Image by Milana M.

PMS – Prostor Manufakturne Slobode (the space of manufacturing freedom) has opened just recently and is quickly becoming the new hotspot for all of those looking for a piece of creativity in Zagreb.

This cozy shop in one of Zagreb’s busiest streets offers the widest range of creativity. If you’re looking for a new piece of jewelry, a dress, hat, painting or even a lamp from recycled washing machine parts, look no further. It is very refreshing to have a space in Zagreb which provides artists and artisans with a place where they can exhibit and sell their work on a regular basis, and with no restrictions. The owner is open to anyone who wants to showcase their work and will give everyone a chance in line with the terms of the free market – let the end user decide! 

This philosophy brings about a constant change within PMS, so you can be sure you will not be seeing the same stuff there over and over again. Only change is constant and I am very happy and excited to see how PMS will develop and transform itself on its path. At the moment, it’s quirky, fresh and interesting, hopefully it will stay the same. 

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PMS | Art & culture, Shopping | From Kn 50
Tkalčićeva 61 | Upper town
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 20:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb

Image by Milana M.

Of course there are many other Archaeological museums that host by far larger and more important collections than the one in Zagreb. Still, there are at least two spectacular things to be found inside in case you’re at least a little bit interested in history and archaeology.

One of them is the longest script in the world in the Etruscan scribe, which is part of the Mummy of Zagreb, belonging also to the Etruscan tribe (a nation living in the north of the Apennines in the 8th and 7th century B.C. that is said to have influenced Romans quite a bit while others say of this mysterious nation that they are the natives of the peninsula residing there before the Latins), which is part of the Egyptian collection of the museum.

The second interesting collection that found its home in the Archaeological Museum is the coin and monetary collection – one of the biggest in this part of Europe. So in case you’re into money, it’s worth checking out .

Last but not least, the museum resides in a beautiful building in the very heart of Zagreb with one of the nicest gardens in town. Where, could you ever have guessed, there’s a cafe. So if you’re not even that interested in history and old exhibits, you can always chill in the shade of antique statues while having your coffee.

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Archaeological museum | Art & culture | Entry adults Kn 20
Trg Nikole Šubića Zrinskog 19 | Lower town | +38514873102
Tue – Wed & Fri 10:00 – 17:00, Thu 10:00 – 10:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 13:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb

Image by Milana M.

Skalinska street is a small street leading up from the well-known and busy Tkalčićeva up to Opatovina and the Zagreb cathedral. Although only approximately 100 meters long, it hosts a couple of interesting spots, rather, a three-in one spot.

It is the “Nokturno” complex, a combination of two restaurants and hotel/hostel. The restaurants “Nokturno” and “Skalinada” offer a varied choice of Italian and Croatian food. Although they would hardly receive a Michelin star, the food is quite tasty and surprisingly cheap for downtown Zagreb.

In case you are in need of good lunch and don’t want to spend too much money on extravaganza, I would definitely recommend it, also because of the view on the cathedral while you’re having lunch.

The “Nokturno” hostel/hotel is small and cozy, most importantly very clean and alongside offering hostel accommodation in 3-6 bed dorms, it also has one apartment style room which could serve well for a romantic couple’s weekend.

Apart for the sleeping/food question, this little street is quite charming as a passage from Tkalčićeva up to Dolac market, Opatovina (another street filled with small cafes) and Kaptol, the religious-part of Zagreb’s two hills history.

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Skalinska | Restaurants (Italian/Croatian) | Pizza Kn 30
Skalinska | Upper town | +38514813325
08:00 – 01:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb

Image by Milana M.

ZPC – the Zagreb Dance Centre opened its doors in October 2009, much to pleasure of all of us who are dancers, professional of recreational or simply in love with the art of dance. After a long period of waiting (somehow it seems that in Croatia the proverb “Good things come to those who wait” is beyond truth, it’s an universal fact) dancers, choreographers and common folk who wanted to inform themselves about anything connected to dance have gotten their spot.

ZPC is envisaged as a place where choreographers and dancers can perform, take classes and practice, with open doors for everyone who wants to learn. Apart for physical acts of dancing, film projections connected to dance take place here (after all, this used to be a cinema, one of the oldest in Zagreb which had to close its doors after the birth of big corporations called multiplex cinemas), discussions and seminars – in other words, anything and everything connected to dance.

Choreographers from most dance studios in Zagreb and beyond hold open classes in the Dance Centre to which you can simply walk in and test your strength, endurance and knowledge.

