Skopje Nightlife Tips by Malecka

Cafes & Bars: AREA 4: GTC and the quay Cafes & Bars Review

Well, this is quite a popular spot, during the whole year, but... the quay gets totally packed in spring, summer and early autumn, when the weather is still nice and warm and everyone is outside.
There are so many places to go to, some nicer than others, but the choice is good.

The list here includes:
ALO, ALO (have had only daily coffees there... decent place)
PLAZA DE TOROS (very nice place. No, NOT a typical tapas-place, but still, a good idea and the snacks they offer are great)
Irish Pub St. Patrick (still a popular spot for lots of foreigner who come here)
Dubliner (another Irish pub, though I have to admit that it is very, very, very different from the concept of pub - it's way too fancy, too posh, too stuck up; the interior is nice but the atmosphere inside... defies the whole concept of a pub: relaxed, laid-back place, for some drinks and music)

And of course, LA BODEGUITA DEL MEDIO, the Cuban bar&restaurant (yes, it is part of the world chain of La B del M).
IT IS REALLY NICE, but kind of expensive. They usually serve excellent cocktails, even though their mojito is not as good as it used to be. But, what attracts people here is the atmosphere. During weekends it is pretty fun, the music is nice and there is some dancing going on. This place is a bit posh, which I tend to dislike, but it is not bad, and can often mean "having a good time". Anyways, give the place a try if you're a fan of Latin music.

Directions: City Shopping Center (GTC), and the quay of the river Vardar

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Cafes & Bars: AREA 3: Porta Bunjakovec/Kliment Ohridski Blvd. Cafes & Bars Review

Ok, so on the other side of Partizanska Blvd, there is another beautiful neighbourhood, the one I basically grew up in, full of nice places to go to.
Again, all the bars are within walking distance - the area of Porta Bunjakovec, behind it and behind the Kliment Ohridski Blvd (formerly known as Blvd. JNA).

The list would include:
MAMAS - cool place, now opened till 3/4 am. there are usually live gigs there. This place is open only during autumn/winter, because it's closed and there's no terrace.
LEZET - the tastiest mulled wine in Skopje, a fantastic interior, great music) and right next to it the bar called AJA
LJUBOV - nice little bar, good music, overlooking Partizanska blvd.
BALET - this is more of an institution, than a bar. The good music is the best thing about it. Ballet is one of those legendary place that... it's the people that make it. It is basically a dirty hole and still its popularity never seems to cease. Opened till 4 am, maybe even later than that
SECTOR 909 - right next to Mamas, also open till 3am/4am. Relatively popular club, there are themed night, sometimes it's hiphop and R'n'B, sometimes house, depends
IZLET - fantastic bar, bar, really good music and in summertime their terrace is a safe haven, it's a small paradise in the center of the city

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Cafes & Bars: Night-life basics Cafes & Bars Review

When I last tried explaining the night-life situation in Skopje, I had to write about something that happened March, 2003: our "beloved" Government decided that everything in the country had been taken care of, so the only thing left to do was to make sure the cafes and bars respect their legal "working hours," truly BELIEVING that this will resolve all the issues concerning young people, drinking, street-violence (which is still a rarity compared to many other cities), etc.
Anyways, the bars and cafes (not registered as clubs) are open: till midnight (working days), or till 1 am. (on Fridays and Saturdays) during wintertime, and in the summertime, if I am correct they are all open till 1 am.
Those places registered as clubs, have a permit to be open till 3 am on working days, and 4 am on Fridays and Saturdays. There are some places that stay open later than 4 am.

In my opinion, the main areas where Skopje’s night-life is concentrated are:
1. The bars in Debar Maalo, and especially along Leninova street, and the ones on Orce Nikolov street.
2. the bars located on the other side of Partizanska St., around the Greek office of liaisons;
3. All the places on Marshal Tito St. (excuse me, Macedonia St.); and
4. the bars in GTC, especially the ones located on the quay.
5. The Old Bazaar, which gets an extra buzz in summertime.

