Lensoviet Palace of Culture, St. Petersburg

A good deal of this interminable building is now taken up by dozens of clothes' stalls selling their wares almost on top of one another. That said, the rest of it still keeps a tight schedule in various types of entertainment for the local population. The concert/theater hall is a fair size and though nowhere near approaching stadium vastness, it still comes across as very much a Soviet arena: monolithic and impressive in a way, despite the accompanying dinginess. During rock/pop concerts there is usually a bar outside which looks very much like its makeshift self with cans of Nevskoe beer and gin and tonic being sold hand over fist. And whilst the service might not be the kindest in the world, it does tend to be swift. The hall itself consists of endless rows of seats, divided by aisles which it would seem have been specially laid on for some serious dancing. Doing this however may prompt security to nudge you back to tapping your toes in your seat. Russian rock acts such as Mummi Troll and Dedushki, variety acts, plays and dance troupes rub shoulders in the listings here.