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Probka

An unpretentious new beer restaurant on Kievskaya, Probka was created for middle class Russians. But during a few recent visits, echoes of English, German, and Dutch could be heard through the long wood-and-brick beer hall. Probka is a Russian restaurant with Russian management and a Russian name — which means stopper, cork, and traffic jam — but for whatever reason, it’s attracting expats. The owners and management are pleasantly surprised. “The more the better,” Probka’s director told PASSPORT.

The Kievskaya Probka, just opposite the McDonald’s restaurant on Ukrainsky Boulevard, opened its doors in December. It’s the first in what we hope will be a successful chain; a second Probka is planned for Polyanka in the next couple months. The food and beer selection will be similar at all Probka locations: good beer to fit every budget, splendid meat offerings, and some well-made Western appetizers.

Zolotaya Bochka red and light go for 65 rubles while another 10 Czech, German, and Belgian beers cost as much as 195 rubles. The menu includes jalapeno poppers, chicken wings, and calamari rings in beer batter as well as entrees like grilled salmon and an assortment of four German sausages.

Probka offers three meat-heavy business lunches priced from 129–199 rubles. Beer and Crayfish happy hour weekdays is from 4pm to 7pm; a half liter of premium German beer is 80 rubles and crayfish and shrimp are offered at discounted rates too.

It’s a pleasant place to hang out, with beer taps decorating the archways and a mix of sports and ‘70s and ‘80s videos on four large-screen TVs. Open from noon to midnight every day.