The basement of this slightly grungy café/bar/club in Moscow is always buzzing with people.

Situated on the popular Nikolskaya, Ballantine’s is equidistant between Lubyanka and Red Square. Cheap in comparison with other venues, the two bars serve a good selection of drinks and some above-average snacks.

Although it’s small in size with simple wooden furniture and exposed brick walls, the vibe here is surprisingly upbeat. The dance-floor is the preserve of a young, fun-loving crowd and the face control on the door is one of the more lenient on the scene.

The music is the usual house/trance mix, but Tuesday nights are dedicated to R&B parties.