Blues Billiard. 48 Ulitsa Professora Popova. M: Petrogradskaya. Tel: 234-4448. [Blues bar, billiards and gambling machines. The repertoire is lovingly compiled by ex-Akvarium guitarist Alexander Lyapin, who often performs there himself. Daily, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Strip shows, Thursday, 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Free entrance. Live blues concerts start at 9 p.m. Thursday through Sunday]

Che Cafe-Club. 3 Poltavskaya Ulitsa. M: Ploshchad Vosstaniya. Tel: 277-7600. [Located just off Nevsky Prospect, Che has became one of city's most popular hangouts. Although named after the legendary guerrilla, Che is aimed primarily at trendy, well-off young people. Open 24 hours. Live music nightly, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.]

Jazz & Phrenia. 91 Nevsky Pr. M.: Ploshchad Vosstaniya. Tel: 277-5130. [The second, more recently opened branch of the jazz club/restaurant is much more conveniently located in the heart of the city. Music program comprising jazz, blues, fusion and Latin. Daily, noon to 5 a.m. Entrance 50 rub. when a band is playing. Concerts start at 9 p.m.]

Jazz Philharmonic Hall. 27 Zagorodny Pr. M: Vladimirskaya/Dostoevskaya. Tel: 164-8565. [Staid, state-sponsored jazz venue, intended by its founder, local jazz patriarch David Goloshchokin, to be Russia's answer to New York's seminal Blue Note club. Mostly mainstream and Dixieland repertoire, with the occasional drop of blues. Home of the annual White Nights Swing jazz festival. Concerts most days, 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Entrance 100 to 120 rubles. Tickets in advance at box-office, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.]

Jazz Time Bar. 41 Mokhovaya Ul. M: Chernyshevskaya. Tel. 273-5379. A new addition on local jazz scene that has been launched by one of the co-owners of the established JFC Jazz Club. It is located in the three small rooms once occupied by the ill-fated Ryba Jazz cafe. Jazz, blues and Latin. Live concerts Wednesday through Sunday at 9 p.m. Daily, 11 a.m. until the last person leaves.]

JFC Jazz Club. 33 Shpalernaya Ul. M: Chernyshevskaya. Tel: 272-9850.. Probably the most innovative and progressive jazz venue in town. Less formal atmosphere, with all styles up to avant-garde and improv. Occasional classical and folk concerts. The latest addition is Ethno World, a monthly concert of world music. Mostly jazz crowd and expats. Bar and snacks. Daily, from 7 p.m. Entrance 60 to 100 rub.

Jimi Hendrix Blues Club. 33 Liteiny Pr. M: Chernyshevskaya. Tel: 279-8813 [What was once the Armenian cafe "Shagane" (Armenian cuisine is still available) now offers live blues, rock and jazz concerts, with videos from the likes of Eric Clapton and Blue Cheer in between. Open 24 hours. Concerts start at 7:30 p.m. Entrance 50 to 70 rubles.

Neo Jazz Club. 14 Solyanoi Per. Tel: 273-3830. [What the restaurant "Mukha Tsokotukha" (opposite the Mukhina Art College) turns into at night. Neat design, although the place has still yet to find its own atmosphere. Specializes for the most part in mellow jazz styles, with duos and trios usually performing without a drummer. Capacity 35 to 40. Armenian and European cuisine. Daily, 9 a.m.to midnight. Entrance 50 rubles after 8 p.m.]

Palitra Art Cafe. 5 Malaya Morskaya Ul. M: Nevsky Prospect. Tel: 312-3435. [Yet another medium-priced art cafe with live jazz and blues and, less frequently, some rock and country. Photo and art exhibitions. Music program is basically equivalent to Jimi Hendrix Blues Club, Neo Jazz Club and Sunduk Art cafe. Daily, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Concerts daily, 9 p.m. Entrance 30 rubles when a band is playing.]

Sunduk Art Cafe. 42 Furshtatskaya Ul. M: Chernyshevskaya. Tel: 272-3100. ]Another small place with a pleasant atmosphere and live music. Alhough it used to feature restaurant musicians and Soviet pop songs, it has recently featured mostly jazz, blues and some rock. Daily, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Entrance 30 rubles from 8:30 p.m]

NIZHNI NOVGOROD

Jam Prestige Jazz Club Nizhni Novgorod. Tel:(8312)33-32-46[contact: Dmitri]

TOMSK

Tomsk Jazz Club. Frunze, 16. Tomsk. Tomskaya Oblast. 634050 Tel: (8-383-2) 23-23-29 [contact: Katchanko Oleg A. (art-director) Hold about eighty. Cosy. Strict design - black walls and ceiling, red floor. The refined kitchen, wide choice of drinks. Business hours with 18 till 02 night. 6 days per one week live music, only jazz, dixieland, mainstream, bebop, cool, modern etc.]