of dishes
plus one or two offerings for vegetarians. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00,
Fri, Sat 12:00 - 02:00. PAUEGBSW
My English Granny ( )
D-4, ul. Karla Marxa 36 (. , 36),
MKupalovskaya (), tel. (+375 17) 227
22 24. Grannys still got a bi t of spunk left in her yet. Just
look at this place. Sure, i ts a bi t frill y and they serve your
food on paper doilies, but somehow the place is rather
cool. I t attracts young hipsters who drink juice and have
pillow fights and just seem to feel very comfortable here.
Probabl y because i ts just like Grannys place. Flick through
the packed-wi th-classics menu, pick and partake. A good
option for breakfast or just couching around wi th friends at
any time. QOpen 09:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 09:00 - 02:00.
PJA6NBXSW
Pechki Lavochki (- ) D- 4,
Nezavisimosti pr. 22 (. , 22),
MOktyabrskaya (), tel. (+375 17)
227 78 79. A bit barnyard and cottage, but reall y rather
nice, especially if you get a seat by the window where you can
enjoy the view as much as the recommended food. Expect
plenty of pungent soups, juicy grilled meats and other hearty
Slavic dishes. They also have what they call Beer Rooms,
where visitors are welcome to quaff ale and be noisy without
upsetting anyone. Recommended. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00.
PJAGKXSW
Skif () C-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 34 (.
, 34), MPloschad Pobedy (
), tel. (+375 17) 284 75 41/(+375 29)
304 86 22. Opposi te the apartment where Lee Harvey
Oswald used to li ve, this delightfull y wicked, wacky and
ropey li ttl e restaurant and bar is a very cool hang-out
wi th a mad medieval theme. Theres rope, wrought iron,
sackcloth and wood everywhere, and a jaunty knight in
jangl y armour watches over i t all. The crowd is young and
hip and the place is so groovy that no one cares that the
food is a bi t basic. I ts a great venue for a pre-club snack
and chat. QOpen 08:30 - 24:00, Sat, Sun 12:00 - 24:00.
PAIGBXS
Starovilenskaya Korchma (
) C-4, ul. Starovilenskaya 2 (. -
, 2), MNemiga (), tel. (+375 17) 335 45
02/(+375 44) 775 45 02. The barman evidently learned
customer relations from a Siberian camp guard, but if you
manage to overlook this minor inconvenience this can be a very
pleasant place to eat. The interior of the restored house on the
edge of Trinity is a nice enough venue, although the place really
comes into its own during the warmer part of the year when
visitors flock to sit out by the river and enjoy the magnificent
view. QOpen 09:00 - 24:00. AIEBXS
Starye Traditsiy ( ) B-5, Nezavisi-
mosti pr. 57 (. , 57), MPloschad
Yakuba Kolasa ( ), tel. (+375
29) 107 57 57/(+375 17) 331 90 87. At the time of go-
ing to press there was no English menu available here, but
if you can overcome that small hurdle then expect to find an
interesting mix of locals tucking into a choice of great value
Belarusian food. Dcor comes pretty much as standard,
including the almost compulsory television chattering away
in the background and a rather tatty old upright piano. Rare
for a place in this part of the world, smoking is not allowed.
QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. PTAUIEGBS
Stary Gorod ( ) -4, ul. Maxima
Bogdanovicha 19 (. , 19),
MNemiga (), tel. (+375 17) 286 05 08. Its safe
to assume that any restaurant set in Minsks recreated old
town has a certain tourist orientation, but Stary Gorod isnt
one to write off. The classics of national cuisine arrive at your
table on a hot griddle, and most are sanel y priced. Dine on
the relaxing back terrace during the summer or check out
seating in the funky cellar. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat
12:00 - 02:00. PJUNBXS
Stary Mlyn ( ) B-6, Nezavisimosti pr. 78
(. , 78), MPark Chelyuskintsev
( ), tel. (+375 17) 280 28 72. A
perfectly adequate although by no means special place to eat
hearty local snacks for a good price, the Old Mill also features
a small outdoor terrace for some excellent people-watching
opportunities. QOpen 11:00 - 01:00. PUNBX
Straunya Kamyanitsa ( i) D-5,
ul. Pervomayskaya 18 (. , 18), tel.
(+375 17) 294 51 24/(+375 17) 285 39 47. Recreating
the time when Belarus formed part of the Grand Duchy of
Lithuania, this fine little restaurant churns out classic dishes
from days gone by with a heavy emphasis on roasted, grilled
and stewed meat. The staff dress in authentic costumes and
the menu is held inside a large leather wallet. If youre not
starving, do at least try one of their recommended soups or
indulge in a glass or two of the local firewater. The weekends
clickandbuy
Minsk, Trinity (Troitskoye) suburb
see a number of live events taking place including music on
Fridays and traditional dancing on Sundays. QOpen 12:00 -
23:00. PTAUIVEXS
Talaka () -3, ul. Rakovskaya 18 (.
, 18), MNemiga ()/(+375 17)
203 27 94, fax (+375 29) 637 03 80. An eclectic cellar
restaurant with a hunting theme (stuffed rabbits are among
its dcor victims), Talaka is one to seek out for its magnifi-
cent food and unusual atmosphere. Tables are made from
old beds, carriages and the like, and whats served on them
is mostl y potato snacks and skewered meat. A bit pricier
than elsewhere, reservations are a good idea since this
small place tends to get booked up. QOpen 10:00 - 06:00.
PJAEBXS
Traktir na Parkovoy ( )
C-3, Pobediteley pr. 11 (. , 11),
MNemiga (), tel. (+375 17) 203 69 91/(+375
29) 135 77 36. Its supposed to look like Grandmothers
place in the country, which might explain the live rooster run-
ning around the yard or, at a stretch, the aquarium full of carp.
But it doesnt reall y account for the screaming Gypsy band
on stage. If you want to sample the pelmeni, shashlyk and
Belarusian national food served here, we suggest avoiding
arriving between 20:00 and 23:00 when the live music is
inflicting brain damage on the customers. QOpen 12:00 -
24:00. PJAIEGBS
U Barysycha ( ) B-6, ul. Petrusya Brovki
12 (. , 12), MAkademiya Nauk
( ), tel. (+375 17) 331 82 29. Al though
at the time of going to press there were no English menus
to be found here, U Barysycha is still worth dropping by for a
visit. The mix of old and new dcor works reall y well here and
the staff are friendly and helpful. Best of all though is the food.
Al though claiming to be a Belarusian restaurant, the menu
goes well beyond local dishes, including just about everything
from pasta to Greek salad to classic Soviet-era dishes to
goat. The quality is high and if youre in the mood you can
even order a whole goose. To top it all theres striptease and
bell y dancing during the weekends. QOpen 11:00 - 22:00.
PVENBXS
U Yanki ( ) D-4, ul. Karla Marxa 21 (.
, 21), tel. (+375 17) 210 49 03. A celebration
of the time-honoured pursuit in which grown men take to the
woods and shoot defenceless animals, the walls of this place
are littered with guns and the menu is equall y festooned with
the poor creatures that had the misfortune to walk in front of
them. Actually, everything probably came from an abattoir, but
thats not the point. Vegetarians and animal rights activities
walk on by. Those who dribble at the thought of vast plates
of grilled meat might like this place a lot. QOpen 11:00 -
23:00. PNGX
Verhniy Gorod ( ) C-4, Svobody pl. 4
(. , 4), tel. (+375 17) 321 20 89/(+375 17)
321 20 59. A much talked about and much loved restaurant
in the heart of the city featuring a great view of the Cathedral
of the Hol y Spirit and the river, Verhny Gorod is in the eyes of
many whove experienced it the best place in Minsk to dine
on quality Belarusian and international cuisine in sumptuous
surroundings. Popular with locals and foreigners alike, legend
has i t that one group of visi ting Germans refused to eat
anywhere else during their stay in the city and insisted on
taking the recipe for the pike perch in a clay pot back home
with them. Recommended. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat
10:00 - 02:00. PAIEBS
Svobody 4 (. , 4)
tel. (+375 17) 321 20 89
(+375 29) 321 20 59
Open 10:00 - 24:00,
Fri 10:00 - 02:00,
Sat 10:00 - 02:00.
Traditional Belarusian restaurant
in the very heart of Minsk with great views
of the city
18
RESTAURANTS
19
RESTAURANTS
Zhban () B-6, ul. Petrusya Brovki 16 (.
, 16), MAkademiya Nauk (
), tel. (+375 17) 294 94 13/(+375 44) 794 94 14.
Featuring horse shoes on the walls and crudel y carved
furniture, Zhban is named after a traditional Belarusian mug
with a large capacity and featuring a hinged lid used for the
consumption of low alcohol drinks such as kvas. Claiming
to use onl y fresh ingredients, the menu holds a number of
surprises, not least the cute-sounding Piglet at Rest alongside
more familiar fare such as bliny with red caviar and herring.
Food can be served on wooden plates to order, theres the
usual offering of business lunch plus theres live shows and
discos during the weekends. QOpen 08:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat
08:00 - 02:00. PTAUEGSW
American
TGI Fridays () D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 22 (.
tel. (+375 17) 227 23 31. Silly hats, klaxons, loud shirts and
all the other nonsense that those who know this American chain
will have come to expect, the formula is unchanged here with
decent food such as burgers, chicken wings, steaks and ribs,
although not served in such large portions. Worth it for the New
York cheesecake alone. A good choice if you want to play it safe
and go somewhere where you know exactly what youre going
to get. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00. PJVGXS
Asian
Dzhomalungma () B-5, ul. Gikalo 7
(. , 7), MPloschad Yakuba Kolasa (-
), tel. (+375 17) 280 53 88,
jomalung@gmail.com. Just the kind of Asian restaurant
Minsk has been waiting for, find a well-orchestrated affair set in
a cheerful room of explosive colours. The outstanding food is
mainl y Tibetan, with a few Nepalese, Indian and Thai choices
thrown in. Hot towels precede your meal, and tea comes in a
tiny pot set on a wooden platform. Also at International airport
Minsk-2. QOpen 12:00 - 02:00. PJAEBKXS
Azerbaijani
Astara () D-5, ul. Pulihova 37 (. ,
37), tel. (+375 17) 299 97 61/(+375 29) 115 94 01.
Absolutel y fantastic for anyone who hasnt experienced the
full-on extravagance of cheesy Azerbaijani dcor before,
this cavernous recommendation is popular wi th all kinds of
diners from diplomats to movie stars. The menu posi ti vel y
heaves wi th classic dishes which need to be tasted to be
believed, Azerbaijani festi vals are celebrated wi th small
festi vals inside the restaurant plus, as is so often the
case inside a Minsk restaurant, theres li ve shows and
bell y dancing during the weekends. QOpen 10:00 - 23:00.
PTALEGBXS
Bulgarian
Gabrovo () B-6, Nezavisimosti pr. 81 (.
, 81), MAkademia Nauk (
), tel. (+375 17) 287 30 53/(+375 17) 287 30 54,
fax (+375 17) 287 30 54. Al though Gabrovo claims to be
Bulgarian, the menu is reall y just a generic East European
mishmash of mayonnaise-drenched salads and fatty cutlets.
Still, the portions are generous, the prices reasonable, and
the atmosphere has a tacky sort of charm about it with lots
of starchy tablecloths and plastic vines wrapped around the
rafters. A few years ago this would have been considered
classy. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00, Sat, Sun 11:00 - 24:00.
PAEBXW
Traktir na Marksa ( ) D-4,
ul. Karla Marxa 21 (. , 21), MKu-
palovskaya (), tel. (+375 17) 226 03 41.
A dark, underground labyrinth of booths in the heart of the city
centre, find all manner of locals sat at chequered tablecloths
tucking into a range of dishes not just from Bulgaria but also
from further afield. Recommended are the Bulgarian salad and
the golden chicken. The food is unpretentious, filling and good
value. Perhaps too gloomy to be enjoyed during the daytime,
this would be a better place to frequent after the sun has set.
QOpen 10:00 - 23:00. PNGW
Caucasian
Verba () B-4, ul. Kropotkina 51 (. ,
51), tel. (+375 17) 334 69 95, fax (+375 17) 334 34 67.
A favourite place to come for shashlyk, that tasty, shish-
kebab-like dish that ori ginated in the mountains of the
Caucasus and became a culinary hi t all over the USSR.
Tiny, cosy and well worth a visi t. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00.
PTA6ULBXS
Fast food
McDonalds ( ) C-2, Nezavisimosti
pr. 23 (. , 23), MOktyabrskaya
(), tel. (+375 17) 217 65 28. The local Mc-
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If youve just read the entire restaurant chapter of this guide
and you still havent been served, stay calm, collect your
belongings and pop into a place where the food is served
piping hot and straight from metal containers.
Lido () B-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 49/1 (.
, 49/1), MPloschad Yakuba Kolasa
( ), tel. (+375 17) 284 82 08/
(+375 29) 368 66 86, info@lido.by. For those who arent
familiar with this successful Latvian chain, Lidos philosophy
is to serve an absolutely enormous selection of foods such
as pizza, pork chops, ice-cream and much more in a fun,
folksy cafeteria set-up for a bargain price and, best of all, in
an instant. A staff equalling the population of Riga buzz around
the dining room ready to whisk away your plate the instant
the last morsel of food goes into your mouth. QOpen 08:00
- 23:00, Sat, Sun 11:00 - 23:00. PAEBS
Maestro () D-3, Nezavisimosti pr.
TC Stolitsa, upper level (. ,
), tel. (+375 17) 227 54 41/(+375 17)
227 81 24. Classic local food plus an array of other treats
including sausages and mash, pasta and garlic bread, all
ready to plonk on your plate straight from hot metal contain-
ers. An excellent choice if youre in a hurry, al though try to
avoid during lunchtimes as the queues literall y snake out
the door. QOpen 10:00 - 22:00.
Maxi Bis ( ) C-3, Pobediteley pr. 1
(. , 1), MNemiga (), tel.
(+375 17) 306 45 53. Theres a counter in here for order-
ing freshl y baked pizza and the like, but the real reason for
visiting is to shuffle round the edge of the room collecting
ready-prepared food from the lovel y ladies who work here.
The choice is excellent and the price is also not too bad.
A great choice for simple food in a hurry. QOpen 08:00 -
23:00. PJBS
Buffet express
meal in the evening the food never reall y fails to impress. Go
for a Steak Deluxe and take a peep at the villainous-looking
host whilst you sip a gin and tonic and enjoy the good life.
Summertime brings the addition of a Parisian-style outdoor
terrace. QOpen 08:00 - 24:00. PA6XW
Dolce Vita ( ) D-4, ul. Kirova 13
(. , 13), MPloschad Lenina (
), tel. (+375 17) 218 35 55/(+375 17) 200
47 81. Predominantly fine Italian dishes served inside the
Crowne Plazas flagship restaurant, everything was imported
from Italy and the food is very good indeed. It being a hotel
restaurant, dont expect value for money or too much in the way
of atmosphere. Having said that, there are many worse hotel
restaurants to be found in the world. QOpen 12:00 - 02:00.
Europa Restaurant ( - )
D-4, ul. Internatsionalnaya 28 (. ,
28), MOktyabrskaya (), tel. (+375 17)
229 84 31. Classy in a stilted, stifling sort of way, Europa tries
just a little too hard to be elegant and sophisticated (we grimaced
while watching a waitress struggle with one hand to open a plas-
tic bottle of water balanced on a silver tray). Concentrate on the
excellent food instead, such as the fried camembert with sesame
and raspberry sauce, or the kebab with tiger prawns. The la
carte menu is pricey, although theres a much cheaper, if very
limited, set lunch option. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. PJA
Falcone () D-3, ul. Korolya 9 (. ,
9), MFrunzenskaya (), tel. (+375 29)
377 77 76, info@falcone.by. When we asked why there
were two formidable-looking security guards patrolling the
entrance, we were crypticall y informed that their job is to
protect the guests. Falcone is a seriousl y lavish Italian res-
taurant for people with serious amounts of roubles to burn.
Al though the food is impressive, its hard not to be bothered
by the sheer ostentatious-ness of the place, surrounded as
it is by crumbling old Soviet-era housing on a drab residential
street. A taste of the Minsk to come. QOpen 12:00 - 02:00.
PTJA6UILEGBXSW
Grand Caf ( ) D-4, ul. Lenina 2
(. , 2), MOktyabrskaya (), tel.
(+375 44) 703 11 11. Relati vel y new al though already
buzzing, this crisp, white tablecloth affair provides Italian food
and other treats cooked to perfection and served with a rare
taste for quality and flair. The dcor is interesting indeed,
combining the classic look of a classy restaurant offset with
large photographs of Soviet-era housing on the walls. Barmen
mix drinks in white tuxedos to give the place an added touch of
sophistication. Recommended 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 - 23:00. PJAGXW
Juravinka () C-4, ul. Yanki Kupaly 25
(. , 25), tel. (+375 17) 328 69 89/
(+375 17) 328 69 13. For overblown formality, Belarusian
style, the grand restaurant in the Juravinka business complex
takes first prize. Thats not to say you wont have a quality
experience here complete with top-notch chefs and silly dance
numbers to boot. They probabl y even have doctors standing
by for when they give you the bill. But you dont have to spend
through the nose to have a good time here. You can throw a
few gutter balls in the bowling club downstairs or try the more
affordable dining in the Lasunak caf (also a decent drinking
place), which has picture-perfect riverside seating when the
weathers warm. QOpen 19:00 - 04:00, Fri, Sat 19:00 -
05:00. Closed Mon. PJALEGBXS
Mecca for spotty youth on weekend evenings. The outisde tables
are a good spot to watch the world go by. Also at Surganova 63,
Dzerzhinskogo 96, Nemiga 12, Pritytskogo 28, Logoisky Tract 35.
QOpen 07:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat 07:00 - 24:00. JB
Fine dining
Bistro de Luxe ( ) D-3, ul. Gorod-
skoy Val 10 (. , 10), tel. (+375 44)
789 11 11, pro_cafe@mail.ru. Popping up among a
number of places in the area, Bistro de Luxe offers a modern
interpretation of the classic bistro design. From freshl y made
croissants for breakfast through to a full blow-out I talian
f
f
j
Mecca for spotty youth on weekend evenings. The outisde tables
English Belarusian Russian Russian
pronunciation
Caf kafe
Restaurant restoran
Bar bar
Toilet tualet
Chicken
/
kuritsa /
tsyplionok
Beef i goviadina
Pork ii svinina
Pasta
/
pasta /
makarony
Pizza i pizza
Sushi sushi
Fish ryba
Soup sup
Hot / Cold
/
goriachii /
holodnyi
Potatoes
/
kartofel/
kartoshka
Vegetables i ovoshchi
Tea chai
Coffee kofe
Bread hleb
Sugar sahar
Milk moloko
Cream i slivki
Beer i pivo
Wine (red/
white)
i
(/
)

(/
)
vino
(krasnoie/
beloie)
Vodka vodka
Bill /
cheque
/
/ chek/shchiot
Change zdacha
Tip chaevyie
Thank you spasibo
Goodbye Do svidaniia
Well be
back

My
verniomsia
Which way
to...?
i
...?

...?
Kak proiti
k...?
Table talk
20
RESTAURANTS
21
RESTAURANTS
Newman () D-3, ul. Nemiga 36 (. ,
36), MPloschad Lenina ( ), tel. (+375
17) 306 48 39/(+375 44) 777 42 42. A magnificent find,
Newman offers great steaks on two floors including several
cooked on a charcoal grill, plus handmade lightshades and
expert Russian hands overseeing the operation. At ground
level theres a bar where a range of international food can also
be ordered, while upstairs is a more sophisticated restaurant
setting with leather seating and all the trimmings. The draught
beer goes down a treat, the steaks we demolished were fan-
tastic and the service is both helpful and attentive. Newman
also offers a good value business lunch during the week which
can be ordered from either floor. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. The
bar is open till 04:00 at weekends. JHALGXW
Renaissance () D-4, Svobody pl. 23
(. , 23), MOktyabrskaya (),
tel. (+375 17) 227 09 91, fax (+375 17) 227 09 64.
