Entertainment in Transylvania
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A
Diesel Bar
It's obvious - right on the main square - but if you walk right pass the hipsters looking to be seen in the all-glass entry and go downstairs into a towering room, with red-spotlit tables and giant rooms,you can mix with the coolest of Cluj. 'It's chill-out on weekdays, DJs and live music on weekends', explained the nose-pierced bartenders.
reviewed
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B
Auld Scots Pub
Capturing local imagination, and plain one-upping the local Irish pub, the kilts and Connery on the walls of this inviting bar can be forgiven for its tasteful sitting areas, three-board dart room and far better-than-average pub fare. Good Romanian wine comes by the glass if you wish, or there are pints of Ursus beer.
reviewed
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Metropolis
Down the zigzag sidewalk from left of the clock tower (from inside the citadel), this cavernous pink-walled joint has a big stage for jam sessions and themed dance nights. Stop by if you hear rehearsal and see if the manager's practising band has found a name yet. To quote him, 'Satriani. Malmsteen…geniuses'.
reviewed
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Obsession
One regular told us with boundless pride that the slick three-room Obsession, about 1km south of the centre, is 'definitely the hottest club in Transylvania'. It gets its cred with its blaring beats, wall-to-wall bodies, theme nights (including Magyar Night), and big-name DJ visitors.
reviewed
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C
Chill Out
Local students hightail it to this fun, loud, enigmatic spot with a well-lit room and a dark one, where themed nights and DJs rule the roost (one time it was pitch dark, with smooching couples dancing and a guy flashing a torch on the scene - now that's entertainment).
reviewed
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Hotel Tinereului Café-Bar
Those collecting experiences should get a coffee or beer - and a free 1980s flashback - at this little, commie-era hotel café in the student quarter, 1km north of the citadel. (Rooms are stuffy and overpriced.)
reviewed
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D
Irish & Music Pub
A little Wild West up-front, this sprawling pub is a great casual place for buddy blokes to sit and drink, indie-poppers to flirt, and students to study on quiet nights. Lots of live shows on the small stage.
reviewed
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E
Art Café
Saxon intellects and goofing teens discuss the world at side-by-side tables in this small café (coffee, beer, mixed drinks), which sometimes stages jazz and dance events. It has a very open vibe.
reviewed
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F
La Solas
The student ghetto, southwest of the centre (on/off Str Piezişă, reached by Str Clinicilor about 300m from Piaţa Lucian Blaga), teems with lively open-air bars, including La Solas.
reviewed
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G
Festival 39
Cosy dark-lit room with happy locals filling the tables and bars when other bars are empty. Brick walls, dozens of candles and antiques, soft music, 20- and thirtysomething smoking locals.
reviewed
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No Limits
This slightly upmarket disco is to the right of the arched entry to the citadel, just below the Clock Tower. It borders on tackiness but gets steamy on weekends.
reviewed
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Agenţie de Teatrală
Tickets for theatrical and classical music and ballet performances can be purchased at the Agenţie de Teatrală, just off Piaţa Sfatului.
reviewed
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H
Club Roland Garros
Part pizza restaurant, part teenage weekend disco, Roland delivers for its riverside balcony seats, great for afternoon beer to watch fishermen.
reviewed
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Hungarian State Theatre & Opera
This company, close to the river, stages Hungarian-language plays and operas. Tickets are sold in advance at the box office inside the theatre.
reviewed
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I
Flowers
Stone-floored and twee, Crema's more chat-friendly neighbour offers loose teas, wi-fi access for its mostly twentysomething, studious crowd.
reviewed
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J
Radu Stancu State Theatre
Plays are usually in Romanian, with occasional productions in German on Wednesday. It hosts the International Theatre Festival in May/June.
reviewed
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K
Opera
The Opera is housed in the National Theatre Lucain Blaga, designed by Fellner and Hellmer. Performances are well-attended so book ahead.
reviewed
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L
National Theatre Lucian Blaga
This theatre was designed by the famous Viennese architects Fellner and Hellmer and performances here are well attended.
reviewed
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M
Philharmonic
Founded in 1949, this has played a key role in maintaining Sibiu's prestige as a main cultural centre of Transylvania.
reviewed
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N
Teresa Scara
Pretty much everyone who drinks beer (flirting uni students, middle-aged coworkers) drops in at open-air Teresa Scara.
reviewed
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Grădina de Vară
Grădina de Vară is an open-air disco sometimes held in summer weekends up on the hill in the citadel.
reviewed
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O
Go In
The Go In is a traditional-style bar with lots of twentysomething couples sharing tables over beer and cocktails.
reviewed
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P
Studionul Astra
This place screens alternative art films; it also hosts the annual International Astra Film Festival in October.
reviewed
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Q
State Philharmonic
Tickets for classical concerts hosted by the State Philharmonic are sold at the Agenţie de Teatrală
reviewed
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R
Kulturkafe
Kulturkafe has the best table spots on the square, and is slightly more adult- than student-oriented inside.
reviewed
