The summer of 2026 turned out to be, so to speak, quite remarkable for proactive people passionate about electronic music in St. Petersburg. Against the backdrop of the closure of Blank on Arsenalnaya Embankment, just a month apart, two remarkable venues opened under the roof of a single outbuilding within the inner territory of Gostiny Dvor – Chertiki and EHO.

Historically, the interior of Bolshoy Gostiny Dvor housed utility structures for goods storage and all kinds of warehouse spaces, merchant offices, and wholesale shops. Records show that during the early period of construction, a pond was dug on the courtyard grounds for fire safety purposes, of which a fountain remains today. Later, during the Soviet era, the inner space was occupied by auxiliary workshops, warehouses, and administrative offices.

The heyday of nightlife in the Gostiny Dvor area occurred in the 2010s, namely the endless partying and bars on Dumskaya and Lomonosova streets. However, by the spring of 2023, the majority of the nightlife venues and bars had been closed down.

In general, Bolshoy Gostiny Dvor is an amusing location where a lot of cats roam around. From the outside, it is the tourist-heavy facade of Nevsky Prospekt, but as soon as you turn deeper inside, you find yourself in an isolated and quite peaceful place. It is right here, at 35D Nevsky Prospekt, where you can find two neighboring venues: Chertiki (from the Kruchenykh team) and EHO – a pop-up club by the creators of KRUZHOK, FAM, and ETUD.

The two-story art residency combines the atmosphere of a bohemian squat, a billiard club, and a secret bar under one roof. Initially, the entire space was positioned as a summer-only project. However, it is highly likely that both projects will continue running into the colder months of the year as well.

«Chertiki»

The split-level space was designed by the “Kruchenykh” team, and the atmosphere of the pop-up venue can be felt even on the approach through the contrasting light pouring from the windows and the sound growing louder as you draw near. A leather sofa sitting outside particularly catches the eye, set against a crowd gathered around a demo version of the bar counter.

The bar concept at Chertiki generally sticks to a standard club selection featuring beer, but it has been expanded to include craft homemade naturally fermented drinks like pineapple kvass or 0% cider, alongside stronger, warming infused shots (“nalivkas”).

The first floor, nicknamed the “stylistic accomplice of the basement,” is a high-density social interaction zone adorned with raw textures and dim, intimate lighting. The design rejects overly trendy, cold high-tech in favor of vintage coziness with a touch of signature St. Petersburg absurdity – resembling a sensory room at a factory where workers brought in unwanted furniture and lamps from their apartments and accidentally created comfort.

The main bar counter and the epicenter of local musical activities are located here. Alexey Superlative – formerly the manager of Griboedov Basement and currently the operational director of Kontrkult – serves as the artist program curator and head bartender of the first floor.

As a bonus, there is a “Бери Заряд” power bank station on the first floor.

Around the perimeter of the second floor, designated on the building plans as a “loft” with an attic roof and the charm of a headquarters, you will find warm directional lighting and artwork on the walls. The second floor also boasts its own light version of a bar counter, as well as several billiard tables spaced a reasonable distance apart. A thoughtful approach to zoning the loft with authentic furniture provides comfort, even with an immense number of billiard enthusiasts bustling around.

In the far corner of the loft, you can stumble upon a secret chill zone styled as a study, complete with a bed for resting and socializing between sets, alongside a writing desk that carries the aura of a room in a communal apartment – “kommunalka”.

Music at Chertiki is not just a background element; on the contrary, it is a fully-fledged tool that bonds the audience and creates a sense of unity. The entire music program is structured by the days of the week and times of the day.

On weekday evenings, the venue functions as a stylish billiard hub and a quiet spot where you can hide from the city hustle. Most often, light electronics, downtempo, and similar unobtrusive musical styles play in the background.

On weekends, from Friday until Sunday morning, Chertiki transforms into a fully-fledged nightclub. They host electronic music scene showcases here (for example: Omut, Etud, UNDERGROUND G, Mixed, OBERWAVE, ЛУЧ).

Admission to most regular parties remains free (with a repost), but face control is enforced at the entrance.

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