so someone suggested I start a new thread

We'll be St Pete's for 6 days around new years eve. There is a group of 10, in the 30's.

Recommendations are needed! thanks!

there are a million bars/pubs/restaurants in this area... what do you like to eat? Drink?

well primarily we'd love ones that serve very good local food since we haven't been to Russia before (I don't want chicken wings you know??haha!)

Just looking for a few stand out favorites that have a nice local vibe.

Thanks!

Stormygirl-where are you staying in St P? My husband and I are thinking of returning there next year (it's been 5 year's since our last visit) and would prefer an apartment stay rather than a hotel this time.

Hope to read a trip report upon your return.

Most of the more interesting restaurants and bars are not located on Nevsky Prospect, but rather on the side streets.

As a VERY rough guideline, the less expensive restaurants are located starting a block east of Nevsky Prospect, while the more upscale establishments are west of Nevsky Prospect. Restaurants of note (enjoyed by both clients and myself) include Pregnant Spy (odd decor, good food and service), Propaganda (mementos of the early Soviet era, standard cuisine), Stroganoff Yard (the original home of Beef Stroganoff-not to be confused with the expensive and spectacular Ampir restaurant in the same building; inexpensive, enjoyable and very informal-think of the telephone bar in "Cabaret&quot, Kavkaz Bar and Restaurant (Georgian cuisine-during the Soviet era Georgian food was considered "exotic" (somewhat like Chinese food in the US during the 1940s-1960s), and Stray Dog. The restaurants at the hotels are very good but relatively expensive). As for bars probably the best area is along Ligovsky.

New Years' Eve is a bit different-for that I would recommend staying in one particular bar or restaurant all evening-we are working with several people who are going to some of the various palace balls (which are quite expensive) but just about any restaurant will have a special menu and evening.

Marc, thank you so much! exactly what I was looking for

Debs, we are staying in some of these apartments:

www.w-o-n.ru/cgi-bin/app.exe?ep=10&id=13

I like to get away from the touristy crowds a bit, too... my friends brought me to two fun places: Tinkoff and Foggy Dew (an Irish pub, if you can believe that!). Both were quite atmospheric, but a bit away from the hustle of Nevsky.

Excellent, thank you!