Bars

So this is the scenario: it’s Monday, one of the usually less interesting days of the week. You’re walking around downtown Zagreb not really looking for a crazy dance-party but not quite ready to go home yet. After all, who said Mondays should be just a dull beginning of the (work) week days.

If this happens, and you’re in the mood for a beer and some live music, not just Mondays, you can stop by this small and cozy bar on Mesnička street and be sure you’ll find what you’re looking for. Because in Tituš, every single day of the week you can be sure there’s gonna be at least someone playing the guitar (or an accordion, a violin or DJ-ing from real old-school vinyl records). Be it either local kids who want to practice their performance skills on thursdays (whoever wants to play at night) or a super professional artist, the atmosphere will always be the same: unpretentious, full of good vibes and music, music, music.

In Tituš, there’s never knowing who can stop by, pick up or bring an instrument and just have fun with it, spreading good energy among the crowd, backed up by the always friendly couple who runs the place (Marija & Davor) who do their job sincerely from the heart and it’s there for everyone to see.

Svijet Stripa, meaning “Comic World” in Croatian used to be a cool neighborhood cafe where I sometimes enjoyed my afternoon coffee, surrounded by all the retro comics, it’s a place where you’d come to hang out by yourself and browse through the endless stacks reminiscing childhood .

Last spring, we discussed with a couple of friends how it would be a cool place to host acoustic gigs, just to find out that the same idea had occurred to the owner as well. So ever since then, you can find someone playing in “SS” every weekend and sometimes during the week. And I must say, it’s a great place for coming to enjoy a relaxing evening with friends or by yourself, and listen to some good music.

Another great thing about this place is that it is in a somewhat secluded street and the bar opens up with one whole wall onto the terrace, so no matter if you’re sitting outside or inside, you can hear the music. It also makes the air circulate, so it doesn’t get too hot or smoky inside.

It is definitely a spot to look out for, and I’m just hoping they have more surprises in store.

All jazz lovers coming by train won’t see much of Zagreb if they enter Bacchus. Situated less than 100m from the central train station, this bar offers food and drink for both body and soul, serving as a perfect welcome, farewell or just a quick resting place for an inquisitive wanderer.

A bar with history, a former legendary notorious hot spot and gay meeting point, reopened its doors in 2008. with a new concept, slowly regaining it’s undeservedly lost cult status. The first thing that one notices upon entering is the details.

Everything here is about details. Every time you look around you will notice something new, from numerous antique writing machines, gramophones, radios, television sets, car models and wardrobes to a trapped baby doll, yellow rubber duck and a shark gnawing on a disco ball, to name just a few. The counter itself is made of an old bookshelf filled with books, and you get the check in one of them.

Jazz is played Wed-Sat, and the programme can be checked on their web page. If the weather is nice, you can sit in the garden up front, which reminds of a grandma’s back garden, extremely pleasant and relaxing.

The wine list is rather short but carefully selected, featuring wines from Argentina, Chile, California, Republic of South Africa as well as Croatian pride and glory. Besides wines, they offer a great list of cocktails and rakija made with herbs, berries, sour cherries, honey, pear, myrtle, and even nettle.

Imagine the following scenario: It’s Wednesday afternoon, the weekend is light years away, your boss is sitting on your neck and you still have tons of stuff to do… What now? A tough question.

Or, rather, it would be tough, were it not for Cica (The Boob). Located in Tkalčićeva street, just around the corner from a great kebab place and Leonardo and Nokturno restaurants, Cica offers mother’s milk for a young working class soul. The place is very small, mostly crowded and a bit chaotic, filled with shouting, laughter and cigarette smoke.

They offer a wide range of home made fruit rakija and two of the best Croatian beer – Velebitsko (light) and Kasačko (semi-dark). The rakija comes from the Istrian peninsula and is kept in various bottles with handwritten labels on them which adds to the atmosphere.

The music ranges from hip-hop, house, alternative rock to whatever the air is in the air that evening. And do not be surprised if you stumble upon an exhibition, movie projection or a poetry evening, there’s something going on all the time. Just order your favourite shot and a beer, mingle and meet new people. Who cares if tomorrow is Thursday!

Although Cinema Grič has existed as long as I can remember, it opened its fully redecorated interior in 2009. The front area is consisted of a colourful bar that has two floors and a small club situated in the basement.

The club is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The entrance is free!

The whole three front floors are also used as a showroom for different art exhibitions and a meeting place for various book promotions and festivals. In the back area you can find a small but cozy projection room, where you can watch a film, depending on the current program.

The whole place is very appealing, full of color and charm. During evenings it is very crowded and dynamic which makes it an ideal place to start a promising weekend night out. Although this place looks like it has it all, the Club works until 02:00 so you are advised to continue your socializing and dancing in some other city center club.