Entertainment in Croatia
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A
Peperoncino
After poking around the Upper Town, stop here to sample one of the excellent Croatian wines on offer.
reviewed
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B
Sloboda Cinema
This is the most centrally located cinema. Posters outside advertise the nightly showings.
reviewed
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C
Tolkien's House
This most unusual bar is just up the street from Lotrščak Tower. It's decorated in the style of Tolkien's famous books and has a cosy enclosed terrace where you can drink the best hot chocolate in Zagreb.
reviewed
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D
Moreška Sword Dance
Every visitor who happens to be in Korčula from June to September inevitably winds up at the Moreška sword dance. Performed in Korčula since the 15th century, the dance is one of the island's most colourful traditions. Although probably of Spanish origin, Korčula is now the only place in which it is performed. It tells the story of two kings - the White King (dressed in red) and the Black King - who fight for a princess abducted by the Black King.
In the spoken introduction the princess declares her love for the White King and the Black King refuses to relinquish her. The two armies draw swords and 'fight' in an intricate dance accompanied by a band. Enthusiastic…
reviewed
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E
Monokini
Opatija's nightlife took a hit when the police started cracking down on drink-drivers, ending the practice of driving from Rijeka to Opatija to drink along the harbour. All is not lost however. In the summer, a bar scene populated by locals and tourists is still centred on the harbour and the ever-popular Caffé Harbour or Hemingways. Along Obala Maršala Tita try Monokini , the current favourite watering hole of Opatija's nightcrawlers.
reviewed
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F
Croatian National Theatre
This neobaroque theatre, established in 1895, stages opera and ballet performances. You have a choice of parket (orchestra), lože (lodge) or balkon (balcony) seats. Check out Ivan Meštrović's sculpture The Well of Life (1905) standing in front. The theatre was designed in 1894 by Herman Helmer and Ferdinand Fellner, the same team that designed the Art Pavilion.
reviewed
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Buža
Finding this isolated bar-on-a-cliff feels like a real discovery as you duck and dive around the city walls and finally see the entrance tunnel. Emerging by the sea it’s quite a scene with tasteful music (soul, funk) and a mellow crowd soaking up the vibes, views (and sunshine). That’s about it. Grab a cool drink, perch on a concrete platform and enjoy.
reviewed
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G
Stadion Maksimir
Dinamo is Zagreb's most popular football (soccer) team and they play their matches at Stadion Maksimir, on the eastern side of Zagreb. Games are played on Sunday afternoons between August and May. Take trams 4, 7, 11 or 12 to Bukovačka. If you arrive too early for the game, Zagreb's zoo is across the street.
reviewed
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H
Cafe Buža
This ineffably romantic spot on the rocks outside the south walls offers nothing but drinks served on outdoor tables overlooking the sea. It's just outside the city walls and you can find it by looking for the 'Cold Drinks' sign and going through a hole in the walls. Get there for the sunset.
reviewed
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I
Croatian National Theatre
During winter, opera and ballet are presented here. The best seats cost about around HRK60 and tickets for the same night are usually available. Erected in 1891, the theatre was fully restored in 1979 in the original style; it's worth attending a performance for the architecture alone.
reviewed
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J
Carpe Diem
Look no further. You have arrived at the mother of Croatia's coastal clubs. From a groggy breakfast to late-night cocktails, there is no time of day when this swanky place is dull. The music is smooth, the drinks aplenty, and there's lots of dancing on the tables in bikinis.
reviewed
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K
Café Festival
Placa is one of the world's most beautiful streets and this cafe is the best place to kick back and enjoy the view. The interior is also inviting and if your day of sightseeing has been interrupted by bad weather then this is the perfect place to slink into and sink a few.
reviewed
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L
Dražen Petrović Basketball Centre
Basketball is popular in Zagreb, and from September to April Zagreb's basketball team, Cibona, plays at the Dražen Petrović Basketball Centre, next to the Technical Museum. Games are usually on Saturdays at 19:30. Tickets are available at the door.
reviewed
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M
EastWest Club
By day this upmarket outfit on Banje Beach rents out sun loungers and umbrellas and serves drinks to the bathers who come here to relax and rehydrate. Later on, the cocktail bar and restaurant come into their own and the in-crowd descends en masse.
reviewed
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N
Opium Buddha Bar
The décor is Asian, the sounds are electro and the look is sleek at this temple of trenditude. With a sprawling outdoor terrace, a shadowy lounge, an exhibition space and nibblies at all hours, it's hard to find a reason to leave.
reviewed
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O
Hard Rock Cafe
Although not part of the famous international chain, it's full of similar 1950s and 1960s memorabilia. In summer the café extends across the street to the garden of the Archaeological Museum, and becomes the Rock Forum Cafe.
reviewed
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Buža II
Just a notch more upmarket than the original, this one is lower on the rocks and has a shaded terrace where you can snack on crisps, peanuts or a sandwich and lose a day quite happily, mesmerised by the Adriatic vistas.
reviewed
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P
Caffe Lapidarium
The sound of Croatian crooners sails forth from the sound system while you relax in a large courtyard or antique-filled inner rooms. Wednesday night is jazz night in the summer when all sorts of groups turn up to play.
reviewed
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Q
Hemingway
The main accoutrements you'll need here are black sunglasses and a mobile phone glued to your ear. Papa (the author, not the owner of this chain of bars) was less pretentious but Zagreb's trendies couldn't care less.
reviewed
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Tribu
When party-playpal Tara Reid taped an episode of her show at this ultrahip Split club, it became an obligatory stop on the international nightclub circuit. Dance until you drop, but don't mess up your designer rags.
reviewed
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R
Hemingway
With its classy wrought-iron chairs outside, this cocktail bar is hard to miss. The comfortable interior pays homage to the bar's namesake with large photos of The Bearded One on the wall and drinks named after him.
reviewed
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S
Găetto Club
This secluded café is tucked into a tranquil courtyard inside the palace. Relax in an overstuffed chair amid flower beds and a trickling fountain, sampling an exotic coffee - or party indoors with arty types.
reviewed
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T
Troubadur
This corner bar looks pretty nondescript in the day, but on summer nights things get far more lively when there are live jazz concerts – often (though not always) featuring Marko, the owner, and his band.
reviewed
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U
Labirint
This is a vast restaurant, nightclub, disco and cabaret complex that caters to high rollers. It can chew through your wallet pretty quickly unless you just come for a romantic cocktail on the roof terrace.
reviewed
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V
Pub Karaka
The Emerald Isle is well-represented here with Irish draught beer on tap, Irish music in the evenings and a Happy Hour from 15:00 to 19:00. You can even watch UK sporting events beamed in by satellite.
reviewed