Bassiani

Bassiani (Georgian: ბასიანი) is a nightclub in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Founded in 2014, it is located in the building of the city's largest sports venue, the Dinamo Arena, and utilizes a disused swimming pool as the main dance floor.^[1] It is the largest techno club in Georgia and can accommodate around 1,200 people.^[2] The club features both local and international performers and has attracted international media attention as one of Tbilisi's modern attractions.^[1][3]

Bassiani

Dinamo Arena (2016)
Bassiani Location within Tbilisi
Location	Tbilisi, Georgia
Coordinates	41°43′22.83″N 44°47′23.14″E
Type	Techno club

The club is notorious for its denial of entrance to any Russian citizen.^[4][5]

History

On 12 May 2018 the club was raided by police and the two owners were arrested, which caused protests.^[6]

Bassiani is an internationally known techno club that attracts visitors from all over the world to Tbilisi. Photography is banned inside the club and face control is strict.^[7]

Besides the main stage, Bassiani has another smaller room called "Horoom", which hosts a series of LGBTQ parties called "Horoom Nights".

Criticism

The club became famous for its nationalist discriminatory visiting policy towards Russian citizens.^[8][9][10]

Name

The literal meaning of the word Bassiani (ბასს-იანი, Bass-iani) in Georgian is "one with the bass." The club is named after the 13th century battle of Basian, between the Kingdom of Georgia and the Sultanate of Rum.

Resident DJs

As of 2023, the club has 14 resident DJs: Dito, DVS1, Function, Hamatsuki, Hector Oaks, HVL, Kancheli, Kvanchi, NDRX, Nebbieri, Ninasupsa, Newa, Zitto, Sophie Phare, and ZESKNEL.^[11]

References

1. House, Arthur (21 September 2016). "Clubbers, forget London and Berlin – the place to dance is eastern Europe". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
2. Lynch, Will (15 August 2016). "Tbilisi and the politics of raving". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
3. Satenstein, Liana (23 January 2017). "The Architecture in Tbilisi, Georgia, Is Worth the Trip Alone". Vogue. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
4. "In Tbilisi, Georgia, even Russian activists get a less friendly welcome". Washington Post. 2022-04-03. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
5. Bader, Haley. "Vetting Russians in Georgia". Russian Life. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
6. "Police raid Georgian nightclubs Bassiani and Café Gallery, arrest Bassiani owners". Resident Advisor. 12 May 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
7. Carmen Gray At This Techno Club, the Party Is Political The New York Times, 29 May 2019
8. "Tbilisi club target of cyber attack after launching "Russian visa"". Mixmag. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
9. Tenisheva, Anastasia (2022-09-18). "'We Don't Want To Serve Occupiers': Backlash in Georgia Against Russian Emigres". The Moscow Times. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
10. Allen, Caitlin (2023-02-07). "Fleeing Russians face a frosty reception in Georgia". Reaction. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
11. "Artists". Bassiani. Retrieved 2023-01-15.