 Post photo by Yury Bokhanovsky |
| Spreading the word about Art Club 44 |
If Eric Aigner was listed on the stock exchange, even amateur players would be tempted to invest. The German restaurateur’s uncanny ability to give the people what they want – to open up bars that instantly become the most popular in the city – has continued with his latest venture.
Just months after its launch, Art Club 44 has been voted Kyiv’s best bar or club for listening to live music – by a comfortable margin. Centrally located, underground, spacious and candle-lit, 44 was a hit from the get-go.
Even on opening night, Aigner and his wife and partner, Viola Kim, began carrying out their promise of booking unusual live acts, such as all-girl Christian rockers Daleko and Kyiv’s only ex-pat band, Speeding Lisa. Art Club 44 stages live music practically every night and does a good job of mixing it up between regular bar circuit bands like Second Breath and lesser-known acts or touring musicians like much-admired St. Petersburg singer/guitarist Mikhail Boyarsky. Aside from when the bigger acts play, there’s rarely a cover charge at 44. Cost-conscious (cheap?) Post readers know a good deal when they see it and hear it.
Second in the running was another underground entry: the perennially popular Buddy Guy Blues Club. A little top heavy on the Blues paraphernalia and closing too early, Buddy still represents a great space for music listening.
Comfort appears to be a trend. O’Brien’s claimed third place, and the Irish pub is nothing if not cozy. The main room is big enough to draw a crowd for the Klitschko fight and – when the screen rolls up – a variety of live music, ranging from Irish to jazz.
Other votes of note included one by an ex-pat for the crusty Kupidon, and its guitar-twanging house band.
“Two guys who maybe aren’t the most talented in the world, but they’ve got a lot of heart and a loyal fan base,” he wrote.
People who vote for themselves usually receive a stern warning from the ever-vigilant Readers Poll anti-collusion squad. But one worthy entry came from apparent shower-singer, Briton Alex Shaw.
“My bathroom,” he wrote.
RESULTS
1. Art Club 44
2. Buddy Guy
3. O’Brien’s
Others receiving votes: Al Capone, Swing, Cowboy Club, Golden Gate.
NEXT QUESTION
What is Kyiv’s best supermarket?
E-mail answers and comments to readers@kyivpost.com