The Art Hostel – Bohemian Like You

If you are in Sofia, you might already be staying there, but let’s say it anyways: in the mesh of central streets hides the Art Hostel, which, besides the obvious, offers a spirited little bar and a classic Sofia backyard.

What has kept the bar running for more than ten years is the nourishing mix of locals and travellers. It’s become the Friday night hub due to the good, yet conversation-friendly music and the opportunity to hang out in just so many ways – literally, because nowhere else in Sofia is there such a various collection of found furniture in all shapes and sizes. The decor of the 6 different rooms is an assemblage from basements and streets, built on by the ideas of local and visiting artists through the years. Most of them were also employed at the bar at some point.

True to the homo ludens spirit, the hostel offers a scene for exhibitions, small gigs, theatre plays, poetry slams, screenings and performances of all kinds. And since guests, staff and artists so often overlap, it’s easy to feel like you belong. It is a reliable place for beer and a company on a cold winter evening, and in summer they usually spend their time in the garden, as delightful an urban inner yard as they come. In fact it’s become so much like a second home to some circles that even if you don’t catch a public event, there is a good chance to land at somebody’s birthday party.