NEWS
EVENTS
Bratislava
Friday 24th August 2012 | Osh
By Sarah Bradley
5 Reasons to Visit...
Bratislava is popping with fun, charm and oddity. As the capital city of Slovakia it mixes metropolitan excitement with bohemian vibes, and is a great place for a long or short visit.
Quirks
Surprising statues, beautiful street art, ornate churches and strangely shaped architecture give central Bratislava a sort of kitsch vs. shabby chic look. You can travel through time easily, in five minutes going from a busy 21st century road to a cobbled street. There are talented buskers everywhere, and occasional concerts in the middle of the main square.
Nightlife
After dark the whole main pedestrian area seems to turn into a party. The city is popular with hen and stag groups because of its cheapness, but it’s buzzing with all kinds of people throughout spring, summer and autumn. Drinks and club entry won’t break the bank and there’s a massive choice of where to go and what to listen to.
Culture
Bratislava has a selection of galleries, showcasing talent from an eclectic mix of artists. Bratislava is either in Eastern or Central Europe, depending who you ask, and the art reflects this, you’ll also find some much more American influences. There are several museums you can visit and the city’s Castle is worth a look. Close by Vienna, Bratislava also has a heavy Opera culture.
The UFO
Sort of sci-fi, sort of sleek, on one side of New Bridge is UFO Bridge. It’s over 85 metres high, there is a viewing platform, bar and restaurant. You have beautiful panoramic views, from an open air platform or from the comfort of a squishy seat in the bar.
Ice Hockey
Bratislava hosted the Ice Hockey World Championship in 2011, and so improved its Ice Hockey Stadium to a 10,000 seat capacity as well as modernising. There’s an electric atmosphere here on match days, and it’s a fun day for anyone, ice hockey fan or not. You can watch Slovan Bratislava matches on some days here September through to February (and possibly a little later depending on what happens in the league), so check the schedule if you want to catch one.
Where to go...
Drinking
Destination Vodka Bar
A bizarre venue with two bars and a dancefloor, this bar sometimes plays music from TV shows and otherwise has DJs, on Friday and Saturday ladies get in free until 10.30pm, need I say more? It’s easy to find in the pedestrian area, close by other bars and pubs, and has a kebab place nearby.
Nu Spirit Bar
An enclosed space with a relaxed mood, they play Jazz and Bratislavan Nu Jazz. Found down a little side street near Hviezdoslavovo Square and down some steps, the whole thing is underground but has a nice atmosphere with soft lighting and smooth shapes.
Café Studio
A kind of sweet place with a funky décor. They showcase live music every day and cheerfully serve good cheap drinks. It’s definitely worth a visit, find it at Laurinska.
Eating
Club 39
At the end of the ’39’ Bus route, this is a mid-to-high priced restaurant, bar and club – all in one. Disco-style music, atmospheric and a stylish décor, and a younger clientele, it’s right in the middle of the main area for students.
Pizza Mizza
Fresh ingredients and lots of different pizzas available, there are a few Pizza Mizzas throughout the city. It’s friendly, comfy and not too pricey.
A Local Pub
Heavily meat based, the local food is incredibly hearty, and a big Slovakian lunch can act as the perfect hangover cure. There are lots of stews, casseroles and some crispy pork things that are similar to Austrian Schnitzels. Green vegetables, cream and cheese also feature heavily in recipes. Local food goes perfectly with local beer, and for the best prices walk about five minutes from the centre of the pedestrian area and check menus.
Sleeping
Hostel Possonium
This hostel is in a prime location, in the centre of Bratislava and very close to the train station. There are themed rooms, a ‘Hostel’ themed dungeon bar (Quentin Tarantino’s torture-filled film was set in Bratislava), a garden area with a bar, and a free drink on arrival. They’ve got great facilities, table football and TVs.
Prices from £13.26 per night
Art Hostel Taurus
Located near the castle and old town, this is a well-placed hostel and geared towards a nice time and relaxation. They have a common room and games room, as well as a little concert hall where you can perform or spectate, and jamming is encouraged throughout the hostel. There’s no bar and alcohol is banned in the hostel, so you’ll need to be partying elsewhere.
Prices from £11.60 per night
Patio Hostel
Walking distance from the train station and bus station, and close to the Old Town and the rest of the city centre, this hostel has everything you’d expect (several kitchens, good facilities, common areas and free WiFi) AND it’s got a bar, table football and free Shisha J
Prices from £12.43 per night
Partying
Subclub
Located underneath the Castle in what was once a nuclear fallout shelter Subclub mainly plays House and Techno but also has Indie and Dubstep nights. Long concrete corridors, low ceilings and a big emphasis on lighting create an edgy party atmosphere; there are good areas to sit down and a large dance floor.
Loft
In the Old Town, near the main Bus Station, mostly playing House and Techno with some Hip-Hop. It’s a cool open space with subtle movements through colour schemes, a place that really suits being full of people. Open till 1am on Wednesday and Thursday and 4am on the weekend.
Rio Grande Club
Boasting a mad range of 150 cocktails and open till 5am Wednesday to Sunday, and till 1am the rest of the week, slightly pricier than some places still doesn’t mean extortionate in Bratislava, it’s big and posh but affordable and it’s right in the middle of the town. Enter from Hviezdoslavovo Square or the Panská.
