Taras Shevchenko National Opera Theatre
Kyiv
Performances at this lavish theatre (opened 1901) are grandiose affairs, but tickets are cheap. True disciples of Ukrainian culture should not miss a…
National Philharmonic
Kyiv
Originally the Kyiv Merchants' Assembly headquarters, this beautiful building is now home to the national orchestra, plus many other musical treats.
Bel Etage
Kyiv
Definitely check the website to see what's going on here, as they draw some really top-notch international music talent, especially jazz and blues. In the…
Atlas
Kyiv
This industrial-style multistorey venue, complete with roof terrace, caters to all musical tastes – from techno to heavy metal – with a sprinkling of…
Odessa Philharmonic Hall
Odesa
Housed in Odesa's beautiful former stock exchange building. Unfortunately, the original inhabitants (traders) asked the architects for a building with…
Olympic Stadium
Kyiv
Kyiv's main football arena was completely rebuilt for the Euro 2012 football (soccer) tournament. Today it's the home stadium for Dynamo Kyiv and hosts…
Dakh Theatre
Kyiv
Simply the coolest thing that's happening on Ukrainian theatre stage. Look out for perfomances involving The Dakh Daughters – a 15-strong 'singing siren'…
Pomada
Kyiv
You know Kyiv's come a long way when we can actually publish the names of gay clubs (they used to all be underground). This is a lively and centrally…
Solomiya Krushelnytska Lviv Theatre of Opera and Ballet
Lviv
For an evening of high culture, and to enjoy the ornate building, take in a performance at this Lviv institution. Closes for most of July and August.
Kyiv
Beautiful concerts housed in neo-Gothic St Nicholas' Cathedral built by Władysław Horodecki in 1909.
Khortit*a Equestrian Theatre
Eastern Ukraine
Standing on top of a horse, attached to the side of a horse, hanging upside down on a horse – Cossacks defy fear and forces of gravitation in this…
Odesa
In addition to being architecturally magnificent, Odesa's theatre is also known for its marvellous acoustics. Unfortunately, the local opera company does…
Pasage Gartenberg
The Carpathians
Multipurpose entertainment centre in an early 20th-century former shopping gallery slap-bang in the middle of the city with 5D cinema, nightclub, pizzeria…
Green Theatre
Odesa
A child of the Maidan revolution, the revived open-air stage at Shevchenko Park has become a magnet for Odesa intellectuals who flock here for Ukrainian…
Mekhanika Arts Factory
Kharkiv
A happening place with live concerts, DJ parties and food festivals taking place all the time. It only opened for specific events at the time of writing;…
Philharmonia
Lviv
If classical music is your thing, let yourself be wooed by the sweet strains of Lviv's regional philharmonic orchestra. Things are very quiet here from…
Anturazh
Lviv
Hardcore nightclub with strict face control and dress code and a crowd of local footballers, businesspeople and the odd tourist who sneaked in. Some…
Rafinad People
Lviv
If you can get past the face control (no sports shoes, please), this is possibly Lviv's classiest mainstream club, with something happening every night of…
Picasso
Lviv
Lviv's most atmospheric club, inside a former theatre, has consistently good DJs and a consistently festive crowd paying proper homage to them.
Jazzter
Kharkiv
Surprisingly sophisticated bar and lounge for backstreet Kharkiv with smooth local acts and a foot-tapping, tie-loosening after-work crowd.
Cult
Lviv
This superb basem*nt venue next to the Philarmonia reverberates with live Ukrainian rock music every night of the week.
Libertin
Odesa
Odesa's gay hot spot, Libertin is an easygoing place with great resident DJs and drag-queen shows.
Art-Kvartira
Eastern Ukraine
A modern arts centre hosting theatre performances, concerts, dancing and yoga classes.
Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium
Kyiv
Named after legendary Ukrainian coach Valeriy Lobanovsky (1939–2002), this is the home of Dynamo Kyiv, although they play most of their games in Olympic…
Theatre on Podol
Kyiv
The best of Ukrainian and Russian drama, both classic and contemporary, is shown here, although shows are in Ukrainian. The theatre building was…
Arena City
Kyiv
Not a single club, but rather a collection of bars, brewpubs and nightclubs of all stripes – and we mean all stripes. Not the most wholesome of places,…
Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theatre
Kyiv
Kyiv's most respected theatre. Shows are in Ukrainian, so may be of little interest to foreign travellers, but it's worth stopping by for a glimpse of the…
Kyiv Academic Puppet Theatre
Kyiv
In addition to being a beautiful building (both inside and out) for adults to admire, the puppet theatre is a hit for kids of all ages and languages.
Koleso Theatre
Kyiv
Performances at the semi-avant-garde 'Wheel' involve much song and dance, so understanding the language is not quite so essential.
Palats Sportu
Kyiv
One of the main venues for rock concerts. It also hosts Ukraine's international basketball and hockey games.
Palats Ukraina
Kyiv
A main venue for rock concerts.
Morgan Club
Odesa
By day Morgan is a pretty benign breakfast or lunch spot or early-evening drinks stop, but at night capable DJs spin till the wee hours and there's a…
Teatr Zankovetskoy
Lviv
Built on the site of Lviv's erstwhile city defences, Lviv's second theatre was the third-largest building in central Lviv when completed in the mid-19th…
Labyrinth
Eastern Ukraine
True to its name, this is an underground maze of corridors and halls, each with its own bar and soundtrack. Don't buy the full ticket unless you are…
Neizvestny Petrovsky
Eastern Ukraine
Run by the same people as Fish Andriy, this is a place where young Bohemians meet for a beer, inexpensive food and some jazz or alternative live music.
Teatralna Kasa
Odesa
Theatre, concert and opera tickets can be purchased at the venues or any Teatralna Kasa. There are several of them in the city centre, including the one…
Teatralni Kasy
Lviv
Advance tickets for the Solomiya Krushelnytska Lviv Theatre of Opera and Ballet as well as the Philharmonia are sold at the Teatralni Kasy. Prices for…
South Cafe
Crimea
If overexposure to ex-Soviet pop music makes you feel lobotomised, here is a place to escape. DJs, sometimes accompanied with a live bass player, strive…
Khersones Theatre
Sevastopol
Sevastopol's Russian theatre stages costumed historical dramas amid the ruins of ancient Khersones. Tickets are sold on the day at the entrance to…
Liverpool Live Music Bar
Eastern Ukraine
This imaginatively designed place claims to have the longest bar in Eastern Europe. The catwalk stage is placed so that musicians find themselves in the…
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