Joker Bar

Located in the Kazan's first five star international hotel, Kazan's first brewpub is a worthy effort. The Mirage hotel is located just across the canal from the Kazan kremlin (fortress), and the bar takes full advantage of the view, offering an entire wall of plate glass through which to inspect the sites. You'll want to look outside, though, as the interior is very antiseptic, bordering on tacky. The place is shaped like a pizza with the tip bitten off. The crust is the glass wall, while a stage and big screen TV occupy the tip. The oval shaped bar, all stainless steel, sits in the middle, encircled by about 15 metal stools, while the brew kettles are along the side opposite the door. The entire room is about 50m by 40m, sparsely filled with round metal tables and a few square boothes. I'd guess there is seating for 120. The floors and walls are covered in orange and black checkerboard linoleum, the ceiling is gray and white plaster, while the support columns are silver and black. There were only a handful of customers on a Tuesday night around 9:00.

Just three taps, all of their own brewing: Helles, Märzen, Dunkles. All were quite tasty. The glassware consists of straight walled, handled mugs with the Joker logo. Joker coasters and Joker matchbooks rounded out the scene. I sat at the bar, where the bartender was reasonably friendly and certainly quick with the service. The place was overstaffed for the number of customers they had, so service should be fine. The bartender told me they opened at the beginning of 2004, and that they were hoping to expand the line of products in the not too distant future. He acknowledged that the Dunkles was too sweet, but said it was popular with the ladies. The menu was fancy, expensive and limited. I just wanted some nuts to go with my beers, but that was not an option. Overall, though, the beers and the view are great, so the place is a must visit for any BA.