The Saint Petersburg dating scene is nothing like the West. Hookup culture doesn’t exist—as much. People casually order caviar a the first date. And you could meet a sweet wifey type even on Tinder!
Saint Petersburg Dating Culture: An Intro. Saint Petersburg is the northernmost large Russian city. For centuries now it has been Moscow’s more cultured but significantly colder cousin. Even now, people from “Piter” consider themselves to be better – more European, well-read, and educated, than the citizens of the capital. Jan 11, 2021 Typical Home Value: $197,746 Spring Hill is about 40 miles northwest of Tampa and 53 miles north of St. One of the more rural options on this list, Spring Hill’s highlights include being a top place for bass fishing, as well as being home to Buccaneer Bay, the state’s only water park housed within a completely natural setting.
Excited already?
Read on for our extensive guide on the dating culture in Piter – including where to meet girls, how to impress them, and the one thing you should always bring on a first date. Spoiler alert: it’s not condoms.
Saint Petersburg Dating Culture: An Intro
Saint Petersburg is the northernmost large Russian city. For centuries now it has been Moscow’s more cultured but significantly colder cousin. Even now, people from “Piter” consider themselves to be better – more European, well-read, and educated, than the citizens of the capital.
By the way, from now on you’re only allowed to call it Piter.
The city is quite spread out to the North and South. Most of the neighbourhoods further away from the centre are just «спальные районы» or “sleeping/bedroom districts”. You have no business there, there is nothing interesting happening.
The three main districts are the centre and the Vasilievsky and Petrogradsky islands. The latter are great to stay at but bear in mind that by night they lift up the bridges. There is plenty to do within the area but you’re stuck – no way in or out.
You could find a decent Airbnb in the centre for cheap. Try to stay away from the crowded areas, though. You will not get a second of sleep. This automatically means the Nevsky Prospekt area is out of the question, even if that’s where you’ll be partying the most.
As far as quality of talent goes, Saint Petersburg girls are comparable to Moscow and most other Russian cities. It’s metropolis so the people will be less sociable and more stuck-up than other places within the country. There are even those who say that Piter doesn’t represent the real Russia at all.
The sad part is, you won’t see much of Piter girls if you come during the winter. They wear huge coats and spend minimal time on the street. To that end: come in May, June, July, or August. Early September is good as well but there are some years where it gets cold very early.
Summertime makes picking up Piter women easier and your whole experience of the city way better. Freezing to death is no fun.
Saint Petersburg Dating: Nightlife
There are two types of clubs in most Russian cities. Piter is no exception. You either go to a typical Russian disco (and listen to Russian pop all night) or check out the more hipstery places where the crowd is European-ish and they play songs that you’ve actually heard before.
The perk of the former – amazing quality of girls. This is where you find the 9s and 10s of Saint Petersburg. On the downside, they are harder to approach and you might be cockblocked by locals. Dress up to the nines if you want to stand any chance. Russian party culture is all about showing off.
Here are some “typical Russian clubs” where it’s easier to meet girls:
- Coyote Ugly (Гадкий Койот) at Liteyniy avenue, 57 is a Piter staple… They are the quintessential “Russian club”. People drink obscene amounts of alcohol, they play insane games, and they listen to (slightly tacky) Russian music. Granted, it’s not the best talent in town but you’ll meet some beautiful women here. Apart from it being an easy place to approach them, Coyote Ugly is also one of the rare places where your foreigner status brings novelty points. Enjoy the advantage!