If Bill Gates and Al Capone wanted to do lunch in Minsk, this
is where it would happen. Buil t in a former monastery print
shop, Renaissance is a haven of beauti ful columns, soft
lighting and carpets working to create a level of opulence
that will drive many into fits of nervous laughter. Specialities
like filet mignon in cherry sauce and lamb with cognac sauce
are served to the sound of tinkling piano music. Guests can
also escape to the billiards room or sink into a leather sofa
in the cigar room. To get nearl y the same experience without
such a heavy financial impact, come for the business lunch.
QOpen 12:00 - 02:00. PJAULVEBXS
Seventh Heaven ( ) D-3, Nezavisimosti
pr. 11 (Hotel Minsk, top floor) (. ,
11), MPl oschad Leni na ( ),
tel. (+375 17) 209 90 38/ (+375 17) 209 90 87. Its
believed by many cul tures that the seventh heaven is a
place where you can meet God. We came along and looked
around but didnt see him. Or her. But you can see the
pretty Mary Magdalena Church if you look out the window.
I ts reall y a dinner-dance kind of place, wi th a suave sky-
blue and sil ver theme. Its not the most happening venue,
but i ts a bi t romantic, and if the couple we saw dancing
were anything to go by, they must serve aphrodisiacs.
QOpen 18:00 - 04:00. PJENK
Fish
Porto del Mare ( ) C-5, ul. Kozlova
3 (. , 3), MPloschad Pobedy (
), tel. (+375 29) 197 00 00, portodelmare@tut.
by. The former Porto Maltese has made a few slight changes
but remains more or less as it was before. For the uninitiated,
its an aquatic-looking fish restaurant with a few other dishes
on the menu such as steak and chefs specials that garners
nothing but positive reviews from all who eat there. Diners
can choose their own fish from a chilled display plus theres
a nice Bedouin-looking outdoor terrace for the summer.
QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. PTJALEX
French
La Crte dOr ( ) D-4, ul. Lenina
3 (. , 3), MOktyabrskaya (),
tel. (+375 17) 227 32 04. The name suggests i t is the
highest cock, but somehow that sounds a bi t too coarse
for this fine and refined restaurant. Expect softl y spoken
men in black roll-neck ski vvies perusing a menu that is too
good to be translated into English (youll have to read i t in
Russian or French, darling). Both ki tchen and wai tstaff are
internationall y trained, the environment is exquisi te and
the prices are not as stratosphericall y high as one might
expect. A perfect choi ce for a quali ty evening. QOpen
12:00 - 24:00. PJAX
La Dame De Pique ( ) D-4, ul. Yanki
Kupaly 17 (. , 17), MOktyabrskaya
(), tel. (+375 17) 227 73 14/(+375 29)
615 13 13. Conjuring images of decadent France at every op-
portunity this gorgeous little anomal y is the ul timate in bling.
Models of lithe greyhounds chained to the walls welcome
visitors to a restaurant thats a feast on both the eyes and the
taste buds. Not the cheapest place in town, the menu tempts
with a roll call of dishes including the mischievous-sounding
Russian Proposal in Paris (its a salad), Veal Martignon and
that old favourite, crme brle. Visitors looking to push the
boat out as far as it can go take note that at the time of going
to press there was a champagne on the menu going for a cool
5,481,000BYR. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00.
Fun
Chill Out ( ) C-4, Svobody pl. 4 (. ,
4), MNemiga (), tel. (+375 17) 328 63 43. Soft
tones of beige and brown with just a hint of neon purple and
lime green inside this restaurant and cocktail bar in the heart
of the city. Surplus to the telephone directory of cocktails is a
menu of international dishes and the added bonus of a sum-
mer barbecue terrace. Chill Out also has a reputation for its
parties, popular with some of the better off youth of the capital.
QOpen 11:00 - 24:00. PABXSW
Garazh () ul . Kal vari yskaya 17 (.
, 17), MFrunzenskaya (),
tel. (+375 29) 620 05 11. Everything in this must-see place
refers to cars and racing, from the extraordinary range of
vehicle-related paraphernalia to the recommended menu
featuring dishes with names such as the Lamborghini Diablo
and Ferrari Maranello pizzas and the Spaghetti Barichello.
Theres a big screen showing F1 and other major racing events
plus the occasional wacky competition like inviting diners to
eat spaghetti against the clock with spanners. Dedicated
to the time-honoured worship of the automobile, Garage is
more than just the sum of its gimmicky dcor and does a
great job in the kitchen. The all-male staff are young, friendl y
and several speak English. The fabulous Garage is located
in two locations in the city but the theme is pretty much the
same in both. Also at Mogilevskaya 12a. QOpen 24 hours.
PTAVBSW
Kalyannaya # 1 ( 1) D-4, ul. Karla
Marxa 33 (. , 33), tel. (+375 17) 222
27 07. Once youve finall y figured out how to get through
the front door youll wish youd bought a torch. Illuminated by
a handful of scrawny red lightbulbs to give atmosphere but
reall y just to disorientate and make you bang your shins on
things, the main draw here are the hookahs. The concept,
so the website says, is to bring like-minded people together
over a bubbling smoke and, well, thats the end of the con-
cept reall y. Also on offer is a limited range of drinks and light
refreshments. QOpen 08:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 08:00 - 02:00,
Sun 10:00 - 24:00.
Lozhki () D- 4, ul . Komsomol skaya 34
( , 34), tel. (+375 17) 227 07
72. Deliciousl y sill y, this quirky and fun caf-restaurant
is li ttered wi th spoons (lozhki) on the walls and ceiling.
A former much-loved caf, i ts now home to a range of
international dishes including the usual selection of grilled
meat and I talian offerings. The wai ters speak English and
theres rooms for those who smoke and those who dont.
QOpen 11:00 - 23:00.
German
Westfalia () Gazety Pravda pr. 11
(. , 11), tel. (+375 17) 270 57 27/
(+375 29) 172 00 00. A perfect escape from the overbear-
ing atmosphere found elsewhere in the city, the restaurant
attached to the IBB centre offers excellent, fresh food, a soft,
modern interior and an overall unpretentious dining experi-
ence. The German chef cooks up a variety of both German
and international fare. Try the Zurich veal or the speciality, pike
perch Papillote style. Live jazz is performed on Friday evenings,
instrumental music on Saturdays and Sundays. Also note that
the breakfast buffet here may be the best in town. QOpen
07:30 - 23:00. PTA6ULEGBXSW
Indian
Taj () C-3, ul. Romanovskaya Sloboda 26
(. , 26), MFrunzenskaya
(), tel. (+375 44) 711 11 10, fax (+375
17) 306 29 61. Opened to much blowing of trumpets, Taj is
by all accounts a welcome addition to Minsks ever growing
and ever improving restaurant scene. Bright, understated and
modern with plenty of Indian touches, an Indian chef oversees
the preparation of a good choice of food, some cooked in a
tandoor oven plus a few vegetarian options as well. Theres
an authenti c Indian dance group during the weekends
too, to reall y spice up the evening. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00.
PTAUBXSW
22
RESTAURANTS
23
RESTAURANTS
International
Atel i er () C- 3, ul . Mel ni kai te 4 (.
, 4) MFrunzenskaya ().
(+375 17) 203 77 26. This brand new restaurant complete
wi th large photographs of famous chefs on the walls comes
wi th a dressmaking theme as the name suggests and is
well worth a visi t. The menu features a weal th of classic
dishes from the ki tchens of Europe including a great menu
of grilled meats as well as a better than average wine list.
Dont eat too much though or youll miss the mouth-watering
Zaher cake, claimed by those whove tried i t to be as good
as any youll ever come across. All in all, excellent value
dining of the highest standard. QOpen 08:00 - 02:00.
PTJHALEBKS
El Pomidoro ( ) E-3, ul. Kirova 6 (.
, 6), MPloschad Lenina ( ), tel.
(+375 17) 226 10 20/(+375 29) 702 02 07, fax (+375
17) 200 65 51. The Tomato is a busy restaurant near the train
station thats one step up from fast food. Ask for El Menu and
then order El Pizza or El Salad. Its hardly spectacular but decent
enough to fill an undiscerning hole. Kebabs and breakfast are
also served. Expect a 15-20 minute wait during the lunchtime
rush. Also at Krasnaya 23, Bogdanovicha 102, Nezavisimosti
83. QOpen 09:00 - 23:00. PJAUGBS
Gostiny Dvor ( ) D-3, ul. Sovetskaya
17 (. , 17), MPloschad Lenina (
), tel. (+375 17) 328 64 17. A recommended cellar
restaurant complete with knights in armour, painted ceilings
and wai tresses in green waistcoats, the food, a favouri te
among diplomats and weal thy wedding parties, is excellent
albeit a little pricey. Recommended comes the Belarusian
casserole, the ideal accompaniment to the live music that
generall y livens things up during the weekend. QOpen 12:00
- 24:00. PJALEXS
Gosti () D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 25 (.
, 25), tel. (+375 29) 677 79 99. A
veri table aircraft hangar lies behind the innocuous frontage
of this splendid addi tion to the delights of the Belarusian
capi tal. A predominantl y booth-seated affair wi th lots of
wood panelling and posters of pre-war American film heart-
throbs on the walls, theres a bi t of everything for everyone
in here. The ki tchen churns out a range of staples including
chicken wings and squid whilst the bar packs both draught
Guinness and Pilsner Urquell. Aimed at a 30-something crowd
al though attracting plenty more besides, theres also li ve
music every night from 21:00. QOpen 12:00 - 02:00, Fri,
Sat 12:00 - 03:00. PAUEX
Grunwald Caf ( ) D-4, ul. Karla
Marxa 19 (. , 19), MKupalovskaya
(), tel. (+375 17) 210 42 55/(+375 29)
177 56 90. A half-hearted attempt to cash in on the greatest
battle of medieval Europe. The food is a bit pricey and the
atmosphere is nothing special, so other than the suit of armour
by the door and some photographs of modern-day enthusiasts
pretending to be medieval, it actually lacks an outstanding
appeal. Outdoor seating on a relatively quiet street is a bonus
during the summer. QOpen 08:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 08:00 -
02:00, Sun 10:00 - 24:00. PJABKXSW
Kabab-Zhi (-) B-6, Nezavisimosti pr. 71
(. , 71), MAkademia Nauk
( ), tel. (+375 17) 292 02 08/(+375 29)
392 02 08. Featuring a total of three halls for smokers and
non-smokers alike, Kabab-Zhi is remarkable in that it offers a
bizarre albeit recommended selection of food as wide-ranging
as Indian, Italian and the Lebanese. And if thats not enough,
they also try to label themselves as a sports bar. Rare in Minsk
and recommended is the salad bar. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00.
PAGBXS
Limoncello () B-6, ul. Bogdana Khmel-
nitskogo 7 (. , 7), tel. (+375
17) 290 02 00/(+375 44) 753 34 44. In short, two floors,
lounge music, World Fashion on the television and groups of
rich young women demolishing tables of expensive food and
drink. A restaurant that serves borsch and sushi probabl y
doesnt deserve to be called a tratorria as this place likes to
call itself, but thats of little interest to the scores of people
who flock here every day. We had Mexican Goulash and a
pizza and thought both were ok if nothing to wri te home
about. Smoking is upstairs, its a bit out of the way and is
definitely worth a visit for anyone with even a passing interest
in anthropology. QOpen 11:00 - 02:00, Mon 11:00 - 24:00,
Sun 12:00 - 24:00. PJAKX
News Caf ( ) D-4, ul. Karla Marxa 34
( . , 34) , MOkt yabr skaya
(), tel. (+375 17) 227 78 67. The good
news is that News Caf has been providing quali ty inter-
national fare to scores of well-heeled locals and top notch
foreigners for years. Friendl y English-speaking staff oversee
the deli very of a feast of food including some fine pasta
dishes such as the knockout tagliatelle wi th rabbi t ragout.
Theres free wireless Internet, a trendy layout and an overall
laid-back feel to the place. The bad news is that because of
this i ts qui te often di fficul t to find a seat. Reserving a table
is highl y recommended. QOpen 08:00 - 23:00, Sat, Sun
08:00 - 24:00. PJAGBXW
Olivye () C-4, ul. Internatsionalnaya 27
(. , 27), MNemiga (),
tel. (+375 17) 203 93 55/(+375 29) 639 93 55. First
of all, top marks for finding us a table when they were full y
booked. Second, top marks for the food. One could easil y
overlook this place, thinking it one of a crowd of mediocre
affairs in town, and that, judging from the food we ate, would
be a mistake. A good steak, a better-than-average Greek
salad and an exemplary vegetarian lasagne all passed with
fl ying colours, plus theres plenty more on offer including
pasta, sushi and the intriguingl y named Salad Olivye USSR
with Doctors Sausage. Even better, they work around the
clock. An excellent ci ty centre choice. QOpen 24 hours.
PTJHALEBKS
U Admirala ( ) B-2, Svobody pl. 8
(. , 8), MNemiga (), tel. (+375 17)
328 53 32. Tumble down the rabbi t-hole stairs for an ad-
venture in blunderland. Theres a rubble floor, a forest-like,
fairy-tale atmosphere, li ttle wine barrels that have been
turned into mushroom-style stools and a freaky toy rabbi t
on one of the walls. Despi te the wine-suggesti ve name,
the place has a bog-standard menu wi th everything from
simple sandwiches to proper meaty meals. Prices go up
after midnight. And the coat-check man turns into a pump-
kin. Probabl y. QOpen 24 hours. PJAEBX
U Ratushi ( ) C- 4, ul . Ger tsena 1
(. , 1), MNemiga (), tel. (+375 17)
226 06 43. Set over three levels, this spacious and pleas-
ant bar-restaurant is an excellent place for a meal after an
exhausting day walking around Minsks blister-inducingl y
long streets. The di verse menu is a notch above average
and throws everything from chicken masala to Thai stir
fry to steak au poi vre into the mi x. Theres also a good
sel ecti on of beers, whil e l ocal bands churn out bland
pop tunes and jazz most evenings. Booking during the
weekends is highl y recommended. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00.
PJAEX
Vostochny Express ( )
E-3, ul. Kirova 1 (. , 1), MPloschad Lenina
( ), tel. (+375 17) 225 62 43. A great
city centre location for a reall y nice-looking place complete
with engraved wine glasses, the staff speak English and the
menu features everything from Belarusian to Latin American.
Theres a super list of cocktails too to make the food go with a
bang. A VIP room is also available for private parties. QOpen
11:00 - 23:00. PJAX
Bella Rosa ( ) B-5, ul. Gikalo 3
(. , 3), MPloschad Yakuba Kolasa (-
), tel. (+375 17) 284 53 03/
(+375 17) 284 52 55. The exemplary i f somewhat
pri cey ki tchen in this classy establishment whisks
up more than pizza and pasta, including oysters and
Tuscan goulash. Also serving a few more local dishes
such as an extremel y good shchi, other things worth
further applause are exceptionall y good focaccia and
an espresso that couldve come direct from Rome.
QOpen 12:00 - 02:00. PJHALBKX
Ber gamo () A- 4, ul . Kul man 37
(. , 37), tel. (+375 17) 334 45 56,
fax (+375 17) 210 12 08. A well established I talian
restaurant inside a somewhat nondescript building
thats been a favouri te wi th staff from the I talian em-
bassy among other for a number of years, the interior
is classy but not too ostentatious and the food has
a very good reputation. The menu comes complete
wi th a large collection of I talian favouri tes including
pl enty of good pasta dishes and thin, crispy pi zza.
QOpen 10:00 - 24:00. PA6UEGXSW
Il Patio ( ) D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 22
(), tel. (+375 17) 227 17 91. You
reall y cant go wrong here. Central location, friendl y
prices, efficient service, cosy brick dcor. What more
could you possibl y ask for? Formerl y Patio Pizza, this
popular restaurant and meeting place still ser ves
some of the best pizza in town, al though as the name
change suggests, theyve got plenty of other I talian
dishes as well. I t also has some of the freshest, best-
tasting salads in Minsk. Also at Surganova 50. QOpen
08:00 - 23:00. PJAVGBXS
Per f etto () D- 3, ul. Romanovs-
kaya Sloboda 1 (. , 1),
MNemiga (), tel. (+375 17) 200 28 99/
(+375 29) 607 99 99. A doorman in a sui t ushers
customers into thi s moderatel y classy affair. The
pi zzas are excell ent, al though the pasta and salads
are poor imi tati ons of what they purpor t to be de-
spi te being ser ved up on fancy crocker y. The best
reason to come is to watch the l ocal posers hard
at i t. The barman helps the atmosphere al ong wi th
hi s well-rehearsed cocktail bottl e-flipping routine.
QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. PJABXSW
Italian
24
RESTAURANTS
25
CAFS

Kebabs
Byblos () D-4, ul. Internatsionalnaya 21
(), tel. (+375 17) 289 12 18, solimart@
bn.by. A bright, busy, noisy kebab house where you can fill
your bell y without emptying your wallet. Along with the ke-
bab and salad plates you can get a decentl y priced chicken
shawarma wi th French fries and chichtawook (chicken
legs), among many other goodies. Also at Karla Marxa 10.
QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. JA
Middle-Eastern
Kasbar () E-3, ul. Vokzalnaya 23 (.
, 23), MPloschad Lenina (
), tel. (+375 29) 666 36 05, fax (+375 17)
200 25 91. Kudos to this Syrian-themed restaurant for its
bubbl y atmosphere and colourful, Arabian-inspired dcor.
The menu is heavy on shashlyk, the staple fallback for
any Minsk restaurant wi th an Oriental theme. Thats not
to say theres anything wrong with it. The main attraction
is the loud bell y dancing show that happens in the din-
ing room. You might as well sit back and enjoy it, a small
charge has already been added to your bill for the pleasure.
QOpen 12:00 - 02:00. PAEXS
Pizza
Amsterdam () C-2, ul. Kalvariyskaya 24
(. , 24), MMolodezhnaya (-
), tel. (+375 17) 226 51 19. A perfectly adequate if
hardl y outstanding little place inside the Korona shopping
centre, Amsterdam probably serves more pizza than anything
else although theres plenty of other dishes on the menu. A good
enough place for filling food for a decent price without the frills.
QOpen 09:00 - 01:00. PTAXS
Peperoni () ul. Tsentralnaya 9 (.
, 9), MAvtozavodskaya (),
tel. (+375 17) 242 89 79. A classic diner-style pizza place
with bright orange seating, a childrens menu and even a few
cocktails. We havent tried the pizza so will reserve judgement
until we do. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. AUXSW
Tempo () B-6, Nezavisimosti pr. 78 (.
, 78), tel. (+375 17) 284 04 92/
(+375 17) 255 84 83. The name says i t all. This is a
fast-paced pizza joint popular wi th students from the nearby
uni versi ty building. Small, packed and highl y recommended.
Also at Pobedi teley 89, Lobanka 94, Marxa 9, Gromova
20, Nezavisimosti 78, Yakuba Kolasa 37. QOpen 08:00
- 23:00. NBS
Spanish
Casa Agustin Lopez ( )
C-5, ul. Zakharova 31 (. , 31), tel. (+375
17) 233 95 84/(+375 17) 177 77 55. Theyve packed in
all manner of Spanish clichs but fortunatel y have stopped
short of wearing sill y costumes or charging like wounded
bulls. The food is mildl y authentic, reasonabl y priced and
quite pleasing for us gringo types. The menu is in English
and has pictures for the linguisticall y or culinaril y challenged.
Flamenco and Salsa parties fire up on weekend evenings.
QOpen 12:00 - 03:00. PALBX
Sushi
Blackberry () D-3, ul. Bersona 3 (.
, 3), MPloschad Lenina ( ),
tel. (+375 17) 200 74 82/(+375 29) 196 89 68. Two
for the price of one. To the right find a large space for the
enjoyment of international dishes to the sound of live music
at the weekend, and to the left a smaller area serving fresh
sushi from a Russian-onl y menu. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Sat,
Sun 11:00 - 02:00. PJHEX
Mon Caf ( ) C-3, ul. Melnikaite 2/4 (.
