Where to go on New Year's Eve in Moscow: 5 ideas for a magical feast
- 1. Take a trip to Christmas
- 2. Go to the ice rink
- 3. Try the winter menu at a restaurant
- 4. Listen to music from your favorite fairy tales
- 5. Visit Santa Claus
Every year on December 31, the heroes of the movie "The Irony of Fate" went to the bathhouse. Modern Muscovites have more interesting options — from leisurely strolls through the shining streets to visits to holiday performances, from active recreation at the rink to a magical trip to the estate of Santa Claus. We offer you 5 simple and at the same time win-win ideas of what to do during the New Year holidays.
1. Take a trip to Christmas
From December 13 to January 12, Moscow hosts a large-scale festival "Journey to Christmas" — the quintessence of all possible winter fun on all the sites of the capital. Ice theaters and street shows, snowboarding, curling and hockey tournaments, culinary master classes and traditional Christmas treats from different countries — this and much more awaits you at the festival sites. There are 81 of them in all districts of the country, so you won't be able to hide from Christmas!
2. Go to the ice rink
Every year more and more sports grounds for winter entertainment are opened in the capital. The main one is, of course, the GooM skating rink on Red Square. Here you can kill two birds with one stone: take a breeze ride and admire the sights of the capital.
Besides it, Moscow has hundreds of other ice rinks — large and small, with natural and artificial turf, in ice complexes and in the open air. VDNKh, Sokolniki, Gorky Park, Bauman Garden, Chistye Prudy, Kuzminki — choose any!
3. Try the winter menu at a restaurant
Just imagine: after a long walk in the fresh air to come into a cozy cafe with dim lights, take a table by the window, order mulled wine — and completely plunge into the cozy and lazy atmosphere of the New Year holidays. Brasserie Lambic on Strastnoy Boulevard is a great place for such a "home" trip.
The menu includes all the most spicy, warming and New Year's Eve. For example, you can have tea with ginger and orange juice, and white chocolate mousse with mandarins to go with it. And, of course, there's a lot of beer — original and, therefore, delicious by default!
From January 2 to January 12, the restaurant has a New Year offer — a lottery ticket for every 2000 rubles in the bill. The main prize: a weekend in a two-storey cottage with jacuzzi and sauna for a company of 6 persons. And you can keep on celebrating!
4. Listen to music from your favorite fairy tales
January 2, 12:00 p.m., Small Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. Not just an address, but a starting point to other universes, familiar from the beloved books — "Harry Potter" and "The Chronicles of Narnia".
The Conservatory stage will feature excerpts from beloved fairy tales, accompanied by sand animation and music recognizable from the first notes. But on this day it will appear before the audience from an unusual side — as performed by the orchestra with the organ.
5. Visit Santa Claus
It is not necessary to go to Veliky Ustyug — the wizard has his own residence in the capital. The Moscow estate of Santa Claus is located in Kuzminskoe Forest. The main attractions are the mansion of Snegurochka and a huge live fir, an ice rink and a sports town, a path of fairy tales and a post office, which will surely deliver your letter to the magician.
And lastly, when planning your New Year's adventures, plan your routes correctly. For example, do not forget to take into account that during the holidays the capital's main street — Tverskaya — will be partially closed. Traffic will be restricted on the section from Mokhovaya to Tverskoi Boulevard from December 28 to January 6.
Happy New Year!
