Dubrovnik
This little cafe-bar is the best place in Dubrovnik to sample a selection of Croatian craft beer.
Must-see nightlife in Croatia
Poreč
A black-and-white plastic theme runs throughout this waterfront hang-out, where the young and beautiful sip caffeine-based beverages by day, and alcoholic…
Dubrovnik
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…
Dubrovnik
Serious coffee devotees should seek out this diminutive branch of Zagreb's premier roasters, hidden under an arch on the way to the Maritime Museum. The…
Zagreb
This artsy venue in an old pharmaceutical factory calls itself an ‘autonomous cultural centre’. It’s the city’s first legalised squat, with a program of…
Pakleni Islands
This place offers quite the heady Med-glam experience, with family-friendly beach fun during the day and all-night parties after dark. Boat transfers…
Zadar
Filling half the square (another cafe fills the other half), Lovre is good for a light breakfast: munch a croissant, sip a cappuccino and soak up the…
Zagreb
In a former factory on the banks of the Sava River, south of the centre, ‘Swamp’ is one of Zagreb's best venues for the cream of alternative music and…
Dubrovnik
Set in blissful gardens with a tinkling fountain, the terrace bar of the Villa Oršula is a wonderful place to dress up, sip cocktails and watch the sun as…
Zadar
If all you want is a simple coffee-and-cake stop, this unpretentious cafe serves excellent coffee and sweet treats, and piles the sladoled (gelato) high…
Korčula Island
The place to be in Korčula at sunset, this adults-only bar is lodged in the turret of the Zakerjan Tower and is accessible only by ladder; the drinks are…
Zagreb
This cavernous former ironmonger's store is now a swish coffee-drinking hang-out during the day and a buzzing American-style bar with DJ music come…
Split
Come to this smoky little cave for coffee, cocktails or a quiet beer, but be prepared for haphazard service. On the same square are a couple of other bars…
Zagreb
Past its heyday but still fun, this lakeside club has a series of rooms that open onto a huge terrace. House and techno are the standard fare but there…
Pula
This slick bar on the harbour, next to the rowing club, really comes into its own late on summer weekends when it stays open till 5am. During the day,…
Zagreb
‘Apple’ is an old-time fave, with 1980s hits played to a thirty-something crowd that reminisces about the good old days when they were young and…
Pula
Après-beach fun is on the menu at this beach bar in Saccorgiana Bay on Verudela. Inside, large photos of revolutionaries (Che, Tito, Ho Chi Minh, Michael…
Zagreb
A secret spot only the locals know about, and probably the most understatedly hip little bar in town. A slightly older boho crowd packs the two small,…
Zagreb
This former factory turned club, outside the centre near Zagreb's new CBD, hosts varied weekend events, sometimes two parties on one floor, resulting in a…
Zagreb
Zagreb's most underground club, on the western outskirts of the city, only opens once or twice a month. But when it does, there's a great vibe and a very…
Slavonia
The major point of action on Trvđa's main square, the Fort has a cosy green-walled interior and a pavement seating (with swing-chairs) that sprawls across…
Zagreb
A city-centre hotspot for sampling Croatian wines by the glass (14–25KN), this basement bar with a few sidewalk tables sits right by the funicular. Pair…
Slavonia
A dead ringer for a London boozer, the Old Bridge has three levels and a slim outdoor terrace – the top floor is a classy space with elegant Chesterfield…
Korčula Island
A popular hang-out for young Korčulans, this flashy bar morphs into a club on summer nights. There's a second location on a terrace that spills out into…
Dubrovnik
Tucked into a corner behind the cathedral, Troubadour looks pretty nondescript during the day. That all changes on summer nights, when jazz musicians set…
Zagreb
Zagreb's smallest club also has the most powerful sound system, the feel of a private party and top-notch local and international DJ acts spinning deep…
Pula
Stop at this humble cafe-bar for outdoor seating with an unrivalled view down into the amphitheatre. The view and the cheapish drinks make it a good place…
Vis Island
Head to this cafe-bar to sip coffee between outings to the beach and then return for cocktails at night. If you're peckish, it serves British-style…
Split
This locals' cafe has an upstairs terrace and a big-screen TV for sporting events. It's a relaxed place, away from the buzz of Diocletian's Palace. The…
Pelješac Peninsula
Located by the side of the main road in Donja Banda, this wine bar stocks a wide variety of local wines, as well as a selection of rakija (grappa) and…
Zagreb
Claiming to be the oldest cafe in Zagreb (dating from 1846), this Viennese-style place serves delicious coffee, tea and cakes under pretty frescoed…
Split
Right behind the town hall, this local's local is blokey and smoky during the day but transforms into a buzzy bar at night, with a cocktail station and…
Rovinj
Cosy cafe-bar with small candlelit tables and cushions laid out on the stairs leading to the old town's hilltop. It serves tasty snacks and good Prosecco.
Zagreb
Zagreb’s popular beer hall, with a huge terrace and the biggest selection of beers from around the world (18–28KN), plus pub grub and various events.
Zagreb
A younger gay and lesbian crowd mixes at this fun club near the Sava River, southwest of the city centre, which often puts on events and themed nights.
Central & Eastern Istria
The best place for a drink on the Rabac strip is this open-air bar under the pines by pebbly Sv Andrija beach. There's often live music at night.
Split
This beachfront cafe is like the locals’ open-air living room, a cult hang-out with great views of Bačvice beach, and occasional concerts.
Split
Splićani have been partying at this 1st-floor miniclub for decades. There’s live and DJ-spun music, and regular book and movie nights.
Zagreb
The sidewalk tables here are prime for people-watching on this busy pedestrian street. At night it’s a good place to meet for drinks.
Poreč
Kick back by the water and watch the sun go down, grab a quick espresso or have a leisurely nightcap cocktail at this low-key cafe-bar.