, 2/4), MFrunzenskaya (),
tel. (+375 29) 623 99 57/(+375 17) 203 99 57. Its
hard to decide whether this is reall y a caf, a sushi bar, a
nightclub or none of the above. In any case the open two-
floor plan certainl y makes it loud and echoey when the DJ
starts cranking up the volume. Mainl y i ts a hangout for
young hipsters and anyone in need of the advertised most
affordabel (sic) sushi. Indeed this is cheaper than elsewhere
and a peculiarl y pleasant place in an Eastern European
sort of way. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 02:00.
PTA6LEBKXS
Planet Sushi ( ) D-4, Nezavisimosti
(), tel. (+375 17) 210 56 45. Clean, bright,
modern, stylish and foreigner-friendl y. These popular restau-
rants can get a bit rowdy when locals swarm in to laugh at
each other trying to use chopsticks, but generall y a slick and
sophisticated atmosphere prevails. Waitresses are dressed
up in space-kimonos, the menu is pictographic so you can
choose and point and theres more than just sushi. One of the
most foreigner-friendly outfits in town. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00.
PJAVGBXS
Chumatsky Shlyakh ( )
D-3, ul. Myasnikova 34 (. , 34),
MPloschad Lenina ( ), tel. (+375
29) 190 77 77, demnatvas@gmail.com. The rather
over-the-top folksy atmosphere in no way impinges on
whats one of the best places to eat peasant food in
the ci ty. Set out on two floors, the real magic here can
be found inside the ki tchen. Choosing what to eat can
be di fficul t as i ts a big menu and i ts all good. Recom-
mended are ei ther of the two offerings of borsch, the
vareniki and the potato pancakes. Theres several
vodkas to help i t all down too, and a rather marvel-
lous photograph of happy factory workers just on the
right as you enter. Highl y recommended, especiall y for
those eating in groups. In a word, magni ficent. QOpen
11:00 - 23:00. PJAULBXSW
Tapas Bar ( ) D-4, ul. Internatsional-
naya 9 (. , 9), MNemiga
(), tel. (+375 17) 203 11 27. Right across
the street from one of the citys iconic, Stalin-era cin-
emas, if youre in town and youre looking for generousl y
proportioned tapas or paella, this might be just the ticket.
A simple and stylish cantina-like dcor provides the
backdrop whilst the drinks menu features a number of
classic favourites plus the usual wine and beer. The staff
are friendl y and, unusual for Minsk, knowledgeable. The
Belarusian capital would be a slightl y worse place for its
absence. QOpen 09:00 - 23:00. JAGXSW
Ukrainian
Tapas
AirGrip ( ) D-4, ul. Komsomolskaya 19
(. , 19), MNemiga (), tel.
(+375 17) 328 37 93. Theres a definite Italian-ness to Air
Grip. After all, it has the same owners as the Voglia Matta
restaurant. The emphasis here, though, is on ice-cream and
cakes. A strangel y attractive place that attracts a diverse
crowd. QOpen 10:00 - 03:00. PAGBXSW
Banana Caf ( ) C-4, ul. Storozhovs-
kaya 7 (. , 7), MNemiga (),
tel./fax (+375 17) 285 50 79. Its certainly bent, but more
bruised-banana brown than happy-smiley yellow. We dont
know what goes on behind the mirrored VIP door downstairs,
but upstairs is a dark caf with a litter of wooden cottage-style
tables and chairs. Twigs on the ceiling add a rustic, fire-hazard
charm. It looks like theres a nice outdoor seating area, but
it wasnt being used when we visited in May. No menus in
English, and we dont know if the staff speak English because
they didnt bother to actually serve us. QOpen 10:00 - 05:00.
PAIEBXS
Beze Caf ( ) D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 18
(), tel. (+375 17) 328 64 09. Beze bills
itself as A Gallery of Sweet Masterpieces, and thats a fairl y
accurate summary of what this nice old-fashioned caf is all
about. It specialises in all kinds of Austrian desserts includ-
ing strudels and the like. Inexpensive Belarusian meals are
also served in case you feel guil ty about not finishing all your
vegetables first. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 01:00.
PJAGBXS
Coffeeberry () D-3, Nezavisimosti pr.
SC Stolitsa (. , ),
tel. (+375 29) 6 177 438. A somewhat noisy, circular af-
fair with a glass roof inside one of the citys best shopping
centres. As well as serving a respectable espresso this place
also boasts a small Internet caf at the top of the stairs.
QOpen 08:00 - 22:00. PALGBS
Coffee Inn ( ) C-4, ul. Internatsionalnaya 23
(. , 23), MNemiga (),
tel. (+375 17) 227 40 41/(+375 29) 199 00 99. The
somewhat striking interior can be charming or hallucinogenic
depending on your mood. But Coffee Inn does what any half-
decent caf is supposed to, i.e. it serves a good cup of cof-
fee. Theres also a decent selection of cakes on offer and a
curiousl y Russian-like tent extension where you can sit and
observe the locals leisurel y go about their business. QOpen
08:00 - 01:00, Fri 08:00 - 03:00, Sat 10:00 - 03:00, Sun
10:00 - 01:00. PJALEBX
FreshCafe () C-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 42
(. , 42), MPloschad Pobedy
( ), tel. (+375 17) 284 54 04, fax
(+375 17) 288 17 14. One of the better cafs in town,
Fresh Caf has a nice modern look to it with lots of angular
modern furniture and bright colours, plus a gaggle of young
and friendly waitresses scuttling about and keeping everyone
happy with smiles glued to their faces. As well as being a
recommended place to fuel up on coffee, they also serve a few
dishes from a menu of international dishes plus a few sushi
options. QOpen 10:00 - 23:00. PAGBS
Golden Coffee B-4, ul. Maxima Bogdanovicha 26 (.
, 26), tel. (+375 44) 756 21
17. Coffee, ice cream, cocktails, light meals and scores of
people glued to their screens courtesy of the free wireless
Internet connection. I t used to be called Double Coffee and
they still havent got round to changing the branding on
everything, but that doesnt seem to matter when youve
got free Internet access. The coffees ok incidentall y.
Also at Nezavisimosti 18 and Shopping Centre Expobel.
QOpen 24 hours. PJW
Graf Caf ( ) Nezavisimosti pr. 116, (.
, 116), tel. (+375 17) 266 37 22/
(+375 29) 690 62 17. Perched up high on the 22nd floor
of the National Library, this average caf hosts changing
art exhibitions and sells a drinkable cup of coffee. Access is
onl y possible with a ticket to the viewing gallery on top of the
building. QOpen 13:00 - 23:00. PW
Gurman () C-4 ul. Kommunisticheskaya 7
(. , 7), tel. (+375 17) 290 67 74.
The Gourmet name is perhaps a bit of an overstatement
but we can happil y overlook such hyperbole. Gurman is one
of the nicest places in Minsk and would snugl y fit into any
Western capital. The food is good, if not exactly haute cuisine,
and includes Indian, Italian, Belarusian and a good breakfast
menu. Its casual, friendl y and delightfull y easy-going, and
just the sort of place youd regularl y hang out at if it were in
your neighbourhood. Menus are available in English. QOpen
08:00 - 23:00. PW
In Vino ( ) B-4, ul. Very Khoruzhey 22
(. , 22), tel. (+375 29) 377 00 00,
fax (+375 17) 238 17 34. A pleasant modern setting with
lots of cool brown shades with the chance to dine sat on
a sofa, In Vino offers a good choice of international dishes
alongside menus for coffee and dessert. The grilled meats
are particularl y talked about here. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00, Fri,
Sat 12:00 - 01:00. PALXS
CAFS
26
27
NIGHTLIFE
Kokos () ul. Babushkina 60a (. ,
60), tel. (+375 29) 350 00 20. Functioning as both a
caf and a place to pick up a wide range of dishes from
grilled meat to pretty good pizza to sushi, the interior of
Kokos has a fun, colourful feel to i t. Theres also a salad
bar and a good value business lunch. QOpen 24 hours.
PTALVBXS
La Crte d Or Caf (
) D-4, ul. Lenina 3 (. , 3), tel.
(+375 29) 105 05 03. Right next door to the superb French
restaurant of the same name, dont expect anything even
vaguel y resembling a French caf though. La Crte dOr is
a pleasant but rather nondescript li ttle place which does
a good cup of coffee and a nice selection of gunk-filled
pastries and cakes. The best thing i t has going for i t is i ts
location on one of Minsks most attracti ve streets. QOpen
09:00 - 24:00. PJAS
London () D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 18 (.
tel. (+375 17) 289 15 29. Once you see past the mountains
of London souvenirs at this cheerful little caf, youll notice
it has two narrow levels, its decorated with red paint, and it
has a spiral staircase at the back. Drop in for a quick cup of
coffee from Guatemala or head upstairs to lounge out. QOpen
10:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 02:00. PJNBW
Stary Mensk ( ) D-4, Nezavisimosti
pr. 14 (. , 14), MPloschad Lenina
( ), tel. (+375 17) 289 14 00. The
size of a tea chest and intricatel y decorated with all sorts
of old coffee tins, mysterious bottles and labels stuck to the
tables so you think youre eating off a well travelled persons
sui tcase. I ts all very nice wi th an intimate elbows-in feel-
ing. Theres French press coffees, plenty of teas (including
authentic mate) and a few snacks. A waitress who looks
like an 18-year-old Nana Mouskouri may try to seduce you
into something quichey, but we suggest you dont go i f
youre hungry. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 02:00.
J6ENGBW
SunCafe () B-5, ul. Kuibysheva 38 (.
, 38), tel. (+375 17) 286 03 72/(+375 44)
777 1 333. One of a chain of restaurants across the city
serving Italian and international dishes as well as function-
ing as a simple caf, Sun Caf is popular with students and
others looking for simple food served in modern surroundings
with a professional touch. Also at Yakuba Kolasa 52, Gintovta
1, Nezavisimosti at SC Stolitsa and Borovaya 7. QOpen
10:00 - 23:00. PAGBSW
Teatro Caf C-4, ul. Maxima Bogdanovicha 6 (.
, 6), MNemiga (), tel.
(+375 17) 334 13 52/(+375 29) 355 70 77. A sprawling
venue with a decidedl y industrial feel to it, theres plenty on
the walls and the furniture to keep the eyes occupied whilst
you drink decent coffee or order something a little stronger.
Theres also a small menu of food including Italian and Japa-
nese to stave off the hunger.
Zelyonaya Polyana ( ) C-2, ul.
Kalvariyskaya 17 (. , 17), MFrun-
zenskaya (), tel. (+375 29) 103 27 77,
www.poliana.by. A recommended caf and restaurant serv-
ing a good mix of international dishes, this centrall y located
establishment also offers billiards and has something of a
reputation as one of the top places in the city for karaoke. The
aforementioned menu contains a bit of everything from grilled
meat to pizza. QOpen 24 hours. PALVEXSW
Trinity suburb at night
Nightlife options in Minsk are diverse, friendl y and at times
refreshingl y odd, making the city an excellent option for all
manner of adventures after dark. Borders blur a bit, with bars
being a bit like clubs and cafs turning into cabaret venues
and live music striking up in the most unlikel y places. The
streets are safe and the taxis are cheap. Theres reall y no
excuse for not having a good night out.
Bars
Barin () Pobediteley pr. 17 (. -
, 17), MNemiga (), tel. (+375
17) 209 44 01/(+375 29) 348 24 22, fax (+375 17)
203 09 69. Close to the Planeta hotel a little bit of a way
out of the city centre, Barin is essentiall y a caf-bar with
food on the menu offering a trul y authentic vision of Belarus
without the tourist trimmings. A little bit bling and laid out on
two floors, its dark and moody in here and often full of people
wi th large bank accounts. Theres also a small VIP room
complete with a grand old fireplace. QOpen 12:00 - 02:00.
PAIGBXS
Bar T34 ( 34) D-4, ul. Krasnoarmeyskaya 3
(. , 3), MOktyabr skaya
(), tel. (+375 29) 768 90 73/(+375 44)
782 46 11. Named after the infamous WWII Soviet tank of
which an example can be found outside, Bar T-34 functions
like so many other places in Minsk as both a place to eat and
to drink. Made up of two underground rooms decorated with
lashings of military paraphernalia, the charming waitresses
come complete wi th saucy slogans on their T-shirts and
are on hand to deliver everything from bottled Asahi beer to
pancakes. The menu unfortunatel y remains in Russian onl y
and the gentleman on the door is apt to keep riff raff out, which
generally doesnt include foreigners. Great for a meal or a beer
or both. QOpen 17:00 - 04:00. JABXS
Drozhzhi United (
) D-3, ul. Sverdlova 2 (. , 2),
MPloschad Lenina ( ), tel. (+375 17)
200 54 56/(+375 44) 700 54 56. Translating as Yeast,
Drozhzhi offers familiar Irish pub surroundings to a mix of lo-
cal and expat drinkers alike. Theres sport of the television,
Kilkenny, Guinness and Harp on draught, booth seating and of
course a weal th of paraphernalia nailed to the walls. Theres
also a limited menu of local and international dishes and, so
were reliabl y informed, live music at the weekends. QOpen
09:00 - 02:00. PJAEBX
Gvozd () B-5, ul. Gikalo 5 (. , 5),
MYakuba Kolasa ( ), tel. (+375 17)
290-28-91/ (+375 29) 606-03-97. Hammers and nails
(the name of the place translates as The Nail) all over the
walls and one of the best selections of bottled beer within
five hours of the place, Gvozd panders to the local addicts
who cant live without the constant hum of a television set
but, easil y avoided, theres plenty more on offer inside. The
aforementioned bottles include Master Tmav and Master
Zlat, plus theres a decent menu of international food and live
music. Great atmosphere too. Definitely one for the pub crawl.
QOpen 12:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat, Sun 12:00 - 02:00.
ID Bar (ID-) -5, ul. Zakharova 19 (. ,
19), MPloschad Pobedy ( ), tel.
(+375 17) 293 13 96/(+375 44) 793 13 96. Mannequins
as coat hangers, dangerousl y exposed lighting and a large
evacuation plan on the wall make this place a little bit odd
but worthy of further attention. The service is friendl y if a
little hit and miss, plus they had the audacity to run out of
bottled beer before we arrived. Set in a gloomy, L-shaped
basement, ID also offers free wireless Internet, has a limited
menu of pricey food and is a decent place for a decent
drink or two. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 02:00.
PA6GBXS
Live Pub ( ) D-4, ul. Komsomolskaya 34
(. , 34), MNemiga (), tel.
(+375 29) 170 57 71/(+375 17) 210 58 25. They say its
a replica of a classic Parisian beer restaurant and they also
say its owners are French, but neither of these things really
matter because it looks great and by all accounts it is great.
Choose from a smoking and non-smoking hall and get set to
drink yourself stupid on draught beer and a long cocktail list
including such unforgettable concoctions as Jeans with Tonic.
Theres chanson over the speakers Thursday to Sunday and a
menu of classic pub grub including fish and chips, chicken wings
and steak in pepper sauce. Take advantage of the weekday
lunch here nine times and youll get the 10th one for free. Magic.
QOpen 12:00 - 01:00. PIENGBXW
Moloko () C-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 37a (.
), tel. (+375 17) 284 53 99/(+375 29)
329 06 10. Board games, bottled beer and toasted sand-
wiches are the first impressions one gets when entering this
slightl y al ternative bar inside the citys small Contemporary
Arts Centre. As well as being a great place to find English-
speaking locals with an interest in culture, Moloko (Milk) has a
strict no-smoking policy and plays a great selection of music.
Recommended. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00.
Pinta VIP ( VIP) D- 3, ul. Ber sona 16
), tel. (+375 17) 289 55 55. A classic Eastern
European establishment that defies accurate and succinct
description, Pinta VIP celebrates Soviet art and design with
the help of dcor including old posters and all manner of knick-
knacks whilst pandering to a daytime crowd with a menu of
dishes including the ubiquitous sushi. Theres also a good
value business lunch to be had here during the week, although
we mark it out as a place for visiting in the evening when the
workers have all gone home and theres plenty of room for
some serious drinking. Also Pinta XXL at Kulman 11. QOpen
12:00 - 24:00, Sun 12:00 - 02:00. PJLNBX
Verona Pub ( ) B-5, ul. Gikalo 5 (.
, 5), MPloschad Yakuba Kolasa (
), tel. (+375 17) 331 94 81/(+375 17)
331 94 81. A dark and dingy bar located at the bottom of
flight of stairs, Verona Pub would probably be overlooked were
it not for the fact that theyve got bowling lanes. The bowling
lanes in question may predate the founding of America but
thats not the point. Genius. QOpen 12:00 - 05:00.
Clubs
Afrika () C- 2, ul. Timir yazeva 9 (.
, 9), MFrunzenskaya (), tel.
(+375 29) 360 76 06, www.africaclub.by. A masterpiece
A new custom has recently emerged in cafs, bars and
restaurants in which the bill is rounded up to the nearest
1,000 rouble note. Dont consider it a tip but rather a
minuscule service charge.
Rounding things up
28
NIGHTLIFE
29
NIGHTLIFE
in design, this large subterranean nightclub has been pack-
ing them in for at least a decade in one shape or another.
Currentl y looking like the home of slightl y deranged big game
hunter, the African theme stops with the dcor as the music
remains in the realms of house and techno, much of it Russian.
As with most clubs in Minsk its good to know a local who
can tell you whats happening on any particular night here as
it varies so much. Look for the big sign close to the Korona
shopping centre. QOpen 22:00 - 06:00. Closed Mon.
Alcatraz () D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 25
(), tel. (+375 29) 355 33 33. Hidden away
of all places underneath the Trade Union Palace of Cul ture,
whilst this extraordinary if not outright kinky little club is no
longer the force it was a decade ago, its still a great place
to visit for a bit of fun. Theres a good sized dance floor to
move around on with the help of a collection of mainstream
DJs. QOpen 12:00 - 06:00. PALEBXS
Black Door ( ) B-4, ul. Very Khoruzhey 29
(. , 29), MPloschad Yakuba Kolasa
( ), tel. (+375 17) 334 43 44/
(+375 44) 734 43 44. Dark and moody and featuring a
bar that changes colour, Black Door li ves in that classic
Belarusian twilight zone thats not qui te a restaurant and
not quite a club. The food is average, making even more of
an argument for calling it a club. The music sways between
anything from funk to jazz, DJs come from abroad and they
often have raucous music-theme nights. QOpen 12:00 -
02:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 05:00.
Broadway () B-4, Masherova pr. 17/1
(. , 17/1), tel. (+375 29) 650 0 612,
fax (+375 17) 286 3 158. This is among the swankiest,
classiest, shiniest and fanciest places in town. Dress nice if
you want to be let in and fit in. Oh, and press the zero button
a few extra times when making the withdrawal from the ATM
before this night out. A glorious period atmosphere, excellent
entertainment and, according to all reports including our own,
the most gorgeous gold-diggers in town. QOpen 11:00 -
06:00. Entrance fee: 10. PAILKXW
Coyote () Nezavisimosti pr. 117a (.
, 117), MVostok (), tel.
(+375 29) 190 66 66. A wonderful blending of styles
incorporating such diametricall y opposed ideas as plush
l eather sofas and anarchi c scribbling on the walls, this
magni ficent place close to the National Library a few ki-
lometres from the ci ty centre is more than just a bar, also
functioning perfectl y well as a restaurant and club. The food
includes everything from Belarusian to sushi, the massi ve
bar features Cuban barmen and theres a different show and
club night on every evening including the popular Thursday
night jazz sessions. The face control is much more relaxed
than i t is at other places of this level of sophistication and
i ts getting rave reviews from the young crowd who like to
come here. QOpen 12:00 - 06:00.
Goodwin () D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 19 (.
tel. (+375 17) 227 04 16/(+375 44) 797 64 96. A bit of
a nondescript restaurant by day and earl y evening, Goodwin
slumps into a kind of gritty-groovy nightclub mode after mid-
night. Of particular note is the small dance floor and stage
which quickl y becomes packed with mildl y inebriated happy
locals with few pretentions and few inhibitions. Get in among
them and, provided you dont have any snobbish tendencies,
youre bound to enjoy the evening. Friendl y English-speaking
staff are a bonus. QOpen 12:00 - 02:00, Fri, Sat, Sun 12:00
- 06:00. PTAEGBXW
Madison Royal Club ( ) C-2, ul.
