Red October Chocolate Factory

Moscow’s beating hipster heartland

Noteworthy for: This city centre former factory is a great example of the successful gentrification of Moscow’s industrial landmarks and one of the most fashionable areas of the city.
Word to the wise: The area only really comes to life at the weekend and can be deathly quiet during the week, especially in winter.

As recently as 2009 this striking red brick former chocolate factory looked slated for demolition. However, as property development money dried up, the artists started to move in, swiftly gentrifying the area and transforming it into a hub of art galleries, bars, clubs and restaurants.
The leader of the factory’s new image has been the Strelka Design Institute, which is based in what was once the factory depot. By offering a five month long summer programme of free lectures, concerts and open air cinema and promoting other interesting projects on its premises, Strelka has helped the area to become famous as the go-to place for creative thinkers.

Other innovative movers and shakers occupy the area too, including the excellent Lumiere photography gallery, although for most people ‘Krasny Oktyabr’s’ biggest draw is its dozens of buzzing roof top bars and clubs, where the party continues well past sunrise at the weekends.