7 minute read

Hangin’ Out

ARSEnAL This huge space is a former repair workshop for wooden galleys. Plonk yourself at one of the pirate-sized wooden tables and chow down on great seafood (served by midnight), have a drink or three, take in a live band and indulge in a spot of shimmying on the dance floor – in any order or combination. Spectacular.QD‑3, Pred Dvorom 1, tel. (+385‑20) 32 10 63/(+385‑) 098 983 08 31, www.nautikarestaurants.com/ gradska‑kavana‑arsenal/hr/. Open 08:00‑00:00. 18‑35 €. APGB BAnJE BEACH niGHT CLuB The Banje Beach at Ploče is where posers come to perfect their tans, since Beach Club rents out funky loungers and screens to protect one’s privacy from the hoi polloi. This bar churns out cocktails and keeps ‘em dancing ‘til The Man says go home.QL‑2, Frana Supila 10b, tel. (+385‑) 099 3146 485/(+385‑) 099 3146 485, www.banjebeach.com. Open 10:00‑04:00. APB BužA What a place to sit – rocky terraces overlooking the open sea south of the Old Town. There’s no running water here so bottled drinks only - which are pretty pricey - but the laid back music and hedonistic mood make up for everything.QD‑4, Outside the city walls near St.Stephen’s tower, tel. (+385‑) 098 36 19 34. Open 08:30‑02:00. Open 09:00 ‑ 01:00 or ac‑ cording to weather conditions. B Buzz BAR Located parallel to Stradun, this lively bar offers an array of drinks to enjoy with your friends during a night out on the town. For those who like sweet drinks they have a long list of various cocktails. They also offer a variety of local Croatian beers, such as Zmajsko Pale Ale and Grička Vještica, an extra strong dark beer. As well, for a special treat, they host live music nights.QC‑2, Prijeko 21, tel. (+385‑20) 32 10 25. Open 08:00‑02:00. kava 1,5 ‑ koktel 50 €. PUBEJ6 CASABLAnCA BAR One of several bars squeezed together on this old-town stepped street, Casablanca is the one that makes most of an effort, backing up a rather fine selection of drinks, shots and cocktails with a pumping collection of DJ-driven tunes. As the sister-bar of the Revelin nightclub it’s the warm-up venue of choice for the city’s clubbers, and generates a sufficient party atmosphere of its own for those who just don’t have the energy to budge.QC‑2, Ul. Zamanjina 7. Open Sat, Sun 20:00‑02:00. J CELE DuBROVnik GOuRMET & LOunGE Situated on the city’s most desirable corner, Cele is the kind of place you will want to visit at least once during your stay in order to soak up the surrounds, write postcards, or simply watch the world go by. Dark brown furnishings and bluealmost-black walls give the place a suave contemporary elegance; a jaunty-looking disco ball occasionally gets a spin in the evenings. As well as good coffee Cele serves up quality Croatian wines, cocktails, and a range of food to keep you going - toasted sandwiches, fancily garnished burgers, pizzas, and a few traditional seafood dishes. QC‑2, Placa 1, tel. (+385 ‑ ) 099 423 04 00, www.celedubrovnik.com/. Open 07:30‑02:00. AB DuBinA CLuB Originally slated for a spring 2020 opening and put on ice due to the pandemic, long-awaited alternative venue Dubina (“The Deep”) finally opened its doors in April 2022. Housed in the former TUP factory, currently home to a range of local cultural organizations, Dubina aims to restore a sense of community to Dubrovnik’s nightlife scene, providing a podium for local and regional DJs, and a stage for local bands. It also restores a much-needed sense of urban cool to a Dubrovnik scene hollowed out by mass tourism. It’s usually open weekends - check the facebook page for current schedule. QH‑1, Svetog Križa 3, www.facebook.com/klubdubina. Open Fri, Sat 23:00‑05:00. From June 21st open 23:00 ‑ 05:00, closed Sun, Mon.

GAFFE puB For a low key night out on the town, slide down one of the side streets off of Stradun and into this Irish inspired Pub. The dark green walls adorned with Irish paraphernalia and thick wooden tables give the place an Irish feel. Enjoy a sporting event on one of the many large screen TVs with some friends as you savour a Guinness, Carling or Erdinger beer. They also offer a variety of dishes and snacks if you get the munchies, such as Hummus, Caesar Salad Chicken Wings or BBQ Ribs. QC‑3, Miha Pracata 4, tel. (+385‑20) 64 01 52. Open 09:00‑ 02:00. APGBJ6 GLAM BEER THERApy Not much bigger than a cupboard but still one of the more welcoming and versatile bars in the Old Town, thanks in large part to its dedication to stocking a wide choice of beers. Most Croatian craft brewers are represented, and there are few rare international oddities too. It’s situated right opposite the D’Vino wine bar so there’s nothing to stop you mixing your drinks and mingling in the narrow street in-between. QC‑2, Palmotićeva 5. Open 09:00‑02:00. NPGBJ6 HARD ROCk CAFE Although still not open at the time of going to press, the Dubrovnik debut of the global fun rock-and-burger joint will be one of the major openings of 2022. It will certainly have one of the best locations in town, occupying the colonnaded courtyard of a medieval monastery just inside the Old Town gate. There’s been a Hard Rock souvenir shop at this location for some time, selling branded Hard-Rock goods: well you’ve got the T-shirt, so now you can go and eat the burger. QPoljana Paska Miličevića 4.

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iRiSH puB kARAkA Located a stone’s throw from the Stradunbut tucked into an intimate alley, this alien presence in the ancient Croatian city has actually turned out to be one of its more enduring nightlife landmarks. Karaka (a Dubrovnik word for a traditional sailing ship that also sounds a lot like the Irish term Craic;the

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name couldn’t have been better chosen) found a successful formula and stuck to it: neat and cosy interior, good service, welcoming staff, well-kept beers (including Guinness, O’Hara’s and Erdinger) and lots and lots of international big-screen sport. QC‑2, Između polača 5, tel. (+385‑20) 32 39 70, www.irishpubkaraka.com. Open 09:00‑24:00. APGTBJ iRiSH puB THE GAFFE 2 Expanding its hold on Dubrovnik’s drinking habits, longserving Irish-themed outfit The Gaffe has opened a sister pub on the northern side of the Stradun, taking over the first-floor bar previously known as Exit Rock Cafe. It’s a warm and welcoming space with lots of woody decor, and Guinness, Stella, and beers from the Ožujsko stable on tap. Almost all major sporting events will be on the telly, and live bands will leap onto the tiny stage every night during the summer season. As an upstairs venue without an outdoor terrace, it makes an intimate bolt-hole from the crowded streets below. QC‑2, Boškovićeva 2, www.facebook.com/IrishPubTheGaffe2/. Open 09:00‑24:00. NPEJ LAzARETi These superb stone spaces in the former quarantine house are given over to happenings of an arty/underground nature, including quality DJs spinning electronica. An international multimedia festival is held here, which includes independent,

Revelin Club Archives cutting-edge music, theatre, dance and more. For info on programme check their FB.QL‑2, Frana Supila bb, www. lazareti.com. Open 21:00‑04:00.

MAMA’S RESTAuRAnT AnD BAR Super-sleek cocktail bar and eatery that revels in plush surfaces, dark tones and atmospheric lighting. The menu focuses on generous platters of party sharing food, with pizzas, ribs and wings well to the fore. Shisha pipes are also available and the DJ decks come in for a pummeling in the evening. QC‑2, Petilovrijenci 4, tel. (+385‑ ) 091 622 29 78. Open 09:00‑ 02:00.

nOnE ninA A perfect spot for people-watching on comfy loungers right opposite the Rector’s Palace – you can see people climbing about on the city walls. This place does coffees by day and shakes the cocktails by night. The toilets are designed for the fairy people.QD‑3, Pred Dvorom 4, tel. (+385‑) 098 915 99 09. Open 09:00‑02:000. APBE SunSET BEACH BAR The Beach Bar is part of the Sunset Beach complex, located directly by the sea and it is an ideal place to relax for coffee or juice, through to cocktails or beer. If you are not directly within the beach bar, the waiter will still be able to take your order at any of the sunbed or cabanas areas or deck chairs which you can rent for either half or full day. QG‑2, Šetalište kralja Zvonimira 17 (Sunset Beach, Lapad Bay), tel. (+385‑) 020 64 27 00, www.sbd.hr. Open 08:00‑23:00.

THE iMpERiAL BAR & LOunGE Dubrovnik’s Hotel Imperial remembers the days when Britain’s King Edward VIII danced here with Wallis Simpson in the hotel gardens. Reflagged as Hilton in 2005, the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik has preserved its 19th century architectural features and façade. Spring 2018 renovation, was used as an opportunity to rebrand hotel’s bar to The Imperial Bar & Lounge preserving hotels rich heritage and combining it with modern comforts and luxuries. The Imperial Bar & Lounge has become one of the city’s best loved meeting spots and is a place to enjoy expertly crafted contemporary, historic and signature cocktails, such as Milk Punch.QUlica Marijana Blažića 2, tel. (+385‑20) 32 03 20, www.dubrovnik.hilton. com. Open 08:00‑24:00. APB