How to Choose a Beer Restaurant in Moscow: A Guide to Key Criteria
Contents What to look for in a beer restaurant: selection, proper serving, freshness How to tell from the menu if they really understand beer Atmosphere, music, service: details that shape the experience Why guests choose Lambic: format and concept In Moscow, there are hundreds of beer restaurants—but not all of them can be called good. To avoid having your evening spoiled by stale beer or poor service, it’s worth evaluating a place in advance. Let’s look at how to choose a restaurant you’ll actually want to return to. What to look for in a beer restaurant: selection, proper serving, freshness The most important thing in any beer restaurant is the quality of the product. You can assess it based on three key criteria: — Selection. A good restaurant doesn’t necessarily need a huge beer list. What matters is balance—having a variety of styles represented. The presence of craft beers or well-known Belgian brands is a strong sign that the establishment keeps up with the market.— Proper serving. Beer should be poured into a perfectly clean, dry, and chilled glass. It’s also important that it’s served at the right temperature. For example, a rich stout should not be ice-cold, and a light lager should not be warm. The foam height and how quickly it settles can also indicate whether the draft system is functioning properly.— Freshness. Beer is a perishable product. If a place isn’t popular, beer may sit too long in kegs, developing off-flavors like cardboard, metal, or sherry. In a good restaurant, high turnover ensures that kegs are replaced quickly and the beer is always fresh. How to tell from the menu if they really understand beer A menu can reveal more about a restaurant than the interior. Here’s what to look for: — Detailed descriptions. Simple labels like «light,» «dark,» or «filtered» suggest a lack of expertise. A serious establishment will include the style, country or brewery, ABV, IBU, and tasting notes (caramel, citrus, hop bitterness, etc.).— Proper glassware. Certain styles require specific types of glass. If the menu indicates that a Belgian ale is served in a particular glass, it’s a sign the restaurant values beer culture.— Tasting sets. Ready-made selections of 3–5 beers indicate an understanding of flavor combinations.— Food pairing. If the menu includes dishes designed to complement specific beer styles (for example, oysters with stout or goat cheese with lambic), it reflects a high level of expertise. Atmosphere, music, service: details that shape the experience Even a restaurant with a great menu can feel uncomfortable. When choosing a place, consider three key factors: — Atmosphere. For casual gatherings with friends and football, a pub with rustic furniture and large screens works well. For a romantic evening or business meeting, choose a restaurant with soft lighting, comfortable seating, and well-zoned space. If you’re looking for authenticity, go for specialized beer restaurants—for example, those designed in a «beer temple» style.— Music. It shouldn’t be too loud. The ideal background is jazz, rock ’n’ roll, or instrumental music at a moderate volume.— Service. It should be attentive but not intrusive. If staff immediately push the most expensive options without offering alternatives, it’s probably not a place worth returning to. Good beer isn’t cheap—but there’s always something to suit different preferences and budgets. Why guests choose Lambic: format and concept The Lambic brasserie chain includes around fifteen beer restaurants in Moscow. We set a high standard of quality—and here’s why guests keep coming back: — Expertise. Lambic specializes in Belgian beer, widely regarded as the benchmark of brewing. The menu also includes dozens of beers from around the world, as well as special options such as non-alcoholic and limited releases. You can find almost anything here, but every label is carefully selected.— Gastronomic concept. Unlike typical pubs focused on snacks, Lambic offers a full restaurant kitchen. The menu is designed so that dishes pair perfectly with the drinks. Experienced staff are always ready to recommend the ideal pairing.— Atmosphere. Lambic interiors are inspired by classic European beer restaurants: high-quality wooden furniture, cozy sofas, and soft lighting. There’s no intrusive loud music, making it a perfect place for long conversations and a comfortable experience. But the best way is to come and see for yourself. We look forward to welcoming you to Lambic!
