Music venues & clubs – All our local tips

I am quite happy to announce this bar, which has opened a few months ago. Why the excitement? In my opinion, it has almost everything a bar should offer. Let me start with the goodies. Do you feel like jamming? They have a jam stage waiting for you. You can also rent a bike for free! With all this goodies, free Internet doesn’t really sound much, but still I need to mention it.

A really big attraction is also a very cheap beer. You get it for € 1.50 if you order it between 17:00 and 19:00. A small tip: Show up at a bar a few minutes before 19h and order beers for all night, you will get the next one served cold when you will have drunk the previous. But don’t tell this to everyone! When you get hungry, there are panini waiting for you.

The bar with a really nice atmosphere is located in a hidden corner of Ljubljana centre. This summer was really lively there, with small gigs and DJs performing often.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
bar CONESTOGA | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Snacks | 0,5 l beer € 2.20
Trubarjeva 43 | Center
08:00 – 01:00 daily

My last time in Cankarjev dom, I was going to an international movie workshop… but it’s in general the ultimate culturale house in Ljubljana. Located straight in the centre, in front of parliament actually, it gives you the elegant way of escaping from politics or shopping in the city centre stores.

It’s a perfect getaway on a rainy day too. There’s always something happening: exhibitions, workshops, music and dance performers, theatre,…

The only thing that might be worth to add is that the place is still kind of holding to that classy style it established in the socialistic times, so it might best fit to those who are a bit pickier than average or who long for some true classical cultural experience. Also in a sense of dressing up nicely and bringing a wallet. Yes, yes, this is the right address for you.

For a virtual tour go here.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Cankarjev dom | Art & culture, Cinemas, Music, Theaters, Festivals & events
Presernova cesta 10 | Center | +38612417100
Opening times vary depending on show

You know the saying; the same crowd on a bus leads to atmosphere in a bar. Well, that is definitely true in K4!

It is always crowded there because of two things: the program is good and the place is small. Well, small in comparison with giant clubs in other capitals, but 2 floors or better 2 rooms are more than enough for me and obviously for all the other regular visitors. I love the intimacy and the comfortable feeling that you always know where you and your friends are located.

They introduce modern electronic music and urban culture to the people, promote visual artists, DJs, musicians and graphic designers. My favorites are d’n'b and break beat evenings, but I promised myself that I will also try something new this season. Sometimes it is good you don’t know exactly, what you’re going to get.

It is also one of the rare places that hosts gay&lesbians evenings – more known as “Pink nights” every Sunday evening.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Club K4 | Bars, Music | entry fee € 10.00
Kersnikova 4 | Center | +38614380261
See the program

One of Metelkova (see this article) clubs is, as all the other places there, active in developing and representing independent and alternative culture, but it is, in my opinion of course, far most successful in variety and quality of music it provides.

This is a place to go for ska, punk, rock, metal, reggae and all mixes in between, but also thematic evenings – such as funk evening every first Friday in month – are great and obligatory to visit. Especially because costumes are expected and it is so cool to move your hips in 80’s tennis player/gymnastic girl outfit.

The inside is quite small but cosy. It’s one of those places where you meet everybody you know in the first half an hour. The summer stage behind the club on the contrary hosts up to 800 people and is used for bigger concerts.

The only minus are toilets which become quite horrific after 1am, so drink something strong after your visit – just to prevent infection

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Gala Hala | Bars, Music | Events € 5.00
Metelkova city | Moste | +38614317063
See program on the website

There are a lot of reasons why Godec (Musician) Pub is a perfect place to spend your evening.

First of all, it’s hidden from the mass of tourist and filled with locals. Also, beer is not as expensive as it is in the center. It’s located in Siska near Celovska Street, so it’s great for those staying in Siska who are not in the mood to go in the center.

But the most important reason to go here is the rock rock rock. Actually, you will hear all kinds of rock. From glam, progressive, indie, hard rock to brit and american punk. And you can pick the song you’d like to hear because they have a jukebox.

