Must-see nightlife in Central Europe

  • Lánchíd Söröző

    Castle District

    As its name implies, this pub – now in its 29th year – is right at the Chain Bridge head and has a wonderful retro Magyar feel to it, with old movie…

  • Tanzcafe Jenzeits, interior.

    Tanzcafé Jenseits

    Vienna

    Bordello meets bohemian at this brothel turned bar, where low lighting, red velvet and gilt mirrors keep the mood intimate. Jenseits has left its…

  • Artefakt Cafe, cafe exterior which is popular both at night and during the day

    Artefakt Cafe

    Kraków

    This much-loved student cafe has two front rooms and a small garden at the back. Bookshelves line the walls of one room, while big photos – part of a…

  • Entrance to VR bar Vrei

    Vrei

    Vienna

    Virtual reality (VR) bar Vrei pairs technology and gaming with thin-crust pizza and ice-cold beer. Offering free-to-try VR headsets and pay-to-play VR…

  • Mlýnská kavárna exterior.

    Mlýnská Kavárna

    Malá Strana

    Pretty much the only decent place to drink in this part of Malá Strana, the 'Mill Cafe' is an artists' hangout (David Černý is a regular) linked to Kampa…

  • Pojnarówka art&coffee bar, located on the campus of the University of Agriculture, it's far enough back from the main road for a peaceful drink

    Pojnarówka Art & Coffee Bar

    Kraków

    On the campus of the University of Agriculture, this conservatory-style cafe is ideal to catch some afternoon rays and a cup of coffee. It doubles as an…

  • El Lokal, exterior

    El Lokal

    Zürich

    With photos, paintings and postcards adorning all the walls and a huge skeleton hanging from the ceiling, you could spend hours poring over the decor at…

  • Dobrá Trafika exterior

    Dobrá Trafika

    Prague

    From the outside you’d never know there was a rustic little coffee shop tucked behind this tobacconist on busy Korunní. The shop sells teas, sweets and…

  • Hoffa exterior

    Hoffa

    Prague

    Low-lit design is the key feature here – a long (12m!) bar fronting a big space with sleek, functional decor and a wall of windows looking out onto…

  • Café Ponyvaregény

    Budapest

    The 'Pulp Fiction' is a quirky little basement cafe that has a loyal following despite all the competition in this part of south Buda. The old books and…

  • Acid, interior

    Acid

    Zürich

    Bar meets coffee shop in this hip address. Acid serves excellent coffee and mixes fine cocktails, most of which are their own creation or remastered…

  • La Habana, look out for Che Guevara to find this Cuban bar

    La Habana

    Kraków

    Find a corner at this Cuban-themed bar known for its great cocktails and cosy atmosphere. Smokers can purchase cigars at the bar and enjoy them upstairs…

  • Klub Kulturalny, between the Planty Park and the main square, you'll spot this alley entrance by its large rock star paintings

    Klub Kulturalny

    Kraków

    This underground cellar bar has winding walkways and a plethora of cosy rooms. It's popular with students for its cheap drinks and smoking room at the…

  • The inviting exterior of Bar and Books

    Bar & Books Mánesova

    Prague

    This upmarket New York–style cocktail and cigar bar occupies a former rugby pub and couldn’t be more different in terms of atmosphere. Check the website…

  • Sport Bar, exterior

    Sport Bar Cafeteria

    Zürich

    The name is slightly misleading – don’t expect to catch your favourite team on TV here. Instead, this casual, quiet cafe-bar mixes what are arguably the…

  • CK Browar

    CK Browar

    Kraków

    Serious tipplers will head for this below-ground microbrewery with its cavernous drinking hall. The amber fluid is brewed on the spot to an old Austro…

  • Zanzibar exterior

    Kavárna Zanzibar

    Prague

    Zanzibar started out years ago as a place to buy newspapers and tobacco products. Over the years it’s evolved into a homey space that's a cafe, bar or…

  • Espresso Embassy

    Budapest

    Some people say that this upbeat cafe just south of Szabadság tér has the best espressos, flat whites, cappuccinos and lattes in town (500Ft to 850Ft)…

  • Centrál Kávéház

    Budapest

    This grande dame of a traditional cafe dates back to 1887. Awash with leather and dark wood inside, it's also a great spot for people-watching. It serves…

  • Hadik Kávéház

    Budapest

    This place has brought history back to Bartók Béla út. The Hadik is a revived old-world cafe that pulled in the punters for more than four decades before…

  • Hipster hangout cafe Phil

    Phil

    Vienna

    A retro bar, book and record store, Phil has a relaxed-as-it-gets vibe and attracts a bohemian crowd happy to hang out on kitsch furniture like your…

  • 500px Photo ID: 83314577 - The stairway of one of the first skyscrapers in Europe - the 'Nebotičnik' (meaning skyscraper in Slovene) in Ljubljana.

