Nightlife · Ljubljana · Slovenia
Ljubljana nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Ljubljana, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mihael Grmek, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Ljubljana's nights are relaxed rather than wild: wine bars and cafés along the river, student pubs, and an alternative club scene at Metelkova and live music at Kino Šiška. Weekends are busier during the university year. The main areas are Ljubljanica embankments, Metelkova, Kino Šiška and Trubarjeva and Old Town side streets.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 4
- Stay near the action
- Tabor and Metelkova
- Local drink
- Slovenian wine
Where to go out
Ljubljanica embankments
Cafés and cocktail bars along Cankarjevo and Petkovškovo embankments stay busy late on summer nights.
Metelkova
Small clubs and bars in the former barracks with alternative, punk, electronic and LGBTQ+ nights.
Kino Šiška
A cultural centre in Šiška hosting touring bands and DJ nights.
Trubarjeva and Old Town side streets
Craft-beer pubs and small wine bars a step away from the river.
Nightlife tips
- Most bars on the embankments wind down around 1am on weeknights; Metelkova goes later at weekends.
- City buses thin out late at night; the centre is walkable, so stay central if you plan a late one.
Evening sights
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Landmark · Center
Triple Bridge and Prešeren Square
Look for Julija's bust on the building at Wolfova 4, diagonally across the square from the statue.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- After dark
Waterfront · Old Town
Butchers' Bridge and the Ljubljanica embankments
Late afternoon is the best time to pick a terrace on the shady side and watch the river traffic.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- After dark
- Food
Neighbourhood · Tabor and Metelkova
Metelkova
Visit by day to see the art properly, then return after 11pm on a Friday or Saturday if you want the club scene.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- After dark
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Center
Nebotičnik
Go at sunset for the light on the castle, and take the lift to the top floor from the entrance on Štefanova street.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Couples
- Architecture
- After dark
Experience · Old Town
Ljubljanica river boat trip
Evening departures in summer pass the lit-up bridges and café terraces.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Couples
- Views
- After dark
Architecture · Trnovo and Krakovo
Križanke
Even without a ticket, step into the courtyards to see Plečnik's decorated walls and lanterns.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- After dark
- Couples
- Free
What to drink
- Slovenian wine — Slovenia's wine regions produce crisp whites such as Rebula and Malvazija, the red Teran of the Karst, and the light, tart Cviček from Dolenjska. Orange wines from the Brda and Vipava regions are a local speciality.
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 15°C (59°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 16:42 | -3°C (27°F) | 9 |
| April | About 19:48 | 6°C (43°F) | 12 |
| July | About 20:50 | 15°C (59°F) | 11 |
| October | About 18:16 | 7°C (45°F) | 11 |
Getting home late
- Walking — Prešeren Square, the Old Town, the Central Market and Congress Square are all within about ten minutes of each other, and Tivoli Park is a 15-minute walk from the Triple Bridge.
- Bus — One fare allows transfers between buses within 90 minutes.
- Taxi — Taxis can be called by phone or app and wait at ranks near the station; small electric Kavalir vehicles also give free short rides within the pedestrian zone for those who need them.
Late-night bites
- Carniolan sausage — Sausage counters in the Old Town, market stalls on Vodnikov trg and Odprta kuhna on Fridays.
- Karst prosciutto — Wine bars along the river and delicatessens in the Old Town.
- Burek — Burek bakeries near the railway station and along Miklošičeva and Trubarjeva streets.
Staying safe at night
Ljubljana is generally calm and safe for visitors. Watch your bag in crowded spots such as the market and Prešeren Square in summer, and take care with cyclists sharing pedestrian streets.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
Where to stay for nightlife
$ · Best for budget, nightlife and solo travellers
Tabor and Metelkova
Around Metelkova the old Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslav barracks now hold the graffiti-covered Metelkova autonomous cultural centre, the Slovene Ethnographic Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Hostel Celica, a former military prison, is here, and Trubarjeva street's small bars and ethnic restaurants lead back to the river.
- Good
- Lower prices for hostels and rooms; Alternative clubs and street art; Ten minutes' walk to the Dragon Bridge
- Watch out
- Noisy on club nights; Less polished streets
- Nearby
- Metelkova, Slovene Ethnographic Museum, Trubarjeva street, Dragon Bridge
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Ljubljana?
Ljubljanica embankments, Metelkova and Kino Šiška. Cafés and cocktail bars along Cankarjevo and Petkovškovo embankments stay busy late on summer nights.
+Which area of Ljubljana is best for nightlife?
Tabor and Metelkova: Former army barracks turned arts quarter, museums and hostels east of the station.