Moscow

Expat Groups

• American Women’s Organization (AWO)
  http://www.awomoscow.org/
  The AWO offers twice monthly coffee meetings with other American women and access to charitable events, tours, and special interest groups inside the Organization. Membership costs 2000 RUR annually. The AWO meets the first and third Wednesday of the month at the Hard Rock Cafe, 44 Stariy Arbat, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. AWO membership is open to American women living in Moscow and to non-American wives of Americans. The AWO also welcomes women of other nationalities who are not married to Americans, as non-voting associate members.
• British Business Club
  http://www.britishclub.ru/
  hello@britishclub.ru
  A registered non-profit, this is a social networking and charity fund-raising group of both expatriates and Russians associated with the UK. It meets the last Thursday of each month, and organizes events and activities throughout the year. It is funded by donations.

Business and Professional Organizations

• American Chamber of Commerce in Russia
  http://www.amcham.ru
  +7 (495) 961 21 41
  Founded in 1994 and uniting over 800 firms, AmCham is the largest foreign business organization, with membership open to all companies regardless of country of registration. As a leader in the Russian-American Business Dialogue, AmCham is committed to working with the Russian government on key reform measures. To that end, it has 17 different industry committees. AmCham holds High-Profile Speaker Events, Policy Roundtable Series, CEO Forums, Annual Investment Conference, Annual Seminars, Regional Briefings and Trade Missions. It also organizes social events such as informal Business After Hours, golf and soccer competitions. Highlights are the exclusive annual Holiday Party, U.S. Independence Day Celebration, and Awards Dinner.
• Association of European Businesses in Russia
  http://www.aebrus.ru
  +7 (495) 234 27 64
  The AEB is a leader in promoting European trade links with Russia. One of the most influential foreign business associations in Russia, it also has an effective voice with the Russian government. With some 600 members, it runs several industry-specific committees and working groups. The AEB organizes regular member-only briefings by Russian officials – including such speakers as deputy prime ministers and presidential advisors – and cooperates closely with the Delegation of the European Commission. It also maintains an active social calendar with Euro-Receptions in Embassies and its own events.
• Canada Eurasian Russian Business Association
  http://www.cerbanet.org
  +7 (495) 230 61 32
  The Canada Eurasia Russia Business Association (CERBA) has offices in Moscow and Canada. Members include over 200 corporations and individuals in a wide range of sectors. The association provides an extensive network of contacts with frequent networking events, including numerous committees and relevant seminars.
• Danish Business Club in Moscow
  http://www.dbc-moscow.ru
  secretariat@dbc-moscow
  Works in support of Danish-Russian business.
• Finnish-Russian Chamber of Commerce
  http://www.finruscc.fi
  +7 (495) 917 90 37
  Because Finland has been so dependent on trade with the USSR and Russia, the FRCC is one of the oldest foreign chambers of commerce in Russia. FRCC aims to promote business activity and develop economic connections between Russia and Finland. The FRCC organizes many trade and business events throughout the year.
• German Business Association
  http://www.vdw.ru
  buero@vdwrus.msk.ru
  The German Business Association aims to facilitate German-Russian business and provides information, networking opportunities, and business referrals. It especially emphasizes support of small and medium enterprises. The association provides a range of seminars and briefings, and has a monthly chamber meeting for networking and exchange of ideas.
• Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce
  http://www.ccir.mosca.ru
  ccir@mosca.ru
  +7 (495) 916 55 60
  Aims to facilitate Italian-Russian business.
• Moscow Business and Social Networking Meetup Group
  http://www.meetup.com/The-Moscow-Business-and-Social-Networking-Meetup-Group/
  A group founded in 2009 through http://www.meetup.com, this group already has 91 members and aims to share contacts and provide mutual business support in a semi-formal environment with guest speaker meetings and topic discussion forums. Aims to meet once per month.
• Moscow International Business Association (MIBA)
  http://www.mibas.ru/
  miba@mibas.ru
  +7 (495) 690 91 07
  The MIBA strives to create a comfortable business environment for those working in the city. Members include over 200 foreign and Russian companies actively operating in Moscow and greater Russia. Events include various exhibitions and forums.
• Russo-British Chamber of Commerce
  http://www.rbcc.com
  +7 (495) 961 21 60 ext. 100
  Founded in 1916, the Russo-British Chamber is a private, non-profit organization designed to facilitate business between Britain and Russia. It has about 550 members including Russian and international companies. The RBCC organizes independent events including exhibitions, conferences, seminars, and trade missions.

