48 Best Nightlife in Croatia

Whipping up what are arguably the best cocktails on the island, this craft bar sits four minutes southwest of Hvar Town's main square in a beautiful stone alleyway location. The expert mixologists cover the classics, offer signature blends, and cater to guest requests, using natural ingredients and high-class liquor brands. It's closed October through April. 

Come here for the incredible views of the beaches below this almost floating restaurant bar. A modern, all-glass, multi-tiered venue, it offers excellent cocktails, tasty bites, live music, and space for group gatherings. But it's really the panoramic views of the sea, the sailboats gliding by, and the beachgoers just below that keep visitors coming back to this beautiful place.

Dalmatia hasn’t wholly embraced the craft beer revolution (the abundance of great wine might be one reason), but there are plenty of great beers to be found here. Zadar’s Brlog is top of the list, with several beers brewed by a fabulous team of fearless folks. They say that their beers are "crafted by stubbornness," but everything here is marvelously down-to-earth. The brewery’s taproom is open through the summer months, with regular events posted on social media.

Walking through an 800-year-old wall to find a secret swimming spot across the sea from a cursed island sounds like a fairy tale, but in Dubrovnik such places actually exist—and there are two of them. One of the Buža (hole-in-the-wall) bars is marked by a wooden sign pointing toward "cold drinks." The other has no signage at all; you just walk through a doorway in the city walls. With tables arranged on a series of terraces built into the rocks and jazzy soundtracks to go along with stunning vistas, both bars make a great place to stop for a drink or a swim; you can jump right off the rocks in front of the bar. Beware that both spots can get very busy in the summer; mornings are the best time to visit.

A legendary beach club popular with twentysomethings, this has been Hvar Town's top party destination for years. Go during the day at no entrance fee for a more relaxed vibe, great views, and the best people-watching. The serious partying starts around 5 pm and continues until early morning. To reach this club on Stipanska, a small island off the coast of Hvar, you can simply catch a taxi-boat (about €10; at night the transfer is included in the club entrance price) from the harbor next to the Hvar-side Carpe Diem Bar, which also has parties. A good selection of food is available at the on-site restaurant, with sushi being served until 9 pm. The club is closed October through May.

When the Hotel More was being built, a piece of machinery fell through the ground; it was only then that an 8,000-year-old cave was discovered underneath. It has been carefully converted into a three-story bar, with twinkling lights and stalactites, making it an unforgettable setting for a coffee or cocktail. Outside, just a short walk along the peaceful promenade from the beach in Lapad, the multilevel terrace with easy access to the sea is the perfect spot for a swim.

Whether you come for the cold-pressed juices and delicious espressos in the morning or choose to sit and enjoy the panoramic views of Old Town Poreč at sunset, the Garaz's friendly seaside location cannot be beaten. There's even a small pebble beach right in front of the café-bar for easy sea dipping in between cocktails. Parking isn't far off from this hidden gem, but it's best to stroll the waterfront promenade to and from the bar. 

The name of this snazzy spot isn't a play on the word "marvelous," though the wine bar definitely is that; it's named after Marko Marulić, one of Split's most famous Renaissance-era writers. Conceptualized by Croatian-Argentinian poet Tin Bojanić and offering a delicious wine list, free library, and fantastic live music (think violins and acoustic guitars), Marvlvs is one of the coolest, artsiest, and twangiest places in town.

With a lovely terrace on the sea's edge, friendly staff at the ready but not hovering, a great selection of pretty cocktails, a relaxed atmosphere, and more affordable prices than similar bars nearby, Mediterraneo is popular among locals and visitors alike. Pass through the low archway and head down a staircase to the fun terrace with colorful tables, stone benches, and cushions for those willing to have a drink sitting on the rocks. Even dolphins occasionally visit. The owners of this atmospheric bar also offer charming Old Town accommodations.

With a colorful bohemian interior and a courtyard garden lit with flaming torches, Academia pulls in the cool, young, artsy crowd. It hosts occasional exhibitions and concerts.

On the city's waterfront, Azimut is an underground bar within the otherwise mostly peaceful walls of historic Šibenik. Its focus is on alternative music, covering genres from rock to techno (often live) all night. With a spacious dance floor and a number of courtyard tables, this hidden gem also offers delicious cocktails.

The big wooden deck clad with wooden benches, deck chairs, and grass umbrellas right on the beach certainly has its appeal. Bamboo Caffe & Lounge Bar overlooks the old city and outward to the islands. They know how to keep it simple, and their version of simple is pretty good.

Located on the only sandy beach near the Old Town, Banje Beach Club is a chilled-out lounge bar and restaurant by day where you can relax on plush couches and beach beds, and a sleek dance club by night. You can't beat watching the sunset over the city from the terrace, and dancing on the sand with a view of the city walls is a great way to spend a Dubrovnik evening. You'll find it a five-minute walk east of the Ploče Gate.

