Cultural attractions are not restricted to Bratislava; excellent opera houses are to be found in the country’s second city, Kosice, with a population of 250,000 and also in Presov and Banska Bystrica. Indeed, every larger town has its own theatre. From Gothic temples to an array of Baroque and Rococo palaces, Slovakia is a stimulating cocktail of sight and sound.

Going out in Bratislava

Tourist numbers are being boosted by Danube cruises that take in the city with Vienna and Budapest. Budget flights to Bratislava Airport has let to a growth in stag parties, primarily British, which are causing local concerns and some vandalism.

Bratislava Opera, Ballet and Concerts

Bratislava is sought after because of the acclaimed opera, ballet and classical music performances at really favourable rates. The beautiful historical building on Hviezdoslavovo namestie houses the Slovak National Theatre with Opera and Ballet. As the performances are often sold out, it is recommended to book the tickets in advance. The renowned Slovak Philharmonic performances take place in glamorous interior of the historical Reduta building with superb acoustics.

 

National Theatre, Bratislava

The Koliba Hill is a great spot for summer picnics, and a bus will transport you here. The view of the city from Koliba is pretty good.

 

Restaurants in Bratislava

The historical streets of the Old Town Bratislava are lined with variety of cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes. Whether you wish to try some of the local specialties or you feel like having some of the trendiest gourmet meals, you can definitely find a place to please you in Bratislava.

If you decide to try the hearty Slovak cuisine, Prasna Basta Restaurant on Zamocnika 11 often packed with locals, Slovenska Restauracia on Hviezdoslavovo namestie 20 (quite pricey) and especially the recommended Gazdovsky Dvor Restaurant of the Perugia Hotel on Zelena street might be the places for you. Also the Modra Hviezda restaurant in one of the cobbled little streets under the Bratislava Castle - the Beblaveho 14 - offers a nice menu of traditional slovak and pressburg dishes with a short description explaining where they originate.
A traditional Slovak dinner should start and sometimes also end with a truly Slovak aperitif. Have a shot of Borovicka, the traditional juniper brendy. As for the soup try Kapustnica, the heavy cabbage soup with pieces of smoked sausage and mushrooms. As the main course, go for Bryndzove Halusky, considered to be the Slovak national meal. It is Gnocchi-style potato dumplings topped with sheep cheese called bryndza and pieces of fried bacon. Also do not forget to try some of the delicious wines from southern Slovakia.
To experience the original pressburg cuisine you can visit the Presburg (Michalska 4) restaurant in the Old Town or the famous Leberfinger restaurant across the river in the "Sad Janka Krala" park. The traditional pressburg cuisine was influenced by the neighbouring countries - Austrian, Hungarian and Czech cooking.

Unless you fall in love with the Slovak cuisine, you might also want to check some of the Bratislava ethnic restaurants.

Italian:
L'Osteria - highly recommended, recently opened restaurant located in one of the courtyards on Michalska 9, they offer daily menu prepared of quality fresh ingrediences.
Pizza Mizza - a very popular restaurant offering the largest pizza in town and other specialties of the italian cuisine. Reservations are recommended.
Paparazzi Ristorante - the trendy and popular restaurant and lounge on Laurinska 1 with the statue of the paparazzi around the corner.
Al Dente - located on Hodzovo namestie 3 in the building of the Tatracentrum, across the street from the Presidential Palace.
San Marten - on Panska 33 offers fresh home-made pasta and great steaks.
Au Cafe - located on Tyrsovo nabrezie in a pleasant surrounding of the park across the river from the Old Town.

Spanish tapas:
Tapas Bar - on Laurinska 3.
Rambla - on Michalska 9.

Cuban:
Casa del Havana - on Michalska street right under the Michael's Gate Tower.
Malecon - on Namestie Ludovita Stura 4.

Mexican:
Taco Rey - the new fast-food style restaurant on Palackeho 4 (next to the Reduta concert hall) offering burritos, tacos, nachos, salads and soups made of fresh ingredients.
Hacienda Mexicana - on Sedlarska 6.

Indian:
Krishna Restaurant - located on Nabrezie arm. gen. L. Svobodu on the anchored Marina Botel, offers authentic indian dishes made of original ingredients impored from India and prepared in an original tandoori oven.
Govinda Restaurant - on Obchodna 30.
Ashoka Restaurant - on Zivnostenska 2.

Sushi:
Tokyo Sushi Bar - the popular restaurant on Strakova street.
Kikaku Sushi Bar - on Gorkeho 6 behind the Opera House.
Mercedes Cafe - bar and sushi restaurant on Rigeleho 1.
Sushi Plus - offers a great location on the Main Square - Hlavne namestie 8.

Steaks:
El Gaucho - on Hviezdoslavovo namestie, argentinian steakhouse popular among locals.
Upside Down Steak & Whisky House - stylish steak house on Laurinska 4.
Primi - on Michalska 19.

