INTERMEZZO MUSIC BAR
Read moreThis bar is a little way from the center, but accessible by bus 4a, 5 or 5a (Fabrika Treska stop). We recommend it for its musical program (good DJs and acoustic concerts in the evening), its cocktails (from 220 MKD), its friendly atmosphere, its fireplace in winter and its large terrace in summer. It's often crowded at weekends. Then escape to the nearby restaurants: Krchma (popular and inexpensive), Dvor (traditional and not bad at all) and Vodenica Mulino (very good and recommended in our "Treat yourself" pages).
IRISH PUB ST. PATRICK
Read moreLocated on the quay along the Vardar, opposite the ugly "Pont des Arts", this Irish pub is popular with tourists and recent Western expatriates. The cheerful waitresses speak impeccable English. Tables and mini-counters along the walls, where you can put down your pint of Guinness or Skopsko. Musical evenings at weekends. You can also eat in, but that's not the house's forte. Just behind is the Gradski Trgovski Centar with stores, restaurants, discotheque (not great) and cinema.
ROCK BAR GARSON
Read moreThis bar (Рок Бар Гарсон) is conveniently located in the city center, at the crossroads of the main Dimitrija-Čupovski and Dame-Gruev streets, next to the Alexandar II hotel. It attracts young locals with its cheap prices (cocktails from 150 MKD), alternative atmosphere and rock, jazz, blues and reggae concerts. Uninteresting decor but pleasant terrace. Opposite, note the monument to Macedonian soldiers in the Yugoslav army who died in Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1991-1992.
SHORTBUS
Read moreFormerly known as Ljubov ("Love"), the ShortBus café aims to be the city's most tolerant venue. Here, everyone is welcome, including the LGBTQ+ community. However, it's well hidden behind the glass building in which the cathedral is reflected, at the intersection of Sveti-Kliment-Ohridski and Partizanski-Odredi boulevards. Juices and cocktails (from MKD 150), terrace, exhibitions and a small dance floor with DJs of varying quality. You can continue the evening at the nearby Night Club Saloon or Club Epicentar.
BROOKLINSKI JAZZ BISTRO
Read moreThis New York-style bar-restaurant (Бруклински Џез Бистро) is a good place to have a drink (cocktails from 250 MKD), eat breakfast, pizza, salad, soup, meat dish or burger while listening to jazz. The music is great, and local jazz bands regularly perform here. Brooklinski Jazz Bistro is located in the western part of the lively Debar Maalo district, on Orce-Nikolov Street, which overlooks Sveti-Kliment-Ohridski Boulevard, close to the cathedral.
CAFÉ BAR SINDIKAT
Read moreThis bar (Кафе Бар Синдикат) is right in the heart of Debar Maalo, 120 m southwest of the large fountain in City Park by Naum-Naumovski-Borče Street. Its clean, retro decor (old posters, Red Star logo...), beers and good cocktails (from 250 MKD) make it the ideal place for an aperitif before choosing one of the many restaurants in the area. But if you're only a little hungry, 50 m to the east on the same street, the Kuki bakery (Бурекџилница Куки) offers some of the best bureks in town.
SPEAKEASY
Read moreThis classy bar is located on the corner of boulevard Ilinden, opposite Debar Maalo and next to the large fountain in Parc de la Ville. It offers a fine menu of whiskies, spirits and cocktails (from 210 MKD). The muffled ambience and the name of the establishment are reminiscent of the speakeasies of the Prohibition era in the USA, not to mention the vintage music or the blues and jazz bands that play here. On sunny days, you can take your drink with you and sip it in the Parc de la Ville.
BAR ČARŠIJA
Read moreThis bar (Бар Чаршија) is, as its name suggests, located in Bitola's charchia. Its vaulted hall and small shady courtyard occupy part of the Hadji-Mahmut-Bey mosque complex. So it's among the old stones and under a pretty minaret that you can come and sip a cocktail or a beer. The establishment attracts mainly local youth. It is itself run by a group of young people. They have just taken over the premises and still have to learn the ropes. But all the ingredients are there for a good time.
VINARIJA MAL SV. KLIMENT
Read moreHoused in a beautiful old house, this wine bar (Винарија Мал Св. Климент) offers only house wines. It takes its name from the Saint-Clément-d'Ohrid chapel, located right next door and known as "Petite Saint-Clément". Production is mainly from the vranec grape (red), but also from rarer grapes such as ohridsko crno ("Ohrid black") and pamid (from Thrace). The host family also offers 16 beautiful rooms on the upper floors. Wine-tasting sessions are offered in the vineyards or by boat on the lake.
KOTUR
Read moreThis associative café-bar (Котур) is well located downtown, in an old three-storey building on the block opposite the Macedonia Square bus stop. It's one of the city's few slightly alternative nightspots. Not only can you have a drink here (cocktails cost MKD 300), but you can also visit art exhibitions, attend concerts or film screenings, dance, and so on. The 1970s-style decor is well-polished, and the small, quiet terrace is a real treat. You'll also find information on what's on in the city.
GIPSY CAFFE
Read moreThis café is one of the liveliest places in Šuto Orizari and foreign customers are welcome. In the evening, especially on Fridays and Saturdays, the local youth comes here to smoke hookah, drink some alcohol (but mostly fruit and energy drinks) and dance to the sounds of DJs of varying levels from week to week. In the morning, it's much quieter. You can then have breakfast or eat on the go: pancakes, waffles, pizzas... All day long, wide choice of coffees and hookah flavors.
CAFÉ ALBUM SHISHA
Read moreLocated beneath Skopje's fortress and a stone's throw from St. Saviour's Church, this shisha bar (Кафе Албум Шиша) is one of the many establishments in Stara Čaršija where you can smoke hookah (MKD 400/2,000) with, here, around 50 flavors (vanilla, lemongrass, iced apple, cappuccino...). The establishment also serves non-alcoholic cocktails (MKD 150/300), coffees, smoothies and assorted sweet and savory mezzés. We regret the rather cold decor and the absence of a sofa where you can enjoy your hookah like a pacha.
BADU BAR
Read moreThis bar (Баду Бар) is located in the Porta Vlae district (Порта Влае), beyond the Vardar, but is easy to reach by bus: linesnos. 2, 2a, 4, 8, 11, 12, 21, 22, 22a, 32, 56, 56a, 60 and 64a. Named in honor of American singer Erykah Badu, the venue is renowned for its cocktails (150 MKD), mountain views and electro and rap music. The country's best DJs come to keep the clientele dancing, and it's often packed at weekends. The terrace is also very pleasant for an afternoon coffee (wide choice).