Nightlife · Belgrade · Serbia
Belgrade nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Belgrade, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Fred Romero, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
Belgrade has one of Europe's best-known nightlife scenes, with cocktail bars, kafanas with live music, clubs in old warehouses and splavovi on the rivers. Nights start late and often finish after dawn. The main areas are Splavovi on the Sava and Danube, Dorćol, Savamala, Cetinjska street and Skadarlija.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 5
- Stay near the action
- Dorćol
- Local drink
- Rakija
Where to go out
Splavovi on the Sava and Danube
Floating clubs and bars on the New Belgrade bank and the Zemun quay, liveliest in summer.
Dorćol
Cocktail bars, craft beer and late-night cafés around Strahinjića bana and Cara Dušana streets.
Savamala
Clubs and bars in former warehouses near the Sava and Branko's Bridge.
Cetinjska street
A cluster of bars and small venues in a former brewery complex near Skadarlija.
Skadarlija
Traditional kafanas with live folk and old-city music.
Nightlife tips
- Clubs rarely fill before midnight; dinner at 9pm and going out at 11pm is normal.
- Book a table for popular splavovi and clubs on Friday and Saturday, and dress smartly.
- Order a taxi by app or phone at the end of the night rather than taking one waiting outside a club.
Evening sights
Street · Stari Grad
Knez Mihailova Street and Republic Square
Walk it in the evening, when the street fills with families and street musicians.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Iconic
- After dark
Street · Stari Grad
Skadarlija
Go for dinner rather than a quick drink, and expect the musicians to visit your table; a tip is customary if you request a song.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Food
- After dark
- Couples
- History
Experience · New Belgrade
Splavovi river clubs
Ask locals which splav suits your music taste; for clubs, reserving a table is common at weekends.
- Time needed
- An evening
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- After dark
- Food
- Couples
What to drink
- Rakija — Fruit brandy, most often plum (šljivovica), but also quince, apricot or pear, usually drunk as an aperitif in small glasses. Homemade rakija is offered as a sign of hospitality.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 18°C (64°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 16:23 | -1°C (30°F) | 8 |
| April | About 19:23 | 8°C (46°F) | 10 |
| July | About 20:22 | 18°C (64°F) | 8 |
| October | About 17:54 | 9°C (48°F) | 8 |
Getting home late
- Walking — Kalemegdan to Republic Square along Knez Mihailova takes about 15 minutes, and Skadarlija is another five; expect steep streets down to the rivers.
- Bus — Ticketing rules have changed in recent years; check the city transport website for the current system before you ride.
- Taxi — Avoid drivers who approach you inside the airport or the bus station.
Late-night bites
- Ćevapi — Grill restaurants (roštilj) across the city; quality grill houses are always busy at lunchtime.
- Pljeskavica — Street grills open late around Republic Square, Slavija and in every neighbourhood.
- Kajmak — Every kafana and grill house; buy it fresh at Kalenić and other farmers' markets.
- Ajvar — Kafanas serve it with bread and grilled meat; markets sell homemade jars in autumn.
- Urnebes salad — Grill houses and kafanas across the city.
Staying safe at night
Belgrade is generally relaxed for visitors, but pickpockets work on crowded buses and around Knez Mihailova. Use licensed taxis or apps, and take care crossing roads, as drivers are assertive.
- Emergency number
- 192 police, 193 fire, 194 ambulance
Where to stay for nightlife
$$ · Best for food lovers, nightlife, couples and solo travellers
Dorćol
Dorćol slopes from Knez Mihailova down towards the Danube. Its grid of streets holds the Bajrakli Mosque, Princess Ljubica's Residence and some of the city's best cafés, bakeries and cocktail bars, especially around Strahinjića bana and Cara Dušana streets. The Danube quay and the Jevremovac botanical garden are close.
- Good
- Walk to the fortress and the river; Excellent cafés and bars; Local, lived-in feel
- Watch out
- Some lively streets stay noisy late; Steep walk back up to Republic Square
- Nearby
- Princess Ljubica's Residence, Bajrakli Mosque, Kalemegdan, Danube quay
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Belgrade?
Splavovi on the Sava and Danube, Dorćol and Savamala. Floating clubs and bars on the New Belgrade bank and the Zemun quay, liveliest in summer.
+Which area of Belgrade is best for nightlife?
Dorćol: Old riverside quarter of cafés, cocktail bars and the Bajrakli Mosque.