International:
Primi - on Michalska 19 offers the largest terrace with a grill in the pedestrian Old Town, right under the Michael's Gate Tower.
Kogo - variety of fish and seafood, homemade pasta, steaks and salads in lovely settings of a terrace located on the lively and "green" square - Hviezdoslavovo namestie 21.
Medusa - european nouvelle cuisine with asian influence, Michalska 21.
La Scala - international cuisine and pizza, located on Gorkeho 11, a few steps from the Opera House.

Top-class restaurants for business meetings or special occasion:
Le Monde - on the corner of Hviezdoslavovo namestie and Rybarska brana just a few steps to the Opera House.
Camouflage - Venturska 1.
Flowers Restaurant & Wine Bar - Venturska 1.
Due Amici - Venturska 7.
Kogo - mediterranean restaurant on Hviezdoslavovo namestie 21.
French Restaurant - restaurant of the Hotel Devin on Riecna 4.

Pubs:
Potrefena Husa - czech Staropramen concept restaurant popular with students on Safarikovo namestie 7.
Kristian Beer Pub - in the pedestrian Old Town on Michalska 10 serves the best beer in town.
Dubliner Irish Pub - on Sedlarska 6, rather pricey, usually packed with british tourists.
Prazdroj - czech pub on Mostova 8, a few steps from the Reduta concert hall and Carlton Hotel.
Slovak Pub - on Obchodna 62, favoured by students, it features 14 rooms with a different theme.

Sandwiches & Bagels:
Bagel & Coffe - has shops on the Hlavne namestie 8 (Main Square),Obchodna 10 and on Sturova 13. They serve fresh bagels, salads, soups, home-made cookies and cakes and fresh-roast coffee.
Coffe & Co - serves coffe, bagels and sandwiches, has several shops around the Old Town that can not be missed.
Cafe Cafe - located on the corner of Venturska 2, serves nice sandwiches and salads.

Cafes:
Cafe Mayer - the famous traditional viennois-style cafe on the Hlavne namestie (Main Square).
Cafe Roland - also on the Hlavne namestie, offers seating with great views of the lively Main Square.
Cokoladovna pod Michalom - no one should miss this hidden little chocolate house on Michalska 6 offering the best hot chocolate in town.

Night Life in Bratislava

Although Bratislava is somewhat more relaxed place compared to its glamorous neighbours Vienna or Prague, there are still some fun hangouts to explore. Whether you wish just to enjoy a few drinks or to party till down, Bratislava has a lot to offer. In the summer season, the hotspots are usually busy all week long. In the off season, you will not find crowded places on the weekdays, but on Friday & Saturday nights, both locals and visitors enjoy themselves in the numerous Bratislava pubs, cafes, bars, lounges, clubs and discos all around the city.

You can always hear English with all the accents in the best Irish bar in town, the Dubliner on Sedlarska, favoured because of the well-poured Guiness and the tasty bar food. Also the next door El Diablo pub with the Mexican restaurant above is a good place to start the night at.

To soak up the local pub atmosphere and enjoy traditional Slovak dishes, try the 1st Slovak Pub on Obchodna. Also the Czech-beer-cellar style Prazdroj Pub on Mostova and
the 17th Bar on Hviezdoslavovo square with the great pizza and cheap beer are highly recommended to meet the friendly locals.

For live music, you might want to try Jazz Café on Venturska, Nu Spirit Bar on Medena or Woch on Frantinskanske square.

The hottest Latino spot in Bratislava is Havana Café at the top of Michalska. The busiest street of the Old Town also offers many other cafes and bars.

The trendiest places these days are the new SPARX on Cintorinska, COCOLOCO on Namestie SNP and the Groove Lounge in the UFO-like tower of the New Bridge.

Also the stylish PEOPLES LOUNGE on Gorkeho and PAPARAZZI on Laurinska are very pleasant places to enjoy a drink or two.

The top spot for dancing is the Cirkus Barok, a boat anchored on the Danube bank nearby Hviezdoslavovo square. Also the popular Charlie’s Club on Spitalska is always full of party people on weekends.

Galeria Duna on Radlinskeho and the SubClub below the Castle, the two former bomb shelters clubs spin their tunes from dusk 'til dawn.

For the up-to-date dance party listing check BOOOM.SK.

Slovakia Nightlife

 

 

Bratislava Cinema

If you feel like seeing a movie during your visit to Bratislava, there are a few places to choose from. The most of the movies are showed in the original language (usually English) with Slovak subtitles so you will be able to enjoy it.

After the Metropolis Multikino in the Polus shopping mall has been closed, there is only 1 modern cinema multiplex in the city centre:

Palace Cinemas located in Aupark Shopping Centre, easily reachable from the pedestrian Old Town crossing the New Bridge ("UFO" Bridge).
There are also several small movie theatres in the city centre, including Kino Mladost in the pedestrian Old Town, on Hviezdoslavovo nam. 17, FK Charlie Centrum on Spitalska 4, Kino Tatra on Namestie 1. maja 5, Kino Hviezda on Namestie 1. Maja no. 1.