The best cocktail bars Albania

This raki bar is decorated with bric-a-brac from the communist period (hence the name Komiteti, "people's committees"). Here you'll find the richest collection of rakis in Albania: at least 25 different types, plus "arranged rakis" with herbs, fruit and a fearsome spicy raki (raki spec djeges). Snacks and a fine collection of infusions and mountain teas. Very pleasant during the day, with a small shady courtyard. Other addresses in Korça, Vlora, Gjirokastra, Dhërmi..

With its decor full of Buddhas and Asian elephants, this bar doesn't bother with the old clichés of Western colonialism. But since 2012, it has been preparing Blloku's finest cocktails. Here, you'll find old-fashioned classics like the Cosmopolitan, Rusty Nail, Mary Pickford and Kir Royal, as well as original creations like the Sunset Shkodra, Scutari Split and Colonial Hot Whiskey. Pleasant terrace, but tough bouncers.

Located on "party street", right in the heart of Blloku, this bar is one of Tirana's few gay-friendly venues. Beautifully decorated with retro furniture, graphic posters and an American cinema-style bar, it's a popular spot for its artistic evenings, concerts and cutting-edge DJs. We particularly recommend their excellent cocktails. We also appreciate the garden, the efficient waiters and its location in the Blloku district: an ideal place to spend a lively evening in Tirana!

It's been a staple of the Blloku district since 2012. This cocktail bar is one of the best in the country. Tirana's golden youth and Western tourists love the cheerfully variegated colors, slightly offbeat atmosphere, good music and weekend concerts. Behind the bar, Sofokli Cali and his team of bearded hipsters prepare a wide range of cocktails at reasonable prices. Among the house recipes, we recommend the English climber, made with gin (English) and mountain tea (Albanian).

Opened in 2009, this trendy bar in the Blloku district is renowned for its colorful decor, live music and DJs, terrace heated by stoves in winter, peanut shells, haughty waiters and cocktails, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. We particularly recommend those based on local spirits: rakberry with raki and blackberry, ballkan collins with juniper raki and Albanian gin, kaipiraki with raki, grape juice and fig jam, and konjakito, a mojito but with Skënderbeu "cognac".

One of the few really nice bars on the right bank, in the not very lively "Tirana 10" district. It's easily reached from the National History Museum by taking the main street of Durrës (rruga e Durrësit), then turning left into rue Kont-Urani. The place is tiny, but the jazzy atmosphere and smiling waiters make it a good address. Plenty of rum-based drinks and Hemingway photos. But the writer's favorite cocktail, the Daïquiri, is not on the menu. You'll have to ask for it.