- Discount club (in Leninskyi prospekt) – This club is a great opportunity for picking up girls if you know how to play your cards right. First things first, remember this is a “Russian disco”. You are expected to dress your best or else you will be face controlled. Its’ “Russian-ness” is also apparent in the frequent fights. Don’t mess with the big guys from Chechnya. There are plenty of girls to pick up that are not their girlfriends. Make sure you show up early – reservations are held until around midnight. By that time, all the girls have shown up. You want to arrive before, ideally around 11 PM. Finally, bear in mind that Discount club is away from the centre. If you come here, your club hopping opportunities will be limited by the
- L.U.X Club – I mostly like this one for the dancers. They’re basically strippers and yet… Nobody bats an eye. You can’t touch/pay-to-play with them but they are a welcome addition. In terms of girl quality and prospects of hooking up, I’m pleased to say both are top notch. You can find clubs with similar talent but they don’t have the dancers soo…
Some Saint Petersburg girls are exclusively interested in dating foreigners. They will concentrate around Nevsky and Dumskaya, which are the main tourist areas. Watch out for complete gold-diggers, though. While most of the Western guy hunters are simply local girls looking for fun, don’t automatically assume everyone has your best interest in mind.
If you go to more “international”/indie clubs, you have better chances of hooking up. Russian clubs have a higher density of hotter girls. The thing is, Russian guys are also there. And these guys can get aggressive. Under no circumstances should you hit on women that came with a guy. Even if he’s just her ‘friend’, a Russian dude can beat you up for trying to ‘take advantage’. Drunk all-girl parties should be your target in “Russian Clubs”.
Dating Apps City St. Petersburg Urg Fl
So what are some specific singles clubs and pick-up bars? Here is a list of fun spots to check out:
- Lomonosov at Ulitsa Lomonosova, 1
- Punch Club at Dumskaya Ulitsa, 4
- Fidel at Dumskaya Ulitsa, 9
- Money Honey at Sadovaya St, 28/30 к13
- Poison Bar (it has multiple locations)
- Mishka at Fontanka river embankment, 40
- Griboedov at Voronezhskaya Ulitsa, 2А
- Rossi Club at Ulitsa Zodchego Rossi, 3
- Nightclub Mod at Griboyedov channel embankment, 7
- Tantsploshchadka at Konyushennaya Ploshchad’, 2А
- Gastro Pub Ivan & Maria at 64, Nevsky avenue
That’s enough places to keep you busy, even for a long trip. For first time visitors, I suggest you focus on the central clubs. They have enough pretty girls to keep you busy. No need to bother with far off locations and to have to pay insane cab prices.
Even More Piter Nightclubs
Aside from Nevsky and Dumskaya, another nightlife hotspot is on the rise in Saint Petersburg. The bars at Konnushenaya Ploshad are now a favourite among locals and visitors alike. They all have the no front door policy. You can dress more casual and have a cheaper night out (many of the places don’t charge a cover fee).
Our recommendation for Konnushenaya Ploshad is one of the cheapest and most ‘alternative’ places in Piter. It’s incredibly affordable and full of young people. Sure, some of the girls you meet here will be the “green hair and tons of tattoos” type but there are also tons of cute, typically ‘Russian’ girls. It’s a punk bar so some nights are live music and the general vibe is very welcoming, the ‘come as you are’ type of atmosphere.
Coincidentally, this is the perfect atmosphere for picking up girls. And you’ll find that the women at Mod are among the friendliest you’ll meet!
Saint Petersburg Dating Guide: Online
The dating scene in Piter is increasingly moving to the Internet. As with any other huge city, people are getting way too busy and anti-social to meet up in real life.
You can go two routes here:
Of course, you could add Bumble, Happen and the rest of the casual apps to Tinder. Similarly, Russian Cupid simply refers to the best of the category. There are tens, if not hundreds dating platforms that function in the Saint Petersburg dating scene.
Which leads to the logical question of:
Why Russian Cupid?
Russian Cupid is our dating site of choice in Piter (and in general). There are three basic reasons for that:
- Quality of girls – you’ll meet hands-down the prettiest Saint Petersburg girls that date online. You might be thinking: what about premium dating sites? Sure, there might be some model-like women on there but they’re definitely not interested in dating a non-oligarch. Russian Cupid gives you the perfect intersection of beautiful and sweet + approachable.
