On Friday and Saturday, 23 and 24 January, at 10 Nikolskaya Street, the official opening of the Moscow branch of the world-famous club brand Pacha will take place. This event was supposed to happen several months earlier, but, due to certain organisational reasons, it was postponed to the end of January of the new year 2009.
The idea of creating Pacha Moscow arose several years ago, when the owners of the flagship club in Ibiza noticed an increasing concentration of Russians lounging comfortably and confidently at the tables in their VIP zone. As a result of long negotiations, a study of the specifics of the Moscow club scene, a search for investors and a suitable team of professionals, it was decided to create a place that would be both fresh and life-affirming, in contrast to the gloomy interiors of club hangars and basements, but not without the glamour that the world has so come to associate with Moscow nightlife.
And it must be said, the task was accomplished. Through the joint efforts of Spanish and Russian designers, the club's interior turned out unconventional, with white predominating in the finish of the walls and furniture, including comfortable armchairs by the Frenchman Philippe Starck. As one might expect, the Spanish designers "went full Gaudí": the black ridged ceiling recalls the style of the outstanding Catalan architect, as does the multicoloured mosaic finishing the lower part of the club's bar counters.
The entire space, not counting the underground parking, is divided into two levels: the upper one (light), where the club's guests can carry on relaxed conversation and show off their outfits under proper lighting, and the lower one (dark), which is the main dancefloor. And, of course, tables for VIP reservations. In mid-February a restaurant is also expected to open in a separate hall of Pacha Moscow. In connection with this, a preliminary agreement on cooperation with Novikov Catering has been reached. At the heart of the Moscow establishment's main concept lay a long-standing rule of the owners of Pacha Group: to create conditions in which every guest, even one who ended up at the club by chance, could feel like a "pasha", which translated from Arabic means "master". But to begin with, one will have to manage, for example, buying a cocktail for one's companion or new acquaintance, the average price of which at the bar will be between 350 and 500 roubles.
Musically, preference will be given to commercial funky house, as a genre that, in the opinion of Pacha Moscow's music director Nikolai Danilin (DJ Kolya), will create an atmosphere of relaxation and fun. A more progressive sound will be provided by foreign DJs, residents of Pacha Ibiza, whom they promise to bring to Moscow every Saturday. For the time being the club will operate on a Friday-and-Saturday-event schedule, but over time Thursdays and themed parties will be added. On the opening days, the foreign stars announced are DJ Sebastian Gamboa (Ibiza), Tara McDonald (UK), Ron Carroll (USA).
Representatives of Pacha Moscow and Pacha International answered the questions of interest to 44100Hz:
Basil Vasiliou, managing director of Pacha Moscow:
We threw the trial parties in order to learn about our weak spots. Some problems came up with lighting, sound, water, staff. But that's exactly what we wanted – to track our mistakes so as to avoid them during the official opening. About a thousand people gathered – our friends, sponsors, investors, several Russian oligarchs – I won't name them – as well as celebrities from the music and club worlds.
44100Hz: Basil, how did you become the managing director of Moscow's Pacha?
Бэзил Василиу:
My experience in the entertainment industry is about 25 years. Throughout all that time I've had to run clubs and restaurants in different parts of the world. I think it was important for Pacha's owners to find someone familiar with Russian culture. I first ended up here in 1996, when Moscow resembled gangster Chicago. Back then I was running the "Planet Hollywood" restaurant. I had to see all sorts of frightening things, but nevertheless my love for Moscow never faded.
44100Hz: How will entry to Pacha Moscow work?
Андрей Фомин:
Every venue needs a certain filter – a person who stands at the entrance and knows how to properly mix the ingredients of the club "cocktail". It consists of the so-called "beautiful people" and "grey people". The "grey people" leave money, and the "beautiful people" leave nothing but create the mood. In the person of Pasha Facecontrol, Pacha Moscow will have a serious professional with many years of experience, however ironically we may treat it. But we have no intention of becoming a repeat of the Dyagilev club.
44100Hz: The heir to the Pacha empire, Pancho Urgell, was expected at the official opening, but, as one can see, he didn't come…
Ricardo Garriga, marketing director of Pacha International:
Yes, but that will happen in the first week of March. We plan to fly to Moscow together with Pacha's owners straight from Ibiza. Imagine, about 200 people, a private plane and a DJ on board! Right now, however, several of our people from Spain are in Moscow. These are the head of the dance troupe and the people responsible for service in the VIP sector. As the New York Times once said, the VIP zone at Pacha Ibiza is the best in the world in terms of club service. We've also brought light and sound specialists here.
44100Hz: Andrei, how do you assess the club business in Moscow today?
Андрей Фомин:
Whatever happens, the club industry isn't going to die. Because there's always, and especially in difficult periods, a need for a certain emotional release. Although, of course, for some time yet entertainment venues won't be able to earn as much as they could before the autumn. Many will have to adjust their prices. But the Moscow public has survived all kinds of times, and this time will be no different.
44100Hz: Will the Moscow club scene change with Pacha's arrival?
Андрей Фомин:
I think the club will fill its niche. The crowd in expensive Brioni suits will keep going to Soho Rooms. Those who didn't find their fun at the Rai club, for example, will turn up at ours. Personally, I felt comfortable at the early First club, which, for all its commercial approach, had a certain face and style. At Pacha Moscow we'd like to keep a light, stylish, fun, intelligent format. And such a public does exist in Moscow.
44100Hz: Who will become your main competitor?
Андрей Фомин:
There simply are no competitors. If Dyagilev, First, Rai, Krysha Mira and Soho Rooms were all working at once, then one could talk about competition. Today demand outstrips supply. Perhaps the rivalry will begin when all the main club projects are back up and running.
44100Hz: Your predictions?
Андрей Фомин:
Pacha Moscow definitely has every chance of success.
Рикардо Гаррига:
For me, as marketing director, what matters is not success – I have no doubt about that – but whether we'll manage to establish ourselves in the Moscow space and maintain the brand. The most important period will come in two or three months; that's when the results of our work will be visible.
Бэзил Василиу:
Pacha Moscow is an expensive investment: several million euros; this is not a short-term project. So we're here for the long haul. Although it's not out of the question that over time some changes will take place at the club. It all depends on how long glamour holds out in Moscow.
Photo by Ekaterina Tyuveleva
