Despite being the fifth biggest city in Montenegro, Bar often gets overlooked in favour of more fashionable coastal cities to the north. But what Bar lacks in aesthetic elegance it more than makes up in energetic nightlife, with a host of vibrant bars, pubs and clubs waiting to be enjoyed.
Every city has its party central and Bar is no different in that respect. Green Mill is undoubtedly the epicentre of partying in town, whether you are after a skinful of beer or an evening of rakija-fuelled dancing. There is plenty of live music throughout the year, and the outdoor terrace is inevitably full from front to back during the warmer months.
Speaking of the warmer months, the beaches of Bar are filled with energetic parties starting at the beginning of summer until through ’til autumn. It can resemble something a little post-apocalyptic in winter, but who is going to a beach bar in December? From April through to October Tropski Bar is alive and well. Its colourful cocktails are the perfect accompaniment to a night on the sand throwing a shape or two.
A pub lover’s sort of pub, Sindikat is a great spot to watch some sport or simply drink the evening away when in Bar. There isn’t much in the way of frills but since when have they been needed to enjoy an evening in good old fashioned drinking hole? No gimmicks, no nonsense, no messing around — that is what you can expect at Sindikat.
Located in the very centre of Bar, La Esquina makes up for a lack of interior atmosphere with plenty of attention to detail under the stars. An enjoyable place to stop for an afternoon coffee, it comes alive at night when the sun goes down and the heat-inspired tension has been lifted, helped indelibly by wine, cocktails and no small amount of rakija.
The imaginatively named pub takes pride of place as Bar’s premier Celtic-themed drinking hole, but that is where our cynicism ends. This is a rip-roaringly fun place to spend the evening drinking beer. You know what you are going to get at a place called Dublin.
At times it can feel that the nightlife options in Bar have both eyes firmly focused on mass appeal. This is where Pub Galerija comes in, the main alternative evening option in Montenegro’s fifth biggest city. Classic rock of the past is still in fashion at this pub on Jovana Tomaševića street, with plenty of energetic live bands to boot. No pretentiousness, just plenty of fun.
Bourbon lovers, rejoice! Jack’s Bar wears its heart on its sleeve, and that heart is doused in delicious Old No. 7 Tennessee Sour Mash. We’re talking of course about Jack Daniel’s whiskey, the drink of choice at the bar named after the mysterious man himself. American-style food is in fashion here, and if you close your eyes tight enough (or drink enough JD) you may just be transported to Nashville or somewhere else in the American South.