The Best Bars in Kotor: Where to Drink in Old Town
For a town of less than 15,000 people, Kotor, Montenegro’s nightlife scene is surprisingly solid. Whether you’re looking for chill hangouts, rooftop bar views, or DJ-led dance parties, the best bars in Kotor have a little something for everybody. Our guide breaks down the best bar for every vibe.
Kotor, Montenegro is an up-and-coming tourist destination on the Adriatic Sea, most commonly encountered as a port stop by cruise ships. On first impressions, it seems like a sleepy little place more focused on its rich history than modern day entertainment. And, if you’ve done any research on nightlife in Montenegro, you’ve probably heard all the buzz is in Budva, not Kotor. But I’m happy to tell you that the Kotor nightlife scene is more than meets the eye! After the cruise ships head out for the night, the city comes alive with everything from quiet wine bars to live music venues and DJ dance parties. We lived here for five weeks, and we had a blast enjoying all that Kotor, Montenegro nightlife has to offer. In this nightlife guide, we’ve curated the best bars in Kotor for you to explore, based on your desired vibe.
Looking for somewhere to grab dinner before your night out? Check out the best restaurants in Kotor. We’ve also got a list of the top bars and restaurants in Podgorica too, in case you’re flying into the capital before heading to the coast. And don’t worry – we’ve also got you covered on Budva nightlife 😉. Once you’re ready to do some sightseeing tomorrow, check out our full Kotor itinerary and travel guide for everything you need to know.
Update note: This guide was reviewed in May 2026 to confirm current openings, pricing, and overall relevance.
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The Best Bars in Kotor, Montenegro - Your Nightlife Guide by Vibe:
- Kotor Nightlife Guide-The Best Bars by Vibe
- FAQs for Kotor, Montenegro Nightlife
Kotor Nightlife Guide - The Best Bars by Vibe
We highly recommend these top Kotor bars for your next visit. But before we start, we’ve got two quick tips on Kotor, Montenegro nightlife standard practices.
First, a heads up that as your evening progresses, you’ll be brought a fresh check for each order you place (for example, they’ll bring you a check when you order your drinks, and then again when you order your next round). This doesn’t mean they’re trying to rush you out! It’s just how they do things here to make sure everything is accounted for. Second, it’s not as common here for a server to stop by and check in on you, so if you want another round, you’ll need to flag them down. Say “izvini!” (ihz-vee-nee) to grab their attention.
Alright, that’s enough nightlife tips – let’s get into the list of the best bars in Kotor!
Chill Spots for Conversation
Sometimes, you just want to chill. Whether you’re looking for a wine bar where you can enjoy some quiet conversation, or a casual pub where the drinks are cheap and you can play some cards, we’ve got you covered.
Bandiera was our go-to Kotor bar for a casual, comfortable hang. The drinks are reasonably priced and the service is quick and friendly. It’s also a great place to enjoy the picturesque city walls and drink amongst the locals. It’s nearly always buzzing with friends out to enjoy a drink after work and play some cards, but rarely so packed that you can’t find somewhere to sit or rest your drink – the perfect balance. Heads up though that the drinks here are simple. While they do serve cocktails, they’re not going to be fancy ones – we typically stuck to beer and wine.
Next door to Bandiera is Nitrox, a bar and eatery that specializes in craft beer and cocktails. Specifically, high-alcohol cocktails. For all you boozehounds out there, Nitrox is here to deliver: they advertise that while the industry-standard cocktail has an ABV between 7% and 15%, their cocktails range between 15% and 25%, with an additional “R.I.P. Cocktails” category with ABVs up to 33%! These high ABVs come with a higher price point, with most of their cocktails costing over 20 EUR, but you get what you pay for. Fair warning for those that run away in fear from a Cheesecake Factory-long menu – The Nitrox Pub & Eatery serves over 50 varieties of craft beer and a whopping 230 cocktails.
Update Note: As of May 2026, as expected, Nitrox Pub is once again open for business! Buckle up for some next-level cocktails during your visit.
Moving to the north side of Old Town, Old Winery Wine Bar is a lovely place to enjoy a glass of wine and good conversation. It has a cozy, rustic feel, with jazz music and a spacious interior and exterior that provide plenty of places to sit. It’s a great place to try some local wines and get a snack before dinner, as they offer a tasting flight with charcuterie and coffee for 26 EUR per person. Or, if you’re a digital nomad like we are, it’s also perfect for a working happy hour, as they offer fast free Wifi.
A few steps away from Old Winery Wine Bar is Patisserie by Wine House, a tiny little cafe residing in a UNESCO-protected property built in the 12th century – one of the oldest buildings in Old Town. Though small, its offerings are mighty. In addition to wine, they also offer beer, cocktails, and desserts, as well as a full breakfast menu – food, coffee, tea, and fresh-squeezed organic juices. And the best part is that they offer coffee cocktails too. An espresso martini for 8 EUR? Yes please.
