They way things used to be
Here are a couple of reports from two trips I took a few years ago. I didn't post them at the time, so I thought I'd share them now. I hope they bring back some memories of how things used to be (and hopefully they aren't too different now).
pick up bars/prices Winter-Spring 2006-2007
Thanks Catalyst and Blaked for the reports!
Here my take on current prices in Moscow:
As of about 3 months ago, these were the prices I was faced with:
Boarhouse: Starting prices $200-250, later on (or with some persuasion) the prices drop to $150-200. You can find girls in 6-7 quality for $150 with some patience, luck and negotiation. You may have to pay an additional "security fee" of 500 rubles though and on the weekend entrance fee of 250 rubles.
Nigh Flight: Starting prices $300-500, later(or with some persuasion) the prices drop to $200-300. You can find girls in 7-8 quality for $200 with some patience, luck and negotiation. You will have to pay 750 ruble entrance (unless you eat at restaurant first).
Both places have their advantages and disadvantages.
Boarhouse:
+ fun "drink pub" atmosphere w/sports on TV
+ large selection of girls
+ easy to find location across from Kursky Voksal
+ cheaper than NF
+ girls usually with very good attitude
+ no dress code/face control for foreigners
+ sometimes can find absolute newbies
+ occassional freebies
- sometimes girl selection is really shitty
- early in night (0000-0130) prices almost as high as Night Flight
- long expensive taxi ride home, potential militia troubles
- can be smoky and dirty inside
- can be almost as expensive as Night Flight
- occassional drugging/"spiking" of drinks
- some girls been in game too long
Night Flight:
+ refined, classy atmosphere
+ large, good quality selection of women
+ very central location on Tverskaya near Pushkin square
+ nice restaurant in same facility
- prices early in night quite high
- girls can be very mercenary regarding price
- some girls have bad attitude
- some girls been in game too long
Of the two clubs (and although pros can be found in many discos in limited number, these 2 clubs really are the only real "dedicated" pickup bars in Moscow) I prefer Boarhouse... but if prices continue to rise, at some point there will be no difference between the two in terms of price.... and then NF becomes the more attractive club.
Strip clubs, salons/apartments, escort agencies, tochkas and internet are the other primary sources for pro action.