One of the most common questions we receive at Expat Ukraine is whether or not Kiev is home to a red light district. Red light districts have become infamous all over the world, largely due to Amsterdam’s lax stance on prostitution. Naturally, many people think that just because you can find a beautiful woman in Ukraine, there must be a red light district nearby as well. Well, while there is an area that is often referred to as the city’s “red light district,” the answer to this question is more complicated than it may initially seem. Today, we’re discussing whether or not there is a red light district in Kiev!
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What Is A Red Light District?
Generally speaking, a Red Light District is an area of a town in which there is a huge number of sex oriented businesses. This includes strip clubs, peep shows, sex shops for buying toys, and of course, prostitutes.
The origin of the name “red light district” comes from the fact that in the American Old West, red lights were used to signify the existence of a brothel. Obviously, this was before prostitution was banned throughout most of the world.
Today, some people will mistakenly refer to a nightlife district with a few strip clubs as a “red light district” as well. In fact, this is generally what’s happened in Kiev.
Is There A Red Light District in Kiev?
It’s complicated. The best answer I can give is…
Sort of, but not really.
There is one area known as Arena City, home of the Arena Entertainment Complex, that’s home to a swath of nightclubs, high end restaurants, and more than a few bars. The Arena Entertainment Complex is a four story building with about 50 or so attractions inside of it.
In Russia and Ukraine, complexes like this are rather common, whereas in the United States, nightlife is typically concentrated throughout a city block. This is yet another leftover, utilitarian Communist characteristic. After all, it’s more efficient to have all of the city’s entertainment in one area.
Though this is often seen as the “nightlife area” of the town, it is, for the most part a complete and total tourist trap, and hardly the best nightlife that Kiev has to offer.
In fact, we think that Kiev actually gets something of a bad name because most people end their search for nightlife at Arena City. The fact of the matter is that there’s a whole host of hidden gems in Kiev where you can have loads of fun at night, no matter what type of person you are.
Why Is Arena City Often Referred To As The Red Light District?
If you can’t tell by now, Arena City doesn’t so much as hold a candle up to a true red light district like those that exist in Amsterdam.
Venues tend to open and close relatively quickly in Arena City, but you can count on the fact that there’s always more than a few strip clubs operating in the complex as well.
And, if you must know, many of the boutiques that exist inside of Arena City are known to be frequented by “working girls,” otherwise known as prostitutes.
In other words, there’s a good chance that, if you look like a foreigner with foreign money, you may be propositioned by a prostitute while inside of the Arena Entertainment Complex. Remember, the girls you meet in a place like this are not exactly the nice, “girl next door with a freaky side” types that many men wish to find in Ukraine.
They’re professionals. You exist only as a wallet to them, one that they are trained to extract as much from as possible.
Despite the fact that we find Arena City to be lackluster in terms of both nightlife options and women, it’s relatively easy to get to if you insist on going.
Is Prostitution Even Legal in Ukraine?
Definitely not. Since 1987, prostitution has been banned in the territory of Ukraine. While the police largely ignore prostitution, it is definitely not front and center in Ukraine as it is in many other countries.
Ironically, over 500,000 Ukrainian women were estimated to have left the country to work as prostitutes during the 1990’s. This was during the fall of the Soviet Union, when unemployment was rampant. Of course, these events have created a stereotype that Ukraine is a whorehouse, when that really isn’t the case.
I always tell people that Ukraine is a great place to find a girlfriend/wife type of lady (or two, if that’s your style). But, you’re certainly not going to get a Las Vegas type of experience there.
The problem is prostitution in Ukraine is that when seeking out illegal services in a developing country, things can get a little bit dangerous.
For example, prostitution in Amsterdam is a legal, well regulated service that’s astonishingly safe. You simply pop down to the real red light district, walk up to the window of a “provider,” agree to a price, and she’s yours for however long you choose.
Even still, you have to keep in mind that Holland is thousands of miles away from Ukraine, and is practically in a different part of the world.
In Kiev, well, let’s just say things are a little bit different.
