The city’s eclectic mix of old and new make it a sweet spot for sightseeing, dining and fun-filled late night antics - and the fact that Zagreb is often overlooked as a party destination (a big mistake) means that a trip here will go down in stag do history. Start your night right with a couple of drinks down Tkalciceya street - a kilometre long stretch of cafes, bars and pubs in the Upper town area. From there, you should look at moving Down town where clubs stay open until the early hours .
Local knowledge
Zagreb is a city split into distinctive sections, two of which are essential to any weekend visit.
The thousand year old Gornji Grad, also known as the Upper Town, boasts the most of the city’s most beloved sights, including the iconic St Mark’s Church, as well as excellent museums, galleries and quaint cobbled streets lit by gas lamps.
Donji Grad, also known as the Lower Town, is the place to go for shopping, eating, drinking and clubbing; it’s also home many of Zagreb’s most picturesque parks and secret courtyards (not notch hangover recovery spots).
Zagreb is easily negotiable on foot and its tram, bus and funicular services run as regular as clockwork.
Bars and Pubs
Sheridan’s Irish Bar
Best for: a merry atmosphere and great craic No matter where you go in the world, Irish bars are ten a penny, so what makes this one so special? Well, the beer at Sheridan’s is plentiful yet affordable, the bar staff are treat you like you’re their best mate and the atmosphere is tip top. Many Irish bars have come and gone in Zagreb, but Sheridan’s still stands tall with locals and visitors alike. The perfect place to kick off a good old fashioned knees up with the lads.
The Beertjia
Best for: a colossal beer menu to suit every palette This warm, rustic and decidedly secluded tavern is one of the most respected pubs in all of Zagreb and great for ramping things up before hitting the clubs. Not only does the pub boast one of the city’s biggest beer selections, it also has a terrace in Joe Strummer’s Square, in which to sit and sup some suds on milder evenings.
Nightlife
SPUNK
Best for: mind-blowing live music Get a load of this! With a more than striking name and a solid reputation, SPUNK is one of Zagreb’s best clubs for live music. Hidden under the National University Library, this bustling club showcases the city’s most memorable live acts and its comic book mural interiors give its atmosphere an electrifying edge. Cut shapes and slug shots into the wee hours – you won’t be disappointed!
Pepermint
Best for: partying without the pretentiousness Forget those clinical VIP only clubbing spots, or sweaty arm pitted student dives because this increasingly popular night spot is here to meet you right in the middle. The club offers free entry until 11pm on weekends and its minimalist feel makes it all the better for dancing like a lunatic to soul and R&B, while eyeing up the local talent with the lads - a solid gold stag spot!
Sirup
Best for: cutting serious shapes to cutting-edge dance music The brainchild of Zagreb resident and clubbing guru Sergei Lugovic, Sirup is the place to go for serious clubbers looking to let loose on the dancefloor. Nestled amongst a bunch of anonymous looking shops and warehouses, this club has an exclusive vibe (without the snobbery) and the interior gives it the feel of an intimate lunar park. A trip to Zagreb with the lads/ladies wouldn’t be complete without a trip here, so get down there, get stuck in and make it a night to remember!
Eat like a local
Not only does Zagreb offer a wealth of choice when it comes to restaurants, it’s also celebrated for its new generation of street food offerings.
For a more traditional Croatian dining experience, the likes of La Struk or Vagabund offer delicious dishes that won’t bust the bank. If you’re looking to chow down on something a little more upmarket, 5/4, the latest venue from Dino Galvano, will provide a cutting-edge dining experience like no other, with experimental fayre served in surreal surroundings.
After a heavy night out on the tiles, rather than reaching for the supermarket potato chips or that stale kebab, why not pay a visit to Mundoaka Street Food? This buzzing little joint is the very best way to experience Croatian street food, as well as an idea place to line the stomach before going out and doing it all over again.
