by Hanna Hrydziushka
In every big city of the world, hipsters have their favourite places. If you are looking where to go in Minsk, why not to try some local hipster spots?
Kastrycnickaja street
Graffiti on Kastrycnickaja street. Photo by Reinier van Oorsouw
Kastrycnickaja Street should be number one on your list. Just a few years ago it was an old rundown industrial lot; a perfect location to shoot a horror film or a Soviet movie. Then some visionary people decided to give the place a bit of a facelift and opened a few bars. In 2014 this edgy area attracted the attention of the Brazilian embassy, which then organized a festival called ‘Vulica Brazil’. The painters from overseas were invited to take part, and together with local artists, they made Kastrycnickaja Street a big and impressive hipster art space.
Most of the buildings on this street belong to factories and look very dark and massive. A statue of Lenin (the one you see on the cover of our travel guide to Minsk) can still be found here so you can easily take a selfie with him. But the beauty of this place is its contrast. In the last couple of years huge colourful graffiti, new bars and cafes, and many events transformed Kastrycnickaja into a fun, hip, and attractive spot to be. So if you are thinking about interesting places where to go in Minsk, walk along and admire this contrast.
Hooligan Bar (“Хулиган”)
Hooligan Bar. Photo by Vitali Brazouski
Kastrycnickaja St., 16
Sun-Thu 8:00-0:00, Fri-Sat 8:00-4:00
+375 17 327-10-45
A few years ago it was a really revolutionary bar which gave life to this old forgotten street. On working days it’s just a nice place where you can meet interesting people talking and chilling out with a drink, but on the weekends it transforms into a crazy hipster party spot with a lot of people. Ask any Minsker – everyone will tell you that the most insane parties are always at Hooligan!
Korpus 8
‘Gastrofest’ at Korpus 8. Photo by Vitali Brazouski
Maserava Ave., 9/8
An independent event and cultural space in Minsk. They organize interesting workshops and educational festivals, where people from different sectors can find someone who with the same views. The old industrial building of the centre creates a special and relaxing atmosphere. Also there you can visit a charity shop ‘KaliLaska’: it receives clothing, accessories and other stuff from people, donates 95% of everything to charity and sell the rest.
Surf Coffee
Surf Coffee. Photo by Vitali Brazouski
Kirava St., 19-2H
Mon-Fri 8:00-23:00 Sat-Sun 10:00-23:00
+375 33 330-69-12
Very atmospheric and friendly place for open-minded people. Imagine yourself in a surf-camp where you are spending a day trying to catch a wave and then going to a bar on a beach to take some rest. So Surf Coffee looks exactly like this bar, only with coffee instead of cocktails. Try out their double Hawaiian coffee and enjoy the nice interior!
Svyardlova, 26 (“Свердлова, 26”)
Svyardlova St., 26
Mon-Fri 8:00-23:00, Sat-Sun 9:00-23:00
+375 29 371-50-31
Go to this serene place to meet hipsters, because they love this coffee shop. Inside you will find a very nice homey atmosphere, cute interior with red brick walls and friendly service. Get yourself a coffee and dessert, grab a stool, and watch people walking outside through the window. By the way, this is a very good place to spend your time on a sad rainy day.
Want to have even more local experience, check the places we recommend to visit for it here.