Prostitution in Ukraine Is A Bit Shady
I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to do is to be fooling around a business that’s run by organized crime while in a developing country like Ukraine.
We love this place because it’s somewhat deregulated and honestly a bit more lawless than the West. As such, you have to be a little bit more careful when walking on the dark side. While Ukraine is, by and large, much safer than the United States, you also need to be smart and avoid putting yourself in harm’s way whenever possible.
And, trying to find prostitutes is a surefire way of making your trip a bit more risky.
Think about it. If something goes wrong, you’re on your own. The police aren’t going to save you, or probably even have an ounce if you end up getting robbed, beaten up, or extorted while in the bedroom of a whorehouse.
On top of that, you have to consider that human trafficking is an issue in many developing countries. Do you really want to be having “intercourse” with a girl who’s being forced to work for some sleazy pimp?
Even if you manage to go to Kiev, find a prostitute, and have some fun with her, do you really want to walk away knowing that you may have contributed to some seriously shady practices?
Well, I don’t. Especially when the streets of Kiev are crawling with beautiful, feminine women who are naturally interested in dating foreigners.
I’d much rather use a legitimate dating app instead.
Should You Go To The Kiev “Red Light District?”
I hate to dissapoint you, but if you’ve been to Amsterdam or even seen the movie Eurotrip, Arena City is going to be a sore dissapointment to you.
The reality is that Kiev, for the most part, just isn’t the type of place you should go if you’re trying to pay for fast, easy sex.
It is, however, possibly the best place in the world to meet beautiful women.
Are Strip Clubs Worth Checking Out?
We get this question a lot, and I seriously do not understand it.
Why on earth would you waste your time
Strippers do not like you. They’re not going to sleep with you. You’re not going to convince them to take your phone number and meet you after their shift, and nothing out of the ordinary happens during private dances.
Listen, if you want to waste your time in overpriced strip clubs with lowlife girls who are trained to trick foreigners out of their cash, go for it.
But, if you’re reading this website, I’d imagine you’re interested in spending some time with women who are actually interested in you, and would like to meet a nice foreign man who wants to get physical with her.
If that sounds like you, read on…
How To Meet Girls in Kiev
Ukraine is the country with the hottest women on earth. That’s a well established fact and is extremely common knowledge throughout much of the internet at this point.
That being said, the hottest women in the world aren’t necessarily the easiest women, either. If you’re jet set on getting laid in Ukraine, check out our guide on how to do just that.
But, the MOST important step to ensuring success in Ukraine is by using online dating apps while in Ukraine, and prior to arriving.
The fact of the matter is that it’s the 21st century, and most young girls are completely addicted to their smartphones. Whether they’re taking Instagram selfies, in massive group chats with their girlfriends, or using a dating app to meet a nice guy, you can bet that not jumping on this bandwagon is effectively shooting yourself straight in the foot.
What Is The Best App For Meeting Girls in Kiev?
We’re glad you’ve asked! While you can definitely waste some time on apps like Tinder, the only website worth messing with is known as Ukraine Date. Ukraine Date has over 1,000,000 active profiles, is monitored by an award winning trust & safety team, and is absolutely free to try.
There’s pretty much no denying that Ukraine Date is the most popular dating app in the entire country. If you’re serious about having some fun in Ukraine, Ukraine Date is simply a must have.
Click here to try out Ukraine Date.
Conclusion – What’s The Deal With the Ukraine “Red Light District?”
If you’re visiting Kiev and want to check out Arena City, be my guest. But, if you’re expecting to go there and find hot, foreign girls ready to jump into your arms, you’ve got another thing coming.
Prostitution is illegal in Ukraine. Strip clubs typically have no “extras” offered on the menu, either.
If you want to visit arena city for shopping, culture and to feel the vibe of Kiev, go for it. But, if you want plan on poking your head around to try to pay for sex, you’re probably not going to have the best time.
In either case, good luck out there!
-Expat Ukraine
PS: If you’re interested in meeting Ukrainian women, check out this website.
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