The Best Nightlife in Ljubljana: Slovenia’s Fun Loving Capital

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History-rich and culture-ridden, Ljubljana is full of surprises. Founded in the 12th century, every way you turn you’ll be reminded of its Austro-Hungarian past. Despite this, Slovenia’s capital is young at heart. The economic hub of one of Europe’s most sophisticated countries, Ljubljana is green, clean and lively.

Surrounded by natural beauty, a short hop from both the Alps and the Adriatic, it’s the ideal base for exploring Slovenia. But more than that, Ljubljana is designed for city breaks. A couple of decades ago, the idea of a weekend in Ljubljana was saved solely for Brits on stag dos. Economics have driven the wildest revellers further east, making now the perfect time to explore Ljubljana’s leafy streets.

That being said, a night out in Ljubljana still costs a fraction of what it does in London, Paris or Berlin. Every night, riverside cafes come alive. And that they stay long into the morning. Nightlife in the Slovenian capital is a mix of late-night clubs, quaint wine bars and beer halls with tap lists to rival Munich.

We have prepared the ultimate guide to nightlife in Ljubljana which takes you to the most-loved and best-hidden spots you won’t want to miss.

Where to Stay to Experience the Best Nightlife in Ljubljana

Despite being home to a quarter of Slovenia’s entire population, central Ljubljana is pretty compact. The majority of hotels are within walking distance of the historic core of the city. But, if you prefer to save by staying a little further out, Ljubljana’s efficient (and cheap) public transport network makes it easy to get around.

To make the most of the vast array of nightlife in Ljubljana, we recommend staying in, or around, the Old Town. Vander Urbani Resort, which sits in the shadow of the castle, is our all round top pick. It’s all about design. Chic rooms and a serene outdoor pool are the stars of the show. Their rooftop terrace is the ideal spot for a glass of Slovenian wine before heading out on the town.

For a more traditional place to lay your head, Antiq Palace has one of the best locations for sightseeing. The highlight is a hidden courtyard which is easily my favorite spot for a quiet drink before experiencing all the best nightlife in Ljubljana.

If you want to save on hotel costs, staying a little further from the Old Town isn’t a bad idea. The area around the rail and bus station is where you’ll find the best bargains. Better still, you’ll only be a 10-15 minutes walk from the Old Town. A number of budget-friendly chain hotels, including an Ibis Styles (and the somewhat less wallet-friendly Intercontinental), dominate the hotel scene here. Still, there are a couple of hidden gems nestled amongst them. Exe Lev is our pick of those gems. A trendy, modern business hotel, it comes with a 24-hour gym, free WiFi and a restaurant. Occidental Ljubljana, just across the road, is another great choice.

Things to Do at Night in Ljubljana

Ljubljana’s Top Night Time Activities

Wherever you go in the world, I firmly stand by the age-old recommendation of seeing a new city by day and then again by night. In Ljubljana, this not only means exploring the Old Town again after dark, but if you visit in summer, heading up to the castle in the evening. From May to September, the funicular and castle complex are open until 10 pm. The vista of the city at sunset is possibly the best sight in the city. I always recommend that you book tickets in advance to give yourself more time to enjoy the nightlife in Ljubljana.

If you’re looking for an early evening activity, head deep into the cellars of Ljubljana Castle for a wine tasting. You’ll be able to sample seven of the top rated Slovenian wines. Assuming they take your fancy, and if you appreciate a good wine (or, in my case, just wine in general) they will, allow time during your stay for a day trip to Slovenian wine country.

For those who prefer a later, and a little bit rowdier night, I really love this unique Ljubljana guided pub crawl. You’ll head to a mixture of local watering holes and student favorites with shots, beers and club entry included. It’s also super ideal for solo travelers – drinks + new friends!

Late Night Food Spots in Ljubljana

If you’ve crossed the border from Italy, you’ll quickly notice that Slovenia takes a more central or northern European approach to dining than their Mediterranean neighbor. Most restaurants serve lunch and dinner at more traditional times rather than late into the evening. But, there are a few spots which you can rely on for a late night meal.