Timiryazeva 9 (. , 9), tel. (+375 29) 619
00 40, www.madisonclub.by. The ul timate night club ex-
perience, Madison Royal Club is about as exclusive, luxurious
and hedonistic as it gets. The face control is legendary, but
assuming you get in (men should be sober and sophisticated,
women beautiful and scantil y dressed) expect, according to
them, a New York concrete and Soho glass extravaganza.
Many male DJs come from Ibiza, the women DJs spin tunes
whilst practicall y naked and the bill at the end of the evening
is going to cost you more than the flight home. If you dont like
this kind of thing then move on. If on the other hand you do, the
word on the street is that its extremel y well organised, safe
and one of the best nights out of its kind anywhere. QOpen
22:00 - 06:00. Closed Mon, Tue. PALKX
Max Show ( ) B-6, Nezavisimosti pr. 73
(. , 73), MAkademia Nauk
( ), tel. (+375 17) 292 00 38/(+375 44)
703 07 84. This round, blue and popular club in the Ok-
tyabr cinema puts particular emphasis on its erotic show
programmes, meaning go-go dancers in various states of
nakedness taking to the stage just about every night. In a
surprising display of egalitarianism, it also caters to the ladies
by offering a male striptease review some nights. Check
the schedule ahead of time to see whether itll be a Boris
or a Natasha flapping their pri vates in your face. QOpen
13:00 - 06:00. Entrance fee - 10 (from 22:30 till 06:00).
PAULEXSW
Next () D-4, ul. Kirova 13 (. , 13), tel.
(+375 44) 718 77 77, www.cpminsk.com. The Crowne
Plaza Minsks very own in-house club is aimed at young,
successful professionals with money in their bank accounts
to match. Among the many treats in store are no less than
four bars, one of which is generall y alive with the skills of an
acrobatic cocktail-maker. The music is quality mainstream
club music, pumped out onto a dance floor more often than
not awash with good-looking things having the time of their
life. Professional security keeps the riff-raff out, guarantee-
ing a relaxed and fun night out for all. QOpen 11:00 - 06:00.
POJHALEGKXW
Overtime () C-3, Pobediteley pr. 4 (.
, 4), MNemiga (), tel. (+375 29)
1 414 414. A big sports-themed hall with mediocre facilities
has somehow managed to become a happening nightspot.
Really, theres no accounting for taste. Most of the floor space
is given over to restaurant-style seating, with blue plastic
swivelling egg-cups accommodating some of the prettiest
bottoms in town. Theres a small tiled dance floor with not
much in the way of lighting that quickl y gets packed. Bar staff
keep the crowd amused by juggling and dropping bottles.
Wannabe thugs keep their ape ambitions alive with an arcade
style punching bag in the foyer. Popular and fun. QOpen 17:00
- 06:00. Entrance fee: 4+. PJAKX
Casinos
Casino Royal ( ) D-3, Nezavisimo-
sti pr. 11 (. , 11), MPloschad
Lenina ( ), tel. (+375 29) 111 33 33,
www.royal.by. The ci tys most luxurious casino can be
found located inside the Minsk hotel. As well as the usual
space open to all is a special VIP room where gamblers
can play incogni to for high stakes. Games available include
Ameri can roul ette, black jack and poker, plus theres
a sel ection of sl ot machines. Restaurant, bar and cur-
rency exchange also available in-house. QOpen 24 hours.
POJLKX
Diamond Princess ( ) D-4,
ul. Kirova 13 (. , 13), MPloshchad Lenina
( ), tel. (+375 17) 218 34 46, diamond-
princesscasino@hotmail.com, www.worldofprincess.
com. Inside the Crowne Plaza hotel, Diamond Princess offers
over 1,000 square metres of space for nine table games includ-
ing Blackjack, Roulette, Caribbean poker and Russian Poker as
well as over 100 slot machines. Open around the clock theres
also an in-house bookmakers for those who like to have a flutter
on sporting events. A range of drinks and snacks is available
from the casino bar. QOpen 24 hours. POJAKX
Juravinka Princess ( )
-4, ul. Yanki Kupaly 25 (. , 25), MOk-
tyabrskaya (), tel. (+375 17) 328 69 17,
www.worldofprincess.com. Roulette, black jack, poker, slot
machines, a nice bar and international food are all on offer
here, and if thats not enough its located inside the amazing
Juravinka complex which boasts among its temptations bowl-
ing, bars, a disco, fitness centre and even a hotel for those
who dont want to stray too far from the action. QOpen 24
hours. POJALEKX
Princess Casino Nemiga (
) D-3, ul. Nemiga 12 (. , 12), MNe-
miga (), tel. (+375 17) 200 14 92/(+375 17)
200 42 81, www.worldofprincess.com. Two gambling halls
here, the first space given over to a weal th of possibilities
including eight roulette tables and the chance to play Rus-
sian, Texas and Caribbean poker. Theres also a VIP room, a
restaurant serving international food, live shows and much
30
NIGHTLIFE
31
NIGHTLIFE
more. The smaller of the two features no less than 46 slot
machines plus the chance to bet on international sporting
events. Popular and frequentl y busy. QOpen 24 hours.
POALEXW
Shangri La ( ) D-4, ul. Kirova 8/3 (.
, 8/3), tel. (+ 375 17) 321 20 22, fax (+ 375
17) 227 03 33, receptionminskxo@shangri-la.by, www.
SHANGRILAcasino.by. Classy, you wont get in here without
US$100 in tokens, Shangri La has American roulette, black
jack, poker and 30 sophisticated slot machines for your
pleasure in rather splendid surroundings. More than just
a place to lose your shirt in, theres also a fine restaurant
with arguabl y the citys best known German chef working in
it. Also on offer are live cabaret, Russian billiards and even
airport transfer if you want to stay to the very last. QOpen
24 hours. POJHALEKXW
Victoria () B-2, Pobediteley pr. 59 (.
, 59), tel. (+375 17) 306 08 08. The
biggest casino in Belarus is more than just the ordinary
casino experience. Surplus to the poker, black jack, switch,
slot machines etc are a host of extras. Victoria is perhaps
best known and loved for its soundproof telephone booth
complete with selectable background noises including airport
and nightclub, provided for the ul timate in client discretion.
QOpen 24 hours. POAEXW
Zeus () A-4, ul. Orlovskaya 40a (. ,
40), tel. (+375 17) 335 03 22, www.casinozeus.by.
A fun atmosphere thanks to an Ancient Greek theme, Casino
Zeus features three areas, one for serious gambling with the
help of slot machines, roulette, black jack, Russian poker,
Texas poker and three-card poker, a bar to keep lubricated
whilst betting and a lounge area to relax. Theres also the
opportunity to eat, with a menu full of good things to eat
including the now ubiquitous Minsk staple, sushi. QOpen
24 hours. POULENGXW
Cocktails
Boulevard () D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 22
(), tel. (+375 29) 111 47 47/(+375 17)
328 45 96. Gi ving the two expat favouri tes around the
corner a run for their money, this relativel y new venture is
already awash with the babble of spoken and broken English.
Categorised as a cocktail bar simpl y because the cocktail
menu outweighs the one with the food on it, the latter, which
changes regularly, offers nouvelle cuisine and other favourites
including schni tzel and mashed potato whilst the cocktail
menu features every concoction you could possibl y dream
of. Purple and grey and spread out on two floors, Boulevard
also works very well as a caf and is a good place to visit any
time of day. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00.
Stravinsky Bar ( ) -4, Nezavi-
simosti pr. 25b (. , 25), MOk-
tyabrskaya (), tel. (+375 29) 190 99 99.
A little bit of sophistication tucked away behind the tourist
market, Stravinsky boasts a menu of over 60 cocktails,
a glass bar, angle-poise lamps screwed to the ceiling and
contemporary wall art made from red wine stains. One of
the nicest places in town to head for a drink, added bonuses
include the blues oozing from the loudspeakers and small
selection of things to eat. QOpen 12:00 - 02:00, Thu, Fri,
Sat 12:00 - 05:00. PA6UBX
Sweet & Sour ( ) D-4, ul. Karla
Marxa 14 (. , 14), MPloschad
Lenina ( ), tel. (+375 17) 218 25 93,
www.sweetandsour.by. Reli ve prohibi tion-era America
inside this small and exclusive, centrall y located bar popular
with a range of well-heeled visitors from their 20s to their
50s. The livel y bar staff conjure up all manner of fancy drinks
including the highl y recommended Prescription Julep made
from cognac, rye whiskey, mint leaves, sugar and spring wa-
ter. A good night out here is accompanied by the sounds of
jazz of all kinds and French chanson among others. QOpen
16:00 - 02:00. Closed Sun. PJENX
Wine
Galereya Vin ( ) C-3, Pobediteley pr. 23
- 1 (. , 23 - 1), MNemiga (),
tel. (+375 17) 226 63 90. Wine Gallery is actuall y a wine
shop, but it has a small bar in the back and a handful of
wooden tables where you can enjoy a nice vintage by the
glass. A very civilised al ternative to the flashy casinos and
beer gardens that surround it. QOpen 10:00 - 22:00, Mon
10:00 - 19:00. PAS
Microbreweries
Rakovsky Brovar ( ) C-3,
ul. Uralskaya 13 (. , 13), tel. (+375 17)
245 17 01. An absolutel y enormous place, hard to find and
decorated in the manner of a large hunting lodge, the main
reason for dropping by is to drink yourself silly on the in-house
beer. On offer are a choice of four brews, all of them superb
and all of them liable to mislead as the percentage refers to
something other than the alcohol content. A favourite among
resident and visiting foreigners alike, the food on offer includes
ostrich, brains and buckwheat and fish soup. The itinerant
band may be good, but it probabl y wont stop you wanting to
slap them. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. AUGXS
Live music
DooDah King ( ) D-3, ul. Bersona 14 (.
, 14), MPloschad Lenina ( ),
tel. (+375 29) 103 10 00. Featuring li ve music almost
every night from around 23:00 and a fabulous collection of
art, graffiti and American road signs covering every available
wall space, Doodah King also provides music performances
on an array of large screens when theres nobody prancing
around on the stage. The booze selection is good, the menu
is bursting with Russian and American favourites and youll be
hard pressed to find a seat if you arrive too late. Friendl y staff
too. QOpen 11:00 - 05:00. PJENXSW
Adul t entertainment
Laguna () C-1, Pushkina pr. 39 (.
, 39), MPushkinskaya (), tel.
(+375 17) 252 69 46. Strip club QOpen 21:30 - 05:30.
PNK
Versus () D-3, Nezavisimosti pr. 11 (.
, 11), MPloschad Lenina (
), tel. (+375 17) 200 25 20/(+375 29) 634 44
12. Strip club QOpen 21:00 - 07:00. PAULBKX
Texas () C-3, Pobediteley pr. 19 (.
, 19), tel. (+375 17 226 99 04),
texac2005@tut.by. Strip club QOpen 20:00 05:00.
PAULBKX
32
WHAT TO SEE
33
WHAT TO SEE
Maxim Bogdanovich Literature Museum C-4,
ul. Bogdanovicha 7a (. , 7), tel.
(+375 17) 334 42 69. The Belarusian poet and journalist
Maxim Bogdanovich (1891-1917) had an enormous effect on
Belarusian literature, a fact reflected in the naming of several
streets throughout the country in his honour. This museum,
one of several in Belarus dedicated to his life, is somewhat
specialised as well as lacking in any English explanations to
the exhibits. QOpen 10:00 - 17:00. Closed Mon. Also closed
Sundays in summer.
National Museum of History & Culture D-4, ul. Karla
Marxa 12 (. , 12), tel. (+375 17)
227 43 22. Artefacts relating to the history of Belarus from
40,000BC to the present day are sprinkled throughout this
creaky old museum, the largest repository of archaeological
items in the country. Axe-heads, swords, portraits, an old
printing press and exhibits on fishing, hunting and folklore are
among the many rewards for those who visit. Unfortunatel y
theres no text to describe any of it in English. QOpen 11:00
- 19:00. Closed Wed. Admission 7,000BYR.
Nature Museum D-2, ul. Karla Marxa 12 (.
, 12), tel. (+375 17) 206 69 56. Located in the
bowels of the Museum of History and Culture (see Museums),
this small museum is the most exciting place in town to see
dusty mammoth bones and stuffed bears. Dont miss the
institutions pride and joy - a nice pile of potatoes. QOpen
11:00 - 19:00. Closed Wed. Admission 7,000BYR.
Churches
Aleksander Nevsky Church C-5, ul. Kozlova 11
(. , 11). Built inside the grounds of the citys Mili-
tary Cemetery to commemorate victory in the Russo-Turkish
War of 1877-1878 and completed in 1898, this splendid little
Russian Baroque church is the onl y religious building in the
city to retain its original appearance. The interior is somewhat
austere, featuring lots of black marble with inscriptions to
those lost in bloody battle. In February 1938 the church was
the last to be closed in the city, three years before a Luftwaffe
bomb fell through the roof on June 24, 1941, landing in front of
the icon of St. Nicholas but failing to explode. Another bomb
during the same air raid had better luck, destroying much of
the roof. Reopened by the occupying Germans soon after,
the church was closed again by the Soviets who did at least
spend time restoring the building.
Cathedral of Sts. Peter & Paul C-3, ul. Rakovskaya 4
(. , 4), MNemiga (). Buil t in 1613,
the so-called Yellow Church is the oldest surviving religious
Despi te i ts predominantl y post-war character, Minsk is a
fabulous city to explore. One of the worlds masterpieces of
Socialist-Realist urban planning, the city also throws aficio-
nados of antiquity a handful of titbits such as a scattering of
marvellous old churches.
Museums & Galleries
Anci ent Bel arusi an Cul tur e Museum B- 6,
ul.Surganova 1/2 (., 1/2), tel. (+375 17)
284 27 32/(+375 17) 284 24 97. Opened in 1979 on the
50th anniversary of the National Academy of Sciences, the
collection includes a wide range of ethnographic and cul tural
exhibits including icons, folk art and even a collection of items
relating to the Chernobyl disaster. QOpen 11:00 - 16:00.
Closed Sat, Sun. Admission free.
Fire Museum D-3, ul. Gorodskoy Val 12 (.
, 12), tel. (+375 17) 294 61 22. The fascinating
history of Minsks fire brigade, wi th tours conducted by
grinning firemen. Visi ts must be booked in advance, and
keep in mind that tours are in the Russian language onl y.
QOpen 09:00 - 17:00.
First Congress of the Russian Social-Democratic
Workers Party Museum C-5, Nezavisimosti pr.
31a (. , 31), tel. (+375 17)
290 68 47. Home to the first Party Congress way back in
1898, the building was destroyed during the Great Patriotic
War. Such is the importance of the building, it was completel y
rebuil t after the war and remains a testament to all things
Soviet. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Wed.
Great Patriotic War Museum D-4, Nezavisimosti pr.
25a (. , 25), tel. (+375 17)
227 56 11. Opened barel y three months after Minsk
was liberated by the Red Army, the citys must-see Great
Patriotic War Museum has come a long way over the last six
decades and is currentl y based inside a building where its
been since 1966. Presenting the full horrors of World War
II from the perspective of the Soviet Union, you wont find
much mention of the Allied efforts, but you will get insight into
the suffering of the Belarusians and the immense sacrifices
made by the Red Army to liberate their territory from the
facist-German [sic] occupiers. After passing a magnificent
statue of Lenin, you can visit some original tanks and planes
in the back yard of the museum. All texts are in Russian, and
its highl y recommended to telephone or drop by in advance
to arrange a guided tour in English to get the full benefit of
the experience. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon. Closed
Mon Admission 5,000BYR.
Maksim Bogdanovich Literature Museum
Aleksander Nevsky Church
building in Minsk. The building was closed by the Bolsheviks
at the start after the October revolution, reopened by the
Nazis, closed again by the Soviets in 1944 and reopened
once more in 1992.
Cathedral of the Holy Spirit -4, ul. Kirilla i Mefodiya
3 (. , 3). One of the most instantly
recognisable symbols of Minsk is this magnificent, gleaming,
two-towered Orthodox cathedral in the heart of the ci ty.
Completed in 1642 as part of a larger ensemble to serve Ber-
nadine nuns, consecration was delayed for 40 years because
of the Muscovite invasions. In 1741 the original structure was
damaged by fire but later reconstructed. The convent was
closed in 1852 and the building given to the Russian Orthodox
Church for use as a monastery before being closed by the
Bolsheviks after the October Revolution. Today the church
has been restored to its former glory. Look out for the famed
Minsk Icon, supposedl y dating from around 1500.
Church of Sts. Simon & Helena D-3, ul. Sovetskaya 15
), tel. (+375 17) 220 44 15. Known in the local
vernacular as the Red Church, the citys best-known Catholic
building was constructed between 1908 and 1910 on the
orders of a rich Belarusian famil y upon the premature death
of their two children after whom the church is dedicated.
The two smaller towers are named after the offspring, while
the larger one represents the grief of the parents. Under
the Soviets the church was turned into a cinema then a
film studio. Now once again used for i ts original purpose,
the building adds a nice splash of history to an otherwise
modern square. The bronze statue in front of the church
represents Archangel Michael slaying the Devil, represented
as a dragon. Also of interest is the so-called Nagasaki Bell, a
replica of the one that used to hang in Nagasakis Urakami
Cathedral before i t was destroyed in the nuclear attack on
August 9, 1945.
Maria Magdalena Church B-4, ul. Kiselyova 42
(. , 42). Founded in 1847, this lovel y li ttle
church with a fine octagonal bell tower and splendid dome
was buil t on the site of an earlier wooden structure. Also on
the same territory are, to the left, a small church dedicated to
John the Baptist and consecrated in 1995 and, to the right,
a chapel dating from 1998. Used as a film, photography and
sound archi ve during the Soviet period, Mary Magdalena
Church was the first religious building in the city to be given
back to the religious community, the first service taking place
on November 25, 1990.
Maryinsky Cathedral D-4, Svobody pl. 9 (. ,
9). This Catholic cathedral survived the ravages of both world
wars but in the 1950s lost its two towers when it received a
thorough Soviet makeover. The twin towers have since been
restored, with copper domes sparkling impressivel y.
Places of interest
Isle of Tears B-2, On the Svisloch, near Storozhevskaya,
MNemiga (). A small footbridge leads from the
Trinity to the Isle of Tears, a memorial commemorating Soviet
soldiers from Belarus who died in the decade-long war with
Afghanistan between 1979 and 1989. The centrepiece is the
chapel, with haunting figures of grieving mothers, sisters and
widows at its base. A nearby fountain features the boy-like
figure of an angel, rigged up to cry teardrops. You may notice
that a certain part of his anatomy is shinier than the rest.
This is explained by the tradition of newl yweds visiting war
memorials on their wedding day, and a modern folk belief
that if the bride gropes this poor young lads privates shell
be guaranteed children.
Minsk State Circus D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 32 (.
, 32), tel. (+375 17) 226 10 08/
(+375 17) 227 22 45. The origins of the Minsk State Circus
date to 1930 and the construction of a tent in whats now
Gorky Park. Todays building took four years to complete and
was opened to the public on February 11, 1959. Completel y
renovated in 2010, the circus now also boasts a hotel for
visiting performers and a museum.
Minsk Zoo ul. Tashkentskaya 40, Chizhovka district
(. , 40), tel. (+375 17) 240 23 97.
Established in 1984 in true Soviet styl e by workers at
the neighbouring Minsk Automobile Plant, this 42-hectare
menagerie features over 160 species of animals including
eagle owls, brown bears, Egyptian frui t bats, lamas and
others. As well as functioning as an ordinary zoo open to
the general public, Minsk Zoo is also invol ved in several
conservation and breeding programmes. QOpen 10:00 -
17:00, Fri 10:00 - 18:00.
