Belgrade splavovi: the floating river clubs
A splav (plural splavovi) is a floating venue moored on the river: a club, bar, restaurant or all three. They are the most recognizable part of Belgrade nightlife, and they are very much a summer thing.
What is a splav?
"Splav" means raft in Serbian. Over the years the word came to mean the floating clubs and restaurants along Belgrade's two rivers. Some are polished and bottle-service oriented, some are underground and music-led, and some are simply riverside terraces for a drink at sunset.
Where they are
- The Sava: the embankment near the Savamala district and Brankov Most has the densest cluster of mainstream river clubs.
- The Danube: the Dorćol side tends to host more underground, electronic-leaning venues with a more relaxed dress code.
To get your bearings on the riverside districts, see our nightlife areas guide.
The season
Splavovi generally move onto the water around the beginning of June and come off it again toward the end of September. Outside the season, many of the same brands run indoor venues in the city. Some close or scale back in the coldest weeks, roughly December to mid-February.
Reservations and the door
Many river clubs have no hard cover charge, but on peak summer weekends a table reservation is effectively how you get in, and reservations usually carry a minimum spend. Reservation is typically done through the venue's Instagram or WhatsApp a few days ahead. As in any Belgrade club, a smart-casual look and a mixed group make the door easier. Details vary a lot by venue, so ask when you book.
Check before you go. Venues change hours, move, close for the winter or rebrand from one season to the next. Prices below are rough ranges, not quotes. Confirm opening times on the venue's own page or Instagram.
What to do in winter
If you visit between October and May, forget the river and head to indoor clubs and bars. Our club guide and bar guide cover the year-round options. And our Friday pub crawl runs on the indoor circuit.
Join the Friday crawl
Every Friday: 2 bars + 1 club in Belgrade, €15 per person. We meet in the center and move as one group.
See the pub crawlFrequently asked questions
What does splav mean?
Splav is Serbian for raft. In Belgrade it means a floating venue on the Sava or Danube: a club, bar or restaurant.
When is the splav season in Belgrade?
Roughly June to late September. Some venues scale back in the coldest weeks of winter.
Do I need a reservation for a splav?
Not always, but on peak summer weekends a reserved table is usually how you get in. Book a few days ahead through the venue.