Armadillo
1 Khrustalny Per.
Metro: Kitai-Gorod
Tel: 293-7835
Hours: 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily
Cover: 100 rubles men; 50 rubles women (weekends only) 

Other than Manhattan Express located in the bowels of the nearby Hotel Rossia, the Armadillo sometimes seems like it is the only open business in the ever-under-construction Gostiny Dvor. Yet Armadillo manages to hold its own with an interesting mix of people and rooms in a cozy basement location. The entry staircase has southwest U.S. style murals while the coat check is mostly wood. The main dancing room, which is like a silver colored cave, was semi-filled with lively students. Although most were with friends, there were a few women were looking to meet someone. Pop remixes dominated the DJ list.

The main bar, which connects most of the rooms, has a wide selection of drinks but specialized in Mexican beer, tequilas and cocktails. The wood-paneled bar, which has cactus and pepper shaped Christmas lights, was on the quiet side. There were 3 more rooms: One was curtained off and is often used for private parties. The second room is a restaurant that serves decent Mexican food with live salsa on most nights. Because the booths tend to be isolated from each other, the restaurant is mostly a place to hang out with friends. The last room, with 4 pool tables and a bar, has a mixed crowd much like the one in the first bar ¦ but with some eager 30-something women. Other than the disco, Armadillo was reminiscent of a Russian Cheers with Mexican decor.

Overall, Armadillo is a pretty easy-going place, which is never really crowded or loud. The students and the older crowd can make decent pickings but the selection is small (for both sexes), while drink prices were normal for downtown Moscow: 150 rubles for cocktails and 75 rubles for Dos Equis beer.

Wednesday is dart club night and 50% discount on beer. Thursday has 50% discount on the special menu. Friday: DJ M.C. Beat. Saturday: Latin night with "Latin Jazz" and Latin dance classes.