Dubrovnik
The more upmarket and slick of two cliff bars pressed up against the seaward side of the city walls. This one is lower on the rocks and has a shaded…
Must-see nightlife in Croatia
Zadar
With slick, eccentric, semi-industrial decor, a bar with a line of hams and garlic hanging above, Portuguese-style tiles and a welcoming, open-to-the…
Split
Fittingly, the 15th-century Gothic home of the 'Dante of Croatia', Marko Marulić, now houses this wonderful little 'library jazz bar' made up of small…
Split
This stylish wine and cheese bar has a fantastic rooftop terrace, a massive selection of Croatian wines (more than 120, including 40 by the glass) and a…
Pag Island
Rated one of the best clubs in the world (it came in at number six in DJ Mag's 2017 list), Papaya is the kingpin of the Zrće scene, complete with palm…
Pula
This artsy hideaway, 2km south of the centre in Veruda, has a cosy wood-beamed interior, eclectic objects and rock portraits on the walls, dim lighting,…
Rijeka
This warmly eclectic place has a wonderful range of teas, terrific coffees and other drinks such as a stellar rose lemonade. The decoration is…
Rijeka
Tucked beneath the railway tracks in an actual tunnel, this popular place morphs from daytime cafe to comedy and live-music venue to late-night club. It…
Pula
Occupying the porch of a decaying Habsburg-era mansion, this hip, dishevelled bar is an oasis of boho cool with a long cocktail menu and a laid-back…
Krk Island
This dark, cool, cave-like place has a terrace, a pool table, a delicious secret garden and even a collection of archaeological relics that were uncovered…
Dubrovnik
This little beach bar serves coffee, snacks and cocktails to bathers reclining by the dazzlingly clear waters of Lapad Bay, but that's not the half of it …
Zagreb
When a wine bar is run by a top sommelier, you know you're in good hands. Jelene Šimić Valentić's casual-chic place is the best spot in town to get…
Dubrovnik
If you're interested in sampling top-notch Croatian wine, this convivial bar is the place to go. As well as a large and varied wine list, it offers…
Pula
Housed in a former bank on the Forum (the huge safe is used as a storeroom), this is Pula's hippest cafe, scattered with random Tito-era furniture, the…
Dubrovnik
Finding this ramshackle bar-on-a-cliff feels like a real discovery as you duck and dive around the city walls and finally see the entrance tunnel. However…
Zadar
One of Zadar's biggest clubs, Podroom draws a regular cast of Croatian and international DJs, especially in summer. It's within staggering distance of the…
Rovinj
Clinging to the old-town sea cliffs, this gorgeous little bar feels like a secret. It's not, of course – Rovinj's fashionable set are already here,…
Pag Island
Kalypso is the coolest-looking club on the strip, built into a cove at the northern end of the beach with myriad cabana-like bars surrounded by palm trees…
Hvar Town
The spot to catch the sunset to the sound of techno and house music, Hula-Hula is known for its après-beach party (4pm to 9pm), where all of young, trendy…
Hvar Town
A happening place in an alleyway just off the waterfront, Kiva is packed to the rafters most nights, with patrons spilling out and filling up the lane…
Central & Eastern Istria
The old loggia was the centre of Hum life in Venetian times and it remains so today, thanks to this friendly little bar. Drop by to sample local wine and…
Brač Island
Head to this stone courtyard, tucked away from the buzz of the coastal promenade, to listen to indie tunes, sample from a big selection of local and…
Zadar
Perched on top of the old city walls, this exceedingly cool bar-club-garden is very Ibiza-esque, with harbour views, day beds, secluded alcoves, billowing…
Pag Island
Repeatedly voted one of the top 100 clubs in the world, Aquarius is a huge space with stylish alcoves, great views and a glassed-off area. Top DJs and…
Zadar
Many locals swear that this is the best coffee in the old town. It also does cocktails and craft beers, and it's far enough off the main tourist drag to…
Zagreb
Location, location, location. Everyone from fashionable young things to gossiping grandmas and museumed-out tourists pack out the front terrace and slick…
Dubrovnik
The name might mislead you: this isn't, in fact, a brewery, but the selection of Croatian craft beer is good enough to justify the tag. Still, with huge…
Hvar Town
Look no further – you have arrived at the mother of Croatia’s glitzy coastal bars. From a groggy breakfast to (pricey) late-night cocktails, there's no…
Dubrovnik
Appropriately named, this buzzy little bar is rocky and relaxed, with craft beer and cocktails being the main poisons – aside from those being exhaled by…
Zagreb
Sip on one of five house-brewed beers (14KN–17KN), from a hoppy lager to a classic weizenbier, at this fun and bustling bar with a large, chestnut-tree…
Zagreb
This traditional English pub hides inside an Austro-Hungarian town house, but once you walk in, all the elements are there: a mirror behind the bar,…
Zagreb
Shielded from traffic inside the cosy passage leading to the semiwild Tuškanac forest, this cafe-cum-bar is a chic but casual spot to sink a few cocktails…
Zagreb
Bookworms and poets, writers and performers, oddballs and artists…basically anyone creative in Zagreb comes here to chat and drink coffee, browse the…
Dubrovnik
The first (and only) brewery in Dubrovnik occupies an industrial-style hangar near the main bus station. The taproom serves a standard lager, IPA, pale…
Zagreb
Craft-beer fanatics may well want to take a break from the central nightlife hub to head to this small, laid-back bar where local craft beer (15KN–34KN…
Split
Big, bright and brash, this large industrial-style bar has offset its brick arches with kooky light fixtures and elegant little tables where the Splitćani…
Split
Locals come here to catch up with friends without loud music drowning out the conversation – except during the weekend DJ sessions. Plus it stocks soy…
Zagreb
Sister pub to Pivnica Medvedgrad, Mali Medo has snaffled prime position along this pedestrian strip and gets crammed with people enjoying house-brewed…
Zagreb
Much beloved by the locals, this all-day lounge on a popular stretch is split into cafe and club areas. It delivers fun both day and night, including live…
Hvar Town
It starts slowly, with a mixed crowd enjoying cocktails by the water, but once Hula-Hula winds down and Kiva packs out, Nautica comes into its own as an…
