Let's explore why the shot bar format is so popular in St. Petersburg and how the city on the Neva set the trend for all of Russia

Let's start with the fact that shot bars, as we imagine them today, are a purely Soviet phenomenon. Before them, there were taverns, beer halls, and wine cellars where alcohol was sold to-go.

In the mid-1950s, shot bars became noticeable in the urban environment. It was even a good thing — people didn't drink just anywhere, but gathered to "relax" more culturally: in warmth and with snacks.

The fundamental difference between a shot bar and a restaurant or bar: it did not imply a long stay for guests. Neither the volume of drinks nor the interior encouraged it. The premises usually had high tables, sometimes lacking appropriate chairs. Drink, snack, and go.

Of course, the format of establishments has changed now. The interior has become more diverse, and the cuisine richer and more varied. But shot bars play on nostalgia and people's desire for "something simple." Tired of gastro-experiments and having gone through a series of different exotic and not-so-exotic cuisines of the world, people wanted familiar and understandable food again.

You don't need to dress up to visit a shot bar, following a dress code. You can boldly drop by for dinner with friends, whether after work, a workout, or a theater visit. It's a space that equalizes and unites everyone around a high round table.

The fact that shot bars began to open here and there in different cities of Russia from the early 2020s seems to be no secret. But why did the ones in St. Petersburg set this trend? Historian Lev Lurie assures that drinking establishments in St. Petersburg, unlike those in Moscow, did not disappear en masse since the end of the Soviet era but modestly waited out the storm of gastronomic trends, retaining their audience and gaining a new one. So they took a cue from those who had it.

We gently remind you that alcohol, like sprat sandwiches, is best enjoyed in moderation, and you can say the traditional "cheers" with any drink in hand. The main thing is to be sincere.