Must-see nightlife in Croatia

  • The entrance to Bard is literally a 'hole in the city walls'

    Bard Mala Buža

    Dubrovnik

    The more upmarket and slick of two cliff bars pressed up against the seaward side of the city walls. This one is lower on the rocks and has a shaded…

  • La Bodega

    Zadar

    With slick, eccentric, semi-industrial decor, a bar with a line of hams and garlic hanging above, Portuguese-style tiles and a welcoming, open-to-the…

  • Marcvs Marvlvs Spalatensis

    Split

    Fittingly, the 15th-century Gothic home of the 'Dante of Croatia', Marko Marulić, now houses this wonderful little 'library jazz bar' made up of small…

  • Paradox

    Split

    This stylish wine and cheese bar has a fantastic rooftop terrace, a massive selection of Croatian wines (more than 120, including 40 by the glass) and a…

  • Papaya

    Pag Island

    Rated one of the best clubs in the world (it came in at number six in DJ Mag's 2017 list), Papaya is the kingpin of the Zrće scene, complete with palm…

  • Cabahia

    Pula

    This artsy hideaway, 2km south of the centre in Veruda, has a cosy wood-beamed interior, eclectic objects and rock portraits on the walls, dim lighting,…

  • Samovar Bar

    Rijeka

    This warmly eclectic place has a wonderful range of teas, terrific coffees and other drinks such as a stellar rose lemonade. The decoration is…

  • Tunel

    Rijeka

    Tucked beneath the railway tracks in an actual tunnel, this popular place morphs from daytime cafe to comedy and live-music venue to late-night club. It…

  • Bass

    Pula

    Occupying the porch of a decaying Habsburg-era mansion, this hip, dishevelled bar is an oasis of boho cool with a long cocktail menu and a laid-back…

  • Volsonis

    Krk Island

    This dark, cool, cave-like place has a terrace, a pool table, a delicious secret garden and even a collection of archaeological relics that were uncovered…

  • The main entrance into the Cave bar

    Cave Bar More

    Dubrovnik

    This little beach bar serves coffee, snacks and cocktails to bathers reclining by the dazzlingly clear waters of Lapad Bay, but that's not the half of it …

  • Pupitres

    Zagreb

    When a wine bar is run by a top sommelier, you know you're in good hands. Jelene Šimić Valentić's casual-chic place is the best spot in town to get…

  • D'vino

    Dubrovnik

    If you're interested in sampling top-notch Croatian wine, this convivial bar is the place to go. As well as a large and varied wine list, it offers…

  • Cvajner

    Pula

    Housed in a former bank on the Forum (the huge safe is used as a storeroom), this is Pula's hippest cafe, scattered with random Tito-era furniture, the…

  • Buža

    Dubrovnik

    Finding this ramshackle bar-on-a-cliff feels like a real discovery as you duck and dive around the city walls and finally see the entrance tunnel. However…

  • Podroom

    Zadar

    One of Zadar's biggest clubs, Podroom draws a regular cast of Croatian and international DJs, especially in summer. It's within staggering distance of the…

  • Mediterraneo

    Rovinj

    Clinging to the old-town sea cliffs, this gorgeous little bar feels like a secret. It's not, of course – Rovinj's fashionable set are already here,…

  • Kalypso

    Pag Island

    Kalypso is the coolest-looking club on the strip, built into a cove at the northern end of the beach with myriad cabana-like bars surrounded by palm trees…

  • Hula-Hula Hvar

    Hvar Town

    The spot to catch the sunset to the sound of techno and house music, Hula-Hula is known for its après-beach party (4pm to 9pm), where all of young, trendy…

  • Kiva Bar

    Hvar Town

    A happening place in an alleyway just off the waterfront, Kiva is packed to the rafters most nights, with patrons spilling out and filling up the lane…

  • Raboš

    Central & Eastern Istria

    The old loggia was the centre of Hum life in Venetian times and it remains so today, thanks to this friendly little bar. Drop by to sample local wine and…

