Soviet Club
Introduction
The Soviet Club, located at Sebastia Street 37/5 in Yerevan, Armenia, is an immersive cultural venue that brings to life a beloved chapter of Armenian history. Situated in a preserved administrative building from the Lenin Silk Factory, the museum‑café transports visitors into the heart of Soviet‑era Armenia. Whether you are strolling through Yerevan’s vibrant streets or planning a nostalgic journey through the twentieth century, the Soviet Club offers an unforgettable experience for history enthusiasts, families, and curious travellers alike.
About the Museum
The Soviet Club is a delightful hybrid of museum, café, bar, and entertainment space. It preserves and displays authentic Soviet‑era memorabilia, including household appliances, cameras, vinyl records, radios, televisions and retro furniture, all carefully curated by founder Hayk Bianjyan, who began collecting in 2003. Many of these items are one‑of‑a‑kind, offering a genuine sense of life in Soviet Armenia.
Visitors can explore multiple rooms evocative of different decades, such as a recreated kitchen from Hayk’s childhood home featuring familiar appliances and glitzernov lamps, which still mesmerise younger guests. Entertainment abounds with fully functional Soviet arcade machines and even a classic Volga taxi on display. The atmosphere is enhanced by traditional Soviet music and decor, contributing to a vivid time‑travel experience.
The venue also includes a café restaurant where visitors can enjoy Soviet‑style cuisine and beverages—such as legendary Soviet sodas like Buratino—and refresh themselves with nostalgic recipes served on vintage dishware. A small Soviet‑style shop offers items like original Russian perfumes, magnets, and even working Soviet cash registers complete with printed receipts—a nod to the era’s iconic consumer culture.
Open from Tuesday through Sunday evenings (around 5 p.m. to midnight), the Soviet Club is an ideal destination for both daytime exploration and lively evening gatherings. A modest entrance fee (approximately 5–6 USD) grants you access to all exhibits and an additional Soviet refreshment tasting.
Interesting Facts
- The Soviet Club is housed in one of the few surviving buildings from the Soviet period—a former administrative block of the Lenin Silk Factory.
- Founder Hayk invites guests to become “club members” with a Soviet‑style membership booklet, which grants a five percent discount on return visits.
- Only about twenty percent of Hayk’s vast curatorial collection is on display at any one time, meaning the museum is always evolving.
- Besides arcade games, visitors can see a full Volga Soviet taxi and even ride in it for a photo opportunity.
- The museum includes a functional Soviet‑era cash register that prints real receipts, evoking the feel of old shops and bakeries.
- Younger visitors are often amazed by simple gadgets like glycerine lamps, whose basic design can feel magical compared to modern gadgets.
Photo Gallery
Physical Location
Contact Details
Phone: +3744 401 9900
Website: visityerevan.am/places/details/403/en/
Facebook: facebook.com/soviett.club?_rdr
Conclusion
The Soviet Club in Yerevan is more than a museum—it is a living time capsule, a café and a vibrant cultural hub that bridges generations through shared memories and stories. It offers a warm and friendly environment, where visitors of all ages can touch, taste, play and explore real artefacts from Armenia’s Soviet era. Whether you want to brush up on history, revisit your childhood, or create new memories over traditional dishes and fizzy sodas, the Soviet Club makes a visit to Yerevan all the richer. By blending authenticity with hospitality and preserving this significant piece of history, the Soviet Club ensures that the spirit and legacy of Soviet‑era Armenia continue to resonate with both guests and locals alike.
