Fun and entertainment Muntenia

At the entrance to Circului Park, this large circular building built in the 1960s resembles a concrete big top. Acrobats, dancers and actors provide the entertainment. However, you won't see any animal acts here: they ended after a fire ravaged the premises and killed eleven animals in 2017. Only the horses remain. Cirque Métropolitain's repertoire includes original creations, as well as adaptations of children's classics. The space also hosts shows by other companies.

Romania's main operatic stage, created in 1921, the National Opera of Bucharest occupies a building built in 1953. Its luxurious hall has 1,200 seats. The programme is varied: Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Verdi, Puccini... but also contemporary pieces or for young audiences. Tickets can be purchased on site or online. The rates are very attractive and the quality is there: an excellent opportunity to indulge or to learn about the pleasures of opera.

Established in the pretty neighborhood around Parc Icoanei, this fine păpuși (doll) and marionete (puppet) theater is an institution: its creation dates back to 1945. In 2008, it became an animation theater, with a studio for teenage and adult audiences. But its shows are mainly aimed at children aged 2 and over: the repertoire includes many adaptations of the great classics of Romanian or universal literature(The Little Prince, Snow White...), as well as contemporary plays.

Prices may be a little high, but this is undoubtedly one of the best addresses for real clubbers, those for whom sound and rhythm take precedence over appearance and superficiality. The Kristal Club focuses on electronic music and regularly hosts world-renowned DJs. Located in the heart of the city, it has taken over one of the former cinemas on boulevard Regina Elisabeta. With its wall moldings and gigantic chandelier, the place has a decadent feel. It's the perfect setting to party the night away!

Named after a Franco-Romanian actress, the cinema at the Institut français de Bucarest has become a fixture on the capital's cultural scene thanks to its rich programming. Far from the blockbusters of the multiplexes, this cinema screens art house films, French of course, but also European and international, not forgetting young audiences. Romanian films are given pride of place, with French subtitles. The 200-seat cinema is comfortable, warm and well-equipped. It regularly hosts meetings.

This building, located behind the National Museum of Art, doesn't go unnoticed, with its large blue dome and brutalist architecture. It was built in 1960 by architect Tiberiu Ricci. The vast 4,000-seat hall, which once hosted the five major annual Communist congresses, is now used for other mass events: concerts, congresses, theatrical performances... In September, it is one of the main venues for the Enescu classical music festival. The 2,000 m² hall is also used for exhibitions.

An astonishing place: this bar occupies the former villa of an early ^20th-century merchant family, nationalized under Communism and subsequently abandoned. Purposely left in its original state, the beautiful residence exudes the same decadent atmosphere that makes Bucharest so charming: inside, the old stoves and mismatched period furniture give the impression of squatting in an abandoned house, frozen in the past. At the front, the garden also cultivates a certain nonchalance, with its abundant vegetation and scattered pallet terraces.

This is one of those tea bars nestled in a mansion in the Icoanei district, more precisely in an outbuilding at the end of a beautiful garden. The shaded terrace, surrounded by greenery, is a haven of coolness in summer, and the excellent lemonade will refresh you, unless you prefer a milkshake, fresh fruit juice, iced tea or beer. You'll also find a wide selection of teas and infusions. A colorful place, where you can also nibble on snacks such as bruschettas, salads and grilled meats.

This concept store in the heart of Lipscani is a streetwear boutique, bar and snack bar in one. Here, you can enjoy a good breakfast with freshly squeezed orange juice and hot pastries, a good coffee, a cocktail or a Romanian craft beer, all set to a background of electro music. The decor is urban, with a mix of metal and plants. The staff are young, smiling and very pleasant. The place regularly hosts DJ sets. Pleasant terrace on the cobblestones.

This French-sounding bistro is an oasis of calm and greenery in the heart of the city, halfway between Gare du Nord station and Piața Romană. Enjoy a coffee, lemonade or socata (natural elderflower soda), seated in the large garden or slumped in a hammock in summer. In the evening, go for cocktails - they're excellent! J'ai Bistrot is also a restaurant serving burgers, pastas, grilled meats and other dishes based on the finest produce. It's also a great place to stop for breakfast. In fact, the place is often packed.

Housed in a former printing works, this trendy bar, decorated in an industrial and vintage style, is also a place for cultural experimentation: events, workshops, debates and exhibitions in all kinds of fields are regularly organized, as well as concerts. The drinks on offer include beers, gins, wines and smoothies, as well as infusions and homemade lemonades. If you're feeling peckish, you can satisfy your hunger with a soup, salad, main course or burger. The lunchtime menu is particularly attractive.

