1980s: The golden age of Soviet discotheques - Russia Beyond the Headlines
http://rbth.ru/arts/2013/09/13/1980s...ues_29821.html
Some of these discotheques were still there in the early 1990's when I lived in Leningrad. In those days, the clubs were known as major hang-outs for the KGB and mafia, and everyday Soviet citizens were barred from entering because they did not have the mandatory foreign currency required. As a foreigner, I frequented some of these clubs. My how times have changed!
But this sure brings back a nostalgic twang: