I was there in 2005. There is a bar just next door to the Chinese restaurant near the British Embassy (can't be more specific, sorry!) that has open mic sessions, mainly for the FO staff and those who go there. Fun if a little liquorice allsorts. Used to be an Irish pub (of course) too, and they advertised singers' nights, though I never made it.

Yeah, the water... The Russian plumbing techniques, even in the newer post Soviet era, tend to run fresh water pipes inside the sewage pipes, and the compression joints sometimes allow a little "osmosis" as it were. In short, unless you are there a long time and wish to get acclimatised, even use bottled water for cleaning your teeth and shower with your mouth shut...

That said, the brutal regime there cannot kill of the optimism of the people and I had a wonderful time that I will never forget. Ask to go to Clangerland and the eternal flame, (now supplied via a gas coin meter...)

Enjoy.