The 7 Best Bars in Kragujevac, Serbia

While we try to avoid playing favourites most of the time, we’ll make an exception in the case of Sputnik 1957. Quite simply, this is the best beer bar in Kragujevac, a delectably modern joint just off the main street that offers a fridge full of beers from all over the world. There is plenty to choose from, but trying their own Laika beer is as mandatory as drinking in Kragujevac is going to get. One of the finest places for beer in the country, let alone the city.

There is a very big difference between a good cocktail and a great one, and the latter is definitely to be expected at Buena Vista. Located on Kralja Petra I, this bar is as famous for its vibrant energy as it is its colourful concoctions, making it one of the most consistently excellent nights out in the city. It has been a staple in Kragujevac for almost two decades, and long may that continue. There is a decidedly anti-imperialist theme going on here, to say the least.

Seemingly carved out of rock, Draft is one of the finest bars in Kragujevac for anyone partial to a beer or three. Plenty of Serbian drinks sit comfortably alongside international contemporaries, and Draft shows that Kragujevac hasn’t missed out on the modern trends. A minimalist interior and plenty of good beer? Count us in.

Kragujevac doesn’t possess the ‘go hard or go home’ nightlife scene of Belgrade, but Umetnički Kutak is one of the few places that does its best to mimic the all night long partying that the capital is so famous for. The fun starts late and finishes even later, with many of the best DJs and bands in the region frequenting this popular venue. Don’t forget your dancing shoes.

The name might be somewhat illegible on the logo, but the throngs that head to Tango on the weekend don’t seem to mind. A stylish outdoor area attracts the people of the city all day long, many of whom dress up in their finest in anticipation of a long and eventful evening. There is something Scandinavian about the wooden aesthetic, but the spirit at Tango is indisputably Serbian.

There is something reassuringly predictable about rock bars, and the clumsily named Bike Rock Caffe Old Deus ticks those boxes in Kragujevac. There is little in the way of excess outside of what is being imbibed, in a down to earth setting full of down to earth dudes. Denim is the clothing material of choice, but you don’t need to be a member of a biker gang to have a good time here. It probably helps though.

While we’re a little reticent to dive in with two feet and say ‘hip, hop and happening’, this hyper-stylish bistro just outside the centre of Kragujevac is more deserving of the term than anywhere else in town. Opened in 2017, this open space comes with wine bottles on the walls, an interesting array of lights and no small amount of beautiful people. It is easy to see why it has become so popular so quickly.