Bucharest, the Romanian capital, offers a lot, a lot more than most tourists expect. In fact, many people totally skip it on their Balkan road trips or their trip around Romania and they shouldn’t. Bucharest offers a lot for history and culure lovers, for foodies…. and for partiers.
I had a fantastic time in the city during the #ExperienceBucharest trip, and oh boy, did we party! A whole lot! One of the reasons to visit Bucharest is definitely its lively and super fun nightlife.
I didn’t try all of these places myself (yet!), but I reached out to some locals and asked what their favorite place was. Check out this guide to the best places to experience the infamous Bucharest Nightlife.
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Where to Start the Night in Bucharest
Linea /Closer to the Moon
Start your evening with delicious bites paired with beer, wine, or cocktails in one of the trendiest rooftop bars in the city. Linea / Closer to the Moon is located on top of the Victoria Department Store, and offers phenomenal views of Bucharest from its outdoor terrace.
It’s lovely in the summer, but if you’re visiting in the winter, you’ll still be able to spend time outside as they set up cozy rooftop igloos.
It’s the perfect place to relax with some food or drinks before your night out kicks off.
Address: Linea / Closer to the Moon (Strada Lipscani 17).
Opening Hours: Monday and Tuesday from 3 PM to 12 AM, Wednesday and Thursday from 5 PM to 12 AM, Friday from 5 PM to 2 AM, and Saturday & Sunday from 12 PM to 2 AM.
Shoteria
After you’ve had some amazing food (check out this great guide for where to eat in Bucharest), warm up with a couple of shots before you go dancing!
At Shoteria, expect a very small location, but size doesn’t matter, does it? There are no tables as this is really a place for a quickie. You come in, have a few shots, and move on to your next destination. It’s cheap, crowded, and fun: what else do you want from a shot place?
Address: Shoteria (Strada Șelari 17).
Opening Hours: Thursday to Saturday from 9 PM to 5 AM.
Dance on the streets
Ok, this one is a bit different but equally awesome… if not more. Pura Vida Tan Tan organizes a night of dancing in the streets of Bucharest every Saturday in the main square of the Old Town, and to me this is one of the best things to do in Bucharest during the summer.
Join in for a night of Reggaeton, Salsa, Hip Hop…There is a dance crew that shows the steps to the crowd, but you can also do your own thing. Such a happy and fun initiative! I really hope they’ll replicate it every summer.
The Best Bars in Bucharest
Fix Me a Drink
A bar with a difference, Fix Me A Drink labels itself as a “botanical bar”. Here, you can drink surrounded by a whole host of potted plants, making for a unique drinking experience in a spacious, airy venue that still feels warm and welcoming.
Their minimalist feel masks the complexity of the cocktails on offer, and there are plenty of hidden treasures to try as you work your way through their menu!
Address: Fix Me A Drink (Strada Ion Brezoianu 23-25, Universul, building B, floor 1, FIX, botanical bar).
Opening Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 PM to 12 AM, Thursday and Friday from 5 PM to 2AM, Saturday from 7 PM to 12 AM and Sunday from 3 PM to 12 AM.
The Urbanist
A favorite haunt of Bucharest’s hipster population, you might think you’ve walked into the wrong place when you enter The Urbanist. A bar selling trainers and jeans as well as drinks?!
Well, it’s true- this relaxed, intimate venue is a great place to kick off a night out before moving on to one of the bigger clubs.
They sell a great selection of cocktails here, and in the day they also sell coffees and pastries if you want to take a break from exploring the Old Town.
Address: The Urbanist (Strada Căldărari 3).
Opening Hours: Daily from 8.30 AM to 10.30 PM.
Interbelic
For many years, Interbelic was one of Bucharest’s best-kept secrets. They have since moved to a larger venue, but that friendly, laid-back, family feel still remains in this trendy cocktail bar.
Traditional Romanian décor and a menu full of local cuisine make this place a must if you want an authentic experience of Bucharest during your time here.
It gets pretty busy at the weekends, but during the week it’s a great place to enjoy cocktails and a chat with friends.
Address: Interbelic (Calea Victoriei 17).