The building itself was voted one of the best architectural solutions lately in Zagreb, designed by the Zagreb based studio 3LHD. Therefore, ZPC is truly a place to visit, either to dance or simply look around and have a coffee on its terrace which provides a peaceful, artistic vibe in the very centre of Zagreb.

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Zagrebački Plesni Centar – ZPC | Art & culture, Coffee & tea | Dance workshops Kn 30
Ilica 10 | Lower town | +38514621967
09:00 – 22:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb

Image by Milana M.

When I heard that there’s a new cookie place in town, the chocolate sugar addict in me was jumping from joy. Yes, I frequently complain about the lack of quality snacks in Zagreb to have along with your coffee, so this seemed to be the perfect place to enjoy a chat with a friend, a good cup of coffee and an amazing sugar rush along with it.

Having explored a bit more and finding out that the place was inspired by the original U.S. chocolate chip cookies (the owner spent his student years across the Atlantic indulging in cookies and becoming an expert in baking them) I decided even before trying any of the sweets that this place is sure to become one of my favorites.

My high expectations did come true in most aspects – the place is really cute, with a homey feel  to it, real great to chill out by yourself or in good company sharing a cookie, brownie, hot brownie with ice-cream, pumpkin pie, you name it. All of the ingredients are there. Though, one downside to it is that their coffee is not the best out there, but I am hoping that’s due to the fact they’re still new to the art of making coffee (after all, they have Lavazza and a good coffee machine) so I’ll definitely be coming back for some more sugar-indulging in the following cold winter months.

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The Cookie Factory | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Cookies Kn 10
Skalinska 3 | Lower town | +38514813901
Mon – Sat 09:00 – 22:00, Sun 13:00 – 21:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb

Image by bobs'n'babes

Sirup club opened its doors three years ago and brought a breeze of fresh new waves on the Zagreb clubbing scene. Designed to evoke the body of a woman, its entrance through a long, winding tunnel clothed in leather always left me with a feeling as if entering a womb (not that I remember what it was getting out per se ).

The interior design of the club is definitely one of the most fascinating aspects of the whole experience – it barely has any sharp edges and defies the traditional rules of a room as something with 4 walls and a roof.

Clubbing wise, Sirup is oriented to the electronic scene and crowd. According to the words of its owner, a DJ himself, Sirup was designed to follow the clubbing scene of megalopolises such as London and New York. Well I’ve never danced in New York (unfortunately) but I can say with certainty that Sirup is a welcome refreshment on the Zagreb electro-scene. Hosting local performers such as the fantastic Nipplepeople or DJ Petar Dundov, Croatian instances of the famous London clubbing night „Chew the fat!”, numerous foreign DJ stars, fetish parties, fashion shows, circus shows, anything and everything interesting, different and sometimes a bit weird. But always definitely worth the visit. So check out the line-up and join the party.

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Sirup | Music | Entry from Kn 25
Donje Svetice 40 | Pescenica-Zitnjak | +385919450037
Fri – Sat 23:00 – 06:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb

Image by Krunoslav Koprivnjak

After being bought by Varta in the 90′s, this factory has expanded in the recent years and broadened their palette of products. Unfortunately, as the business got going, they closed the discount shop that was previously in the factory yard.

However, you can still go to the factory’s workshop (first building on the left once you enter the yard) and buy some freshly assembled batteries for almost half the price they’re sold in the stores. If you need to replace the old batteries from a device (such as wristwatch), they will do it free of charge, i.e. they will charge you only new batteries.

So, if you use a lot of gadgets, or like to do some photography – you’ll appreciate a backup set of (re)charged batteries. This is the place to get the stuff when in Zagreb.

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Croatia baterije | Shopping | 2500 mAh AA NiMH rechargeable Kn 30.00
Koturaška 69 | Lower town | +38516171211
Mon – Fri 07:00 – 15:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb

Image by Krunoslav Koprivnjak

A great old school bar for grabbing a quick, yet quality, drink. A perfect place for a gloomy rainy day, the interior is in shabby wood, filled with smoke, a waitress wearing borosane, a small TV set flickering and showing whatever and a mandatory resigned drunkard at the bar. Does it not sound like a perfect place to grab “a quick one” to warm up the body and soul and then get lost in a rainy night?

Of course, you can always sit down and take your time sipping and enjoying the wide selection of spirits, most famous of which being flavoured rakija from Istrian town of Višnjan. The offer includes rakija made with honey (medica), fig (smokvovaèa), mistletoe (biska), myrtle (mirta), carob (rogaè) etc.

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Buffet MK | Coffee & tea | Rakija Kn 12.00
Pavla Radića 7 | Upper town
08:00 – 01:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb