Pirin Mountains
Blagoevgrad's friendliest cafe has a band of cheerful staff that stirs up soups, fresh salads and tasty sandwiches alongside an Italian-leaning menu of…
Must-see nightlife in Plovdiv & Southern Mountains
Plovdiv
The crowd at this hole-in-the-wall craft-beer hangout spills onto the street – such is the bar's deserved popularity, even against stiff competition in…
Plovdiv
Coffee lovers can rest easy in the stripped-bare decor of Monkey House, purveyors of Plovdiv's best flat white. The interior is ornamented with bicycles…
Plovdiv
Opening up from the blink-and-you'll-miss-it exterior is an airy brick-walled space where staff truly know their vintages. Delicious Bulgarian wines start…
Pirin Mountains
Whether it's deep house, chalga (Bulgarian folk-pop) or live bands, things get raucous at this student-heavy nightclub (formerly known as Xtreme). Iron…
Bansko
They forgot the ‘-ing’, but never mind. This bar-disco, right near the ski lifts, has themed evenings and quality live acts, making it one of Bansko's…
Pirin Mountains
Cheeky themed events – from retro '90s to shameless booze promotions – lure students and 20-somethings to this popular brick-walled bar, just off the main…
Plovdiv
Too pretty to be merely a dive bar, the Maria Luiza has dedicated owners who keep adapting the decor to suit their whims. The colourful downstairs is…
Plovdiv & Southern Mountains
During ski season this bar-restaurant heaves with punters, whether they're chomping on pizza, chugging rakia (Bulgarian brandy) or settling in for karaoke…
Plovdiv
Take a seat on the outdoor military storage boxes, or huddle up within this novel whisky bar in Kapana. The crowd is spirited, and there are occasional…
Plovdiv
This glamorous venue marries cocktails, live music and pan-European dining on an open-air verandah. Events range from DJ sets and risqué dance shows to…
Plovdiv
A bastion of bohemia, this damp, bare-bones but always interesting spot hosts rock and indie bands, themed nights and plenty of drunken, late-night…
Plovdiv
Gelato flavours, from cookie to lemon, as well as dainty patisserie, custard puddings and smooth coffee seduce passers-by at this exceptional Italian…
Plovdiv
You can try to resist the chintz, but most revellers in Kapana (especially students and expats) are eventually hoovered into the '90s-pop whirlwind here…
Plovdiv
Alt-rock, jazz, funk and electronica dominate the eclectic menu at Petnoto na Rorschach, beloved among Plovdiv's 20-somethings for its free-spirited…
Plovdiv
Hard rock and metal set this bar vibrating – when the football's not on, that is. It's only Download's pre-midnight closing time that doesn't feel rock 'n…
Plovdiv
Refreshing drinks with fruit syrups, soda water and ice cream are served in mason jars at this slick cafe, but you're really paying for the view: tables…
Plovdiv & Southern Mountains
Sleepy Smolyan’s best bar has plump sofas and remnants of traditional stone walls, creating a casual atmosphere to drink and dine. There are occasional…
Plovdiv
A cafe-diner by day – serving burgers, salads and mixed European cuisine – Avenue slips into its spikiest high heels by night for DJ sets, house and retro…
Plovdiv & Southern Mountains
The loosely Paris-themed cafe attached to Edelweiss Guesthouse is an agreeable spot to pause for an espresso, and there are well-kept rooms available…
Plovdiv & Southern Mountains
This cordial cafe, where tables spill onto the pavement, is an acceptable spot to linger over coffee and find a wi-fi signal.
Plovdiv
A hip – but not painfully so – spot in a wonderfully ramshackle building with chill-out music and occasional live acts.
Pirin Mountains
This stylish after-hours club features karaoke, occasional live rock or jazz bands, and a bubbly crowd of 20-somethings.
Plovdiv
House music is religion for punters at Plazma. Both the dress code and the crowd are more laid-back than most clubs in Bulgaria, and nights sometimes roll…
Pirin Mountains
This cafe-bar near pl Makedonia has indoor and outdoor seats that spill across the pedestrian drag. It's good for coffee by day and cocktails by night.
