Remembering Tomsk's popular 2016 nightclubs that have closed
A new trend is spreading online: people are posting photos from 2016, reminiscing about their youth and feeling nostalgic. Do you remember what Tomsk used to be like? Where did you love to hang out when you were a student? The editorial team of NGS70.RU decided to dig into the archives and recall the city«s most iconic establishments that, unfortunately, have long since closed. Warning — the images may trigger a wave of nostalgia.
Teatro
The nightclub, which had been operating since 2008 in the business center «Krasnoye Znamya», delighted Tomsk residents with concerts and vibrant parties. In 2021, the project was decided to be closed because it had become outdated and required rebranding. Significant investments were needed for the update, but obtaining them was difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was explained by the creative director of the Teatro group of companies, Slaveniy Velikiy.
Here are the comments from Tomsk residents about this club that we managed to gather.
««Teatro» was the only club where you could go dancing without fear that something would be slipped into your drink or that you would be harassed. Yes, there were moments, but it was all innocent. One look from a security guard was enough for a pushy dude to back off.»
«I remember going there to a concert by the band The Hatters in 2017. It was at «Teatro». It was very fun and energetic. I have cool memories. But what happened after the concert — it was terrible. The club wasn«t designed for such a crowd. There was a crush at the coat check, a real stampede. I couldn»t get my jacket for almost an hour. It«s good that no one was hurt in that crush.»
Pravda
The Pravda club operated from 2012 in the building at 41 Lenin Avenue. The interior design and parties used artifacts from the Soviet era: the newspaper «Pravda», faceted glasses, red ties, and more. The establishment had a scandalous rule: girls could get a free cocktail if they removed their bras.
The farewell party took place in 2016. The reasons for the club«s closure are not mentioned in open sources.
«It was a very popular club among students: the entrance was cheap, and you could even get a minute of free vodka. There were also very cool themed parties with a host and prizes. You could have a great time for pennies.»
Killfish Bar
Killfish Bar opened in 2015. The establishment operated under the franchise of the St. Petersburg network Killfish Discount and was positioned as a discounter with a developed bonus system. The Tomsk bar was located in the «Krasny Express» shopping center on Krasnoarmeyskaya Street.
The establishment is no longer in operation. The exact date of closure and reasons are not specified in open sources.
«Killfish Bar — it was crazy. It was cheap, the alcohol was of average quality, but people got wasted and were ready for crappy contests like show your breasts for a free cocktail.»
«It was always very dark inside the establishment. For some reason, even during the daytime, light from the windows barely made its way inside. The bar was always crowded with students who, on their modest scholarships, could afford any drink from the menu — from a fancy cocktail to regular beer. A crowd of out-of-town female students, including me, was led there by our classmate from Tomsk, who knew about the democratic prices of «Killfish» and the limits of our budget. I remember that we broke a glass there, told the bartender about it, and he didn«t even ask us to pay for it.»
Doski
The bar-restaurant Doski was located in the same building as the Pravda club. The establishment operated in the format of a beer restaurant with karaoke, a dance floor, and a banquet hall. The menu was very diverse: dishes from European, Italian, Mexican, and Japanese cuisines. The establishment ceased operations in 2021. The business owners did not state the reason.
«They constantly had parties and youth hangouts there because it was quite cheap. Besides, they had business lunches. You could eat sushi. And I often stopped by «White Boards» during work breaks. Once, a cute story happened to me there. I was sitting and eating. And one young man noticed me. He later tried to find me through the then-popular group «Six Handshakes» on VKontakte, by publishing a post. We managed to find each other. Nothing came of it then, but the story was sweet.»
The Doors
The bar opened in Tomsk in 2015 in a building on Kulyova Street and operated until 2018. The establishment was named after the legendary American rock band The Doors and was positioned as a place for lovers of rock-and-roll recreation, American food, and good music. Bands and DJs performed there, and themed parties were held. The place was quite trendy and popular.
«The drinks and food there were rather expensive. However, I really liked the sound quality. Famous bands performed there, and autograph sessions were organized. Once, I managed to get there for a meet-and-greet with Max +100500.»
The NGS70.RU editorial team thanks the DESPERADO agency for the provided materials.