Private Clubs

• Grand Havana Room
  +7 (495) 974 3218
  Former Hollywood producer Bob van Ronkel runs the Moscow branch of one of the most elite clubs in the world. This exclusive members-only venue for cigar lovers originated in Beverly Hills 15 years ago. In Moscow‘s branch, foreign superstars mingle with Russia’s elite, all attracted by the excellent food, fabulous service, and comfortable environment. Non-smoking members are also welcome.
• Monolith Family City Club
  39 Bolshaya Gruzinskaya
  +7 (495) 775-1488
  monolith@aha.ru
  Former Prime Ministers and other members of Moscow’s elite bring their grandchildren here to play in the kids area while they discuss business and politics in the elegant dining room. There are sports facilities as well, including a private indoor swimming pool; and an exclusive entertainment program.

Country Club

• Le Meridien Moscow Country Club
  http://www.lemeridien-mcc.com
  +7 (495) 626 59 11
  Golf Club +7 (495) 626 59 10
  golfbooking@mcc.co.ru
  Located in Nakhabino, just outside of Moscow, the Moscow Country Club offers both a residential community popular with expatriates (see Accommodations) and a club card access system for non-residents to the club house, restaurants and excellent sports facilities, which include fitness and exercise facilities, swimming pools, saunas, tennis courts, football, mini golf, paintball, a ski-run and skating rink. The Moscow Country Club is also home to only 18-hole world-class golf course in Russia, plus outdoor and indoor driving ranges, a pro-shop with a wide variety of professional sports equipment and axillaries, and a computerized golf simulator.

Community Services Organizations

• Rotary Club Moscow International
  http://www.rcmi.ru/
  Shlyzovaya Naberezhnaya 6/1
  Closest metro: Paveleztkay
  secretary@rcmi.ru (for inquiries about becoming a member)
  The Moscow branch of the Rotary Club International works on a number of humanitarian and charity projects, including scholarships fundraising, on both a local and international level. Since 2002 they have run a yearly All-Russia Children’s Music Competition. Members meet Wednesday evenings at the Katerina-City Hotel (non-members welcome as guests of a member).
• International Women’s Club (IWC)
  http://www.iwcmoscow.ru/
  The club invites members of every nationality. It aims to promote friendship, provide opportunities for cultural activities, and raise funds for charities. It has 1,000 members and offers numerous interest groups and classes for different tastes, in addition to a large charities group. Major fundraising events are the annual IWC Winter Bazaar and the Embassies of the World Dinner and Ball. The group offers regular Saturday coffee meetings, general meetings once a month in various locations, and informal newcomer’s meetings once a month that those interested in joining can visit without reservations. Meeting locations are announced in the Moscow Times, and on the Club web site.
• Action for Russia’s Children
  This is a UK-registered charity that supports innovative projects for alternatives to orphanages for orphaned children. Time and location for the monthly general meetings are announced in the Moscow Times.

For a comprehensive list of charities operating in Moscow visit http://www.expat.ru/s_charities.php

Social Organizations

• The Moscow Oratorio Society
  http://www.moscoworatorio.com/
  +7 (495) 951-1970
  The society is a multi-national choir for members who can read music and/or have previous experience singing in choirs. Rehearsals are held once a week. The choir communicates in English.
• The Hiking Club
  http://hike.narod.ru/
  This international group of hikers, walkers, and nature-lovers organizes weekly hikes in forests in the Moscow area. Details on each hike (meeting point, distance, etc.) is available at the club website.
• Democrats Abroad
  Contact: Andrew Hardisty
  ahardisty@excite.com
  This club is currently actively seeking new members. It meets on the third Thursday of the month for political discussion at “The Place” restaurant, 52 Kosmodamianskaya Nab., Bldg. 5 (Closest metro: Paveletskaya)

See also Entertainment for informal cinema, sports, and nightlife gatherings popular with expats.