Skopje's 10 best bars

more than a year ago

It is widely known that Macedonians like to drink and can, in fact, drink a lot. And no doubt the best places for drinking are bars, which are numerous in Skopje. The people of Skopje also like to grab a bite before drinking, so it is probable that their bars will also serve food. We’ve made a selection of top ten bars in Skopje for you.

Revija Bar & Food

Cute place for grabbing a cup of coffee with friends, or with a good book, if that's more your thing. Apart from nice beverages, they also have a great list of good food, like pasta, burgers and pizzas, and many other dishes, prepared by top notch chefs. The atmosphere is always pleasant and relaxing at any time of day, which is why some people choose to work from here, preferably with a cup of muled wine.

Piazza Liberta

A mostly educated crowd gather here in the upstairs bar most evenings to drink, chatter and generally throw peanut shells over their trousers. You get complimentary peanuts with every drink here you see. The bar is named after Sloboda Square, the public space that inhabited this spot until the 1963 earthquake ruined nearly all the surrounding buildings. Also open during the day, surplus to the drinks and aforementioned nuts Piazza Liberta features a menu of simple dishes from breakfast to good value spaghetti.

Trend

An excellent club, bar, lounge and restaurant in one, Trend serves great international food from a helpfully photographic menu and features friendly waiters who remember you the second time you visit. It’s the personal touches that make places like this such a hit, and the location is hard to beat too. The Trend brand is currently expanding around the city. Keep an eye out for their other recommended venues, including two other restaurants and a hotel.

Barbakan

A great place for club sandwiches, burgers, tapas, pizza and a handful of exquisitely prepared larger dishes, this popular, bistro-style affair to the west of the centre and close to City Park is a laid-back establishment that sees all manner of diners including many of the city’s young professionals congregate for its quick service, good prices and famous happy hour. A relaxing summer terrace opens during the warmer part of the year and there’s occasional live music to boot.

Izlet

This place is the definition of an oasis in in the heart of an urban city. With both indoor and outdoor seating and lots of plants, the venue looks like a miniature jungle. The soothing green colours of the plants and warm shades of brown, contribute to an atmosphere of full relaxation. It's great for a cup of coffee and a peaceful morning, but it's also modern enough for late evening drinks or a night out.

Cresha Bar

A great place for coffee, cocktails and a fabulous range of dishes from Mediterranean to Asian to cheese fondue, Cresha Bar is many things to many people. Famed for its hospitality, we enjoyed their legendary beer and fried chicken wings the last time we were here, and we also like the casual design of the place and the fact that you’re almost always guaranteed to meet somebody interesting here. Keep an eye out for their Facebook page where they post information about upcoming live music events.

Badu Bar

One of the chillest of all the laid back venues in the city, find a colourful interior and good music to make the place really stand out. They often host DJ nights with an emphasis on hip-hop, so it's definitely worth checking out if this is your thing. Even their menu is unique, with options including cookie-flavoured coffee and strawberry lemonade.