29 April 2026
National Pride: The History and Characteristics of Irish Beer
Contents A look back in time Features of Irish beer culture Beer styles What to try at Lambic Irish beer is part of the nation’s identity. In a country where pubs are the center of social life and stout has long been a symbol, Ireland offers the world a unique beer culture. Let’s take a look at how it developed and what makes Irish beer special. A look back in time Beer has been brewed in Ireland for centuries. The first mentions of beer on the island date back to pre-Christian times. With the arrival of Christianity in the 5th century, monasteries became centers of brewing—monks produced ale both for themselves and for guests. In medieval Ireland, beer was an everyday drink consumed by all levels of society. For a long time, Irish beer was brewed without hops, using herbal mixtures instead. Hops began to arrive in Ireland from England in the 17th century, but initially met resistance. By the early 18th century, English brewers were already actively using hops, and Irish producers gradually adopted the practice. A turning point came in 1759, when Arthur Guinness signed the famous lease for a brewery at St. James’s Gate in Dublin. The lease was set for 9,000 years at an annual rent of £45. Guinness initially brewed ale, but in the 1770s switched to porter—a rich dark beer popular in London. Guinness’s key innovation was the use of unmalted roasted barley. This allowed brewers to avoid a tax (which applied only to malt) and gave the beer its signature roasted aroma and dry taste. By the early 20th century, the Guinness brewery had become the largest in the world, and Irish stout had become a global phenomenon. Today, there are around a dozen breweries in Ireland, but Guinness remains the most recognizable Irish brand. Features of Irish beer culture Irish beer culture is inseparable from pubs. Until the 1960s, many pubs functioned as «grocery-pub shops,» combining food and drink sales. Owners and patrons usually knew each other, tipping was uncommon, and many pubs were family businesses passed down through generations, often bearing the owner’s name. Traditional Irish music is an essential part of the atmosphere, while food historically played a secondary role. Until the 1970s, pubs rarely served hot meals, offering mainly chips and salted snacks. Since the 1990s, Irish pubs have spread rapidly around the world. Thanks to the Irish Pub Concept project, launched with support from Guinness, around 7,000 Irish-style establishments have opened globally. Beer styles Stout is the main Irish style. Its defining features include the use of roasted barley, which gives flavors of coffee and chocolate, and a full body despite relatively low alcohol content (classic Guinness Draught is 4.2% ABV). Another hallmark is the «nitro» head: the beer is infused with nitrogen when served, creating a dense, creamy foam. In addition to Guinness, Ireland produces stouts such as Murphy’s and Beamish, as well as craft versions from smaller breweries. Irish Red Ale is the second most important traditional style. It has a copper-red color thanks to caramel malt, a smooth malty flavor with light caramel notes, and low to moderate bitterness (20–40 IBU). Classic examples include Smithwick’s and Kilkenny. Lager appeared in Ireland later. Until the 1960s, lagers were imported from Europe. In 1960, Guinness launched its own Harp Lager, inviting a German brewer and converting a brewery in Dundalk. Today, Harp is one of the most popular lagers in Ireland. Since the 1990s, Ireland has seen rapid growth in the craft beer movement. Small breweries began producing experimental IPAs, dry stouts, and seasonal beers. One such brewery is Carlow Brewing Company, founded in 1996 and known for its O’Hara’s brand. What to try at Lambic The Lambic menu features excellent examples of Irish brewing. Here are three options worth ordering: — O’Hara’s Leann Follain from Carlow Brewing Company is considered a benchmark extra Irish stout. It has 6% ABV and 45 IBU. Its rich flavor features notes of dark chocolate and coffee, balanced by light hoppy spice. This stout pairs perfectly with aged cheeses, meat delicacies, and chocolate desserts. — O’Hara’s Irish Stout is a classic example of a dry Irish stout. Compared to Leann Follain, it is lighter (around 4.3% ABV), closer to a traditional session stout. The flavor is dominated by roasted malt, with notes of coffee and dark chocolate; the body is smooth and the finish dry. It’s an excellent introduction to the Irish style. — Black Marble Stout is a dark stout brewed using an authentic recipe with selected malt, hops, and pure Irish spring water. The flavor includes coffee notes, a light fruity acidity, and characteristic malt bitterness. This beer is especially appealing to those who enjoy rich, warming drinks. At Lambic, you can try not only Irish beers but also many other interesting varieties—from Belgium and beyond. We look forward to welcoming you to our beer restaurants!
29 April 2026