  • Beer Garden

    Brač Island

    Head to this stone courtyard, tucked away from the buzz of the coastal promenade, to listen to indie tunes, sample from a big selection of local and…

  • Garden Lounge

    Zadar

    Perched on top of the old city walls, this exceedingly cool bar-club-garden is very Ibiza-esque, with harbour views, day beds, secluded alcoves, billowing…

  • Aquarius

    Pag Island

    Repeatedly voted one of the top 100 clubs in the world, Aquarius is a huge space with stylish alcoves, great views and a glassed-off area. Top DJs and…

  • Cogito Coffee

    Zadar

    Many locals swear that this is the best coffee in the old town. It also does cocktails and craft beers, and it's far enough off the main tourist drag to…

  • ZAGREB, CROATIA - OCTOBER 02, 2013: People at Petar Preradovic Square in Zagreb. Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia; Shutterstock ID 189946175; Your name (First / Last): Lauren Gillmore; GL account no.: 56530; Netsuite department name: online-design; Full Product or Project name including edition: 65050/ Online Design/ Lauren Gillmore/ POI

    Johann Franck

    Zagreb

    Location, location, location. Everyone from fashionable young things to gossiping grandmas and museumed-out tourists pack out the front terrace and slick…

  • The poker-face entrance of Dubrovnik Beer Factory hides a splendid interior

    Dubrovnik Beer Factory

    Dubrovnik

    The name might mislead you: this isn't, in fact, a brewery, but the selection of Croatian craft beer is good enough to justify the tag. Still, with huge…

  • Patrons inside Carpe Diem, Hvar's top nightclub.

    Carpe Diem

    Hvar Town

    Look no further – you have arrived at the mother of Croatia’s glitzy coastal bars. From a groggy breakfast to (pricey) late-night cocktails, there's no…

  • The front of Buzz Bar in Dubrovnik

    Buzz Bar

    Dubrovnik

    Appropriately named, this buzzy little bar is rocky and relaxed, with craft beer and cocktails being the main poisons – aside from those being exhaled by…

  • Pivnica Medvedgrad

    Zagreb

    Sip on one of five house-brewed beers (14KN–17KN), from a hoppy lager to a classic weizenbier, at this fun and bustling bar with a large, chestnut-tree…

  • Old Pharmacy Pub

    Zagreb

    This traditional English pub hides inside an Austro-Hungarian town house, but once you walk in, all the elements are there: a mirror behind the bar,…

  • Dežman Bar

    Zagreb

    Shielded from traffic inside the cosy passage leading to the semiwild Tuškanac forest, this cafe-cum-bar is a chic but casual spot to sink a few cocktails…

  • Booksa

    Zagreb

    Bookworms and poets, writers and performers, oddballs and artists…basically anyone creative in Zagreb comes here to chat and drink coffee, browse the…

  • Dubrovnik Beer Company

    Dubrovnik

    The first (and only) brewery in Dubrovnik occupies an industrial-style hangar near the main bus station. The taproom serves a standard lager, IPA, pale…

  • Hop Inn

    Zagreb

    Craft-beer fanatics may well want to take a break from the central nightlife hub to head to this small, laid-back bar where local craft beer (15KN–34KN…

  • Fabrique

    Split

    Big, bright and brash, this large industrial-style bar has offset its brick arches with kooky light fixtures and elegant little tables where the Splitćani…

  • Galerija

    Split

    Locals come here to catch up with friends without loud music drowning out the conversation – except during the weekend DJ sessions. Plus it stocks soy…

  • Pivnica Mali Medo

    Zagreb

    Sister pub to Pivnica Medvedgrad, Mali Medo has snaffled prime position along this pedestrian strip and gets crammed with people enjoying house-brewed…

  • Vinyl

    Zagreb

    Much beloved by the locals, this all-day lounge on a popular stretch is split into cafe and club areas. It delivers fun both day and night, including live…

  • Nautica

    Hvar Town

    It starts slowly, with a mixed crowd enjoying cocktails by the water, but once Hula-Hula winds down and Kiva packs out, Nautica comes into its own as an…

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