Obviously, there are more, but these areas are a “must”. Since this area-division is quite practical, I’ll mention some of the places I like best in each one.

Dress Code: DRESS CODES??? Please, this is not an American high-school we're talking about.
: ))))

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Cafes & Bars: AREA 1: Makedonija St. Cafes & Bars Review

This street has become one of "THE spots" in Skopje's, well in its very center to be precise.
It is packed with cafes and bars, all open till midnight (working days), or 1 am, Fridays and Saturdays. They are all a great choice to have a cup of coffee during the day, or for a night out, drinks maybe.

In summer all these places have terraces, and the whole atmosphere is even more enjoyable, the street is busy with a lively buzz.
:-)

T-Club, Il Cafe di Roma, Studio 54, Barcelona, Timeless, a cocktail bar located just opposite hotel Bristol, etc. As I said, there are many.

Just taking a stroll along the street (which is pedestrian zone) is enjoyable enough.

Directions: from the City Square to the Museum of the city of Skopje, you can't miss it.

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Cafes & Bars: AREA 2: Debar maalo Cafes & Bars Review

Taking a walk through Debar Maalo is a treat on its on, let alone enjoy the places located there. First of, it is a legendary neighborhood in Skopje, and has always enjoyed a special place in the true Skopje citizens' hearts. It is both a great location for a meal (dining out) and some drinks.

Packed with "kafani" (those of you who are not familiar with the concept - kafana: less fancy than a restaurant, much more basic, but the food is amazing. Most kafanas are THE choice to try some barbecue) and bars and cafes, the streets of Debar Maalo are ... not to be missed.

Ok, some of the places:
On LENINOVA street:
Kala - way too posh (snobbish), and not my cup of tea at all. But it is a rather visited spot.

Further down the street, one very famous spot is BASTION - a bar where I've left my soul during 2002 and 2003. Still a cool place to visit, both during the day and at night.

Right across from Bastion - SUSHICO, probably one of the most expenses places in Skopje. Japanese, Chinese and Thai food, absolutely fantastic interior, amazing food, I have to say, but rather fancy place.

DEUS has also been around for ages, really relaxed place for coffee and drinks.

My personal favorite, a bit off of Leninova, KRUG (or Circle) Great for coffee-and-chat, great for drinks at night - the music is always absolutely awesome.

On and around Orce Nikolov street:

Superfly - just as the name suggest, it's supa dupa fly, always packed;
Jukebox - a night club, open till 3/4 am
Foreplay - new place, still haven't checked it out.
Van Gogh - iconic and always fun to visit
Kaldrma - right next to Van Gogh, another laid-back bar.
Laika - kinda rock, kinda indie - in a league of its own.

Directions: Debar Maalo (maalo being neighbourhood) is the neighbourhood located on one side of the Blvd. Partizanski Odredi. All these places are within walking distance.

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BARCELONA and T-CLUB: AREA 1: Makedonija St. Cafes & Bars Review

Ok, so starting from the main square, yes the one adorned with way too many over-sized, over-the-top monuments:

Bocata - nice bar (used to be called Nana), very good coffee and a laid-back atmosphere.
Right across is the bar called Trend - huge, a tad too snobbish for my taste, but people seem to like it. Good salads, gotta admit.

T-CLUB - a cute little bar that always has fantastic music, whether it is during the day, inviting you for a relaxing moment, or during the night. Cool spot.

Right next to T-Club, Il Cafe Di Roma. A bit more expensive, but good coffee choice, and really nice atmosphere.

BarCelona - because of its location, one of the nicest corners on Macedonia st. Its terrace during the warm days (and nights) in Skopje is really nice.

Further down there are also a few bars, and also the Mexican restaurant Amigos - not bad, but not smashingly fabulous either.

