The Top 10 Bars In Zagreb Croatia

As the capital and largest city of Croatia, Zagreb is home to all types of watering holes, jazz clubs, wine bars, nightclubs, so whatever your fix, here are the 10 best bars in this Dalmatian city.

Alcatraz

A hidden Zagreb gem, Alcatraz is an after dinner, before the club spot that’s popular with both tourists and locals. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in character, with eclectic lights, flags of different countries and other knick-knacks hanging from the ceiling, and walls that are filled with a quirky mix of paintings and decorations. The beer is cheap, the music is loud, and the staff is friendly and welcoming. Great live music and an outdoor space for mingling make it one of Zagreb’s top drinking spots. http://instagram.com/p/BDJiOOVhN5c/

TESLA Power House

Nightclub, Bar, Pub Grub

TESLA Power House fits right in with its neighboring watering holes in Flower Square, which has become one of Zagreb’s premier barhopping spots. TESLA’s trendy, industrial interior and weekend DJs give it a nightclub vibe, but it is busy with cover bands and happy hour specials during the week as well. Named after the famous inventor Nikola Tesla, TESLA has an impressive wine collection and cocktail list, and also serves up delicious smoothies and coffee drinks, making it the perfect spot for a night out or a place to catch up with friends during the day.

Dežman Bar

Dežman Bar sits in a narrow, pedestrian alley just off one of Zagreb’s busiest streets, making it a prime drinking and dining locale that’s close to the center, but far enough from the noise. Its modern interior with matte black walls gives it a swanky, sleek vibe, and its outdoor terrace is the perfect place to enjoy a gourmet sandwich, a bottle of wine and good conversation. Dežman Bar is the whole package in one place with good service, great food and even better drinks.

Address & telephone number: Dezmanova 3, Zagreb, Croatia, +38 5148 46160

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MK Bar

Go back in time at this ‘80s themed bar, which is named after Miroslav Krleža, a famous Croatian writer who was born in the building in 1893. Close to the main square, MK has a beautiful wooden bar and booth seating, and has become the gathering spot for Zagreb’s artists, bohos, locals, and the tippler crowd. While it’s no nightclub, MK Bar is still one of Zagreb’s most charming dive bars, and it still gets rowdy and crowded with locals on the weekends.

Address & telephone number: 10000 Radićeva ul. 12, Zagreb, Croatia, +38 5148 30980

Sedmica

Bar, Coffee, Beer

A trendy hangout for Zagreb’s creative types, Sedmica is a cult bar with a 1950s feel that has been serving the artsy crowd for over two decades. With a dark, slightly mysterious interior clad with black wrought iron and an entranceway lined with exhibition posters advertising local cultural events, this little bar is especially popular with the city’s younger, intellectual population. Enjoy local brews like Fischer’s and Erdinger on tap or Leffe in bottles at the bar or on the mezzanine above, overlooking the action.

Bacchus

Bar, Pub, Pub Grub

Hop off the train stop in Zagreb’s main square and you’ll land at Bacchus, a tiny, semi-underground jazz bar that’s become a city classic. This old pub is filled with a hodgepodge of antiques and vinyl records reminiscent of another era. During the winter, they host live jazz shows, and open up their garden terrace to guests in the summer. One of the most popular spots in Zagreb to meet friends and listen to music, Bacchus is almost always packed.

Oliver Twist

Pub, Bar, Pub Grub, Croatian

Decorated with a dark wood and brass interior, Oliver Twist has two floors and a huge outdoor terrace in front, perfect for people watching. Smack dab in the midst of a street with plenty of other bar options, this Zagreb pub offers up a generous selection of local and imported brews and liquors. Oliver Twist has an English pub feel to it, and you’re likely to hear both English and Croatian speakers when you walk in.

SPUNK

A trendy music bar and chic student hangout, SPUNK’s vibe changes from a coffee break bar in the day to a garage rock bar with DJs and indie bands at night. The brightly colored walls are lined with comic book murals, and vintage movie and music posters, and the vibe in here is practically electric, with neon lighting and even some hanging disco balls. Visitors can enjoy drinks sitting around the bar or at a table, all the while enjoying live music into the early hours of night.

Address & telephone number: Hrvatske bratske zajednice b.b., Zagreb, Croatia; +385 1 6151 528

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Vinyl

Bar, Pub Grub

Whatever you’re looking for in a bar, Vinyl has it. Located right in the middle of the pedestrian strip across from the Grounded Sun sculpture, this bar and café is made up of five separate rooms on the ground floor and a room for live music and events downstairs. Each room has its own personality, perfect for a bar that wears many hats during the week. You’ll find live music, vinyl spinning DJs, poetry readings, or even a second hand book exchange.

Sherry’s Wine & Bites

Sherry’s is a wine lover’s paradise. Go by the bottle or the glass in this intimate, cozy spot just outside the city center, which has about 250 wines from all over the region. Snack on Croatian tapas (cheese, ham, olives) and appetizers while you learn about different wines, and expect staff and owners to help suggest the best wines for your taste (and wallet). A relaxing bar for any occasion, Sherry’s is sure to make you feel right at home.

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About the author

Julianna Roche

Julianna is a Boston-based multimedia journalist pursuing her master's in communication studies. She holds a bachelor's in journalism and Italian Studies, and has previously worked as associate editor at Cincy and NKY Magazine. Having lived in eight cities and two countries, as well as having grown up in an Italian home, she has a huge passion for exploring different cultures, learning other languages, and traveling. When she's not writing, she can probably be found running, cooking, or spending time outdoors and with her dog, Starbuck (who she adamantly notes is named after a character in Battlestar Galactica, not the coffee!).