Baraban still holds the title of expats’ most popular haunt
Kyiv may be a city of over 3 million, with a myriad of clubs, restaurants and bars to match, but there are only a few expat haunts. Dropping by one of these hangouts, I always run into a familiar face. There are good reasons why these cafes, bars and restaurants are popular with the expat community. They are all simple, affordable and have an unpretentious, welcoming ambiance, and perhaps most importantly, are English – and foreigner-friendly. They also offer a respite from many of the trends that are becoming ubiquitous to Kyiv’s nightlife scene; they don’t have an endless soundtrack of electronic beats or Russian candy pop, flat screens broadcasting fashion TV 24/7, or loud, garish decor. You don’t have to be an expat to enjoy what these unassuming gems have to offer. Whether you yearn for a rowdy pub, a familiar cafe to enjoy coffee and a book, or want to find a welcoming, neighborhood eatery to frequent, expat haunts may help you feel at ease.
In my hometown of Boston, pub-style bars, with beer liberally flowing, animated conversations drowning out the music and belt-loosening finger foods, are neighborhood staples. Kyiv boasts a few of its own boisterous pubs, which, unsurprisingly, tend to be regular expat haunts. These are the places to let loose with friends and enjoy a beer and a game of billiards or the current football match. With two floors and rooms dedicated to the important sports events of the day, O’Brien’s Pub attracts large crowds of sports fans. When sports are not on the night’s schedule, O’Brien’s also has live music and billiards games. The pub serves filling Irish fare, and, of course, Guiness. At the Golden Gates Pub, located near Zoloti Vorota (Golden Gates) metro, you can also have filling food and enjoy live music on certain nights and a game of billiards.
Viola’s is somewhat more subdued than the two pubs mentioned above, but that doesn’t hinder its status as one of the most popular expat hangouts. A hideaway located underground in a courtyard off Tarasa Shevchenka Bulvar, Viola’s has a relaxed, intimate vibe, cheap beer and tasty pub-style fare.
In stark contrast to the smokey pubs and bars mentioned above, these locales offer solace to those who yearn for cafe culture, places, where you can sit and enjoy a coffee with friends, your lap top or a good book for hours on end.
With a nice collection of books in English and Ukrainian, Babuin bookstore and cafe is definitely the best place to sit with a book. This cafe also pleases its patrons with free internet connection, tasty Ukrainian fare and its laid-back, eclectic ambiance. The cafe also hosts live jazz and piano music weekly.
Antresol cafe is more of a laid-back social hangout for a younger crowd, with funky decor and world music filling the air. With a menu replete with cocktails and tasty dishes (beer and other drinks also available), Antresol is a good place for a stylish lunch or dinner date.
The expat hangout which no one should miss (and if you’re in Kyiv long enough you definitely won’t miss) is Baraban (The Drum), a restaurant/bar that has universal appeal and great fare for a reasonable price. Most of the people I know found out about Baraban through word-of-mouth or through a friend, as you definitely won’t just stumble upon it. Well-hidden in an unassuming courtyard off Prorizna, Baraban has no sign and is its entrance is a stairway leading underground. The space is small, but has plush, velvet benches and plenty of cozy nooks and crannies. Baraban has a fabulous three-course business lunch special (Hr 26-30). Large beers average Hr 10 and cocktails are affordable, starting at Hr 12. Baraban has an excellent salad menu (Hr 20-28) that often uses ingredients likes lettuce and avocados, as well as dressings other than mayonnaise and oil. The menu has several favorite, one-of-a kind dishes not found at any other restaurants, such as their mushroom risotto (Hr 24) and the “nutty rice” burger (Hr 32), but there are many other equally delicious choices. Baraban has jazzy, low-key, live music nightly except Friday and Sunday. For its affordable, tasty food and drinks, relaxed yet stylish decor and overall warmth, Baraban gets our highest stamp of approval.
Baraban (4A Prorizna, 279-2355).
Open daily 11 a.m. till 11 p.m.