Just off of Macedonia street, on the street that crosses it, called Dame Gruev, there is a great bar called Corsso - has been there for ages. I love that place. One of the few places that have a true Skopje feel to them. Excellent coffee and cheapest offer of Bovin wines. Really laid back atmosphere.

Address: Ulica Makedonija (Makedonija St.)

Directions: both are close by... T-club is opposite of the Mother Teresa statue, and some 50 meters down the street you can find Barcelona.

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a home party maybe?!

In case you have a chance, do VISIT a home-party! It doesn't necessarily have to be a birthday party, cause we basically don't need a particular occasion to enjoy a great night of dancing, laughs and well, FUN!
People in the Balkans generally love fun gatherings and if you get to meet a local person and get invited to a home-party, don't miss out on the chance.

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Cafes & Bars: Area 5 The Old Bazaar Cafes & Bars Review

Stara Skopska Charshija (or the Old Skopje Bazaar)...

Confession: I had my first vodka in a iconic place called: 21 (has nothing to do with legal age) which was one of the most famous place in the Old Bazar, about 15 years ago, when I was 16.
I also used to go to an amazing tea-bar called Bagdad cafe. And then... this part of Skopje died.
Seriously. And it was completely... isolated until three years ago.

Three years ago, a certain fella opened a Vinoteque in the Old Bazaar, which seemed as a revolutionary step since it did not make a lot of sense. But, the place (despite the fact that I now hate it cause it is so, so, so, so expensive and overrated) really had a positive effect and people started going to the Old Bazaar again.
Then DAMAR opened, a very avant-garde bar, the first... openly gay and lesbian friendly place (which is a bit of progress for Macedonia), then the owner of the Vinoteka (Vinoteque) opened a Beer-bar, called Star grad (Pivnica), again... overpriced, but still a good place to hang out at and especially in summer when they have wooden tables just outside the church of St. Spas, and live rock gigs.
And so... a chain reaction... the Old Bazaar is once again a TOP spot to visit (during the day and night).

LA KAÑA, amazing bar owned by two Spanish (Reyes Martin and Estela) who came here and decided that among the young in Skopje there is still hope for the non-commercial types of music. The place can remind you of some bars found in Malasaña in Madrid.

MENADA... what used to exist as Mala Stanica. One of my all-time favourites. Fantastic music!!! They have a "movie" afternoon each Sunday and show artsy movies (very known and less known)

Rakija bar Kaldrma, Jazz and fish restaurant New Orleans... and many more.

I strongly recommend visiting the Old Bazaar, especially once the weather is warmer and the bars open their terraces.

Theme: Nightclub

The night clubs... The Music Club Scene Review

Personally, I am not a fan of the techno-music and I have to admit I am VERY GLAD that... well, people in Skopje have KIND OF gotten tired of techno music and there are much more live gigs, and jazz clubs, and rock-music places than before.
Of course, there are still clubs where trance, goa, house and other "electronic-music-I-don't-understand" parties take place.
COLOSEUM, SECTOR 909, MIDNIGHT are the usually the most frequently visited.

Oh, in summer, all the discotheques in the City park come into life.

Theme: Nightclub

Website: http://www.sk.com.mk

Cafes & Bars: AREA 3: My favs Cafes & Bars Review

MAMAS - This place started working as a jazz bar, but now it's turned into a "club" (meaning it is open after midnight). There are live gigs organized, and also musically-themed nights.
Mamas is... a nice mix of a more serious place (not for teens or techno-music fans), great decoration, fabulous music, and pretty good atmosphere.
Definitely recommending it to everybody.

LEZET... Lezet... I guess some Turks that read these pages will understand the name of this place. Inspired by the Orient, its turkish style and the attention to details, make Lezet an amazing place. The mulled wine is... to die for.

Directions: Mamas is located on Kliment Ohridski Blvd.
Lezet is a bit trickier to find, just off of Leninova Street, when you turn to Nikola Trimpare street. Or just ask... anybody can tell you.

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