Bucharest
This hidden garden behind a poorly marked gate is a breath of fresh air in a heavily urbanised neighbourhood. Grab a picnic table and enjoy a fresh…
Must-see nightlife in Romania
Bucharest
A perfect spot to mix coffee with a little work. Seneca is something like a cross between a cafe and a shared co-office workspace, where you pay 8 lei per…
Wallachia
A local version of an Irish pub situated 2km north of the centre (take a taxi as it's hard to find). While there's not much true Irish food on the menu,…
Transylvania
Decked out in dark wood and spilling into a beer garden, this pub is one of the liveliest spots in town. If shot parties, medieval-themed events and live…
Braşov
With a line up of guest DJs, techno nights, screenings of sporting events and even karaoke, this venue offers a grab-bag of entertainment (or just have a…
Bucharest
This popular pub has the authentic Irish bar look down, with dark woods and a green ceiling. Grab a table on busy Str Smârdan and settle back with a pint…
Sibiu
Adjoining the whimsical PanGeea hostel, this bar was decorated with animal skulls, vintage furniture and mind-bending paintings by the owner's artist…
Székely Land
Bookish and brick-lined, this boho cafe and community space serves up live jazz, literary meet-ups, and great coffee. Sink into a faded leather armchair…
Transylvania
Deep inside this intimate brick-lined haunt, anything from live rock to DJ sets could be the soundtrack of your vampish late nights. The shot parties are…
Braşov
Jazz flows from this vintage-feel watering hole and restaurant, an art deco dream of stained glass, high ceilings, wrought-iron finery, candelabra and…
Timişoara
This German-style bar with a red British phone box and black-and-white photos of old Temeschburg (Timişoara in German) on the walls may have something of…
Bucharest
Upscale terrace coffee and cocktail bar, just south of Dolce Vita on the western side of the lake across from Snagov village, attracting a glamorous…
Bucovina
Suceava's nearest thing to an Irish pub (look for the giant black Guinness canopies), Oscar Wilde is a big, wood-floored bar with outdoor seating. It…
Danube Delta
Popular watering hole on the river promenade with decent coffee and relatively rare nonfiltered Ciuc beer on tap for 6 lei per glass. It's about 300m west…
Sibiu
One of a new slew of upmarket coffee places, Espressee prepares its brews with loving care, and it shows. Decadent iced coffees are a meal in themselves;…
Moldavia & the Bucovina Monasteries
An elegant continental-style cafe, Casablanca has subdued decor with striped wallpaper and matching ornate chairs. Young lawyers, visiting television…
Timişoara
This club has been a staple on the dance scene for years and shows no signs of slowing down, particularly on retro '80s and '90s dance nights. There's…
Iaşi
This festive indie fave down in the Cub complex has outlandish green walls and surrealist versions of Romanian monastic murals. The beer is cheap and the…
Cluj-Napoca
Sip good coffee and great cocktails in Tabiet's snug, stone-walled bar or on the terrace, which spills into the cobbled old town. It also serves piadina …
Braşov
As if transplanted from Donegal, this subterranean Irish pub with its early-20th-century cloudy mirrored bar, shadowy booths and old-world soundtracks, is…
Iaşi
Popular student watering hole, serving Guinness on tap as well as a wide range of decent cocktails, coffee and wine. Sit on the pavement terrace and watch…
Vama Veche
This is the oldest and most likeable of several beachside drinking shacks with their signature thatched roofs and picnic tables. To find it, walk down the…
Bucharest
This well-positioned and lively cafe stands at the entrance to the old town. Very good coffee and other drinks. It also prepares light meals such as…
Moldavia & the Bucovina Monasteries
This popular pub consists of lots of weathered wood, historic photos, and small enclosed bars and tables with candles adding a touch of intimacy. It's…
Cluj-Napoca
Cluj's only LGBT club is a laid-back bar on weeknights, and a vodka-fuelled, scantily-clad late-night party at weekends. Boys are banned between 11pm and…
Cluj-Napoca
Follow the mural of rock stars beneath neon lights and psychedelic rafters at this hyperactive, ever-changing bar, which draws a young crowd clamouring…
Timişoara
A fun club in the student complex. You'll have to ask around within the complex to find it. Parties, DJs and the whole bit, starting late.
Transylvania
Enjoy chilled elderflower cordial and forkfuls of homemade cake at this shady courtyard cafe. It's south of the fortified church, on a street west of the…
Sibiu
Cosy barfly joint with vampish vaulted ceilings, dimly lit booths for canoodling, great cocktails (15 to 18 lei) and occasional live acts and screenings…
Transylvania
This brick-walled pizzeria spills into a beer garden, where you can chill with a lager (8 lei) or bottle of wine (35 lei) and watch tourists mill around…
Sighişoara
Sip cocktails or boozy coffees in this converted theatre space, or twirl for live music, themed club nights and DJ sets at this catch-all cafe and…
Maramureş
This cafe, which takes its coffee very seriously indeed, has a terrace giving on to a pedestrian street. Just outside the main action of the main square.
Maramureş
With its vaguely Parisian, nicotine-coloured interior, this is a good stop for cappuccinos and, come evening, mojitos and daiquiris.
Cluj-Napoca
While this cafe is almost a little too trendy, with its polished tables and trance soundtrack, the coffee is to die for.
Bucovina
The best spot in town to grab a beer, wine or cocktail. The owner is a cocktail aficionado and the results show it.
Székely Land
A mash-up of live music lounge, pub and Austro-Hungarian restaurant – with clientele a fair sight younger than its name suggests – Old Man's Pub is among…
Târgu Mureş
Just off the square through an archway, this cafe and pub is a favourite with locals thanks to its cosy but chic atmosphere, and occasional program of…
Cluj-Napoca
On the northern edge of Piaţa Unirii, climb two flights of stairs and push through some doors to find deeply hidden and deeply hip Yolka. The name is…
Bucharest
Just about anything goes at this popular old town dance club. Try to arrive early, around 11pm, since it can get crowded later. La Muse draws everyone…
Danube Delta
When it comes to evening drinking, this centrally located open-air terrace is the only game in town. Serves beer and coffee throughout the day to a…