- Ease of use – language and cultural barriers are an issue when you’re dating abroad. Russian Cupid has a built-in translation. Besides, the girls on Russian Cupid are already looking for international romance. They either speak English or they’re prepared to make it work, even with the language challenges.
- Safety – Russian Cupid is a premium dating site. This means you pay a monthly membership fee to access it. As far as premium sites go, it’s affordable and the pricing makes sense. Outside of the membership, there are no hidden costs and fees. Premium sites mean
I have one extra reason to love Russian Cupid: no hidden fees. If you think online dating is dodgy, you should try marriage agencies and matchmakers. Prepare for:
- Paying for translation services. Russian Cupid includes them one of their memebrship options. If you want to go even cheaper, dare I suggest Google? You know, Google Translate works for free…
- Stupid ‘online gifts’. I’m sorry but 10$ for a virtual bouquet of roses is downright ridiculous. That’s more expensive than actual roses in some Russian cities (though maybe not Piter)
- Paying to use the mobile app. I am sorry, what? Half of my online life is on my smartphone. I’d be an idiot to only use the PC version. By the way, Russian Cupid’s app is pretty decent.
Russian Cupid is also a way to meet the sweetest, most traditional Russian girls. In Piter, there is a huge alternative scene. This isn’t some tiny Siberian town. The women here can be just as sexually liberated as their Western counterparts.
Interestingly enough, the more conservative ones tend to flock to Russian Cupid. So what is Tinder like, then?
The Tinder Scene Of Saint Petersburg Dating
Tinder is popular everywhere. St Petersburg is no exception, though the hookup culture is nothing like the West. For a Piter girl, it’s a slight blow to her ego to even make a Tinder. Even if she’s single and horny AF, no cute Russian would show it.
She expects an actual date. Whether you met during a fancy ball, on Russian Cupid, on Tinder, or in the back alley of the city’s dodgiest club is completely irrelevant. Russian girls don’t typically do hookups.
Is this to say hookups are impossible?
Nope, people have casual sex through Tinder all the time. The trick is to not talk about it. You go out on the date and she might not even for the first ten minutes. She’s keeping her cool because playing hard to get is a Russian girl’s main flirting strategy.
But don’t doubt that if a Piter girl likes you enough, she’ll put out. Casually ask her for second drinks at your hotel lobby. There are only three possible scenarios from there on:
- Ew, what kind of girl do you take me for? She doesn’t like you and she is not interested in keeping up the flirt whatsoever.
- Hehe, I know what you’re trying to do but I’m not that kind of girl. With innocent (but low-key bedroom) eyes. She’s not ready to jump in bed but you’re cute enough to have her interest. Girls decide if they want to sleep with you within seconds of meeting up. This one has decided ‘yes’ but she’s been conditioned to think hooking up on the first date means no second date. Apologize and start planning the next more intimate outing!
- Sure but I might not come up! 9 out of 10 times she will indeed come up with you. If she doesn’t, it’s still not a bad sign. Much like the previous scenario, she has decided that she likes you. Now it’s up to you to play the chasing game with her. Russian girls are masters at that. Dare I say, most of St Petersburg dating is about the cat and mouse game!
Bottom line about Tinder: It works. There are a lot of single girls on there. Some of them might be less open to hookups. With a bit of luck (and the good sense to take her out beforehand), you can still get lucky. If not, you might even meet your cute Piter girlfriend on Tinder. Nothing is impossible!
Day Date Ideas
Ok, so you have your date secured. Now, where do you take her?
For a first date, keep it safe and casual. Especially if you met her online, the girl is still a stranger to you. Guys aren’t used to thinking about online dating safety. In a huge city with dating scam problems, you need to rethink that attitude.
A first date should be at a public place. By day, you have a bunch of great options. Don’t forget that Piter is a huge and gorgeous city. There is plenty for you to do.
But, first things first, bring a flower. Seriously, even if it’s not a requirement for a good date, girls love it. In Russia, they say it’s easy to tell who is on a first date:
The overdressed girl, the nervous guy, a red rose in her hands, walking down the main street heading into or out of a café.
