Soviet arcade games, anti-cafés: where to have fun in Moscow and Saint Petersburg?
Looking to take a break between visits to the Kremlin, Red Square, Catherine's Palace or the Hermitage Museum?
Looking to take a break between visits to the Kremlin, Red Square, Catherine's Palace or the Hermitage Museum? Don't worry, Russia's capital cities offer numerous budget-friendly entertainments that will leave you with unusual memories of your trip to Russie.
Settle into an anti-café
This Russian invention, now popular around the world, is a perfect way to take a relaxing break with friends. But what exactly is it? An anti-café is a café where you pay the bill not based on what you order, but on how long you stay. For a very reasonable sum, you can settle into the comfort and elegance of Moscow and Saint Petersburg anti-cafés while consuming as much coffee, tea or snacks as you want.
But that's not all: in addition to being warm while chatting with your friends, you can play the numerous board games available in the establishment, or browse novels on the shelves... It's the ideal solution for sheltering from rain or cold while spending quality time with loved ones.
In fact, this concept was born in Russie. In 2010, a young student opens his attic to his friends so they can hang out, have fun or work in peace. In exchange, visitors leave him a few rubles at the entrance. His attic attracts so many people that he gets the idea to open his first anti-café, Clockface Café or Ziferblat, in Moscow in 2011. The idea of offering a place where you can study, work or just rest for as long as you want, without being rushed by servers, quickly becomes popular and from the café an international chain is born. Anti-cafés are now very popular in Russie, both for meeting up with friends and for enjoying a cozy workspace.
A few great addresses in Moscow
In Moscow, you can obviously visit the very first anti-café, "Ziferblat". In addition to being in a sought-after neighborhood, the café is charming. At the entrance, you're given an old broken clock: take your time! Address: 12, Tverskaya Street.
If you love animals, we highly recommend visiting "Kotiky i Lyudi", which means "cats and people". As you might have guessed, this is a place where, in addition to enjoying all the benefits of an anti-café, you can get your fill of cuddles with cats. Address: 31/1, Novaya Baumanskaya Street.
Even more original, "Sovyny Dom", "House of Owls", invites you to meet owls during your coffee break. Address: 79c2, Prospekt Mira.
A few great addresses in Saint Petersburg
To perfect your stay in the capital of the Tsars, nothing beats an afternoon in the anti-café "Freedom". In the heart of the city, it offers you a stunning interior with rooms featuring imperial décor, each one more chic than the last. Of course, you can enjoy an abundance of board games and make wonderful connections. Address: 7, Kazanskaya.
Try your hand at Soviet arcade games
Needless to say, in major Russian metropolises like elsewhere, you can have fun with a game of bowling or in the many arcade game centers. But why not make it literally a historical pause by visiting the Soviet Arcade Games Museum instead? The museum, found in both Saint Petersburg and Moscow, displays a large collection of old arcade games still in working order... Which means you can get your hands on the controls!
From tank games to a basketball game, passing of course through the classic battleship game, the museums have made efforts to restore a whole range of arcade games for you to enjoy. With your entrance ticket, you'll be given tokens to use the machines. These are actually copies of old 15 kopeck coins. The arcade machines you'll see in the museum are genuine machines that were used during the Soviet Union. Built in secret in military factories, they were one of the only entertainments for the population.
This gaming break will immerse you in Soviet history and Russian childhood, while brightening up your day. The Soviet Arcade Games Museum is ideal for combining historical discovery and unforgettable entertainment. Addresses: 12, Kuznesky Most in Moscow; 2b, Konyushennaya Square in Saint Petersburg.
Frequently asked questions
An anti-café is an establishment where you pay based on the time you spend there, not on what you consume. For an affordable hourly rate, you get unlimited coffee, tea, snacks, board games and a comfortable space. The concept was born in Russie in 2011 with the opening of Ziferblat in Moscow.
The first official anti-café, Ziferblat (or Clockface Café), was opened in Moscow in 2011 by a young Russian student. It is located at 12, Tverskaya Street in Moscow and is still open to visitors.
Yes, the Soviet Arcade Games Museum is present in both cities. In Moscow, it is located at 12 Kuznesky Most, and in Saint Petersburg at 2b, Konyushennaya Square. With your entrance ticket, you receive tokens (copies of old 15 kopeck coins) to use the still-functional arcade machines.
Yes, Moscow offers two anti-cafés with animals. The 'Kotiky i Lyudi' (Cats and People), located at 31/1 Novaya Baumanskaya Street, allows you to cuddle with cats. The 'Sovny Dom' (House of Owls), at 79c2 Prospekt Mira, offers a unique experience with owls.
In Saint Petersburg, the anti-café 'Freedom', located at 7 Kazanskaya, welcomes you in a setting with imperial décor. You can enjoy board games, meet other travelers, or simply rest while consuming beverages and snacks at will for an affordable hourly rate.