Opening Hours: Daily from 5 PM to 2 AM, and until 6 AM on Friday and Saturday.
READ ALSO: 11 Reasons to Visit Bucharest ASAP
Bucharest By Night on a Budget
Kulturhaus Bukarest
Looking for cheap drinks in Bucharest? Well, Kulturhaus Bukarest has some of the lowest prices in town– but that’s not the only reason to stick around.
With three floors, there’s plenty of space to dance without feeling like you’re crushed in by other partygoers, and it means there’s always a great selection of music to bop along to… and it’s easy to get lost, trust me! 😀
It’s nothing too fancy, but if you are just looking for a great time, then Kulturhaus Bukarest is well worth a visit. One of my favorite places in town!
Address: Kulturhaus Bukarest (Strada Sfânta Vineri 4).
Opening Hours: Thursday to Saturday from 11 PM to 6 AM.
Expirat Club
Originally founded as an alternative music venue, Expirat has since grown to become one of the best-loved underground clubs in Bucharest. They are especially known for mashing up multiple genres of music, so you never know quite what you’re going to discover on a night out here.
They recently moved to a new location, where their killer light shows and both indoor and outdoor shows make it the cream of the crop when it comes to the Bucharest underground scene.
Address: Expirat Club (Strada Doctor Constantin Istrati 1).
Opening Hours: Daily until 5 AM.
Live Music Spots in Bucharest
Control Club
Not the biggest venue around, but that just means Control Club is a great place to get up close and personal with some of your favorite electronic artists.
Control brings in some of the biggest names in music to play their club, and there’s always a great atmosphere here. They also put on some of the city’s biggest gay nights, which are really not to be missed.
But I listed it here because Control Club also does amazing concerts and live music events, so keep an eye on their schedule for a night to be remembered.
Address: Control Club (Strada Constantin Mille 4).
Opening Hours: Daily until 6 AM on Friday and Saturday, 5 AM on Tuesday-Thursday, 4 AM on Sunday and Monday.
Mojo
Bringing some British spirit to the Bucharest nightlife scene, Mojo puts on some great live music, as well as giving you a place to catch all the biggest sporting action. If you’re in the mood for a friendly, sports-bar feel, then Mojo is the place for you.
Down in the basement, meanwhile, is a club that plays host to some great covers bands. There’s even a whole floor dedicated to karaoke, open every night of the week- so stop by and show everyone what you’ve got!
Address: Mojo (Strada Gabroveni 14).
Opening Hours: Daily from 1 PM to 3 AM, and until 5 AM on Friday and Saturday.
The Best Clubs in Bucharest
Fratelli
Fratelli is a little pricier than some of the other clubs in Bucharest, but once you’re inside, you’ll instantly realize why. Fratelli brings to mind the golden era of clubs, when DJs ruled the world, and thousands of clubbers would come together for an unforgettable communal experience.
There are always great events going on here, and the fact that they regularly switch up the scenery means you’ll never have the same experience twice. A must for any serious clubber who finds themselves in Bucharest!
Address: Fratelli (Strada Glodeni).
Opening Hours: Friday and Saturday between 11.30 PM and 4 AM.
Face Club
Face Club is one of the hottest clubs in the city, and it’s especially popular for the dance and light shows it showcases every weekend, changing the theme every week. The club is big, so it accommodates very big crowds, and it also hosts music festivals throughout the year.
The club features an outdoor forest setting for secret parties in the summertime, which is highly recommended!
Address: Piața Presei Libere 3-5.
Opening Hours: Friday and Saturday from 11 PM to 6 AM.
House Music Club
Kristal Glam Club
Kristal certainly lives up to its name- a huge crystal chandelier hangs over the main dancefloor, and there’s glitz and glamor everywhere you look. They’ve also got a killer audio/visual setup, which screens everywhere you look showing awesome visuals to really get you in the party mood.
Kristal has been a fixture of the Bucharest scene for 15 years, and that’s because they sure know how to party.
Address: Kristal Glam Club (Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta 34).
Opening Hours: Friday and Saturday between 11 PM and 6 AM.
READ ALSO: 11 Reasons to Visit Bucharest ASAP
