Moscow’s biggest gay club re-opens

Moscow’s biggest gay club Central Station is re-opening under the same name but in a new location, despite fears that it had shut for good after a string of attacks on the club forced its owners to close the doors in March. The club has moved to the south of the city, near Avtozavodskaya metro station. The decision to close the club, formerly located near Komsomolskaya metro station close to the city centre, came just months after the club’s co-owner Andrei Lishchinsky stepped down as Central Station’s CEO, frustrated that none of the 30 complaints lodged with the Moscow City Police about homophobic attacks on the club had been investigated. The club’s return was announced on its website, accompanied by a statement which read: “The concept of the previous Central Station is not lost and is even more clearly embodied in the new project. The goal is to give everyone what they want.”

In the six months preceding Central Station’s closure, the club suffered from arson attacks as well as an attempt by intruders to release noxious gas into the building. In one recent attack a mob of around 100 men broke into the building, dismantled the ceiling and stole the club’s equipment.

The club’s new location will feature a large dance floor with video screens, a lounge area, karaoke and a summer terrace, as well as a bar serving food and drink.