I love evenings out in Ljubljana. The Slovenian capital is calm and lively all at the same time.
Here’s what you shouldn’t miss when you’re enjoying your evenings out in Ljubljana.
Please note: Ljubljana is not Spain, so the best time for your evening is between 7pm and 10pm.
Enjoy the Ljubljana Festival
The Ljubljana Festival has been going for over 70 years! Don’t think of the big festivals in Europe. This is more of a summer festival of classical music, contemporary dance, ballet, jazz… In short, a festival with a programme of quiet events. You can usually attend some of the concerts free of charge if you sit next to the stage.
Booking and programme: Take a look at the festival programme and if you like it, book a ticket for what promises to be a magical evening.
Ljubljana Festival – website
Admire the city from a rooftop
To see Ljubljana shine through the city, climb to the top of a Yugoslavian skyscraper, Neboticnik. This rooftop is ideal at sunset and if you stay a little longer and order a second spritz, you’ll see Ljubljana by night. Great views but no party atmosphere at the top.
Neboticnik – Stefanova ulica 1
Listen to a concert at Prulcek
Prulcek is a very active bar. Every evening, it organises a concert. The venue is hidden away in the middle of communist-era buildings and is impossible to find if you’re not familiar with the bar. The atmosphere is really pleasant.
Tip: On your way here, you’ll also pass the terrace of the Lajbah beer bar, which is popular with the locals, so keep an eye out for it too, as it also hosts some interesting evenings (usually on Fridays and Saturdays).
Bar Prulcek – Prijateljeva ulica 2
Have a drink by the river
On summer evenings, it’s essential to have a drink at the high tables in the bars along the river. Situated alongside the river, it’s the ideal spot if you want to see lots and lots of people…
Tip : If you find it a little too crowded, explore the little streets and you’ll come across some secret terraces with a gentle summer atmosphere. Perfect for relaxing!
Evening bars – Krojaška ulica 5
Dance the night away
Ljubljana is a student city with plenty of places to party. These establishments come alive from Thursday night onwards. There’s a good-natured atmosphere. In Ljubljana, you never get turned away at the door. On the other hand, in summer, students leave the Slovenian capital and the atmosphere is not always up to scratch.
Friday evenings: in summer and winter alike, you should find plenty of people in Metelkova. Parliament pub is also an excellent option.
Metelkova – Masarykova cesta 24
See a show at Cankarjev dom
Cankarjev dom is a group of concert halls in the centre of Ljubljana with a particularly unusual Yugoslav style. I advise you to have a look at the programme and, if you like it, to make a reservation. I think it’s by mingling with the Slovenians in the stands and then at the cankarjev dom bar that you’ll get an authentic experience of the city.
To see the events, the link is below.
Cankarjev dom – website and programme
Have a drink with friends at Daktari
This bar, which competes with Prulcek, attracts the same type of clientele– a cosy place to meet up in winter. While Ljubljana probably has the most pleasant terraces in Europe, the Slovenian capital lacks cosy indoor bars. At Daktari, you’d think you were in the living room of a Yugoslav grandmother with good taste, and when it’s cold, it’s very pleasant. Think about it if you come to Slovenia in winter.
Tip : Daktari is next door to a bar serving some of Ljubljana’s best coffees.
Bar Daktari- Kerkov trg 7
Listen to a rock concert at Orto bar
Orto bar is the benchmark rock bar in Ljubljana. The atmosphere is often good, but always check the programme (here) before you go as the bar is a little outside Ljubljana city centre. It would be a shame to walk there for nothing.
Tip: Orto bar is not far from the famous Metelkova and you could combine the two for a memorable evening. Eat cevapcicis at Das ist Valter beforehand.
Orto Bar – Grablovičeva ulica 1
Party in Metelkova
Metelkova is the most amazing and interestingplace Ljubljana has to offer for those who want to party. A large, lively squat where there’s almost always something going on at the weekend. A must-visit one night if you want to party in Ljubljana.
