Swanky Monkey Garden Zagreb
Hostel bar that locals adore
Tamara from Zagreb
Swanky Monkey Garden is located inside the yard of entrance number 50 on Ilica street. The building itself used to be a dry cleaning and textile dye factory and has still retained some of its original rough, industrial charm. "Swanky" has been beloved by locals in Zagreb from the beginning. To be honest, I've always heard more people speaking in Croatian there than in any other language, which is curious given it's a bar that belongs to a very sharp boutique hostel.
Hostels have had a magical attraction on me ever since I first started travelling by myself; so much so that I've always enjoyed stopping in one place for a little longer during a trip and working or volunteering in one. Having a "local-friendly" hostel in Zagreb to sip your drink in on a lazy Saturday afternoon means being able to pretend a little that you're not actually in your hometown when you're having itchy feet but can't pack your bags and leave that same moment.
A funny thing about Swanky is that they're constantly making changes to its looks and new areas are appearing and disappearing so it ends up looking like a completely different place each time I stop by. Although its closed bar downstairs is enjoyable, the real fun is the so-called garden, a terrace looking at the not-so-shiny backsides of Zagreb's old-town buildings, which is heated in winter and has a pool in summer.
Zagreb Spotter Tamara
About this spot
Our Zagreb City Guide
Find your way with 135 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved it? Join us!
Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Zagreb
Krivi Put
For reevaluating your life choices
"Krivi put" in Zagreb means 'wrong path', and it's a bar that you might end up in if you've taken plenty of wrong turns in your life...
by
Tamara
Lipnjak
Botaničar
Art, parties and plants
"Botaničar" in Zagreb is a hip bar that's also a gallery and social club. Let me tell you: spending time here makes you want to invest in houseplants.
by
Tamara
Lipnjak
Hotel Vila Tina
Brunch and relaxation
"Hotel Vila Tina" is a small hotel in Zagreb, one of the city's hidden jewels. I love coming here for their rich breakfast with family and friends...
by
Nina
Lalić
Bacchus Jazz Bar
The greenest courtyard
"Bacchus Jazz Bar" in Zagreb is one of my favorite places in the city for a warm, lazy summer evening. The courtyard is completely covered with plants...
by
Tamara
Lipnjak
Regular.Bar
Regularly pleasant
"Regular.Bar" in Zagreb is special. It has this homey feeling the city's backyards share. They even serve free cucumber water. Need I say more?
by
Tamara
Lipnjak
Park Maksimir
The oldest but most beautiful!
"Park Maksimir" in Zagreb is more than a park. This is where memories are created, where you see the forest for the first time. So many reasons to love it.
by
Nevena
Mikec
Trg Svetog Marka
Zagreb's oldest square
"Trg Svetog Marka", or St. Mark's square, is the heart and soul of Zagreb's Upper Town. Beautiful, quiet and replete with rich history...
by
Nina
Lalić
Vis à Vis
Sweet and healthy treats
"Vis à Vis" in Zagreb is product of an iconic confectionery shop with lots of vegan and lactose-free options. I strongly encourage you to be adventurous!
by
Tamara
Lipnjak
Medvedgrad
20 years of Croatian beer history
"Medvedgrad" Zagreb is a beer hall and brewery that has been around for more than 20 years. The beer here is not filtered. My friends and I are regulars...
by
Hrvoje
Brigljević
Opatovina
Zagreb's craft beer street
"Opatovina" in Zagreb has old, hipsterish craft beer pubs. It's the city's unofficial beers street! There's even a quite popular beer festival in May.
by
Tamara
Lipnjak
Dežmanova Ulica
Eclectic and chic
"Dežmanova Ulica" is a short pedestrian street in the very center of Zagreb full of unique, unusual bars, stores & workshops. Come explore it!
by
Tamara
Lipnjak
Heading to Zagreb?
135 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Zagreb?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 135 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Bars
Our team loves Zagreb
Get to know our other Spotters from Zagreb
As featured on:
