Best bars in Belgrade
Belgrade has a strong bar scene that ranges from refined cocktail rooms to courtyards full of students. Here is how to pick the right bar for the right moment of your night.
Cocktail bars
Dorćol and the area around Kalemegdan are good hunting grounds for cocktails. Hidden speakeasy-style rooms and bespoke-cocktail bars are a Belgrade specialty. Expect to pay noticeably more than for a beer, and book ahead on weekends for the better-known rooms.
Craft beer and pubs
Serbia has a growing craft beer scene alongside the classic local lagers. Dorćol has several craft beer bars, and there are plenty of simple pubs where a local pint is very cheap. Beer is the easy, budget-friendly way to spend the first hours of a night.
Rooftops and terraces
Rooftop bars are best early in the evening, before the city goes dark and the crowd moves on. Kalemegdan Fortress also has terrace spots with sunset views over the meeting of the Sava and Danube.
Courtyard bars
The Cetinjska courtyard, a former brewery complex behind Skadarlija, packs several independent bars and gig spaces into one place. It is casual, walk-in friendly and popular with students, and it usually winds down earlier than the clubs.
Kafanas
Traditional taverns, especially around Skadarlija, are a different experience from a bar: grilled food, rakija and sometimes live folk music. Read our rakija guide before ordering.
Prices, reservations and smoking
- Prices: a local beer is roughly 250 to 400 RSD (about €2 to €3.50) in ordinary pubs; cocktails are typically several times that.
- Reservations: message the popular cocktail bars a few days ahead for weekends. Courtyard and pub spots are usually walk-in.
- Smoking: indoor smoking is still common in smaller bars. If smoke bothers you, pick terraces, rooftops and larger venues.
- Cash: carry some. A few small places may not take cards for small tabs.
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.
Want the bar-hopping done for you? The first two stops of our Friday pub crawl are bars, followed by a club. And see the full nightlife guide for how to combine them.
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
Are Belgrade bars expensive?
Compared with most Western European cities they are cheap. A local beer in an ordinary pub costs roughly €2 to €3.50, and cocktails cost more.
Do I need to reserve a bar in Belgrade?
Not for pubs and courtyards. For popular cocktail bars on weekends it is worth messaging a few days ahead.
Is smoking allowed in Belgrade bars?
Indoor smoking is still common in smaller bars in practice. Terraces, rooftops and larger venues are usually easier if you want less smoke.