Isle of Tears
Military Cemetery C-5, Between ul. Kozlova and
ul. Krasnozvezdnaya ( . .
). First opened in 1840 and moved
to its current location in 1895, the cemetery contains the
war dead from countless campaigns from the Russo-Turk-
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.
Cemeteries
34
WHAT TO SEE
35
WHAT TO SEE
the former Trinity Church that once stood in the area, is a slight
misnomer in that it dates from just three decades ago. Built
between 1982 and 1985 on the site of a former settlement
dating from the 12th century, Trinity does at least offer a break
from the sprawling concrete of the city centre. The birthplace
of the Belarusian poet and journalist Maxim Bogdanovich, the
area boasts a number of decent restaurants and bars, making
it worth having a look round, especially during the summer.
Parks & Gardens
Central Botanical Gardens B-6, ul. Surganova 2a (.
, 2), tel. (+375 17) 284 14 84. Taking up a
considerable portion of the citys Chelyuskintsev Park, the
Central Botanical Gardens date from 1932 and feature some
9,000 different species. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00. Closed Mon.
Chelyuskintsev Park ( ). The
sprawling, 78-hectare Chelyuskintsev Park is a hugely popular
place for people of all ages to visit during the warmer part of
the year. Great for strolling around under the trees or taking a
picnic, attractions include an ancient amusement park complete
with 28-metre Ferris wheel, a narrow gauge railway run entirely
by young people and, next door, the lovely Central Botanical
Gardens (see above). Interestingly, the park is named after the
SS Chelyuskin, a Soviet steamship that found itself stranded
along the Northern Sea Route in the early 1930s. Trapped in ice
and eventually sinking, the pilots who rescued the crew were the
first ever to receive the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
National Library Nezavisimosti pr. 116 (.
, 116), tel. (+375 17) 229 24 94,
http://newbuilding.nacbibl.org.by. Opened on June 16,
2006 and the work of architects Mihail Vinogradov and Viktor
Kramarenko, the Belarusian National Library is well worth a trip
out of the centre for a closer inspection. Standing at 72 metres
tall and boasting an impressive 22 floors, the extraordinary
rhombicuboctahedron construction houses 20 state-of-the-art
reading rooms, has full disabled access, contains its very own
Book Museum, lights up at night and even has an observation
point on top for superb views of the city reached via a ride in a
glass lift that clings to the edge of the building. A statue of the
16th-century father of Belarusian publishing, Francysk Skaryna
stands near the entrance, whilst membership is open to anyone
in possession of a valid passport regardless of nationality.
QOpen 10:00 - 21:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 18:00.
Oktyabrskaya (October) Square D-4, Oktyabrskaya
pl., next to Museum of Great Patriotic War, MOktyabr-
skaya (). Originall y functioning as a small
marketplace until the first half of the 19th century, October
Square is now a massive open space that effectivel y serves
as the centre of the city where a small granite pyramid marks
the spot. Most famous as a place of celebration, public events
and an outdoor skating rink during the winter. Perhaps the
most interesting if not bizarre story of the square is the
discovery of several mammoth skeletons when the Metro
line below was being buil t.
Troitskoye Predmestye (Trinity Suburb) C-4, West
bank of the river, between ul. Maxima Bogdanovicha
and ul. Starovilenskaya ( . .
). Minsks old town, more commonly known
as Troitskoye Predmestye (Trinity Suburb, or just Trinity) after
J ewi sh l i f e i n
Mi nsk and Be-
larus in general
can be t raced
back to the 8th
centur y. Before
the German inva-
sion of Belarus in
1941, the Yiddish-
speaking Jews of
Minsk made up
over half the pop-
ulation of the city.
At wars end almost all of Minsks Jewish men, women and
children had been murdered by the Nazis and their willing
local collaborators, most of them at the nearby extermina-
tion camp at Maly Trostenets. Of the many notable Jews
born in Belarus are the artist Marc Chagall (Moishe Shagal,
1887-1985) and the current Prime Minister of Israel, Shi-
mon Peres (b. 1923). Todays Jews make up less than one
per cent of the population of the country.
Jewish Memorial C-3, ul. Zaslavskaya (.
). On March 2, 1942, around 5,000 Jew-
ish men, woman and children were brought here, shot
and buried, some still ali ve. The memorial (pictured)
represents a group of people descending a slope to their
horrific deaths.
Synagogue B-4, ul. Kropotkina 22 (. ,
22), tel. (+375 17) 334 22 73. Allegedly the first syna-
gogue built in the country since 1930, this large modern
structure also functions as a place for the Jewish commu-
nity to meet and features more than just a place for prayer,
including a cultural centre, library and restaurant.
Jewish Minsk
Gorky Park ( ) C-5, D-5, Along Neza-
visimosti pr., between ul. Yanki Kupaly and ul. Frunze
( . . ). The oldest
park in Minsk and founded in 1800 as the Ci ty Gardens,
Gorky Park recei ved i ts current name in honour of the
Soviet-era wri ter in 1936. Originall y designed along the
lines of a classic English park, the hugel y popular public
space has seen many transformations over the years. Now
geared towards children al though frequented by people of
all ages, i ts home among other things to an amusement
park complete wi th a 56-metre Ferris wheel, a small obser-
vatory and planetarium and an indoor skating rink. During
the summer i ts possible for children to take a ride round
the park on a pony.
Out of town
Minsk Sea ( ) A large artificial expanse
of water 5km or so north of Minsk, the Minsk Sea is popular
place to escape during warm weekends. Scattered around
the edge are beaches, cafs, places to rent pedalos and the
like and much more besides.
Mound of Glory ( ) 30km north of
Minsk, at junction of Moscow and Minsk-2 highways.
This rather extraordinary, artificial 70-metre mound out in
the direction of Minsk-2 airport was constructed in 1969 at
the point where four Red Army divisions met on their drive
towards Berlin in 1944. Made from soil taken from thousands
of Belarusian towns and villages affected by the German oc-
cupation, at the top of a 240-step walk on top of the mound
are three huge bayonets rimmed by an elaborate mosaic
depicting the horrors of war in both words and pictures. A
popular place of pilgrimage as well as one of the places local
newl yweds come to have their photograph taken.
Stalins Line ( ) 31km west of
Minsk along the Molodechno road, 6km from Zaslavl,
tel. (+375 17) 503 20 22, www.stalin-line.by. Opened
in 2005 to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Great
Patriotic War, Stalins Line forms part of a chain of defences
along or close to the former western border of the Soviet
Union that ran from the Finnish border to the Black Sea.
Made up of a large collection of old tanks, aircraft, artillery
and other mili tary hardware and set among old bunkers
and other defensive structures visitors; are free to wander
around at their leisure or to take one of the guided tours on
offer by men in military uniforms. Stalins Line is about 30km
northwest of the capital. Tours are available in Russian onl y.
QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon. Entrance: 24 000 BYR
Tour: 30 000 BYR.
On the day Hi tlers Wehrmacht took control of the Be-
larusian capi tal in the summer of 1941, Minsk looked
more or less like any other historical ci ty in the region,
a mul ti-ethnic mishmash of wooden houses, Catholic
spires, grand tsarist faades, synagogues and other
miscellaneous archi tecture.
When the Red Army took i t back again three years later,
over 90 per cent of the ci ty lay in ruins. Rebuil t li terall y
from the ashes of the Great Patriotic War in accordance
wi th the strictest Socialist Realist principles, Minsk,
granted the ti tl e Hero Ci ty on June 26, 1974 along
wi th 11 other ci ties in the Soviet Union in honour of
the special role i t played during the aforementioned
hostili ties, offers a rare glimpse at Stalin-era social
planning on a trul y epic scale.
The ci tys crowning masterpiece is the grand avenue
stretching several kil ometres nor theast from the
mostl y pre-war Independence Square through the
heart of the ci ty along Nezavisimosti and out past
the pseudo-Classi cal Belarusian Nati onal Techni cal
Uni versi ty into the suburbs. Lined wi th countless fine
examples, of particular interest are the 1953 Central
Post Offi ce at Nezavisimosti 10 and compl ete wi th
hammer and sickle over the entrance, the 1951 GUM
depar tment store at Nezavisimosti 23 and, a li ttl e
further on, the cathedral-looking structure dating from
1954 thats the Trade Union Palace of Cul ture. Further
on at the centre of the magni fi cent Vi ctory Square
is the arguabl y the most representati ve structure in
the entire ci ty.
The Victory Monument is a 38-metre grani te column
wi th a three-metre replica of the Soviet Order of Vic-
tory on top, unveiled on the 10th anni versary of the
liberation of the ci ty by the Red Army on Jul y 3, 1954
to honour Belarusian Red Army soldiers and Partisans
who gave their li ves during the Great Patriotic War. At
i ts base are four magni ficent bronze reliefs (pictured)
representing May 9, 1945 (Victory Day), the Red Army
During the Great Patriotic War, Belarusian Partisans
and Honour for the Deceased Heroes of the Libera-
tion. Nearby lie small grani te plinths wi th the names
of the other 11 Hero Ci ties throughout Belarus, Russia
and Ukraine.
An eternal flame at the base of the monument, burning
since Jul y 3, 1961, is a popular place for newl yweds
to lay fl owers and have their photograph taken. In-
terestingl y, an entire three kilometre-long stretch of
Nezavisimosti and the buildings surrounding i t were
at one time mooted for inclusion on the Unesco World
Heri tage list, an event which sadl y never happened
thanks to some rather careless planning in 2002 that
destroyed the overall appearance of the area.
Hero City
Mound of Glory
36
NATIONAL ART MUSEUM
37
GETTING AROUND
art in total in its contemporary collection, the museums current
home dates from 1957 and was designed by the Belarusian
architect Mikhail Baklanov (1914-1990). The museum man-
ages to exhibit only a small fraction of its entire collection, none
of it the work of a household name in the West (the absence
of Marc Chagall continues to cause mild embarrassment for
a few, but the museum really isnt any worse off without him),
although much of it truly outstanding all the same.
Notable among the many great works on display are several
landscapes by the French painter Huber Robert (1733-1808),
some trul y exquisite Chinese woodcarvings and Japanese
ceramics, one or two outstanding pieces by the Jewish-
Belarusian artist and Chagalls teacher Yehuda (Yuri) Pen
(1854-1937) and a particular favouri te, Mikhail Savi tskis
(1922-2010) extraordinary painting, Partisan Madonna,
dating from 1967. Even the least cul tured visitor with onl y a
passing interest in art should give the museum at least an
hour. More serious connoisseurs might like to give up half a
day or so to the work on display. A floor plan of the 19 halls
that make up the entire exhibition can be purchased inside the
museum for 1,100BYR. QOpen 11:00 - 19:00. Closed Tue.
Nati onal Ar t Museum (
) D-4, ul. Lenina 20
(. , 20), MOktyabrskaya (),
tel. (+375 17) 328 68 44/(+375 17) 227 71 63,
www.artmuseum.by.
Minsks fabulous National Art Museum, or the National Art
Museum of the Republic of Belarus to give it its full title, holds
the largest single collection of Belarusian and international
art in the country and is a must-see sight for anyone visiting
the city. Holding individual collections of Belarusian Art from
the 12th to the 20th Century, Russian Art from the 18th to
the 20th Century, Western European Art from the 16th to
the 20th Century and Oriental Art from the 15th to the 20th
Century, the museums origins date back to before the war
and a Resolution of the Council of Peoples Commissars of
the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic, passed on January
24, 1939, its official founding date. Starting life in the humble
surroundings of Minsks Upper Communist Agricultural School,
by 1941 the museums collection numbered 2,711 works of
art, most of them donated by galleries in cities in Russia and
Belarus. The coming of the Great Patriotic War however saw
the collection looted by the occupying Nazis and spread far
and wide, with not one item remaining and almost nothing
recovered at the end of hostilities.
Starting from new,
like the city in which
is was housed, the
collection was re-
buil t from scratch
wi th the notabl e
work of the mu-
seums Di rector,
El ena Al a d ova
(1907-1986) who
ran operations for
33 years from 1944 until her retirement. After the war the
museum moved from home to home as the collection slowly
grew. Greatly extended in 2006 and possessing over 30,000
paintings, sculptures, drawings, porcelain and other works of
National Art Museum
Car rental
Avis () D-3, Hotel Minsk, Nezavisimosti pr. 11
(. , 11), MPloschad Lenina
( ), tel. (+375 17) 334 79 90, fax (+375
17) 239 16 13, belideal@solo.avis.by, www.avis.by.
QOpen 08:00 - 17:00, Sat, Sun 09:00 - 16:00.
Hertz E-3, ul. Sverdlova 2/2 (. , 2/2),
MPloschad Lenina ( ), tel. (+375 17)
306 53 35 (+375 29) 660 29 88, www.hertz-belarus.by.
QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Strela Car Rental C-2, ul. Tanka 81/2 (. ,
81/2), tel. (+375 25) 604 93 15/(+375 29) 190 78
59, strelaservis@mail.by, www.taxi-strela.by. QOpen
09:00 - 18:00.
Airlines
Aeroflot Russian Airlines C-4, ul. Yanki Kupaly 25
(. , 25), tel. (+375 17) 227 28 87,
www.aeroflot.ru.
Air Baltic C-3, Pobediteley pr. 19 (. ,
19), tel. (+375 17) 226 90 43/(+375 17) 203 50 51,
www.airbaltic.lv.
Also in the airport Minsk-2 tel. (+375 17) 279 25 68. Daily from
14:00 till 16:20 QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Alitalia C-4, ul. Kuibysheva 29 (. , 29),
tel. (+375 17) 220 22 23, www.alitalia.com.
Austrian Airlines/Swissair (
) -5, Nezavisimosti pr. 38 (.
), tel. (+375 17)288 25 35/(+375 17)
If you use your common sense, taxis can be a surpris-
ingl y cheap and reliable way to get around Minsk. Just
like in any other major city, however, Minsk boats plenty
of entrepreneurial drivers out to take visitors for a ride
in more ways than one. To minimise the risk, look for
either the official yellow taxis or those run by some of the
more reliable private companies, such as 135, 157, 158
and 181. These numbers not onl y show the company
affiliation, theyre also the short telephone numbers
you need to call them. Make sure the meter is running
before you set off.
Taxis
Strela Car Rental
Tanka 81/2 ( 81/2)
tel. (+375 25) 604 93 15
(+375 29) 190 78 59
Open 09:00 - 18:00
www.taxi-strela.by
your connection across Europe
o|||ce: 375 29 701 22 22
||cke|s: 375 17 225 25 5
375 29 101 22 22
bus ren|o|: 375 17 505 70 48
e-mo||: euro||nes|n|one|.by
www.euro||nes.by
international long-distance buses
8e|a|as, V|rs|,
hcle| 'V|rs|'
Ne/a1|s|acsl| a1.,11f2
|cca 329 TeI.: +375 17 334 79 90
Fax: +375 17 237 42 27
Mob.:+375 29 669 73 11
/1|S
Rerl a 0a|,
0a| |eas|rg ard ||eel
Varageaerl Se|1|ces
21-|ca| se|1|ce
Metro
Anyone whos ever ex-
perienced the beauty
of the Moscow Metro
and is in need of more
inspiration should see
what they got up to
in Minsk. A sur vi ving
testament to Sovi et
desi gn, all maj or sta-
tions in the ci ty centre remain intact since they were
constructed wi th such inspiration. The use of glass is
of particular interest, as are the occasional busts of
Lenin found lurking in one or two subterranean niches.
Using them on the other hand remains at best di fficul t.
Two lines cover central Minsk. Purple plastic tokens
costing 850BYR are sold from booths inside Metro
stations. Drop those toy tokens into the slot machine-
like turnstiles. Other tickets, including a 10-day pass for
12,000BYR, come in the form of magnetic cards. These
you ei ther swipe at the turnstile or shove in sideways
until they pop back out, toaster-like a second later. Trains
run every two minutes or so during rush hour and every
fi ve minutes off-peak. After 21:00 trains run every seven
to 10 minutes until 01:00.
Buses, Trams & Trolleybuses
Minsk has 12 tram lines, 56 trolleybus routes and over
100 bus routes. All three run from around 05:35 to
00:55 seven days a week. Avoid peak hours if you value
your limbs. Public transport tickets costing 850BYR are
sold at most kiosks. Punch them inside the vehicle or
risk a fine.
Public transport
38
GETTING AROUND
39
GETTING AROUND
Bus stations
At the time of going to press, Minsks Central Bus Station
is closed for renovation until the end of 2011. The following
two stations currentl y handle all international buses in and
out of Belarus.
Moscovsky ( ) ul. Fili-
monova 63 (. , 63), MMoskovskaya
(), tel. (+375 17) 219 36 52. QOpen
05:00 - 23:00.
Vostochny ( ) ul. Vaneyeva
34 (. , 34), tel. (+375 17) 248 06 28.
QOpen 05:30 - 23:00.
288 25 55, www.aua.com. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00.
Closed Sat, Sun.
Also in Minsk-2 airport, tel. (+375 17) 279 15 39, 279 15 29.
Open dail y from 04:00 till 06:00, 11:00 till 18:00
Belavia () D-3, ul. Nemiga 14 (. ,
14), tel. (+375 17) 210 41 00, inf o@belavia.by,
www.belavia.by. Also in the airport Minsk-2 tel. 279 10 32
QOpen 09:00 - 18:00, Sat, Sun 09:00 - 17:00.
CSA Czech Ai rl i nes C- 4, ul . Kui bysheva 29
(. , 29), tel. (+375 17) 284 91 01,
www.czechairlines.com.
El Al Israeli Airlines Partisansky pr. 6a (.
, 6), tel. (+375 17) 211 26 06,
www.elal.co.il. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
LOT Polish Airlines C-3, Pobediteley pr. 7 (.
, 7), tel. (+375 17) 226 66 28, www.lot.pl.
Luf thansa B- 5, Nezavi si mosti pr. 56 (.
, 56), tel. (+375 17) 284 71 30,
www.lufthansa.by. QOpen 09:00 - 17:30, Sat 09:00 -
13:00. Closed Sun.
Also at Minsk-2, tel. (+375 17) 279 17 45 Dail y from 10:00
til 16:30
Transaero Airlines D-4, ul. Internatsionalnaya
23 (. , 23), tel. (+375 17)
289 14 53, www.transaero.ru. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00.
Closed Sat, Sun.
Turkish Airlines C-4, ul. Yanki Kupaly 25 (.
, 25), tel. (+375 17) 328 68 78,
www.turkishairlines.com.
Tourist Inf ormation C-3, Pobediteley pr. 19
(. , 19), tel. (+375 17)
226 99 00. The only thing Minsk has thats remotely like
a tourist information office is a counter run by the state
tourist agency, Belintourist, attached to the Yubileynaya
Hotel. QOpen 09:00 - 13:00, 13:45 - 18:00. Fri 09:00
- 13:00, 13:45 - 16:45. Closed Sat, Sun.
Tourist information
Central Train Station ( )
E-3, Privokzalnaya pl. 4 ( ., 4),
tel. (+375 17) 213 17 19. Tickets to domestic destina-
tions are sold in the two narrow halls that flank the main
entrance. International tickets, for some reason, are still
sold in the old train station building (Open 09:00 - 20:00)
to the right as you face the new building. Call tel. (+375 17)
213 17 19 for information about international trains, or tel.
105 for any train-related enquiries. When looking for your
train, keep in mind that there are platform numbers and
track numbers, so there could be two trains on the same
platform. Check the signs carefully if you dont want to end
up in Izhevsk. The train station is packed with kiosks selling
everything from flowers to instant noodles. People travel-
ling First Class can take advantage of the VIP lounge.
Trains
Minsk Central Train Station
Car and Minibus
RentaI
Minsk, 2/2, Sverdlova Str., room 6
Tel/fax +375 17 306 53 35
Mob. +375 29 660 29 88
e-mail: rent-car@mail.ru
www.hertz-belarus.by
190592823
tel. (+375 17)222 30 22/(+375 17) 220 37 47.
Blue Bird ( ) ul. Leningradskaya 5
(. , 5), tel. (+375 17) 211 03 54.
