Image by Milana M.

Music. Rock, blues, jazz, pop, funky, ethno, r’n'b, chanson … Most of it live. And mostly every day. Do you need more reasons to visit Sax? Well, if you do, here’s a brief history overview.

Sax was established 13 years ago as a place where all Croatian musicians or all genres can perform their work in front of an audience that knows how to appreciate what they have to offer. Prominent names of the Croatian music scene have performed here alongside less prominent ones. Anonymous performers became stars. Stars didn’t live up to their star status. All in all, it was rarely boring in Sax. True, sometimes the repertoire of some bands can be more or less repetitive but the upside of this club is that it offers live music almost every day of the week, which is very rare in Zagreb.

And now some guidelines for surviving Sax – first, dress in layers. Even if it’s freezing outside, it will be tropic inside so you better have some short sleeves on (I once fainted because of my sweater). Second, yes, it can get a bit stinky – especially now with the smoking ban which is a paradox – you no longer smell of cigarettes but you can smell everyone else. Finally, use the small bar on the left rather than the main one on the right and get acquainted with Roman, the bartender. You’ll never have to wait for your drink for too long.

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Sax | Bars, Music | Entry Kn 20
Palmotićeva 22 | Lower town | +38514872836
18:00 – 02:00 daily

Image by Milana M.

When Pepermint club opened at the end of 2010, it was an instant success. Such a success that to this day it’s pretty difficult to get into the club on weekends. Since there’s this mindset in Zagreb that when a new hip club opens everyone HAS to be there to see and be seen, it mostly becomes a pain in the ass, because of the crowds, the overflow of „must seen” pretentious people and such.

However, I would like to tell you about Pepermint during the week. One of the best nights out that I’ve had during the week in the last year. Completely opposite from the weekend preppy crown, weekdays are much more relaxing and in my opinion much more interesting. Less crowded, meaning it gives you more space to dance, the party starts going around 21:00. meaning you can still make it home at a „proper” time to wake up tomorrow for work and most probably an interesting mixed crowd of people.

Be it a presentation of an album featuring croatian poets, the weekly Wednesday Rockabily sessions, a Valentine party organized by a theatre-producer’s duo or a concert of one of my favorite emerging young artists on the Croatian scene, Luka Belani, it never failed to provide quality fun. Recommended for all those looking for something “different”, just keep yourself informed through the Pepermint facebook page.

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Pepermint | Bars, Music | Small beer Kn 15
Ilica 24 | Lower town
10:00 – 05:00 daily

Image by Krunoslav Koprivnjak

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!

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Cica | Bars | Rakija Kn 13.00
Tkalčićeva 18 | Upper town | +385958609899
10:00 – 01:00 daily

Image by Krunoslav Koprivnjak

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.

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Bacchus Jazz Bar | Art & culture, Bars, Music, Relaxing | Wine bottle from Kn 110
Trg Kralja Tomislava 16 | Lower town | +38514922218
10:00 – 00:00 daily

Image by tituš

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.

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Tituš | Bars, Music | Beer Kn 15
Mesnička 47 | Upper town | +385917226065
Mon – Fri 08:30 – 02:00, Sat – Sun 19:00 – 02:00