My douche radar goes into overdrive when I walk into this place. If I were rating it solely on decor, music and popularity, I'd probably give it a 3.5 or 4. The decor to me is hilarious and seriously just would never fly in the USA, which makes it all the more appealing in some ways....but the sort of "we-are-VIP-vodka-elitists-and-have-reserved-tables-and-bottles" attitude it could do without. We had a few vodka martinis that were fine, nothing all that special, and lounged for a bit. The bartenders were definitely there because their gorgeous statuesque figures are likely to cajole unsuspecting customers into dropping wads of money on flavored vodkas. As for how much they truly know about and are passionate about vodka...that may be another story.
The saxophonist was quite good and added a swanky vibe, but there's something disingenuine about the place. In some ways I like the idea of turning the Communist regime into a throbbing and hip loungey bar filled with beautiful people and expensive drinks. In another vein, that history is so important, so grave and relatively recent in the scheme of things...the levity of it comes off more as ignorance. I'd prefer to see a dark, cavernous vodka bar in a hidden area of town, outfitted in Russian dictator black and white photos with a cigar lounge...complete with men who make their own vodka at home sitting at the bar. To me that's more appealing than this plastic lounge filled with people who want to see others and to be seen. But to each their own....