So for all you rock lovers out there: visit Godec pub. You won’t regret it.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Godec Pub | Bars, Music | Beer € 1.90
Celovška cesta 68 | Siska | +38640520622
Mon – Fri 07:00 – 00:00, Sat 10:00 – 00:00, Sun 17:00 – 00:00

Gajo was founded by Drago Gajo, ‘a guy who’s always there’, a guy that leads, develops and represents majority of Slovenian jazz scene. The place is, in a way, his ‘child’, 14 years old if we are precise, where many jazz lovers feel at home.

During the summer everything happen outdoors in a garden in front of national gallery. During the winter, logically, because we don’t want to see musicians with frozen fingers, shows are indoors in club itself.

Every Monday club Gajo hosts student jam sessions, that are for me, since I am totally uneducated kid knowing just jazz classics, a bit too extravagant and ‘new age’. But full tables show that a lot of people enjoy jamming performances, and sometimes, when the atmosphere is just right, Gajo joins the session by playing drums.

Live concerts are mostly on Thursdays or Fridays, but sometimes things happen also on other days, so it is not stupid to check the program on their website in advance.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Jazz club Gajo | Bars, Music | Beer 3 dcl € 2.00
Beethovnova 8 | Center | +38614253206
See program on the website

Šiška is becoming a better and better place to live and CUK (center urbane kulture/ center for urban culture) Kino Šiška earns much of the credits for this. It opened last fall, but already has a huge impact on the Ljubljana scene. In the last few months it hosted a lot of important musicians from Slovenia and abroad (Josipa Lisac, Lollobrigida, Isis, Pan Sonic, Juno Reactor…). They have mostly music events, but also photo exhibitions, theater and dance events, some workshops…

In the past Kino Šiška was a cinema (kino in Slovene) and was build as a part of Šiška municipality center.  When Ljubljana got a new cinema complex in 2001, the majority of smaller cinemas closed their doors. They wanted to renovate Kino Šiška into a multipurpose hall for different kinds of contemporary events and almost a decade later we finally got it!

My favorite events in Kino Šiška are YU GO! Nights. Each of them presents 3 or 4 bands from ex-Yu area and can also be tagged as nu yu scene. YU GO! is on every third Thursday in month.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Kino Šiška | Art & culture, Bars, Cinemas, Music, Theaters, Festivals & events
Trg prekomorskih brigad 3 | Siska | +38630310110
Depends

Klub SubSub is keeping up with all the best electronic performers and inviting people to share their love for electronic beats. With ample parking space, and only a 5 minutes walk from the center, SubSub is highly accessible. Much like its music, the club is almost literally underground. Guest performers come from all over the world, DJ-ing all sorts of music from Soul, Funk, Hip Hop, Jazz, R&B, World Music, House, Deep house, New Wave, Electronica, Disco House, Jungle and more.

Guest performers usually play on the same bill as up-and-coming Slovenian DJs, giving our patrons a chance to see their favorites as well as exposure to some of Slovenia’s best local DJs.

Klub SubSub has changed names at least 4 times in last 30 years, so don’t be surprised if some locals forget the name. Just remember that the club you’re looking for is near the Tivoli sport hall. If dancing makes you hungry, right next door you will find a 24 hour food station. Its called the Horse Burger- no need to explain what their specialty is. If your sight happens to become blurry by the time you are ready to leave the club, just follow the crowd and go downhill.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Klub SubSub | Bars, Music | Entry fee from € 5.00
Celovska c. 25 | Siska
Mon – Wed 17:00 – 02:00, Thu – Sat 17:00 – 05:00. Sun 15:00 – 02:00

Krizanke is an open air place for concerts and festivals, with „old Ljubljana” spirit and relaxed atmosphere. The final touch was made by city architect Joze Plecnik in 1956, who successfully created an environment that is popular among old and young.

During concerts you can see many people sitting around the wall under the trees, listening the music from outside with a bottle of wine from the nearest shop. I suggest you do the same, if you are lucky enough to catch a concert; it is the best way to spend easy summer evening and mingle among locals.

If you find something you would really like to hear and see you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to experience it from inside. Two best known festivals are Jazz festival and Festival Ljubljana, both going on in summer.

