Odessa Nightclubs
- Summer Scene.
Odessa is famed
for its laid back even hedonistic
lifestyle.This is not confined solely
to the summer months as with its
relatively mild winter the town is
lively all year round.However,the
first thing you should be aware of
is that the summer and winter scenes
are quite different. Between about
mid May and mid September the towns
main night clubs close and their
beach counterparts in Arcadia open
for business.Some of these open air
venues with their extensive floorspace
and dining areas,panoramic seaviews,their
classic Greek design and hordes of
enthusiastic revellers rival the
finest in Europe. Arcadia is a 15
minute taxi ride (about $5-$6) from
the centre of Odessa.It is not difficult
to find the different clubs mentioned
as they are all within a few minutes
walk of each other along the 1 km
or so strip.Admission charges for
the main clubs are around $8 at weekends
and less during the week.$2.5 will
cover the cost of a large Ukranian
brewed beer.These are very good with
Slavutich and Baltika being popular.A
Scotch goes for about $4.Be wary
when Natasha orders her cocktail
as these can be quite expensive.Food
is poor.However,the large platters
of fresh fruits are not bad value
and are guaranteed to restore some
much needed vitamins.Best time to
arrive is from about 11.30-12.30.Closing
time is around 5am depending on the
club.
Nightclubs.
1. Ibitza.
This club
vies with Itaka for the accolade
of the top club in Arcadia.Cleverly
designed with alcovetype seating
on tiered levels, this open air club
with it`s whitewashed masonry has
a touch of Bedrock about it).(What
you`ve never watched the Flintstones?)The
dance area is not so big so many
prefer to sip a drink and view
the eye candy (not least the visiting
Americans and Europeans).
If you
are escorting a young lady it is
best to book a table prior as it
is almost impossible to get one,
particularily at weekends.Music is
a combination of Tekno,Hip Hop and
House.Live music and visiting international
DJs on selected nights.
2. Stereo.
This is
the first of the main clubs you come
to as you venture down the strip
from the taxi rank.Unlike Itaka and
Ibitza it is not open air.Here
the emphasis is very much on dance
and the club has a large teen following.Visiting
star DJs from Moscow and elsewhere
play a mix of Tekno,House,Hip Hop
and RnB making this one of Arcadias
most popular clubs.
Unless you
are into dance and are at an age
when shaving is just an occassional
need then I would give this one
a miss.
3. Assol.
If you
follow the pathway to the right of
Ibitza and suddenly come across a
ship docked on dry land then you`ve
found Assol.
Built like a replica
of a sailing ship this venue is
smaller and less hectic than some
of it`s competitors.A good reason
to visit is the live cabaret on busy
nights.Something that`s a feature
of Arcadia clubs is that they can
be either packed and very lively
or conversely sparsely attended and
so lacking in atmosphere.This club
often falls into the latter category.
However,it can be an appropriate
option particularily if you are escorting
a date.
4. Western Bar.
Just
down from Itaka on the opposite side
is the large elevated wodden structure
of Western Bar.It`s got a cowboy
theme though there is little evidence
of this.Here drinks and admission
are less expensive than the main
two the music is more mainstream
and the crowd is unpretentious.Food
is available and there is also
live cabaret.Can be worth a visit
at weekends though at other times
the place can be rather quiet.
5. Itaka.
Just down
from Ibitza on the same side is what
is for me Arcadia`s finest and best
club namely Itaka.Built on two levels,the
top floor has a small bar and seating
for about 150.There are also various
vantage points from where you can
view the proceedings below or sip
a drink and gaze out over the Black
Sea and ponder the meaning of life.On
the ground floor level there is a
long rectangular bar and seating
for about 250.The dance floor has
a lofty stage, inspired by Classical
Greek Architecture as a backdrop.The
best seating areas are the tiered
alcovetype that overlook the floor.
When the resident DJ is not doing
his stuff there are live concerts (with
dancing afterwards),live cabaret
and visiting international DJs.Essentially,the
difference between this club and
Ibitza is that Itaka is much larger,the
age group is slightly older and the
music is more mainstream.A tip if
you are undecided which one to visit
is to pay the admission to both,get
the obligitary wrist stamp and alternate
between both.
6. Pago.
This club
is situated close to Itaka.It has
a jungle theme running through it
and the music is mainly contemporary
pop. Ranks about 4th in the pecking
order behind Itaka, Ibitza and Stereo. |