Built into a cliff overlooking local favorite Šulić Beach and just a 10-minute walk outside Pile Gate, this is the most chill of the beach bars around the city. With its reclaimed wood decor, swings as seats around the bar, and access to the sea where you can swim between sips, it's a rustic place for a light lunch or a sundowner.

Just down the beach from Splendid Resort and a short walk through the forest, you'll find this casual waterfront bar and lounge. Tasty cocktails and cool live music can be found here on most summer nights. Three terraces and vibrant lighting mark this waterfront hot spot as the place to be after a long lazy day on the beach.

With a stunning seaside position tucked on the far edge of the Aminess Camping Resort, this casual collection of outdoor living rooms serves tasty cocktails and light bites like caprese salads and tuna sandwiches. It's the perfect place to unwind after a long day on the beach or a rugged bike ride on the trails surrounding the entire Njivice area of Krk.

A small romantic café bar serving delicious cocktails, coffee, and craft beers, this intimate Bohemian-style spot is nestled down the steps of one of Rovinj's most charming streets. Cushions, pillows, coffee tables, candles, plants, and even cats create a character-filled experience that is quintessentially Rovinj. Your host for the evening will usually be the ever-welcoming Boris, a master mixologist excited to pour something you'll enjoy.

Located on a small town square next to St. Vitus Cathedral, this cozy spot is a hangout spot for locals in their twenties and thirties and for beer lovers and coffee drinkers alike. It offers an excellent choice of Croatian and international beers in a friendly low-key atmosphere. Local bands are often featured on weekends, and occasionally you might hear some Irish music. 

Twenty- and thirty-something travelers looking for a good time favor this boozy backpacker bar set within Diocletian's Palace. Big drinks-in-a-bucket, loud tunes, fun-loving staff, and cool hand-painted murals on the walls have people lined up at the door some nights.

One of Split's most happening clubs offers all the party-hard requisites: a big dance floor, strobe lights, and blasting speakers—right within the Old Town. The name refers to the year construction of Diocletian's Palace was most likely finished. Open every night, it plays a mix of techno, pop, and hip-hop. Crozzies club-to-club crawl, run by Croatian-Australians and a favorite among young travelers, also kicks off from here every night before heading to Vanilla. 

Surely among the world's most impressive venues, Cocktail Bar Massimo is located inside one of the turrets of the fortified town walls and offers wonderful sunset views over the peninsula. Drinks are raised up the turret on a pulley, and you have to climb a steep ladder to get to the top.

One of the livelier nightspots in Krk Town, this bar has the appropriate, though somewhat mysterious, ruins of a wonderful sacrificial altar to love goddess Venus down in the basement. In fact, all of Volsonis is incorporated into a 2,000-year-old archaeological site that the owners, Maria Elena and Goran, found under the house. Electronic music plays on weekends in the underground Catacombs, or you can chill out with a glass of wine, beer, or coffee in the Secret Garden. The owners have expanded their offerings with a menu that includes breakfast and lunch offerings that use many ingredients from their garden. This is likely the only place to have a substantial breakfast.

Whether you come for a coffee and slice of chocolate cake, to enjoy a fancy cocktail with friends, or to sample the homemade gelato, Conte Nero is the place to hang out in Rab Town. You can even order small snack plates of prosciutto and cheese, light pizzas, bruschetta, or tuna pâté to accompany your drinks.

A cozy candlelit wine bar that spills onto the street outside in summer, D'Vino is a great place to spend an evening chatting and people-watching on the steps with the fun knowledgeable staff. They have an impressive selection of 60 wines by the glass and bottle, including many Croatian options, plus tasting menus and wine flights accompanied by gourmet cheese and antipasto platters.

The city’s best beer selection blends well with the elegant surroundings of a Baroque palace, making for one of Zadar’s most engaging nights out.

Dubrovnik's leading craft brewery, Dubrovnik Beer Company produces four main beers: an IPA, a milk stout, a lager, and a pale ale. Located in a former salt storage building in Gruž, it's a popular hangout for both locals and tourists, with regular concerts, pub quizzes, and other events taking place. Hour-long brewery tours, which include samples and snacks, are offered daily.

Set in a landscaped garden with a small swimming pool surrounded by stylish lounge chairs, E&D "Day and Night" Lounge Bar is the perfect place to hang during the day with a leisurely coffee or beer as you enjoy the views over the sea and beaches below. At night in summer, the lounge comes alive with DJ dance parties. During the height of the summer season, the bar also serves light Mediterranean dishes, ice cream, and other desserts.

While you can stay at the adjacent Amadria Park Jure Resort (Amadria Park Hotels owns the club), people like to visit this beach club just to party poolside and seaside at the same time. The pool complex is right next to the sea and dotted with bars, restaurants, and snack stands, all of which you can enjoy while you dip your feet in the water. Though it closes at 9 pm, En Vogue has a true party vibe. It's a 15-minute drive outside of the city center.

A favorite among locals, this bar may be short on luxury, but not on entertainment, beers, and great cocktails. Forum is a hot spot that attracts all kinds of events and festival crowds, as well as anyone who loves drinks made with the best ingredients. Just note that it's cash-only.