Zagreb, Croatia’s capital city, may only be home to about a million people, but it is quickly making a name for itself internationally for its cosmopolitan charm.
As one of Europe’s up and coming destinations, there’s always something on in Zagreb. Just as you would expect of a European capital city, Zagreb’s party crowd is an eclectic mix of students, urban professionals, trend-savvy locals and wide-eyed tourists alike.So whether you are into people watching at the swankiest cafes and restaurants, or sampling the city’s riotous nightlife at one of the many clubs and discotheques, there is no shortage of fun to be had going out in Zagreb.
Summer or winter, the best place to start any night out in the Croatian capital is on Tkalciceva Street – right in the centre of the city. This picturesque pedestrian zone, winding from the Main Square (Trg Bana Josipa Jelacica) and bordering the historic Upper Town (Gornji Grad), is filled with the Zagreb’s highest concentration of bars and cafes.
The pace is predictably relaxed. Tkalciceva is all about strolling and sipping, enjoying the steady parade of gorgeous people. For a fantastic bite – cosy in winter and cool on the leafy terrace in summer – check out Agava Restaurant, Zagrebs’s top rated restaurant on Tripadvisor: great food and service at a reasonable price.
Do not stop your wander short of the end of the street, though, because you will not want to miss Bar Plan B. Plan B has tremendous selections of gourmet coffee and tea, wines and English ales. Nights on its terrace – or in its clean-lined and intimate interior – do not seem to end until the wee morning hours thanks to the hospitality of its English and Aussie owners. This is also one of two bars in Zagreb showing Sky Sports! A stone’s throw from Plan B, you can find one of Zagreb’s best little bars, Ro&Do.
If you are looking for a place you can relax and let off steam, Ro&Do is the place for you; beware, you will leave on your knees. Up in the old part of town, you can find the uber cool, bohemian wine bar, Pod Starim Krovovima (whose name means “under the old roofs”). For live jazz and the best wines Croatia has to offer, it’s the best.
While you are out and about in the centre, there are literally hundreds of hangouts waiting to be discovered, all within minutes’ walk from the Main Square. Maraschino Bar has a terrace that is the place to see and be seen no matter the season. Maraschino has just unveiled its new décor post-remodel, and the downstairs club is once more a popular haunt for Zagreb party goers as well as the increasing number of tourists hitting Croatia’s capitol.
The vibe gets funkier as you travel down Preradoviceva Street, which branches off from Flower Square (Cvijetni Trg). Golf, Pif, Apartman – there is a long string of joints that epitomize the Zagreb “café-bar.” Alcatraz, above all, captures the funky vibe of this area. Its interior is famous for its bizarre and eye-catching memorabilia, but really, this place is a must if you appreciate friendly staff and great drink list.
In terms of nightclubs, Zagreb has it all: everything from the ultra-posh to the ultimate of late-night dives. Purgeraj is one such dive. No dress code, just rock up and have yourself a good time. Hemmingway is more for the sophisticated clientele (no trainers allowed)…but serves some of the best cocktails in town.
The newest addition to the club scene, Peppermint is the new hottest place to be. Always crammed with happy, smiling clubbers, Peppermint has got it right. For live music, Sax is your best bet: from jazz to rock, there is always something for the lovers of live music.
Once you’ve soaked up the charm and diversity of Zagreb’s city centre, head to the lake: Lake Jarun, that is. Some of the city’s best nightclubs are clustered around this manmade attraction in the southwest.
In the summertime, it seems like the entire population of Zagreb flocks to Jarun to lounge and tan on its beaches, engage in outdoor sporting activities and enjoy refreshing cocktails at the lake’s bars, lounges and clubs.
Jarun hosts Croatia’s largest music festival each June, but even in the winter the beat is hot thanks to clubs like Mansion, Aquarius and Gallery, which host some of the world’s best DJ’s and live acts. These clubs are well worth the journey from the centre, for the choice of entertainment and, yes, the eye-candy.
Whatever your idea of a good time, Zagreb has got it. The city knows a thing or two about partying, yummy grub, world-class entertainment and great music. Zagreb serves up more than its fair share of memorable nights. May you experience for yourself..