Gastina () -5, Masherova pr. 3/9 (.
, 3/9), MPloshchad Pobedy (
), tel. (+375 17) 288 22 65/(+375 29)
636 20 17, gastina2009@mail.ru, www.gastina.by.
Smok Travel ( ) B-4, ul. Masherova 19
(. , 19), tel. (+375 17) 284 69 69.
QOpen 09:00 - 19:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 17:00.
Viapol () D-4, ul. Lenina 9 (. ,
9), tel. (+375 17) 289 15 39/(+375 17) 226 15 76,
info@viapol.by, www.viapol.by. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00,
Sat 09:00 - 14:00.
Travel agencies abroad
Baltics and Beyond 1 Amy Street, Bingley, West
Yorkshire, BD16 4NE, UK, tel. (+44 845) 094 2125,
info@balticsandbeyond.com, www.balticsandbeyond.
com. As the name suggests, they specialise not just in the
Bal tics, but the beyond bits - and that means Minsk and
other bits of Belarus.
Driving
Petrol stations. The highways, towns and cities of Belarus
are lined with shiny, state-of-the art petrol stations including
Lukoil, Slavneft and BelNefteKhim. Unleaded petrol is freel y
available, as are maps, newspapers, food and all the other
things associated with Western-style stations. Payment is in
Belarusian roubles onl y. At the time of going to press, a litre
of 95 cost around 3700 BYR.
Long-distance buses
Eurolines Belarus Borovaya 3/32, Minsk district
( 3/32, ), tel. (+375 17) 225
25 56, info@eurolines.by, www.eurolines.by. National
and international services to cities including Berlin, Biaystok,
Brest, Brussels, Moscow, Paris, Vilnius and Warsaw. QOpen
09:00 - 17:30. Closed Sat, Sun.
Travel agencies
Alatan Tour ( ) C-4, ul. Janky Kupaly
21 ( , 21), tel. (+375 17)289 14 36.
Vi sas, accomodati on, tri ps. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00.
Closed Sat, Sun.
Belarustourist () C-3, ul. Maxima
Tanka 30 (. , 30), tel. (+375 17)
226 94 85. QOpen 08:30 - 17:30, Fri 08:30 - 16:15.
Closed Sat, Sun.
Belarus Tour Service E-2, ul. Rozy Luksemburg 89
(. ., 89), tel. (+375 17) 200 56 75.
Belorussky Sputnik ( )
D-4, ul. Karla Marxa 36 (. , 36),
Travel agency Gastina
Guided tours of Belarus
Individual tours
Corporate tours
English speaking guides
Tel: +375-17-288-22-65
clickandbuy
40
GETTING AROUND
41
GETTING AROUND
Minsk In Your Pocket minsk inyourpocket com
From Minsk To Minsk
Days Dep. Arr. Destination Days Dep. Arr.
2 4 6 14:05 20:30 ABU DHABI (EY) 2 4 6 7:20 13:05
1 3 6 10:50 12:30 AMSTERDAM (B2) 1 3 6 14:30 17:00
4 13:55 15:35 AMSTERDAM (B2) 4 17:30 20:00
2 23:40 5:40 ASHGABAT (B2) 3 4:40 8:50
6 17:05 23:30 ASHGABAT (T5) 6 10:30 15:05
3 20:15 3:15 ASTANA (B2)
from 07 SEPTEMBER upto 26 OCTOBER
4 1:15 5:40
6 20:30 3:15 ASTANA (B2)
from 25 JUNE upto 04 SEPTEMBER
7 6:30 10:55
6 20:15 3:15 ASTANA (B2)
7 6:40 11:05
7 20:30 3:15 ASTANA (B2)
1 c 1:30 5:55
1 3 6 23:55 5:20 BAKU (B2) 2 4 7 4:20 8:05
2 23:50 3:25 BATUMI (B2)
upto 01 JUNE
3 3:25 6:00
2 4 23:50 3:25 BATUMI (B2)
from 02 JUNE upto 29 OCTOBER
3 5 c 3:25 6:00
7 0:20 3:55 BATUMI (B2)
upto 29 OCTOBER
7 3:55 6:30
1 14:30 18:00 BEIRUT (B2) 1 19:00 22:30
2 13:00 13:50 BERLIN (B2) 2 15:40 17:25
4 5 7 15:00 15:50 BERLIN (B2) 4 5 7 17:40 19:25
3 6 22:30 4:30 YEKATERINBURG (B2) 4 7 2:30 6:00
1 3 5 6 14:25 15:45 FRANKFURT (LH) 1 5 6 21:40 23:55
2 4 5 6 5:40 7:00 FRANKFURT (LH) 1 3 5 10:55 13:10
3 7 5:50 7:10 FRANKFURT (LH) 2 3 4 21:30 23:45
3 7 12:35 14:00 FRANKFURT (B2) (LH) 6 10:35 12:50
5 12:35 14:00 FRANKFURT (B2)
3 7 15:55 18:05
2 4 6 12:30 13:30 HANNOVER (B2)
1 2 4 6 16:00 18:00
4 8:05 9:20 HANNOVER (B2)
4 11:10 13:20
6 13:50 15:05 HANNOVER (B2)
6 16:55 19:05
1 14:25 15:45 HELSINKI (B2)
1 16:30 17:55
3 7 14:25 15:45 HELSINKI (B2)
3 7 16:45 18:10
1 3 4 6 16:05 18:40 ISTANBUL (TK) 1 3 4 6 12:35 15:05
2 5 7 8:30 10:50 ISTANBUL (B2) 2 5 7 11:50 14:10
1 3 6 7 17:40 18:40 KALININGRAD (B2) 1 3 6 7 19:30 20:30
1 5 7:45 8:45 KALININGRAD (B2)
1 5 13:25 14:25
2 4 9:25 10:25 KALININGRAD (B2) 2 4 11:15 12:15
5 9:25 10:25 KALININGRAD (B2)
upto 09 JUNE
5 11:15 12:15
1 20:30 3:45 KARAGANDA (B2)
from 27 JUNE upto 30 AUGUST
2 5:45 10:30
1 2 3 4 6 7 17:30 18:40 KYIV (VV) 1 2 3 4 6 7 15:35 16:25
1 2 7 9:35 10:40 KYIV (B2) 1 2 7 11:30 12:35
3 4 6 11:30 12:35 KYIV (B2) 3 4 6 13:25 14:30
5 17:25 18:30 KYIV (B2) 5 19:20 20:25
5 18:30 19:40 KYIV (VV) 5 16:30 17:20
3 4 20:30 2:50 KOSTANAY (B2)
4 5 6:45 10:30
1 8:50 11:50 KRASNODAR (7R)
from 23 MAY upto 24 OCTOBER
1 5:40 7:40
2 14:50 18:10 LARNAKA (B2)
2 19:10 22:30
4 7:40 11:00 LARNAKA (B2)
from 07 JULY upto 25 AUGUST
4 12:00 15:20
6 7:40 11:00 LARNAKA (B2) 6 12:00 15:20
3 5 9:55 10:55 LONDON (B2) 3 5 13:55 16:50
7 12:10 13:10 LONDON (B2) 7 16:10 19:05
1 13:55 15:15 MANCHESTER (B2)
from 30 MAY upto 29 AUGUST
1 18:15 21:15
1 16:30 18:20 MILAN (B2) 1 20:20 23:10
2 4 8:30 10:20 MILAN (B2) 2 4 12:20 15:10
Flight schedule
From Minsk To Minsk
Days Dep. Arr. Destination Days Dep. Arr.
6 16:25 18:15 MILAN (B2) 6 20:15 23:05
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6:10 8:35 MOSCOW (SU) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8:20 9:40
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7:00 9:20 MOSCOW (B2) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6:00 7:20
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9:00 11:20 MOSCOW (B2) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9:15 10:35
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10:30 12:50 MOSCOW (SU) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 22:20 23:40
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 12:00 14:20 MOSCOW (B2) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 11:20 12:40
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 16:35 18:55 MOSCOW (B2) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 14:15 15:35
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 19:00 21:20 MOSCOW (B2) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 18:55 20:15
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 21:25 23:45 MOSCOW (B2) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 21:20 22:40
2 4 7 8:20 10:20 PARIS (B2) 2 4 7 12:20 15:05
5 16:20 18:20 PARIS (B2) 5 20:25 23:10
2 5 20:30 3:55 PAVLODAR (B2)
3 6 5:35 10:30
1 3 5 7 15:15 16:05 PRAGUE (OK) 1 3 5 7 12:45 14:30
2 4 13:40 14:25 PRAGUE (B2) 2 4 16:15 18:00
6 9:35 10:20 PRAGUE (B2) 6 12:45 14:30
7 9:15 10:00 PRAGUE (B2) 7 12:05 13:50
1 3 5 7 15:10 16:30 RIGA (BT) 1 3 5 7 13:10 14:25
2 4 13:25 14:30 RIGA (B2) 2 4 15:15 16:20
6 10:05 11:10 RIGA (B2) 6 11:55 13:00
1 5 8:40 10:35 ROME (B2) 1 5 12:35 15:20
3 7 13:50 15:45 ROME (B2) 3 7 17:45 20:30
2 5 12:30 14:25 SIMFEROPOL (B2)
2 5 15:15 17:15
1 15:15 18:40 SOCHI (B2)
1 18:40 21:10
3 6 15:15 18:40 SOCHI (B2)
from 25 MAY upto 08 OCTOBER
3 6 18:40 21:10
1 2 5 7 7:30 9:55 ST. PETERSBURG (B2)
upto 28 OCTOBER
1 2 5 7 9:45 11:15
2 3 4 5 6 17:20 19:45 ST. PETERSBURG (B2) 2 3 4 5 6 19:35 21:05
2 5 18:25 19:10 STOCKHOLM (B2) 2 5 21:00 22:40
3 6 11:05 11:50 STOCKHOLM (B2) 3 6 13:40 15:20
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 22:35 2:30 TBILISI (B2) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2:30 5:35
2 5 7 17:50 21:20 TBILISI (A9) 2 5 7 13:20 16:10
2 5 23:55 5:25 TEHRAN (B2) 3 6 4:55 9:05
6 22:05 2:35 TEHRAN (B2)
from 14 MAY upto 18 SEPTEMBER
7 3:05 7:15
2 23:10 2:55 TEL-AVIV (LY)
2 17:55 21:45
2 4 7 20:00 23:40 TEL-AVIV (B2) 1 3 5 0:40 4:25
3 19:45 23:25 TEL-AVIV (B2) 4 0:40 4:25
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 5:10 6:05 VIENNA (OS) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 21:25 23:15
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 13:25 14:30 VIENNA (OS) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10:45 12:35
1 6:30 6:45 WARSAW (LO) 2 4 5 7 12:20 13:30
1 9:40 9:50 WARSAW (LO) 1 23:30 0:40
2 4 5 7 14:40 14:55 WARSAW (B2) 1 12:10 13:20
3 15:20 15:30 WARSAW (B2) 3 17:45 18:55
4 9:05 9:15 WARSAW (B2) 4 11:30 12:40
6 13:40 13:50 WARSAW (B2) 6 16:00 17:10
3 7 22:45 3:30 YEREVAN (B2) 1 4 2:30 5:45
Flight schedule
Notes: (1 - Mon, 2 - Tue, 3 - Wed etc...). Schedule valid until Sept 01, 2011.
Airline Codes: EY - Etihad Airways, B2 - Belavia, T5 - Turkmenistan Airlines, LH - Lufthansa, TK - Turkish Airlines,
VV - Aerosvit Airlines, 7R - 7R, SU - Aeroflot, OK - Czech Airlines, BT - Air Bal tic, A9 - Georgian Airways, LY - EL-AL,
OS - Austrian Airlines, LO - LOT Polish Airlines.
For details check at airport.by.
42
GETTING AROUND
43
SHOPPING
Minsk is hardl y a shoppers paradise, al though most things
are available, for a price.
Shopping centres
Bigzz () Borovaya 5 (. , 5), tel. (+375 17)
237 93 33. A large hypermarket-style shopping centre not too far
from the city centre. QOpen 09:00 - 23:00. PALK
Evr oopt () ul . Montazhni kov 2 (.
, 2), tel. (+375 17) 201 16 40. Essentially
a full y fledged hypermarket complete with parking for 2,000
cars, it may not be central but what it lacks in location it more
than makes up for in choice. Selling everything at bargain
prices, the Evroopt chain also has a number of smaller outlets
throughout the city. Also at Nezavisimosti 48, Kalinovskogo
23. QOpen 09:00 - 23:00.
Hippo () Rokossovskogo pr. 2 (.
, 2), tel. (+375 17) 214 47 46. As well
as their larger shopping centre outlets the Hippo chain also
has several smaller shops scattered around the centre.
QOpen 09:00 - 23:00.
Kor ona ( ) - 2, ul . Kal vari yskaya
24 (. , 24), MFrunzenskaya
(), tel. (+375 17) 226 52 19. Two floors
of shops selling ever ything from saucy under wear to
dictionaries, plus currency exchange and one of the best
supermarkets in the city. Theres also a pharmacy that stays
open late and a couple of average restaurants. Upstairs
also find Korona Techno, a large shop selling electrical and
electronic goods from digi tal cameras to washing machines.
QOpen 09:00 - 02:00. TAK
Kupalovsky ( ) D-4, Under Kilo-
meter Zero at Oktiabrskaya metro stop, MOktyabr-
skaya (), tel. (+375 17) 287 77 14.
A labyrinth of tiny shops and stalls, mostl y selling womens
cl othes, al though there are a few other places selling
household i tems, cheap CDs and one li ttle stall selling
childrens toys. Theres also a tiny caf hiding in one corner.
QOpen 11:00 - 19:00. N
ProStore () Dzerzhinskogo pr. 126 (.
, 126), tel. (+375 17) 256 45 59.
Another quali ty Western-styl e outl et selling the usual
array of goods. Also here find an in-house bakery and
delicatessen. Also at Partizansky 182 and Uborevicha 176.
QOpen 09:00 - 23:00.
Shopping Centre Stolitsa (
) D-3, Nezavisimosti pl. (
), MPloschad Lenina (
), tel. (+375 17) 226 11 67/(+375 17)
226 18 31. According to many Minsks best shopping centre,
Stolitsa is a great place for gift shopping as its got pretty
much everything from clothes to alcohol to souvenirs. As
well as heaps of retail outlets on three floors, this centrall y
located, 75,000 square-metre underground gem features a
host of cafs, restaurants and, at the time of going to press,
an Internet caf. QOpen 10:00 - 22:00.
Markets
Car Market ( ) Malinovka
district, southwest of the ring road (
), tel. (+375 17) 223 05 09. Motor vehicles
and the associated bi ts that make them ti ck. QOpen
06:00 - 17:00. N
Dinamo Stadium Market ( )
D-4, ul. Kirova 8 (. , 8), tel. (+375 17)
227 65 62. Shoes, pants, saucepans and plants. Billions
of stalls stretching the entire circumference of the Dynamo
stadium. Beware of imitation Adidas goods and ladies and
gentlemen out to relieve you of your wallet. QOpen 08:00 -
17:00. Closed Mon. N
Komarovsky Market ( ) B-5,
ul. Very Khoruzhey 6 (. , 6), MPlo-
schad Yakuba Kolasa ( ), tel.
(+375 17) 331 90 33. This former traditional marketplace
has been completel y modernised. Meat is now kept in
refrigerators and everything is in joll y good shape. Despite
having lost its old-world charm, this is still a great place to
come and shop for local produce. QOpen 10:00 - 17:00.
Closed Mon. N
Books etc.
None of the shops we found had any great selection of
books in English.
Akademkniga () B-6, Nezavisimosti
pr. 72 (. , 72), tel. (+375 17)
Contrary to popular opinion, Belarus has plenty of fan-
tastic indigenous products that serve well as both gifts
and souvenirs. Classic folk-related things include nesting
matryoshka dolls, hand-painted wooden spoons, plus a
wealth of bits and pieces fashioned from straw and flax,
among them dolls in national costumes plus straw horses
and chickens popular with children. If you look around you
can also pick up some nice inlaid wooden boxes which
make great little jewellery boxes. Linen is a favourite,
and is represented predominantly as tablecloths and
napkins, usually for a very good price. Or why not some
chocolate? Two well established brands making a range
of chocolates of exceptional quality are Kommunarka and
Spartak. Locally-produced glass and ceramics are both
good value and can be really very nice indeed, and, last
but not least, Milavitsa has been making quality ladies
underwear since Soviet times. As well as the Gifts &
Souvenirs section on p. 45, keep an eye out for other
shops and the markets listed in this guide, several of
which provide perfect gift and souvenir solutions.
What to buy
An outdoor summer crafts fair in Minsk
From Minsk To Minsk
Dep. Arr. City Dep. Arr.
8:34 0:09 BERLIN 5:02 22:48
21:25 11:08 KYIV 21:57 8:35
1:53 15:19 LVIV 19:02 9:05
0:11 08:55 MOSCOW 10:29 20:09
2:14 11:45 MOSCOW 13:54 23:31
3:44 12:55 MOSCOW 15:43 01:12
8:56 19:54 MOSCOW 16:50 0:11
18:26 5:56 MOSCOW 17:08 2:13
21:30 8:05 MOSCOW 18:55 3:08
22:09 8:58 MOSCOW 19:39 6:39
22:18 9:20 MOSCOW 22:25 7:28
23:15 8:05 MOSCOW 23:34 8:26
23:39 10:26 MOSCOW 23:44 8:06
8:34 5:05 PRAGUE 22:09 22:48
20:07 8:00 RIGA 19:00 7:30
9:00 10:39 SIMFEROLPOL 13:35 15:55
17:41 8:40 ST. PETERSBURG 15:03 4:00
18:48 9:36 ST. PETERSBURG 19:08 8:55
3:33 8:00 VILNIUS 7:05 10:05
7:45 10:45 VILNIUS 17:00 21:40
18:49 21:49 VILNIUS 19:05 22:05
0:22 8:25 WARSAW 10:38 22:48
6:19 15:14 WARSAW 15:20 02:01
20:40 5:46 WARSAW 21:00 8:00
Train schedule
From Minsk To Minsk
Dep. Arr. City Dep. Arr.
11:30 20:00
V
(1,3,6) BIAYSTOK (4) 15:20 0:45
22:35 5:45
V
(7) BIAYSTOK (2,4,7) 2:40 11:30
12:00 7:30
V
(3,5,7) BERLIN (2,5,7) 21:30 18:00
11:30 22:30
V
(5) DUSSELDORF (7) 21:00 2:00
7:20 14:10
V
KAUNAS 3:55 10:40
16:00 21:50
V
KAUNAS 3:55 11:00
18:10 0:35
V
KAUNAS 6:50 12:30
18:40 0:35
V
KAUNAS 16:00 22:25
11:30 1:40
V
(1,3,6) LODZ (1,3,6) 21:30 11:30
11:30 13:30
V
(5) MAGDEBURG (1) 5:00 2:00
9:00 23:00
M
(3,7) MOSCOW (2,5) 8:00 17:00
18:10 8:00
V
MOSCOW 18:40 6:10
19:00 8:00
M
MOSCOW 20:00 6:30
19-00 8:30
V
(5) MOSCOW - -
12:00 17:00
V
(3,5,7) MUNICH (2,5,7) 13:00 18:00
11:30 11:00
V
(1,3,6) PRAGUE (1,3,6) 11:30 11:30
10:00 20:00
V
RIGA 8:30 18:00
10:30 20:00
M
RIGA 8:30 18:30
21:30 7:40
V
(1,3-7) RIGA (1,3-7) 21:20 7:00
22:00 7:40
M
(1,3-7) RIGA (1,3-7) 21:20 7:40
23:30 8:10
V
(2-7) RIGA (2-7) 23:50 8:30
17:00 9:40
V
ST.PETERSBURG (2) 16:30 6:00
17:30 9:40
M
ST.PETERSBURG 18:00 8:40
21:05 12:50
M
(2,5,7) ST.PETERSBURG
(3,5,7)
19:40 9:40
23:00 14:00
M
(1) ST.PETERSBURG - -
1:35 5:30
V
(2-6) VILNIUS (1,3-7) 4:35 8:30
7:20 11:50
V
VILNIUS 6:40 10:40
8:20 12:10
V
VILNIUS 6:40 11:00
11:00 15:12
V
VILNIUS 9:00 12:30
16:00 19:45
V
VILNIUS 14:00 18:00
18:10 22:45
M
VILNIS 15:50 20:50
18:40 22:45
V
VILNIUS(1-5) 17:00 21:00
23:30 3:35
V
(2-7) VILNIUS 18:05 22:25
11:30 5:00
V
(1,3,6) VROTSLAV (1,3,6) 17:10 11:30
9:40 19-30
M
(1,4,6) WARSAW (2,5,7) 09-00 20-50
11:30 23:30
V
(1,3,6) WARSAW (1,4) 13:00 0:40
17:40 5:00
V
(3,7) WARSAW (1,3,6) 23:20 11:30
International bus schedule
Notes: Schedule valid until Sep 1, 2011. Timetable key:
Departs Minsk. Arrives destination. Days of the week
(1=Monday). Departs destination. Arrives Minsk
V
- Vostochny (Eastern) bus station ( ).
