Bratislava Pubs and Bars, Edition 2012
It has been some time since we have written about all the new and 'in' pubs and bars popping up in the center of Bratislava. Bars in Bratislava are improving and upgrading, old ones are getting refurbished or closed down and the bars open up at many new locations.
Pod Kammenym stromom
One of our favourites is Pod Kamennym stromom (Under the Petrified Tree) that has been recently opened in the heart of the Old Town at Sedlarska. Just a few steps from the Main Square and very close to the loud tourist spots, Kamenny strom is situated in the small basement of the historical building.
It features dark brown furniture, bookshelves full of books and there is a separate larger room for non-smokers and smaller room for smokers. Large format paintings by young Slovak artists get changed regularly. Even the restrooms have been decorated merrily reminding us of some ancient South American tales.
Kamenny strom offers a large selection of tap beers by Bernard, smaller brewery from Czech republic as well as the Slovak Cola-like drink Kofola. Snacks are ready to be served including pickled and grilled cheese and some baguettes. In the summer, there is an open air terrace in the courtyard increasing the capacity that is to our dismay small for such a nice bar.
Cierny pes
Cierny pes (Black Dog) has opened at Na vrsku not far from the cosy Cafe Dolcezza that closed in 2011. The location Na vrsku is less explored and the cornering Kapitulska street offers a view of past Bratislava during the communism with some old houses not restored. Cierny pes, again a renaissance of traditional pubs made attractive, offers cosy interior on the ground floor with its dark wood tables. Cierny pes is a non-smoking pub.
You can have your Bernard tap beer accompanied by a pickled sausage called Utopenec or pickled Hermelin, a camembert-like cheese with onions and spices.
Goblins Pub
A bit further out from the small city center Goblins pub can be found at Dunajska near the corner with Lazaretska. This 40 tables large pub owned by the foreigners, it supposedly offers "a chepeast pint in Slovakia". It definitely has a large selection of beers on tap including Staropramen, Hoegaarden, Leffe and Guinness.
More beer brands are available bottled such as the Czech ones Master and Pilsner Urquell, a Slovak dark Zlaty Bazant and more than 10 other world-known beers. Goblins Pub also serves cider, which is usually difficult to find in Slovakia.
Local bands regularly play on a small stage and discounts are given on some evenings on wine or hard liquors. Goblins pub is a smoking pub and usually gets smoky when full
KC Dunaj
Club mixed with a pub and cafe, Kulturne centrum Dunaj (Cultural centre Danube) offers large space on the fourth floor of a former shopping centre at SNP Square (entrance from Nedbalova) in a former seat of the second largest Slovak newspaper. Housing both a small design shop and a co-working centre, KC Dunaj is divided into the three parts. Pub and cafe are situated in the first part with bar, tables and bean bags along.
The second large space opens in the evenings for concerts, theatre, cinema and other cultural events and usually serves as a dancing space with a bar. The third smaller room serves as a gallery with photos or paintings or covering special events.
But the pest part of KC Dunaj is its large terrace that wonderfully overlooks much of the Old Town including the Bratislava castle. You can even see the UFO of the New bridge and Petrzalka district on the other side of Danube river. There are tables on the terrace when the season allows.
KC Dunaj serves Radegast, dark Saris and non-alcoholic Birell on tap as well as a weekly specials from one of the smaller breweries from Czech Republic.
There is more to come and probably some we missed, so if you have any recommendations, send us an email or comment on our Facebook page.