You can get information about program and tickets on the spot or in Cankarjev dom.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Krizanke | Art & culture, Music | Ticket € 20.00
Trg francoske revolucije 1 | Center | +38612416026
See program

France Preseren’s art and cultural center is one of the most important locations of Ljubljana alternative scene. It is located in Trnovo, near Plecnik museum and Trnovo church. In the building of this center you will find a gallery, a bar and a stage.

KUD also houses the studio of radio Student. On the stage of the center there are a lot of different events going on throughout the whole year, for example improv theater, different concerts, workshops and movies.

Since the summer of 1992, KUD France Preseren hosts the international Trnfest festival on the courtyard of the center in August. It’s the main event in Ljubljana in that month. There, a lot of bands and theatre groups from Slovenia and abroad, are performing.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
KUD France Preseren | Art & culture, Bars, Music | Beer € 2.00
Karunova ulica 14 | Vic | +38612832288
Mon – Sat 10:00 -01:00, Sun 14:00 – 01:00

Metelkova city is the home of Ljubljana’s alternative scene, home of artists, musicians and similar crowd. Created with transforming and rebuilding ex army barracks whose walls now serve as canvas for street artists and its outdoor space as contemporary forma viva, surprise me every time with new installations and creations. Here architecture has its own rules, which are worth to see.

People gather here mostly because of numerous music events, but also just to drink a beer and hang out with friends. There is always something going on, which is a nice contrast to the otherwise quite boring and plain Ljubljana night life.

The place itself is a conglomerate of different clubs
See website for program

This bar, just a half of a beer bottle away from Metelkova (see the Metelkova article), is usually the second and most of the time also the last stop in the evening.

It has two levels with different functions. The lower one is an ordinary bar with extra-ordinary bartenders – long-haired and long bearded old rockers. The upper part is a mini concert hall a.k.a. dance floor. They host everything from A to Z, literaly (from Alternative rock, to punk, ska, metal, reggae, to jazZ).

I love concerts there because of very relaxed atmosphere and personal contact with group. I am not an expert for counting crowd, but I believe if more than 150 people would enter this room, the floor would collapse. That means a nice little bunch of spectators, without big gorillas protecting the stage and kicking off stage divers.

And yes, this is the place, where you can easily get a signature of ‘this cute bas guitarist’ directly on your boobs.

Orto bar is also the only place providing some quality party on Thursday, when the rest of Ljubljana usually looks pretty dead. 70′ and 80′ hits can suck you in until 5 in the morning, so Friday school duties are often pushed aside.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Orto bar | Bars, Music | Beer € 2.50
Grabloviceva 1 | Moste | +38612321674
Mon – Wed 21:00 – 04:00, Thu – Sat 21:00 – 05:00

I am well aware of the fact that you can find an Irish pub literally everywhere on this planet, but the true beer lovers know that an Irish pub in all those places is always a mixture. A mixture of Irishness and local atmosphere.

For all the beer lovers it is really important to know that they are offering 38 different beers! Not to forget whiskeys are there speciality also. I was told they have more than 30 different kinds.

They serve lunch Thursday to Saturday from 11:00 – 16:00 and have live, Irish style, music every Thursday after 9 p.m. with no entrance fee. This bar is also a good option if you are a sport lover, since they have a big screen TV for watching sports, like rugby, football, ice hockey, cricket and many more.

Their lovely slogan is: There are no strangers here, only friends who haven’t met!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Patrick’s Pub | Bars, Music, Snacks, Restaurants (Fish & chips) | Lunch € 5.50
Prečna ulica 6 | Center | +38612301768
Mon – Wed 16:00 – 01:00, Thu – Sat 11:00 – 01:00, Sun 16:00 – 00:00

This used to be a bicycle factory ROG, founded after the Second World War. It is today in temporary use by whomever is in need of a working and creation place. Big halls are offering a lot of space even for dance practices. But for me and for most of you this is another really cool place to hang out. I could easily say this is the real alternative place to go to.

There are mainly three options, first and the most permanent is a gallery Kljub vsemu (Nevertheless), which is on the left hand side after you enter the Rog walls. On the other, right hand side there is small building that has smaller events, like debates, film projections, alternative Erasmus hanging spot (the first one is usually in main stream bars and organized), smaller concerts and whatever you can think of.

