Prices

[Spider]

Hello

I am writing to ask about the cost of food and drink in Kiev and how it compares to the UK (if anybody knows).

Cigarettes here cost ё4.50 for 20 Marlboro (only an example), which is about US$6 - $7. A pint of beer (about 0.5 litre) is at least ё2.20 (about US$3.50).

Eating out here - well, the price depends, but you can probably get an Indian meal (not expensive in the UK) for one person and a bottle of ine for about ё30 (US$45).

Many thanks

Spider

[SweetNovember]

A cheap meal is something like $4-7 (at a chain Ukrainian eatery), a decent dinner and a bottle of wine $30-40 for one.

Beer and cigarets are 2-3 times cheeper then in the UK, but I don't know the prices that well.

[Rajkumar]

SweetNovember I suppose you don't smoke and drink.Keep it up.Its good for health and beauty.

[happy_gunner]

Spider: In Ukraine the beers (Slvutich,Obolon',etc) are less than half English prices and are a bit better than the beer here (England).
The food is about 1/4 to 1/3 of English prices, and is A LOT better than the slop we're used to.
As for Kiev, I was only there one night and only had time to go to one place, the English pub in the Hotel Turist building which I expected to be expensive, but even that was cheap.
As long as you avoid those godawful "Irish" bars you shouldn't pay too much.
Have a good one, and I hope my jealousy doesn't show

[Spider]

Hello and thanks to those who have replied to my questions!

So, I should avoid the Irish bars! You are probably right - in Poland, they are quite expensive, too.

Are there different types of bars in Kiev? Russian bars? Ukranian bars? Which are the best? What time do the bars close? Are they mixed sex bars or, as in some places in Mexico City, male-only places? What time does public transport stop running? Is it usual to tip in bars? Is there a university bar? Where do couples go? Where do students go?

Thank you Mr Arsenal fan for your reply. I think Man U (I am not a fan) will win it this season, but I hope anybody does except Liverpool (Ugh!!).

Cheers!

Spider

[happy_gunner]

Hiya Spider, I should've said: Buy your ciggies on the street or at the markets that are near every metro station, otherwise you could end up paying up to ё2 a packet, instead of about 70p (for the posh, imported cigs, Eastern European cigs are about 8p for 20).
As for which bars to visit in Kiev, I'll keep shtum & hope Sweet November answers, she's a darling & knows Kiev really well.
Another thing I should have said: The prices in the menus are often per 100gram (usually with fish or meat), instead of the total price, so please don't try & wreck the bar 'cos the bill is higher than you anticipated.
Good Luck.
Since you mentioned the enemies of our blood, I know that the following is a bit old but I love posting it, forgive me.

[SweetNovember]

Spider, the only good bars are all "Irish" (=pricy and relatively new). For venues you can check out Day and Night section at the Kiev Post (www.thepost.kiev.ua) or pick up What's on Magazine when you are in Kiev. Both publications are in English.

Regular Ukrainians don't go to bars - they can't afford it. They buy their vodka, stock up on cold cuts and bread and drink with their friends at home. For people with cravings there are many cafes and beer stands where you can buy alchol - I wouldn't call them bars.

We don't have segregation by gender, but bars are not a good place to meet new people if that's the thinking behind your question. The girls there are likely to be looking for "sponsors", see Weedman's post in Personals.

BTW, Football is best watched at Golden Gate (an Irish pub).