    Nebotičnik

    Ljubljana

    This upscale club does double duty: by day, it's an elegant cafe with a breathtaking terrace atop Ljubljana's famed art deco Skyscraper (1933) offering…

  • Kontakt

    Budapest

    Design-led decor and excellent locally roasted coffee make this little cafe, down a tiny pedestrian alleyway, a great place to pause. Go across the road…

  • Cafe alleyway is subtley signposted along Florianska

    Żarówka Cafe

    Kraków

    It’s easy to miss this little alleyway off ul Floriańska, but it’s an adorable spot for a quick refresh in summer or winter. Grab a freshly made lemonade…

  • Wirr Cafe terrace on Burgasse

    Wirr

    Vienna

    On weekends it’s often hard to find a seat on the time-worn sofas at this colourful, alternative bar with walls covered in local artists’ works. Electro…

  • Café Szafe

    Café Szafe

    Kraków

    The colourful cafe on the corner is a cupboard full of surprises, from the whimsical sculptured creatures lurking in the corners to the intriguing artwork…

  • Stubä, exterior

    Stubä

    Zürich

    There's a touch of rock 'n' roll about Stubä – the dark lighting, the shabby chic furniture, the cocktails with a kick – but if you're eating, the main…

  • Cellarius exterior in the Lucerna passage

    Cellarius

    Prague

    Take a break from the beer with a visit to this cute vinotheque to sample some good Czech wines (such as a Frankovka red or Veltlínské zelené white) at a…

  • X-tra, entrance

    X-Tra

    Zürich

    Home to three dance floors, this versatile club and concert venue hosts weekly parties that range from '90s-themed discos to Goth gatherings and salsa…

  • Ruszwurm Cukrászda

    Castle District

    This diminutive cafe dating from 1827 is the perfect place for coffee and cakes (550Ft to 750Ft) in the Castle District. Be warned: in high season it’s…

  • Hafenkneipe, exterior

    Hafenkneipe

    Zürich

    Saluting nautical towns like Hamburg and Amsterdam, this small, cosy bar welcomes weary landlubbers with a large selection of craft beers, maritime decor,…

  • Café Noir, exterior

    Café Noir

    Zürich

    Tucked away down a little side street, there are only a handful of tables and a small outdoor seating area at this cosy little place, but they roast their…

  • Hintaló Iszoda

    Budapest

    The 'Rocking Horse' (with appropriate decor) is a two-storey affair with Czech beers on tap, friendly bar staff whose eye you can catch and DJs some…

  • Nowa Prowincja

    Nowa Prowincja

    Kraków

    You'll love this bi-level bohemian cafe, where Kraków's coolest cats come to drink strong coffee and think deep thoughts.

  • Insomnia

    Berlin

    Expect a wild night of erotic partying in this 19th-century ballroom-turned-deliciously decadent Berlin nightlife fixture. With its international DJs,…

  • U Medvídků

    Staré Město

    The most micro of Prague’s microbreweries, with a capacity of only 250L, U Medvídků started producing its own beer in 2005, though its trad-style beer…

  • Mein Haus am See

    Berlin

    This 'House by the Lake' is nowhere near anything liquid, unless you count the massive amount of beverages consumed at its multitasking all-hours cafe-bar…

  • Loft

    Vienna

    'Working hard for better parties in Vienna' is the catchphrase of this young Gürtel live wire and you can believe the hype. Nearly all events are free. As…

  • Hops & Barley

    Friedrichshain

    Conversation flows as freely as the unfiltered pilsner, malty Dunkel (dark) and fruity Weizen (wheat) produced right here at one of Berlin's oldest craft…

  • The Swan

    Staré Město

    There's no pub sign – turn the handle on the massive wooden door marked Kolowratský Palác, enter the red-carpeted lobby, and go down the stairs in the far…

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