But if you go towards the tallest building, that looks like factory halls and you follow the noise you will enter the concert hall. In this biggest hall they sell also drinks in case of an event, but you are always allowed to bring some with you. Next to the entrance to the concert hall new bar/club emerged named Trotsky. It looks like this is the liveliest place at the moment in Rog. Lately, the rumour is spreading that sthere is another one opening… I’ll let you know soon.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
ROG | Art & culture, Music, Theaters | Beer € 1.50
Trubarjeva cesta 72 | Center
24 hours daily

Sax pub is located on Eipprova Street. It was the first pub in the street. After that, a lot of other cafes and restaurants opened their doors but despite others you can’t really miss Sax pub. It’s a small house covered with graffiti.

You could call it the second jazz club in Ljubljana as it has a stage smaller than a normal toilet. It’s well known for great atmosphere, especially during the summer, when they have concerts on a stage near Gradascica River, which was made by Slovenian architect Joze Plecnik.

The place is perfect for having a break from the center if you don’t have enough time to go somewhere further away. You will find Eipprova Street south of the center in the city part called Trnovo. It is also possible to walk there from Preseren’s square, if you just walk along Ljubljanica River.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Sax pub | Bars, Music | Beer € 2.50
Eipprova ulica 7 | Vic
Mon 12:00 – 01:00, Tue – Sat 10:00 – 01:00, Sun 16:00 – 21:00

Mmm, maybe you’ll find this post a bit out of a way, but I decided to write about student dorms in Ljubljana, because I think they have something to offer also to foreigners. Heck I’ve lived there for many years myself, so I should know what I’m talking about…

If you come to Ljubljana during the school year (from October to June), you cannot miss one of the student parties. Just sneak in, they held them all the time – the most popular at this time of the year are freshmen’s parties (pretty funny to watch ), but there are also “regional” parties (organized by students from particular region outside of the capital), parties organized by particular faculty, and of course traditional student games in May (Majske igre) – a month of events before the exam period.

So, lots of sport, concerts, drinks, laughter and FUN! Not to mention great opportunuties to interact with locals.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Student dorms | Bars, Music | Free
Cesta v Mestni log 72 | Vic
24 hours daily

The restaurant is decorated with a traditional Turkish decor; throw rugs, seats, various cultural artifacts and even the staff themselves wear traditional garb.

Besides offering meat and vegetarian dishes, they occasionally host belly dancing performances which typically take place in the evening. As it should be, one also has an opportunity to smoke some Narghilé – the famous Turkish pipe.

During the day, until 15:00, a three course lunch is served for € 7.00. It is not uncommon to smell Turkish-style coffee wafting out of the typical Slovenian home, however in the bars and cafes it is typically espresso that is served. Perhaps this is why Yildiz Han is so liked by locals here in Ljubljana. Here can you get proper Turkish coffee.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Yildiz Han | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Music, Restaurants (Turkish) | Lunch € 6.00
Karlovska c. 19 | Center | +38614265717
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 00:00

Bar that brought freshness into Ljubljana, one could easily say it is the first ethno club around here.

Its name Zlati Zob or Golden Tooth as would be direct translation refers to the often seen golden teeth in Gypsy smiles. Founders of the club are also part of well known band Sukar, which is the Slovenian tamburitza ensemble, a music band, that plays mostly gypsy music, which origins mainly from eastern and south-eastern Europe”.

The carefully selected decorations are from all over the Balkan Peninsula and the music played here is also orientated towards the south-east. That means one can hear a lot of folk and gypsy songs, sometimes only from records, but often there is live program.

Usually there are concerts on Thursdays, Ethno jams on Mondays and DJ programs on Wednesdays and Fridays. Sometimes travelers give lectures about their travels.

Dancing nights are also organized. First you can enjoy professional and amateur dancers perform, and then you should join them on the dance floor. Another positive thing about that place is that they serve very good Czech draft beer.

Another interesting thing of this place is also the building itself, which is part of Selo, 18th century mansion used for different purposes during the history.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Zlati Zob | Bars, Music, Snacks | Beer € 2.20
Zaloka cesta 69 | Moste | +38659139552
Mon – Thu 19:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 19:00 – 03:00, Sun 12:00 – 01:00