Is this a bit cliché. Sure is but most Piter girls won’t complain. Get them a red rose and bring them for coffee/tea and sweets. It’s as easy as this. After, you can go on a walk in one of the city’s beautiful parks. My personal favourite is Maximo Park with a beautiful seaside walk.
Maximo is also a secret spot as not a lot of tourists know about it. It’s not in the centre but easily reachable by car. There is free parking spots available everywhere. You’ll find a lot of clean, free picnic tables. You could even do a picnic for your first date. Piter girls are not used to that and she will be very impressed. It’s romantic when you think about it!
The other cool thing about Maximo is you have a view of the sea but not a lot of wind and waves. It’s in the bay, that’s why.
If parks are not your thing, you could go for a movie and food at one of the many shopping centres. Russian girls aren’t opposed to that date idea but they won’t consider it original either. The Galeria Shopping Mall is everybody’s favourite.
Dating Apps City St. Petersburg Sburg Florida
Make sure the movie you’re watching has Russian subtitles (not audio). Otherwise, you’ll be spending two of the most boring hours of your life. All that while she’s sobbing by your side (Russian girls get really emotional at the movies, plus you’re probably watching a rom-com, soo…. )
As for some nice cafés, here are some cool local-approved options:
- I’m Thankful For Today is small, cosy, and artsy. By night it turns into a bar, if your date happens to go especially well and you want to stay and talk.
- Surf Coffee is a local hipster favourite. They have hammocks in there, the atmosphere is super laid-back, and there is even a small movie theatre in one of the rooms. Oh, and the coffee is amazing!
- Café Singer is a fancier coffee date option. Sitting inside the Singer Building, the café sits above one of the largest bookstores in the city occupies the first floor. It’s the perfect viewpoint over the Kazan cathedral and a cool place for visitors and locals alike.
Take Her Out To Dinner Already!
Russian girls are not that big on coffee dates. A proper date in Piter means dinner and drinks. Maybe not the first date but definitely the second one. So what are some good romantic restaurants in St Petersburg?
Percorso is The Place in Piter to enjoy Italian cuisine. Make sure you try the Vitello tonnato (veal tenderloin ) and the spaghetti di gragnano (with sea bass, calamari and candied tomato sauce). Percorso has an extensive wine selection, too. You are the guy so you will be choosing the wine. Even if you pick at random, don’t make it obvious. Also, reds go with meat, whites and rosé are better for fish, veggies, and pastas.
Sintoho has some of Piter‘s best Japanese food. Their simple contemporary décor and dimmed lights make it the perfect date location. Order the wasabi-fried prawns and thank me later!
Il Lago dei Cigni yet another Italian restaurant, this one is a Piter staple. It will be pricy, though! The large windows in the dining room and the huge summer terrace open up to a beautiful view of the sea. They focus on fresh local products, prepared in the best Italian tradition. The gorgeous atmosphere and delicious food will be enough to sweep your date off her feet.
Severyanin if you want typical Russian cuisine look no further than Severyanin located in the very centre of the city. Their aesthetic is lavish and aristocratic, inspired by 19th-century Russia. Make sure you try the Russian borscht. After dinner, order a straight vodka with some caviar. It won’t be cheap but it’s a quintessentially Russian experience!
The Saint Petersburg Dating Scene: In Conclusion
Piter is a fascinating city. The girls are gorgeous, even in the freezing cold weather. You can find sweet, conservative, wifey material… And you can also meet alternative chicks with tattoos, piercings, and a collection of travel stories that will give you goosebumps.
Whether you meet your Russian girl on a night out or through Russian Cupid, make sure you take her out on a proper date. Hookup culture isn’t what you are used to. For Piter chicks even casual sex should take some effort from your side.
Follow our dating guide, bring a flower, and you’re sure to get lucky!
As usual, come back and tell us your St Petersburg dating stories in the comments below…