Watering holes in Irkutsk?
 

Any recommendations. I've just got here and been ripped off by an unlicensed taxi from the station. Could do with some English-speaking company. Any popular ex-pat joints in town?

We're at the Courtyard by Marriott. Spent the day doing battle with Russian customs. Going back tomorrow morning. Shout if you're nearby.

There's some kind of English pub in the Angara Hotel, but I don't know how many expats you'd find there these days.

Great to see you. Good luck with the bike. Maybe catch you again. We're heading back for day two with Russian Customs.

Good luck with the Customs!

I changed hotels, as last night's was too far out. I'm now at the Victoria. The bonus of being more central is that the English-speaking Receptionist has tracked down my bike. So the plan is that I will fetch it as soon as the depot opens tomorrow morning and, assuming it's all in one piece, head straight out to Ulan Ude.

I've booked into the same hotel as Ken and Carol.

Where are you staying in Ulan Ude?

I always stay at the Baikal Plaza--nice hotel with secure parking, and right across from the Giant Lenin Head. Also near some decent restaurants (Bochka) and the pedestrian zone.

Ulan Ude is a much nicer city than I had imagined.

Yes, thanks motoreiter. I think you had previously recommended the Baikal Plaza, as that's the one programmed into my GPS. However, Ken and Carol are at the Ayan Hotel, so I've booked myself in there.

All going to plan, Roynie and I will be back through Ulan Ude on the way home within the next couple of weeks, so I'll save your recommendation for next time.

Success with customs! Took all day but have wheels at last.

So what's the recommendations for Irkutsk? I'll be passing through in about 4 weeks I think

Yea! Congratulations!

What was the customs delay for??

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Wrote about them here: Dancing in Irkutsk | Adventure Rider

TDR: we "slummed it" in the Courtyard by Marriott. Pretty decent hotel but not cheap by local standards. Stay central; lots happening around Karl Marx Street.

I've been pretty happy with the Victoria, just off Karl Marx St. Must have walked all around the centre of Irkutsk yesterday! (Oh, and I found quite a good camping shop, if anyone needs essential equipment. It's in a basement, on the opposite side of Karl Marx St. to the Victoria Hotel, a little way further north. It's called Fan Sport, but you'll need to be able to read Cyrillic to find it: Фанспорт. Don't bother with Google Maps app. They put the shop in the wrong street.)

Hotel cost was 3300 Rbs per night inc. breakfast. English-speaking staff very helpful.

Thanks guys. I'll look forward to getting there

Nice to know there is now a decent hotel finally in Irkutsk. I will bookmark it.