- Moscovsky bus station ( ).

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44
SHOPPING
45
SHOPPING
Ruchnaya Rabota ( ) A-5, ul. Sur-
ganova 50 (. , 50), tel. (+375 17)
559 88 81. Paintings, graphics, posters, tapestries, batik,
china, wood and leather gi fts. Custom made souvenirs.
QOpen 11:00 - 20:00.
Slavutiya Maistry Gallery (
) C- 4, ul . Kommunal naya 6 (.
, 6), MNemiga (), tel. (+375
17) 283 28 25. A good collection of both grotesquel y ugl y
and staggeringl y beautiful folk art, paintings, amber, large
ceramic candleholders, dried flowers and chiffon scarves.
QOpen 10:00 - 19:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 17:00.
Soyuzpechat () C-5, Nezavisimosti pr.
44 (. , 44), MPloschad Pobedy
( ). Buy someone you love a bag of
stamps. Philatel y will get you everywhere. QOpen 08:00 -
20:00, Sat 09:00 - 19:00.
Recorded music
Misteria Zvuka ( ) C-1, ul. Nemiga
12 (. , 12), MNemiga ( ), tel. (+375
17) 306 53 96. The best CD shop in Minsk that has a roof.
Large selection of nicel y priced international and local discs.
QOpen 11:00 - 21:00, Sun 11:00 - 18:00. A
Sosedi () A-5, ul. Surganova 50 (. -
, 50), tel. (+375 17) 334 82 33. A chain of supermarkets
selling everything necessary. Their large shop, Riga, is gener-
all y considered to be the best. Also recommended for their
great in-store bakeries. QOpen 08:00 - 23:00.
Gifts & Souvenirs
Galereya Mastatstva ( ) D-3,
Nezavisimosti pr. 12 (. , 12),
MPloschad Lenina ( ), tel. (+375
17) 227 83 63. A range of art and artsy souvenirs. QOpen
10:00 - 23:00, Sat 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. A
Lyanok () B-5, Nezavisimosty pr. 46 (.
, 46), MPloschad Yakuba Kolasa
( ), tel. (+375 17) 284 81 44.
Gorgeous local flax and linen, plus a range of hand-made gifts
and souvenirs. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 18:00.
Closed Sun.
Minsky Vernisazh ( ) D-4,
Oktyabrskaya Square, next to Museum of Great Pa-
triotic War, MOktyabrskaya (). A small
outdoor market aimed speci ficall y at tourists, find plenty
of folk art, hats and the like as well as a few Soviet-era
mili tary trinkets thrown in for good measure. Arguabl y the
best place in the ci ty for things like matryoshka dolls and
lacquered wooden boxes. Find i t hidden way immediatel y to
the left of the Trade Union Palace. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00.
Closed Mon. N
Shopping Centre Stolitsa
292 00 52/(+375 17) 292 46 52. As part of the Belaru-
sian Academy of Sciences, this distinguished shop has many
interesting books on history, science and art among other
subjects. Unfortunatel y, theres little in English, so its mainl y
of interest to Russian speakers. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00, Sat
10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun.
Central Bookshop (
) D- 4, Nezavi si mosti pr. 19 (.
, 19), tel. (+375 17) 227 49 18. The
largest bookshop in Minsk. Along with a rather interesting,
if random, selection of English-language novels, it also has
Belarus guidebooks in English, Italian and German. It also
has some good postcards of Minsk as well as a selection of
stationary. QOpen 10:00 - 21:00, Sat 10:00 - 20:00, Sun
10:00 - 19:00.
Dom Knigi Svetoch ( ) -3,
Pobediteley pr. 11 (. , 11), tel.
(+375 17) 203 34 96. An old Minsk favouri te for many
years, this recommended bookshop holds a large collection
of literature albeit with little in English with the exception of
a few books about Belarus. Those who use the place say
that the English-speaking staff that work here are some of
the friendliest in the city. QOpen 10:00 - 21:00, Sat 11:00
- 21:00, Sun 11:00 - 19:00.

Flowers & Plants
7 Tsvetov (7 ) Internet shop, tel. (+375
29) 385 50 45, amsc@tut.by, www.amsc.by. QOpen
09:00 - 21:00.
Flora - Design (-) A-6, ul. Yakuba
Kolasa 50 (. , 50), tel. (+375 29)
666 17 32, www.gloss.by. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00, Sat,
Sun 10:00 - 19:00.
Loyal ty () Intr enet shop, tel . (+375
29) 179 69 29, partner@cvetik.by, www.cvetik.by.
QOpen 24 hours.
Roza Azora ( ) Nezavisimosti pr.
186 (. , 186), tel. (+375
17) 286 61 38, info@rozaazora.by, www.rozaazora.by.
QOpen 09:00 - 20:00.
Terra () C-3, Pobediteley pr., underground cross-
ing by Yubileynaya hotel (. ), tel.
(+375 17) 204 85 91, yuri-sh@cosmostv.by. QOpen
08:00 - 19:00, Sat 08:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun.
Food & Drink
Tsentralny () D-4, Nezavisimosti
(), tel. (+375 17) 227 88 76. One of the
best, most Western-style food halls in Minsk despi te i ts
gloriousl y Soviet appearance. There are cafs, bakeries and
a shop selling alcohol on the first floor plus a well stocked
supermarket upstairs. Worth a visit even if youre not going
to buy anything. QOpen 09:00 - 22:00.
Jubileyny-92 (-92) C-3, ul. Zaslavs-
kaya 23/1(. , 23/1), tel. (+375 17)
223 04 93. Everything and more to fill up your basket.
QOpen 09:00 - 23:00.
Preston Market ( ) B-5, ul. Maxima
Bogdanovicha 153 (. , 153),
tel. (+375 17) 331 77 65. A popular haunt of hungry expats,
Preston Market sells a good selection of processed foods and
other delights. One of the first of its kind, the place has been
somewhat eclipsed over the years by newer competition. Still
worth a look inside though. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00.
Radzivilovski () B-5, Nezavisimo-
sti pr. 52 (. , 52), tel. (+375 17)
292 20 10. A chain of supermarkets in Minsk. A basic range
of groceries etc for a slightly higher price in exchange for good
service and a central location. QOpen 09:00 - 23:00.
Rublevski () D-3, ul. Romanovskaya
Sloboda 14 (. , 14), tel.
(+375 17) 214 89 85. Over 30 shops in Minsk selling a
fairl y average range of groceries and other household prod-
ucts for a decent price. Also at Pobediteley 1, etc. QOpen
08:00 - 23:00.
GUM () D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 23 (.
, 23), MOktyabrskaya (-
), tel. (+375 17) 227 88 76. Built in 1951, Minsks
showcase department store is a must for fans of clas-
sic Socialist Realist architecture. Otherwise its a fairl y
dreary shopping experience. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00, Sun
10:00 - 19:00. JA
Na Nemige ( ) D-3,
ul. Nemiga 8 (. , 8), MNemiga (),
tel. (+375 17) 220 97 47. A decidedl y uninspiring
department store in vintage Soviet style. QOpen 09:00
- 21:00, Sun 10:00 - 20:00. A
TSUM () B-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 54 (.
Nezavisimosti, 54), MYakuba Kolasa (. ),
tel. (+375 17) 284 21 64. Several floors of goods
from pens to beds. Hardl y inspiring, al though qui te
good fun. Look out for your wallet and note theres
an ATM on the first floor. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00, Sun
11:00 - 18:00. A
Univermag Belarus ( )
ul. Zhilunovicha 4 (. , 4), MPar-
tizanskaya (), tel. (+375 17)
245 11 11. Another large coll ecti on of ever ything
imaginable for fair prices. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00, Sun
10:00 - 18:00. A
Department stores
TSUM
46
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Looking for something very specific? Heres a quick guide to
the city that goes beyond the obvious.
Banks
Belarus National Bank ( ) -2, Nezavisimos-
ti pr. 20 (. , 20), tel. (+375) 227
50 37, www.nbrb.by. QOpen 9:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun.
Belgazprombak () ul. Pritytskogo
60 (. , 60), tel. +375 17 229 1629.
Belswissbank () C-3, Pobediteley
pr. 23/3 (. , 23 . 3), MNemiga
(), tel. (+375 17) 306 20 40.
Belvnesheconombank ()
D-3, ul. Myasnikova 32 (. , 32), tel. (+375
17) 209 29 44, www.bveb.by. QOpen 09:00 - 16:00, Fri
09:00 - 14:30. Closed Sat, Sun.
Priorbank () B-3, ul. Very Khoruzhey 31a
(. , 31), tel. (+375 17) 289 90 87,
www.priorbank.by. The largest private bank in Belarus and
part of the large Raiffeisen Bank International company. Oper-
ating since 1989, Priorbank provides the highest standards of
service to private and business customers. Everything from
car /mortgage loans to VISA/MasterCard/Belcard credi t
cards and much, much more. A range of premium banking
services is also available. For more information on their wide
range of professional services, take a look at their English-
language website. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Barbers & Beauty
Beauty Centre ( ) C-5, ul. Berestyans-
kaya 3 (. , 3), tel. (+375 29) 685 27 00/
(+375 17) 285 27 90. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00, Sat 09:00 -
21:00. Closed Sun. PAU
Etoile () D-4, ul. Internatsionalnaya 24a (.
, 24), tel. (+375 29)665 69 02,
info@etual.by. QOpen 08:00 - 21:00. PJA
Iteira () D-5, ul. Platonova 1b (. ,
1), tel. (+375 17) 331 66 99, www.iteira.by. QOpen
08:00 - 22:00. PJAL
Izumi () D-5, ul. Zakharova 65 (. ,
65), tel. (+375 17) 294 15 84. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00,
Sun 11:00 - 18:00. JN
Lady Gadiva ( ) D-3, ul. Nemiga 38 (.
, 38), MNemiga (), tel. (+375 17) 200
12 46/(+375 29) 670 12 46. QOpen 08:00 - 21:00, Sun
09:00 - 18:00. PAL
Mon Cinema ( ) B-4, ul. Very Khoruzhey
25 (. , 25), tel. (+375 17) 237 85 86,
www.moncinema.by. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00, Sun 10:00 -
18:00. PLN
Prikosnoveniye () A-6, ul. Nekra-
sova 35 (. , 35, . 1), tel. (+375 17) 292
48 07. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00. Closed Sun. PAUW
Wella Studio ( ) C-5, ul. Kozlova 7b
(. , 7), tel. (+375 17) 233 99 35/(+375 44)
704 29 39. QOpen 08:00 - 20:00. Closed Sun. PLN
Yves Rocher ( ) B-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 48
(. , 48), MPloschad Yakuba
Kolasa ( ), tel. (+375 17)
284 48 58. QOpen 09:00 - 20:30, Sat 11:00 - 19:00.
Closed Sun. PJA
Business connections
Belarusian Chamber of Commerce ul. Yakuba Kolasa,
65 (. , 65), tel. (+375 17) 266 04 73,
www.cci.by. QOpen 9:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Ernst & Young LLC -3, ul. Korolya 51 (. ,
51), tel. (+375 17) 209 45 35, inquiry@by.ey.com,
www.ey.com/belarus.
IMF D-3, ul. Volodarskogo 6 (. ,
6), tel. (+375 17) 200 25 33, www.imf.org. QOpen
09:00 - 18:00.
Law firm Sorainen D-3, ul. Nemiga 40 (. ,
40), tel. (+375 17) 306 21 02, belarus@sorainen.com,
www.sorainen.com.
Stepanovski, Papakul & par tners LLC -4,
ul. Kuibysheva 16 (. , 16), tel. (+375 17)
209 44 83, info@spplaw.by, www.spplaw.by.
UNDP D-4, ul. Kirova 17 (. , 17), tel. (+375
17) 227 48 76, www.un.by.
World Bank -4, ul. Gertsena 2a (. e, 2),
tel. (+375 17) 226 52 84, www.worldbank.org. QOpen
09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. J
Ministry of Foreign Affairs D-4, ul. Lenina 19
(. , 19), tel. (+375 17) 227 92 22, fax
(+375 17) 227- 45-21, www.mfa.gov.by. QOpen
09:00 - 16:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Minsk City Executive Committee D-3, Neza-
visimosty pr. 8 (. , 8), tel.
(+375 17) 328 55 66, www.minsk.gov.by. QOpen
09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Officials
48
DIRECTORY
49
DIRECTORY
Cuba () C- 5, ul . Krasnozvyozdnaya 13
(. , 13), tel. (+375 17) 200 03 83/
(+375 17) 284 76 36, embacuba@belsonet.net. QOpen
09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Czech Republic ( ) -4,
Muzykalny per. 1/2 ( . 1/2),
tel. (+375 17) 226 55 40/(+375 17) 226 52 44,
minsk@embassy.mzv.cz, www.mzv.cz/minsk. QOpen
09:00 - 12:30. Closed Wed, Sat, Sun.
Estonia () 2 Pereulok Koltsova 52 (2- .
, 52), tel. (+375 17) 219 88 30/(+375 17)
219 88 31, consulate.minsk@mfa.ee. QOpen 15:00 -
16:00. Closed Fri, Sat, Sun. Open for visas Mon, Tue, Wed,
Thu 10:00-13:00.
France () -4, Svobody pl. 11 ( .
11), tel. (+375 17) 229 18 06/(+375 17) 229 18 30, fax
(+375 17) 210 25 48, webmestre.by@diplomatie.gouv.fr,
www.ambafrance-by.org. QOpen by prior arrangement.
Germany () C-5, ul. Zakharova 26
(. , 26), tel. (+375 17) 217 59 00, fax (+375
17) 294 85 52, germanembassy@mail.belpak.by, www.
minsk.diplo.de. QOpen 09:00 - 12:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
India () ul. Sobinova 63 (. , 63),
tel. (+375 17) 262 93 99, fax (+375 17) 288 47 99,
indembassy@indemb.bn.by, www.indembminsk.org.
Israel () Par tizansky pr. 6a (.
, 6), tel. (+375 17) 298 44 02, fax
(+375 17) 298 44 03. QOpen 9:00 - 11:30.
Italy () C-3, ul. Rakovskaya 16b (. -
, 16), tel. (+375 17) 229 29 69, fax (+ 375
17) 306 20 37, ambasciata.minsk@esteri.it, www.
ambminsk.esteri.it. QOpen 09:00 - 12:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Japan () C-3, Pobediteley pr. 23/1 (.
, 23/1), tel. (+375 17) 203 44 81/(+375
17) 203 62 33. QOpen by prior arrangment.
Kazakhstan () -4, ul. Kuibysheva 12
(. , 12), tel. (+375 17) 288 10 26/(+375
17) 334 96 50, kazemb@nsys.by. QOpen 10:00 - 12:00.
Closed Fri, Sat, Sun.
Kyrgyzstan () C-4, ul. Starovilenskaya
57 (. , 57), tel. (+375 17) 234 91
17, fax (+375 17) 334 16 02, manas@nsys.minsk.by.
QOpen 09:30 - 12:00. Closed Fri, Sat, Sun.
Latvia () B-5, ul. Doroshevicha 6a (.
, 6), tel. (+375 17) 284 93 93, fax (+375
17) 284 73 34, embassy.belarus@mfa.gov.lv. QOpen
09:00 - 12:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Lithuania () D-5, ul. Zakharova 68 (.
, 68), tel. (+375 17) 285 24 49, fax (+375 17)
285 33 37, embassy.lt@belsonet.net, www.lithuania.by.
Moldova () E-4, ul. Byelorusskaya 2 (.
, 2), tel. (+375 17) 289 14 41/(+375 17)
289 11 47. QOpen, Tue, Thu 09:00 - 13:00. Closed Mon,
Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun. J
Netherlands () A-6, ul. Vostoch-
naya 133 (. , 133), tel. (+375 17) 262
53 23, fax (+375 17) 262 40 52, nedcons@gtp.by.
Peru () ul. Prityskogo 34 (. ,
34), tel. (+375 17) 216 91 14/(+375 17) 216 91 15.
QOpen by prior arrangment.
Pol and () C- 5, ul . Rumyantseva 6
(. , 6), tel. (+375 17) 284 99 80/
(+375 17) 284 99 81, ambasada@minsk.polemb.net,
www.polsha.by. QOpen 09:00 - 12:00. Cl osed Sat,
Sun.
Romania () B-2, Moskvina per. 4 (
. 4), tel. (+375 17) 203 77 26/(+375 17) 203 80
97, fax (+375 17) 211 21 63, romania@belembassy.org.
Russia () A- 3, ul. Novovilenskaya 1a
(. , 1), tel. (+375 17) 250 36 66/
(+375 17) 288 67 68. QOpen 09:00 - 16:00. Closed
Fri, Sat, Sun.
Serbi a ( ) E- 2, ul . Rumyantseva 4
(. , 4), tel . (+375 17) 284 29
84, jugoslav@anitex.by. QOpen Mon, Wed, Fri 10:00 -
12:00. Closed Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun.
Minsk historic city centre
tax planning and intellectual property among many other
services. See their website for more information.
Dentists
Dentko () B-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 58 (.
( ), tel. (+375 17) 284 45 11,
info@dentko.by, www.dentko.by. QOpen 08:00 - 21:00.
PJULNW
MiDent () -4, ul. Zybitskaya 3 (.
, 3), MNemiga (), tel. (+375 17)
321 23 80, http://eng.mident.by. QOpen 08:00 - 20:00,
Sat 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. JAL
Foreign representations
Armenia () D-4, ul. Kirova 17 (. , 17),
tel. (+375 17) 227 51 53/(+375 17) 227 05 63. QOpen
Tue, Thu 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun.
Belgium () B-4, Masherova pr. 54 (.
, 54), tel./fax (+375 17) 293 19 44,
consulbel@tut.by, http://consulbel.at.tut.by. QOpen
by prior arrangement.
Bulgaria () C-4, Svobody pl. 11 ( . ,
11), tel. (+375 17) 328 65 58, fax (+375 17) 328 65 59.
Chi na () C- 5, ul . Ber estyanskaya 22
(. , 22), tel. (+375 17) 285 36 82/(+375
17) 285 36 83. QOpen 10:00 - 13:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Clinics & Hospitals
Clinical Centre of Plastic Surgery and Medical Cos-
metology (
) B-4, ul. Bogdanovicha
53 (. , 53), tel. (+375 17) 334 81 04,
www.clinicalcenter.by. QOpen 08:00 - 21:00, Sat 08:00
- 17:00. Closed Sun.
Kravira ( ) B-3, Pobediteley pr. 45
(. , 45), tel. (+375 17) 211 28 61,
kravira@kravira.by, www.kravira.by. QOpen 08:00 -
21:00, Sat, Sun 09:00 - 16:00. PDC
Lode () B-5, ul. Gikalo 1 (. , 1),
MPloschad Yakuba Kolsa ( ),
tel. (+375 17) 284 72 20/(+375 29) 638 30 03.
QOpen 08:00 - 21:00, Sat 09:00 - 20:00, Sun 09:00 -
15:00. AL
Nordin () A-5, ul. Surganova 47b (.
, 47), tel . (+375 17) 289 53 48,
info@nordin.by, www.nordin.by. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00.
JAUFLDC
Santana ( ) A-6, ul. Nekrasova 22 b2
(. , 22, .2), tel. (+375 17) 331 97 22,
www.santanamed.by. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00, Sat 09:00 -
16:00. Closed Sun. PL
Consul ting & Auditing
Dicsa () ul. Melezha 5/2 (. , 5/2),
tel. (+375 17) 268 40 22, www.dicsa.net. Legal advice
on investment projects, corporate law, construction law,
FULL DENTAL SERVICE FOR
CHILDREN AND ADULTS;
ANALGESIA UNDER DOUBLE
ANESTHESIA;
PULSED RADIOGRAPHY;
PROFESSIONAL ORAL CARE. SCALING
AND ROOT PLANING;
ALL KINDS OF DENTURE ESTHETICS IN
THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME;
CORRECTION OF OCCLUSION WITH
BRACES;
IMPLANTATION, DENTAL SURGERIES,
TEETH EXTRACTION;
TEETH WHITENING AND
RESTORATION OF THE DESTROYED
TEETH;
DENTAL DISEASES TREATMENT.
- dental works
- roentgen diagnostics
- orthodontic dentistry
- prosthetic dentistry
- therapeutic dentistry
- dental surgery
DENTAL CENTER
DENTKO
Nezavisimosti avenue, 58, near TSUM (seven days a week),
Tel: 284-45-11, 210-16-56, 8-029-110-12-12
OJSC Dentko-Med
License M-5851 d.d. 28.05.09 till 27.05.14 Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Belarus, TRN 191081363
We are in the center of the city - you are in the center of attention
www.dentko.by
50
DIRECTORY
51
SPORT & LEISURE
Bowling & Billiards
Bowling House Nezavisimosti pr. 117a (.
, 117), tel. (+375 17) 268 01 90.
QOpen 12:00 - 02:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 05:00.
Juravinka Bowling Club () C-4, ul.
Yanki Kupaly 25 (. , 25), tel. (+375 17)
328 69 09. Eight lanes that glow ul traviolet during the eve-
nings. It can get busy in here, especially during the weekends.
QOpen 13:00 - 03:00. PALKX
Olimp () B-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 51 (.
, 51), tel. (+375 17) 290 79 03. QOpen
10:00 - 24:00. PJG
Planeta Hotel () C-3, Pobediteley pr. 31, 2-nd
floor (. , 31, 3- ), tel. (+375
17) 226 77 87. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. PJGX
Vienna () B-4, ul. Very Khoruzhey 29 (.
, 29), tel. (+375 17) 334 43 44. QOpen 12:00
- 06:00. PJAGKX
Dinamo Stadium ( ) D-4,
ul. Kirova 8 (. , 8), tel. (+375 17)
226 00 55. Local heroes Dimano play at the 50,000-
capacity Dinamo stadium (the official address is Kirova 8,
although this information is rather superfluous as one can
see the floodlights from Moscow). Tickets are as good
as free, al though you`re recommended to buy them in
advance from the attached ticket office. For some seri-
ousl y thorough information in English on all things soccer
in Belarus, including schedules of up-coming matches,
surf on over to www.soccer-belarus.com.
Minsk-Arena (-) Pobediteley pr.
111 (. , 111), tel. (+375 17)
253 53 61. The recentl y opened, mul ti-function Minsk-
Arena provides sports and entertainment facilities for up
to 15,000 spectators. Capable of handling everything
from rock concerts (El ton John and Sting among others
have already performed here) to indoor cycling competi-
tions, Minsk-Arenas biggest claim to fame is that of being
home to HC Dinamo Minsk, the citys top ice hockey team.
QOpen 08:00 - 23:00. PL
Spectator sports Zelyonaya Polyana ( ) C-2,
ul. Kalvariyskaya 17 (. , 17), MFrun-
zenskaya (), tel. (+375 17) 203 27 77.
QOpen 24 hours. PALVEKXSW
Fitness centres
Beauty Free ( ) B-6, Nezavisimosti pr.
86a (. , 86), tel. (+375 17)
267 40 46. QOpen 09:00 - 23:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 17:00.
PJAFC
Fitness club Geut Gym (- Geut Gym)
B-2, ul. Gvardeyskaya 10 (. , 10), tel.
(+375 17) 306 39 89. QOpen 08:00 - 21:00, Sat, Sun
10:00 - 15:00. PJ
Mir Fitnessa ( ) A-1, Pobediteley pr.
20/1 (. , 20/1), tel. (+375 17)
207 18 23. QOpen 07:00 - 23:00, Sat, Sun 09:00 - 22:00.
PAFLG
Nevesomost () ul. Filimonova
55/2 (., 55/2 ), MMoskovskaya
(), tel. (+375 17) 237 68 75. QOpen
08:00 - 22:00, Sun 07:00 - 19:00. PF
N-fitness (N-c) B-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 51
(. , 51), tel. (+375 17) 292 86 80.
QOpen 08:00 - 22:00, Sat 09:00 - 21:00. PJAF
Nordin () A-5, ul. Surganova 47b (.
, 47), tel. (+375 17) 289 54 56/(+375 17)
296 62 92. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00. PTJAFG
Orange Club ( ) Kalinina per. 16 (.
, 16), tel. (+375 17) 285 66 65. QOpen 09:00
- 21:00. PTJFG
Princess Spa ( ) D-4, ul. Kirova 13,
Crowne Plaza (. , 13, Crowne Plaza), tel.
(+375 17) 200 94 24. QOpen 07:00 - 23:00, Sat, Sun
09:00 - 22:00. PJFLDW
Saunas
Aura () Minsk district, B. Trostenets, ul. Lugovaya
54 ( , . . , . ,
54), tel. (+375 29) 910 09 02, fax (+375 17) 345 39 02.
QOpen 24 hours. NDXCW
Sports Centre Minsk-Arena
Insurance
Belgosstrakh () D-2, ul. Liebknechta 70
(. , 70), tel. (+375 17) 269 26 00, fax (+375
17) 213 08 05, info@belgosstrakh.by, www.belgosstrakh.
by. QOpen 08:30 - 17:30, Fri 18:30 - 16:40. Closed Sat, Sun.
Belingosstrakh () C-3, Pobediteley
pr. 19 (. , 19), tel. (+375 17) 209
24 16/(+375 17) 209 25 46, www.belingosstrakh.by.
Language courses
Minsk State Linguistic University B-3, ul. Zakharova
21 (. , 21), MPloschad Pobedy (
), tel. (+375 17) 213 76 63. A huge and highly
respected institution, who offer a multitude of courses in a
multitude of languages. They have a good website in English
http://international.mslu.byQOpen 09:00 - 21:00. Closed Sun.
Pharmacies
Pharmacy # 1 B-4, ul. Very Khoruzhey 24 (.
, 24), tel. (+375 17) 334 37 84. QOpen 08:00
- 20:30, Sat 09:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun.
Pharmacy # 19 E-3, ul. Kirova 2 (. , 2), tel.
(+375 17) 225 61 80. QOpen 08:00 - 21:00, Sat 08:00 -
20:00, Sun 10:00 - 17:00. JF
Pharmacy # 28 -5, Nezavisimosti pr. 48 (.
, 48), tel. (+375 17) 284 85 68. QOpen
8:00 - 22:00, Sun 10:00 - 17:00.
Photographic services
Focus () D-4, Nezavisimosti pr. 18 (.
, 18), tel. (+375 17) 206 55 96.
Express service. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sat 10:00 - 19:00,
Sun 10:00 - 18:00. A
Foto Centre ( ) E-3, ul. Kirova 1 (opposite
train station) (. , 1), tel. (+375 17) 225 62 25/
(+375 17) 225 06 03. One-hour service. QOpen 09:00 -
20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00.
Kadr () C-1, ul. Pritytskogo 10a (. ,
10), tel. (+375 29) 650 58 85. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00,
Sat 10:00 - 17:00. Closed Sun.
Slovakia () D-3, ul. Volodarskogo 6 (.
, 6), tel. (+375 17) 285 29 99, fax (+375
17) 283 68 48, emb.minsk@mzv.sk, http://www.mzv.
sk/minsk. QOpen 09:00 - 11:30. Closed Fri, Sat, Sun.
Sweden () C- 4, Muzykalny per. 1/2
( . 1/2), tel. (+ 375 17) 226 55 40,
fax (+37517) 226 55 43. QOpen by prior arrangement.
Switzerland () D-4, ul. Krasnoarmey-
skaya 22a (. , 22), tel. (+375
17) 227 18 42, fax (+375 17) 217 84 62. QOpen 09:00
- 12:00. Closed Fri, Sat, Sun.
Tajikistan () D-4, ul. Kirova 17 (.
, 17), tel. (+375 17) 222 37 98. QOpen 09:00
- 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Turkey () D-3, ul. Volodarskogo 6 (.
, 6), tel. (+375 17) 227 13 83/(+375 17)
227 06 57. QOpen 09:00 - 12:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Ukraine () B-4, ul. Starovilenskaya 51
(. , 51), tel. (+375 17) 283 19
90/(+375 17) 283 19 80, inf o@ukraine-emb.by,
www.belarus.mfa.gov.ua. QOpen , Mon 14:00 - 16:00,
Tue, Wed, Thu 09:00 - 13:00. Closed Fri, Sat, Sun.
United Kingdom () D-4, ul. Karla
Marxa 37 (. , 37), tel. (+375 17) 210
59 20, fax (+375 17) 220 23 06, visaenquiries.minsk@
fco.gov.uk, http://www.britain.by. QOpen , Mon, Thu
09:00 - 11:30. Closed Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun.
United States () C-4, ul. Starovilenskaya 46 (.
, 46), tel. (+375 17) 210 12 83/(+375
17) 226 16 01, fax (+375 17) 234 78 53, ConsularMinsk@
state.gov, http://minsk.usembassy.gov. QOpen , Mon, Tue,
Thu 08:30 - 12:00. Closed Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun.
Vatican () D-3, ul. Volodarskogo 6 (.
, 6), tel. (+375 17) 289 15 84, nuntius@
catholic.by, http://nunciature.catholic.by. QOpen
09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
clickandbuy
Minsk, ul. Kuibysheva
52
SPORT & LEISURE
53
STREET REGISTER
Akademicheskaya ul. -6
Andreevskaya ul. -5
Antonovskaya ul. D-5
Aranskaya ul. -4
Azgura ul. D-5
Azizova ul. -4
Bangalor pl. -5
Belomorskaya ul. B-5
Berestyanskaya ul. -5
Bersona ul. D-3
Betonny proezd -1
Biryuzova ul. -1
Bobruiskaya ul. -3
Bogdana Khmelnitskogo ul. /-6
Boleslava Beruta ul. -1
Botanicheskaya ul. D-6
Bronevoi per. D-5
Byelorusskaya ul. -4
Chapaeva ul. D-5
Chebotaryova ul. -6
Chernyshevskogo ul. -6
Chervyakova ul. -3
Chicherina ul. -4
Chigladze ul.. -1
Daumana ul. -3
Dekabristov ul. -1
Dolgobrodskaya ul. D-6
Domashevskogo per. D-2
Druzhnaya ul. -3
Dzerzhinskogo pr. -1
Engelsa ul. D-4
Fabrichnaya ul. -5
Fabritsiusa ul. -2
Frantishka Bogushevicha ul. D-3
Frunze ul. -5
Gaia ul. -4
Gikalo ul. B-5
Gorodskoi Val ul. D-3
Griboedova ul. -2
Grushevskaya ul. -2
Gusovskogo ul. -1
Gvardeiskaya ul. -2
Ierusalimskaya ul. D-3
Ignatenko ul. -2
Internatsionalnaya ul. D-4
Izvoznaya ul. -2
Kakhovskaya ul. -3
Kalinina per. -6
Kalinina pl. -6
Kalinina ul. -6
Kal variyskaya ul. -1
Karastoyanovoy ul. -4
Karla Liebknechta ul. /D-2
Karla Marxa ul. D-4
Kharkovskaya ul. D-1/2
Kirova ul. /D-4
Kisel yova ul. -4
Klary Zetkin ul. D-3
Klumova per. -6
Kollektornaya ul. D-3
Kommunisticheskaya ul. -4
Komsomolskaya ul. D-3
Korol ya ul. -2/3
Korzha ul. D-2
Kozlova ul. D-6
Kozlova ul. -5
Krasnaya ul. -4/5
Krasnoarmeiskaya ul. D-4
Krasnozvyozdnaya ul. -5
Kropotkina ul. -4
Kuibysheva ul. -5, -4
Kulman ul. -4, -5
Kupriyanova ul. D-2
Kuzmy Chornogo ul. -6
Lenina ul. D-4, -5
Leonida Bedy ul. -5
Lermontova ul. D-1
Lesy Ukrainky ul. -1
Lomonosova ul. -6
Masherova pr. -5, -2
Maxima Bogdanovicha ul. -5, -4
Maxima Tanka ul. -2/3
Melnikaite ul. -3
Mikhasya Lynkova ul. -1
Mogil yovskaya ul. -3
Moskovskaya ul. -3
Moskvina ul. -2
Myasnikova ul. D-3
Nekrasova ul. -6
Nemiga ul. D-3
Nezavisimosti pl. D-3
Nezavisimosti pr. D-3, -5
Novovilenskaya ul. -3
Novovilensky per. -3
Odoevskogo ul. -1
Oktyabrskaya ul. -4
Olshevskogo per. -1
Olshevskogo ul. /-1
Orlovskaya ul. -1/4
Osipenko ul. -4
Papanina ul. -2
Pervomaiskaya ul. D-5
Pervy Tvyordy per. -6
Pervy Zagorodny per. -2
Petrusya Brovky ul. -6
Pinskaya ul. -2
Platonova ul. D-5, -6
Pobediteley pr. -1, -3
Pobedy pl. -5
Pritytskogo ul. -1
Pulikhova ul. D-5
Pushkina pr. /-1
Rakovskaya ul. -3
Romanovskaya Sloboda ul. -3
Rozy Luksemburg ul. -1/2
Rumyantseva ul. -5
Rybalko ul. -6
Sapyorov ul. -2
Serafimovicha ul. -5
Shcherbakova ul. -6
Shchorsa ul. -1
Shevchenko bl vd -4
Skryganova ul. -2
Slesarnaya ul. D-5
Smolenskaya ul. -5/6
Sovetskaya ul. D-3
Stakhanovskaya ul. -6
Stanislavskogo ul. -5
Starovilenskaya ul. /-4
Starovilensky tract -3
Sudmalisa ul. -5
Sukhaya ul. D-3
Surganova ul. -5, -6
Sverdlova ul. D-3
Tarkhanova ul. -2
Tatarskaya ul. -2
Tretyego Sentyabrya ul. D-1, -2
Timiryazeva ul. -1, -2
Tolstogo ul. -3
Tsnyanskaya ul. -5
Ul yanovskaya ul. -4
Uralskaya ul. D-6
Very Khoruzhey ul. -4/5
Vereshchagina ul. -1
Volodarskogo ul. D-3
Volokha ul. D-1/2
Vostochnaya ul. -6
Yakuba Kolasa pl. -5
Yakuba Kolasa ul. -6, -5
Yanki Kupal y ul. -4
Zakharova ul. /D-5
Zapadnaya ul. D-2
Zaslavskaya ul. -3
Zhukova pr. D-1
Zmitroka Byadul y ul. -5
Zolotaya Gorka ul. -5
Belarusian Russian
Street vulitsa / i (.) ulitsa (ul.) / (.)
Square ploscha / (.) ploschad (pl.) / (.)
Avenue praspekt /
(.)
prospekt (pr.) /
(.)
Side street zavulak /
(.)
pereulok (per.) /
(.)
Street Smarts
Na Zamkovoy (- ) C-3,
ul. Zamkovaya 33 (. , 33), tel. (+375 17)
286 20 15/(+375 29) 688 77 11. QOpen 24 hours.
NXC
Ne Parsya ( ) C-5, Masherova pr. 11
(. , 11), tel. (+375 29) 660 92 60.
QOpen 24 hours. NDXC
Princess Spa ( ) D-4, ul. Kirova 13,
Crowne Plaza (. , 13, Crowne Plaza), tel.
(+375 17) 200 94 24. QOpen 07:00 - 23:00, Sun 09:00 -
22:00. PJAFLGD
Sahara () ul. Skoriny 52 (. ,
52), tel. (+375 29) 66 100 77. QOpen 24 hours.
NDXC
S Legkim Parom! ( !) ul. Tol-
bukhina 3 (. , 3), MPark Chelyuskintsev
( ), tel. (+375 29) 999 37 77.
Q GDC
Taiti () ul. Serafimovicha 11 (. ,
11), MProletarskaya (), tel. (+375 17)
298 27 99/(+375 29) 960 27 99. QOpen 24 hours.
TNDXC
Tsarskaya Okhota ( ) Partizansky
pr. 14 (. , 14), tel. (+375 17) 271
15 15. QOpen 24 hours. NDXC
U Fontana ( ) -2, ul. Amuratorskaya 4 (.
, 4), tel. (+375 17) 203 14 00/(+375 17)
203 14 74. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00. AIDXCW
Swimming
Piotr Masherov Fitness Centre ( .
.. ) C-3, Pobediteley pr. 23/1
(. , 23/1), tel. (+375 17) 226 68
66. QOpen 07:15 - 23:00. PJF
Olimp () B-5, Nezavisimosti pr. 51 (.
( ), tel. (+375 17) 331 07 11.
QOpen 7:00 - 23:00, Sun 8:00 - 23:00. PJDC
Water Sports Centre ( )
B-6, ul. Surganova 2a (. , 2), tel. (+375
17)266 28 92. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00.
Minsk isnt just a city, its also a type of motorcycle. And
not just any old type either, but one that carries with
it an air of legend, rumour, cool, un-cool and a kind of
blue oily smoke.
If the stories are to be believed, the noisy, 125cc two-
stroke, single-cylinder machine known as the M 125 and
made here in Minsk in the famed Motovelo factory is the
two-wheeled vehicle of choice of al-Qaeda, independent
tourists, Vietnamese farmers and anyone wanting a
bullet-proof vehicle that can be maintained using only
chewing gum, beer cans and string.
The M 125, whi ch has been i n producti on for ex-
actly 60 years, possesses a simple and unpretentious
straightforwardness thats refreshing in a world of com-
plicated technology, making them particularly appealing
among people living in remote areas where access
to spare parts is limited to say the least. Established
on November 6, 1945, the Motovelo company, which
churns out the Minsk motorcycle alongside a number
of motorbike, bicycles, exercise bikes and wheelchairs,
started life as a manufacturer of bicycles but its the M
125 that steals the show.
The basic design comes from the pre-war DKW RT 125
made in Germany, and is said to have inspired a multitude
of machines including the Harley-Davidson Hummer, the
Yamaha YA-1 and the fabulous BSA Bantam. Various
updates and improvements have been introduced over
the years, but the
bikes hardly what
youd call modern.
Around 90 percent
of all M 125s ex-
ported, mostly to
Asia, which is ex-
actly why youll find
a Minsk Motorcycle
Club in Vietnam. Theres even an adventure expedition
company, Explore Indochina, which runs tours exclusively
on Minsk motorcycles. According to their website, Minsk
bikes have been seen hauling buffaloes, horses, up to
seven people, refrigerators, fully operational fish tanks
and even a three-piece lounge suite.

Further information
Motovelo Manufacturers of Minsk motorcycles,
www.motovelo.by
The Minsk Motorcycle Club of Vietnam
www.minskclubvietnam.com
Explore Indochina Tours on Minsk motorcycles,
www.exploreindochina.com
Minsk motorcycles
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1-ST LINE (MOSKOVSKAYA)
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INTERCHANGE STATIONS
9
28
9
9
VITEBSK MYADEL
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Minsk

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Copyright:

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Minsk

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2011

- Moscovsky bus station ( ).

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