Must-see nightlife in Bulgaria

  • HashtagSTUDIO

    Burgas

    As hip as it gets in Burgas: artisanal coffees, craft beers, a stylish interior of exposed concrete walls and hanging lightbulbs, attentive service, and…

  • Bubbles Beach Bar

    Black Sea Coast

    One of the most popular beachfront clubs on the strip. You can lounge around during the day and come back to dance at night. It's located in the centre of…

  • PolCa

    Pirin Mountains

    Blagoevgrad's friendliest cafe has a band of cheerful staff that stirs up soups, fresh salads and tasty sandwiches alongside an Italian-leaning menu of…

  • Tam

    Veliko Târnovo

    Open the nondescript door, and up the stairs you'll find the city's friendliest, most-open-minded hang-out. Tam is the place to feel the pulse of VT's…

  • One More Bar

    Sofia

    Inside a gorgeous old house, this shabby-chic hot spot wouldn't be out of place in Melbourne or Manhattan; an extensive cocktail list, a delightful summer…

  • Kotka i Mishka

    Plovdiv

    The crowd at this hole-in-the-wall craft-beer hangout spills onto the street – such is the bar's deserved popularity, even against stiff competition in…

  • Monkey House

    Plovdiv

    Coffee lovers can rest easy in the stripped-bare decor of Monkey House, purveyors of Plovdiv's best flat white. The interior is ornamented with bicycles…

  • Fabrika Daga

    Sofia

    A classic third-gen coffee roaster with lots of exposed piping and a coffee menu scrawled on a chalkboard. Espressos, vacuum pots and French presses…

  • Vino Culture

    Plovdiv

    Opening up from the blink-and-you'll-miss-it exterior is an airy brick-walled space where staff truly know their vintages. Delicious Bulgarian wines start…

  • The Black Sheep Beer House

    Varna

    This centrally located pub and microbrewery is always hopping. Stop by to try out the house brew, Zlatna Varna, or nibble on some very decent pub grub…

  • Raketa Rakia Bar

    Sofia

    Unsurprisingly, this rakish communist-era retro bar has a huge selection of rakia (Bulgarian brandy) on hand; before you start working your way down the…

  • DaDa Cultural Bar

    Sofia

    A local institution, DaDa bar is far more than a place to drink. The mission here is culture, and expect to find live music, art installations, readings…

  • Makalali Beach Bar

    Varna

    Yet another bar along Kraybrezhna aleya in Primorski Park where you can lounge on the beach all day, and then drink and dance all night.

  • Peroto

    Sofia

    This nonstop library and coffeehouse, situated in the National Palace of Culture (NDK), is an oasis of calm and good coffee. The perfect place, day or…

  • Pavage

    Sofia

    Enjoy well-made cocktails in the open air at this secluded bar and club, just a couple of blocks east of bul Vitosha. Early evenings and through the week…

  • Rock'n'Rolla Club

    Sofia

    Rock’n’Rolla is an iconic representative of Sofia`s rock scene, hosting live concerts and karaoke parties. The wildest parties take place on Friday and…

  • Social Cafe & Kitchen

    Sofia

    This trendy cafe brings decent coffee to bul Vitosha, as well as an appetising menu of salads and sandwiches.

  • JJ Murphy’s

    Sofia

    Popular city-centre Irish pub frequented by expats, with live music at weekends.

  • Sammy's Bar

    Veliko Târnovo

    The lofty views from this bar and beer garden are as refreshing as its selection of herb-garnished lemonades. So it's no wonder that Sammy's, just off…

  • Shekerdzinitsa

    Veliko Târnovo

    Centuries of Veliko Târnovo history can be tasted in the Turkish 'sand coffee' at this characterful little cafe near the old-market neighbourhood. Most…

  • Moon

    Pirin Mountains

    Whether it's deep house, chalga (Bulgarian folk-pop) or live bands, things get raucous at this student-heavy nightclub (formerly known as Xtreme). Iron…

  • Bellezza Caffe

    Bulgaria

    Among a slew of identikit cafes around pl Sevtopolis, this handsome and loosely Italian-inspired cafe-bar is a favourite spot for 20-something locals, who…

  • Underground

    Pirin Mountains

    Cheeky themed events – from retro '90s to shameless booze promotions – lure students and 20-somethings to this popular brick-walled bar, just off the main…

  • Memento

    Sofia

    A lively coffee bar perched on the northwestern end (right side if you're approaching from the centre) of the massive National Palace of Culture (NDK). It…

  • Arrogance Music Factory

    Black Sea Coast

    One of the coolest nightspots in town, with four separate areas, each with very different styles (house and techno, R&B, chill-out lounge and folk-pop)…

  • Switch

    Sofia

    High-dance club situated behind the National Palace of Culture (NDK). Draws the best local and international DJs and live music. The club is sprawling,…

  • Peter's Coffee Shop

    Bulgaria

    Tiny coffee shop near the centre featuring an award-winning barista for an owner, which can be a lifesaver if your hotel serves undrinkable morning coffee…

  • Bar Maria Luiza

    Plovdiv

    Too pretty to be merely a dive bar, the Maria Luiza has dedicated owners who keep adapting the decor to suit their whims. The colourful downstairs is…

  • Chucky's Coffee & Culture

    Sofia

    Locals claim this tiny stand-up in the trendiest part of the city centre does Sofia's best coffee, and that may certainly be true. Carefully chosen beans…

  • Motto

    Sofia

    By day, a pleasant place to stop for a coffee, beer and homemade lemonade in the tree-covered back garden. By night, a more raucous mood takes over, as…

  • Sandak

    Plovdiv

    Take a seat on the outdoor military storage boxes, or huddle up within this novel whisky bar in Kapana. The crowd is spirited, and there are occasional…

  • Pench's

    Varna

    Want cocktails? Oh, they've got cocktails: Pench's is a two-time world-record holder for having the largest number of cocktails available at a single bar…

  • Morado Bar & Dinner

    Plovdiv

    This glamorous venue marries cocktails, live music and pan-European dining on an open-air verandah. Events range from DJ sets and risqué dance shows to…

  • Biraria Tryavna

    Bulgaria

    Sup local brews by the river at this cheerful tavern, enormously popular with visitors and with a refreshing beer garden. It's close to the Starata Skola,…

  • Bar Neptun

    Burgas

    Among the more reliable summertime clubs, with a varied program including ‘retro nights’, dance and Bulgarian music. Located on the central beach, near…

  • Sundogs

    Varna

    This welcoming watering hole is a great place to make new friends, chase down excellent pub grub with a good selection of beers, or show off your smarts…

  • Yalta

    Sofia

    Shake it with Sofia's trendy types and local and international DJ stars at this hip, hyper spot that's been going strong since 1959 (it was Bulgaria's…

  • Kafe Paraliite

    Bulgaria

    Perch on a crescent-moon-shaped stool, gulp coffee from colourful Troyan pottery and nibble a meringue stuffed with hazelnuts at this friendly cafe near…

  • Art Club Nylon

    Plovdiv

    A bastion of bohemia, this damp, bare-bones but always interesting spot hosts rock and indie bands, themed nights and plenty of drunken, late-night…

  • Dolce Fellini

    Plovdiv

    Gelato flavours, from cookie to lemon, as well as dainty patisserie, custard puddings and smooth coffee seduce passers-by at this exceptional Italian…

More destinations you need to see