This was Bucharest's first Irish pub, opened in 1994. Its slightly off-center location and drab decor may discourage some, but the pub remains a favorite with expatriates, particularly for soccer and rugby nights, but also for the delicious chicken or sausage pies washed down with authentic Guinness, which can also be drunk by the pint, as can its amber compatriot, Kilkenny, all at very reasonable prices. Live Irish music sessions and quiz nights are organized regularly.

Located near Carol Park, in a former sock factory, this pop-rock nightclub hosts numerous concerts and special evenings. Born in the early 2000s on the beaches of Vama Veche on the Black Sea, the club later moved to Bucharest, bringing with it a little of the spirit of the party-loving seaside resort. Hip-hop, R&B, rock and pop hits from the 1990s and 2000s are all played here. You can start the evening right next door, at cousin club Fabrica, which also doubles as a pub and canteen.

A nugget nestled in the meandering Icoanei district, just a stone's throw from Piața Romană. This ultra-design bistro occupies a beautiful ^19th-century villa. Inside, light tones dominate and the walls are covered in places with natural moss. Outside, the paved courtyard hosts a superb terrace immersed in greenery. Young, trendy crowds flock here for a drink or a meal. You can eat fajitas, pasta, creamy soups or meat and fish dishes in sauce. Service can be long.

Despite its size, this brasserie is tucked away in the heart of the Lipscani district. Brick walls, bistro chairs, copper objects and exposed pipes: the decor has a very colorful steampunk feel. The pleasant terrace is very popular. On the drinks menu, you'll find beer of course, with the great Romanian classics in their unfiltered, unpasteurized versions, including fresh Timișoreana straight from the factory. The menu also features a wide selection of drinks of all kinds and meat dishes.

An apothecary-style tea room, with wooden shelves up to the ceiling, featuring a wide selection of teas, coffees, infusions and rooibos. These are also sold in bulk. Old-fashioned sweets such as candied fruit and caramels are displayed on the counter. The decor, too, is old-school: sewing machines as tables, old sepia photos on the wall, vintage placemats and crockery... What's more, the prices are reasonable and the music soothing. A gentle bubble amidst the hustle and bustle.

You'll find this chain at various locations in the capital, including Calea Victoriei. The French touch is there as soon as you step through the door: it smells of warm croissants, the pastries are pure butter, the decor is vintage and the radio plays old hits that will sound familiar to your ears. It's a pleasant place to sip a coffee, hot chocolate or fresh fruit juice, while enjoying a viennoiserie. You can also grab a bite to eat at any time of day: salads, sandwiches, quiches or even shepherd's pie are all on the menu.

In a small street near Lipscani, away from the crowds, this café has an industrial look, which doesn't prevent it from being warm: exposed brick and concrete walls, large bay windows, wooden slats on the floor and colorful touches. A small terrace stretches out on the sidewalk in front. It serves speciality coffees, burnt on site, as well as Romanian craft beers and milk drinks, plus a number of dishes (bagels, burgers, salads, etc.) and sweet treats (croissants, tarts, muffins, etc.). A good place for a rejuvenating break.

Not far from the historic center, but away from the hustle and bustle of Lipscani, this friendly wine bar offers a wide choice of carefully selected local and international vintages (over 100 references). Romanian wine tastings are organized regularly, and you can accompany your glasses with succulent cheese and charcuterie platters. The staff are extremely friendly and professional, knowing what they're selling and giving good advice. You can also buy bottles on the spot.

Above all, it's the setting that makes it all worthwhile: the beautiful, wood-panelled hall of the Gambrinus brasserie takes you back to the heyday of Bucharest in the early ^20th century. Launched in 1901 by the famous playwright Caragiale, it was one of the meeting places of the intellectual elite. Destroyed, the brewery reopened in the 1940s, on the first floor of the Hotel Cișmigiu, where it still stands. Refurbished in 2013, it has regained its splendor. The beer, made to a traditional recipe, is good, but not produced on site.

Right in the heart of Lipscani, the bar district, this bar stands out from its neighbors for its relaxed, warm and rocking atmosphere. The bar's name could be translated as: "A few gentlemen and their sons". The clientele is mainly made up of young Romanians. The wooden interiors are decorated with portraits of revolutionaries. Punk-rock concerts are held regularly. You'll find a wide choice of beers. There's also a pleasant terrace for sunny days.

Right across from the National Bank, this café has a certain reputation in the capital. The decor is extraordinary, with sculpted vaults, umbrellas hanging from the ceiling and paintings on the walls. The terrace is very pleasant in summer. In winter, don't miss the incredible, gigantic hot chocolate, topped with ice cream, marshmallows and sweets of all kinds. The à la carte menu includes burgers, salads, club sandwiches and quesadillas, all made with fresh ingredients. The place is also renowned for its weekend brunches.