Gay Guide Kiev: Bars, Clubs, and the Gay Scene in Ukraine

After the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine declared its independence and pushed through a number of social reforms in 1991, including a repeal of laws banning consensual homosexual activity – something gay rights advocates here in the United States did not accomplish nationwide until 2003. Despite this early progress, Ukraine remains a conservative country where most citizens dislike or ignore gays, keeping the gay culture largely underground, relegated primarily to bars and clubs. Kiev, Ukraine’s capital and largest city, boasts a modest gay scene, as the urban dwellers expectedly tend to be more tolerant. Accordingly, gay visitors to Ukraine usually stay in Kiev and seek out fun in the capital’s slowly evolving gay bars and clubs.

Unlike Moscow, which enjoys a stronger gay scene thanks to its robust international presence and enormous size (10 million + in the city alone), Kiev has a more repressed, reticent feel. It’s smaller (2.5 million) and sees far fewer Western tourists, though it’s still one of the more fashionable former Soviet cities. More gay visitors flock to Ukraine every year as the climate slowly changes and the reputation of friendliness and warmth begins to spread among tourists. Many gay Americans who visit Eastern Europe note that Kiev’s gay scene is less tainted by snobbish attitude than in cities like Prague or Budapest. While the so-called pickings are slimmer, the Ukrainian gay community remains less commercialized and more welcoming to foreigners. Gay people from all socioeconomic backgrounds, often with divergent interests, come together in Kiev because they must cherish their few community spaces.

Ukraine is still a poor, developing democracy (remember the hotly contested Yuschenko presidential election in early 2005?). As such, Western tourists are almost universally perceived as wealthy, even if they are of modest means. What we Americans consider rich and what Ukrainians interpret as rich are very different. Although most of Kiev’s gay community is friendly and respectful of foreign travelers, there are some hustlers and gay-for-pay types who will try to swindle, steal, or take advantage of generous gay travelers. If you are into the idea of paying a cash-strapped (and strapping) “bi” Ukrainian soldier for sex, you can certainly find yourself a willing gigolo, but you will obviously put yourself in a tricky situation.

One good way to meet more trustworthy gays in Ukraine is to befriend folks on the internet (through chat rooms, personals, etc.) before telling them that you’re coming to visit. Once you have built up a level of trust with your pen pal, you can disclose details of your visit to Kiev and arrange a meeting in a public space. On occasion, you can find an English-speaking student type to serve as your (paid) personal gay guide, taking you out to gay bars and clubs and showing you the conventional sights. Because Kiev is inexpensive compared to American standards, you can sometimes hire a gay-friendly guide to take you around for as little as $40 or $50 dollars a day. Be open to these opportunities, but exercise prudent caution.

Gay Guide Kiev – Recommended Bars and Clubs

Androgin (formerly Big Boy)
at Garmatna 26/2
Androgin, which opened in 2003, is considered by many to be Kiev’s premier gay club. With eclectic dance grooves spun by Ukraine’s best DJs, you’ll hear everything from Russian pop to American house. This club is reminiscent in size and dÃ?©cor of clubs in midwestern American cities like Chicago and Minneapolis. It’s not cutting edge, but it’s a happening place to be – staying open until 6:00am! Sharp, almost stridently dressed young gays mix with dance-happy 40-something gays, queer-friendly straights, and tourists. You can find everything here from an inexpensive dinner and drag show to video-dotted dance floors and champagne rooms. Androgin is more popular with gay men, but there are some lesbians to be found as well.

Kiber / “Cyber CafÃ?©”
at Proreznaya 21
Like Androgin, this is a combination bar/restaurant/club, but the emphasis is one the first two. If you’re looking to hook up with a hookah and some chill young Ukrainian gays, visit Kiber. As the name suggests, they have computers available. Kiber also features strippers and drag shows from time to time. And imagine this: cover for men is cheaper than cover for women! When do you see that in America?

Stary Kiev / “Old Kiev”
at Krecschatyk 52
This is a small, gay-friendly cafÃ?© that provides an alternative to the louder, more boisterous place. Food is especially inexpensive and hearty. Stary Kiev does attract a mix of ages, genders, and orientations – but the vibe is low-key.

Other bars and clubs have once-a-week gay disco nights but are not exclusively gay. Because these gay nights are mutable, it’s best to check with a contact in Ukraine before visiting to find a bar is no longer a gay-friendly hangout.