Metelkova –
A sunset cocktail at the intercontinental
One of the places to go at sunset is the terrace perched at the top of the Intercontinental hotel. The prices are high but the moment is magical (around €12 for a cocktail). You can sit at tables or on large sofas.
Also worth reading: I’ve done a whole article on where to go at sunset in Ljubljana.
Intercontinental Ljubljana – Slovenska cesta 59
Listen to the Jazz Festival
The Ljubljana Jazz Festival has been held every year during the summer for over 50 years. If you like jazz, this is the place to be. Great atmosphere.
Tip : you can listen to the concerts outside free of charge.
Ljubljana Jazz festival – Prešernova cesta 10
Go up to the castle at night
For three superb views of Ljubljana by night, climb up to the castle! There’s a good traditional Michelin-recommended restaurant and a bar with a pleasant terrace. The views are from the castle and outside the castle along the tree-lined driveway.
Less tiring : And if you don’t have the courage to climb up to Ljubljana Castle after dark, there’s a great viewpoint halfway up at the address I’ve given below.
Ljubljana by night – Reber 15
Watch a film under the stars
Every summer, Ljubljana Castle organises a film festival. Many good films are programmed in V.O. French films are therefore screened in French! Enjoy a balmy summer evening under the stars!
Tip: You can buy a large cold beer or a Spritz to sip during the film.
Ljubljana Chateau – planota
Listen to a DJ at K4
A little way from the centre, the Zorica bar at the K4 club attracts a young, trendy clientele. Inside, the bar is unique for Ljubljana. It feels like a large flat with high ceilings. In summer, the sessions take place outside on the terrace. A bit less fun, but still very good. The speakers go off at 10pm in summer if the DJ is mixing outside. At midnight if the DJ is inside. In winter, you dance in front of the stage, as if you’d been invited to a party at a friend’s house.
Warning: the bar is often a little understaffed with waiters, which can be a pain when ordering a drink at the counter.
Bar DJ Zorica – Kersnikova ulivca 4
Come and see the Anna Desetnica street theatre festival
Every June since 1998, Ljubljana has come alive with the Anna Desetnica street theatre festival. International companies come to present shows for young and old at various locations in the city, but increasingly around the Cukrarna museum. You don’t need to understand Slovenian to enjoy them. In general, it’s brilliant.
The programme is here. The festival website, however, is only in Slovenian (but not the shows).
Play billiards in Ljubljana
There’s a huge secret room right next door to me. It’s in the basement and will be perfect if you like billiards or if it rains. The room is really gigantic. You pay by the hour. To find this well-hidden spot, go down the grand staircase that leads to the atrium. At the bottom of the stairs, turn around and enter the bar.
Biljardna hiša Ljubljana – Slovenska cesta 58
Have a quiet drink in Tabor
A small, subdued and very quiet place where I like to go in the summer. It’s the Tabor garden. No noise, perfect for two or three people to chat over a beer. You can only get there on warm summer evenings via the pedestrianised Trubarjeva street.
Bar Tabor – tabor 14-13
Marvel at the Christmas decorations
Every Christmas, Ljubljana goes all out with its Christmas decorations. A huge Christmas tree is erected on the central square and original light decorations are hung all over the city centre. The Christmas market is very lively, thanks to the large numbers of Slovenians who come here to drink mulled wine after work. The result is well worth a visit.
See the photo exhibition in Tivoli Park
Throughout the year, a large-format photo exhibition is set up in the central alleyway of Tivoli Park. The exhibition changes every 3 months. Tivoli Park is just a five-minute walk from Ljubljana’s central square. The exhibitions vary in interest.
Tip: At the top of the avenue, there’s a very pleasant café in front of the Mednarodni grafični likovni center gallery. Perfect for sipping a cappuccino in peace and quiet.
Outdoor photo exhibition – Jakopičevo sprehajališče
Go to the Liffe Film Festival
In November, the city of Ljubljana organises a superb film festival that I never miss. Around a hundred films are on the programme. Not much to do in November in Ljubljana because of the bad weather, so go along too! French films are shown in French.