Every Ljubljana student and anyone who has ever stayed near the train station will have tales to tell of Nobel Burek. This is the place to go after overindulging in nightlife in Ljubljana. It’s one of those unique spots where late night revellers share the queue with business travelers rushing to catch an early morning flight. For something a little sweeter, Plato Centre serves ice cream 24/7.

If you’re not planning on being out quite that late, Babu’s Asian Street Food dishes up Chinese and Thai favorites until the early hours. A more formal affair, but great for dinner and drinks, TaBar is Ljubljana’s go-to late night tapas venue.

The Best Bars and Clubs in Ljubljana

House of Beer

My favorite place to kick off a night exploring the best nightlife in Ljubljana, House of Beer is relaxed and homely. With the feel of an olde English inn, they have an incredible and ever-changing tap list.

Ljubljana and beer have a long history. First brewed by innkeepers in the 16th century, beer is the tipple of choice in Slovenia. Since 1864, Pivovarna Union has been brewing the national drink. There are very few bars in Ljubljana which won’t pull you a pint of crisp, cold Union. If you have a little time to spare, it’s well worth heading out to the Union brewery for an interactive tour.

Voyager Craft Bar

Another favorite for beer connoisseurs, Voyager Craft Bar is the ideal place to start your night if you’re staying near the station. Ljubljana’s answer to a German beer hall, Voyager offer a 16-strong tap list. A number of their beers are local, but there’s options from across Europe as well as pale ales from the other side of the Atlantic.

In addition to the drinks, I really love Voyager’s beer hall inspired bar snack menu too. Expect classics like currywurst, potato croquettes and glazed pork ribs. They also have a busy events calendar, with live music and parties taking place most weekends.

Dvorni Bar

Designed for those evenings when you want to sample nightlife in Ljubljana without going wild, Dvorni is the top rated wine bar in the city. Located in the heart of the Old Town, one street back from the Ljubljanica River, on summer evenings Dvornia spills out onto the sidewalk.

With bottles from all the best Slovenian wineries, plus many an international wine too, Dvorni is the ideal place to become acquainted with the country’s love of wine. They also serve up plenty of bar snacks to keep you going (I usually ask the waiter what they recommend for some local insights).

Nostalgija Vintage Café

Right on the riverfront, Nostalgija does exactly what it says on the tin. A nod to a bygone era, Nostalgija takes you back in time. Doubling as a vintage store by day, in case you fancy picking up some novelty souvenirs, it’s designed to look just as a Ljubljana café would have in the 1950s. This, it achieves.

Stick the sound of yesteryear on the vintage jukebox, or stop by at the weekend to enjoy live rock. Whether you fancy a break from the busy nightlife in Ljubljana, or an afternoon coffee, be sure to grace Nostalgija with your presence at least once during your stay.

Orto Bar

Tucked away beside the station, backing onto the railway tracks, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, Orto Bar comes alive. Open long into the early hours, this is Ljubljana’s alternative rock club. The brainchild of two high school students back in the 80s, Orto is built on the philosophy of being an inclusive space for anyone and everyone.

Every April, Orto hold their own rock festival. Orto Fest lasts the full month, with live performances every night. If you’re a rock aficionado, this should be reason alone to plan a weekend in the Slovenian capital. If you can’t make it in April though, the good news is, there are concerts throughout the year. For the latest line-up and book tickets, you can check their website.

Cutty Sark Pub

No discussion on nightlife in Ljubljana would be complete without a nod to the Cutty Sark. The one-and-only place to end a night in the Old Town, Cutty Sark draws in a diverse crowd of students, expats and visitors young and old. Named after and decorated in the style of the iconic British battleship, if ever there was a little bit of London in Ljubljana, this is it.

Known for lively late night parties, and open until 3 am most nights, Cutty Sark is the ultimate late night venue. The drinks are cheap, and there are very few bottles they don’t stock. From a global beer list to Japanese and Scottish whiskies, they have wine, cocktails and plenty of soft drinks too.

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