Pro tip: When you leave, turn the corner onto “Pušti me proć” or “Let me pass,” the 5th narrowest street in Europe.
Rooftop Bars & Views
While most bars and restaurants are tucked inside the city walls, there are a few Kotor rooftop bars and terraces with great views. Whether you want the view from on high or a seat mere inches from the sea, we’ve got you covered with these best bars in Kotor.
Located on top of Hotel Hippocampus, Rooftop Terrace Hippocampus is hands-down the best rooftop bar and restaurant in Kotor. It definitely leans more restaurant than bar, but they do serve excellent cocktails, and the view is unmatched. It’s the perfect spot for a pre-dinner spritz to enjoy the sunset, or a post-dinner nightcap before heading back to your hotel. When we visited, they even projected a film onto a neighboring building, giving it an artsy, hipster vibe. It’s a small and intimate spot, around 10 tables, so we do recommend stopping by in person in advance to make a reservation.
Citadela Restaurant holds the unique privilege of being not just a Kotor rooftop bar, but actually the only venue sitting on top of the Old Town city walls themselves. Located in the northeast corner of Old Town, Citadela offers excellent views of the Bay of Kotor and Vrmac mountains. It’s not the best food and drink in the city, but it’s arguably the most scenic. Whether you decide to grab a drink or not, it’s still an excellent place to stop by for photos.
Though not technically in Old Town, Little Bay is our best recommendation for a drink on the water. Unfortunately, most of the restaurants along the waterfront north of Kotor Beach are not great. Tourist traps through-and-through, the quality is poor and the price is high. To be honest, Little Bay isn’t ideal either. The drinks are average and the service is very slow. BUT, the views are exceptional, and the seats are mere inches from the sea. If you’re not in a hurry, we still recommend coming for a drink just to bask in the Bay of Kotor in all its glory.
Live Music
We’ve only got one recommendation for you here, but it’s an excellent one. If you’re in town on a Saturday night, grab your friends and head to Jazz Club Evergreen.
Nestled in one of the harder-to-find squares in the center of Old Town is Jazz Club Evergreen. During the summer, they have live bands every Saturday at 9:00pm. Thanks to a spacious interior as well as outdoor terrace seating, they play rain or shine. And the music? It’s excellent. So much so that Jazz Club Evergreen is quite popular; we recommend making a reservation (in person, day of or 1-2 days in advance) or arriving at least 30 minutes early. Settle in for the evening with an old fashioned or espresso martini and enjoy the groove.
Party Hotspots
Ready to turn things up a notch? Never fear – Kotor nightlife has you covered here too. Read on for three of our top choices for late night in Kotor.
Old Town Pub is your first stop of the night. Picking up around 10:00, this Kotor bar is a frequent stop for hostel crawls and tends to spill over into the street with buzzing energy and laughter. It’s a fun, easy-going place that plays the perfect mix of classic rock, throwbacks, and current hits to get everyone singing along like it’s group karaoke night. Between singing along and shouting to be heard over the crowd, expect to have a sore throat the next day, but the memories will be well worth the pain.
Next, head to Holy Shot Bar for a fun shot (or two) to perfect your buzz. Holy Shot is a full bar, but they specialize in – you guessed it – shots. From the namesake “Holy Sh*t” to the “Bob Marley” and the “Good Luck,” you have a host of options to spice things up. Shots are only 5 EUR, so you can get a couple without breaking the bank. Or, you can order a round for 20 EUR, and they’ll pour 6 of the same shot for you and your friends. Or just you, I guess, if you’re looking to make some bad decisions tonight!
Update Note: As of May 2026, as expected, Holy Shot Bar is once again open for business. Give it a shot and kick-start your night out.
Finish your night at Letrika Caffe Bar. Café during the day, Letrika turns into a DJ-led party at night, complete with laser lights and smoke machines. Letrika is the heart of the party in Kotor, and you’ll hear the music calling to you like a beacon from several streets over. There are some high top tables to place your drink on, but this place gets crowded and tends to spill down the alleys in all directions, so I wouldn’t count on it. Heads up – Letrika is cash only! So, make sure you’ve got some euros on you before you come, because once you get here, you won’t want to leave.
FAQs for Kotor, Montenegro Nightlife
Do the Best Bars in Kotor Require Advance Reservations?
Generally, no, you won’t need reservations to visit Kotor’s bars. However, if you’d like to spend an evening at Jazz Club Evergreen on a night where they have live music, we do recommend stopping by in person in advance to reserve a table. We also recommend in person, in advance reservations for top Kotor rooftop bar, Rooftop Terrace Hippocampus, if you’d like to visit during peak dinner hours (7:30-9:30pm).
Where Should I Stay to Be Close to Kotor Nightlife?
Kotor, Montenegro nightlife is centered around the Old Town. This works out well for most people, as its also where most of the best restaurants in Kotor are located, as well as its top sites. We’ve included some of our top hotel recommendations below – learn more about these and other recommended hotels in our Kotor itinerary and travel guide.
- Boutique Hotel Hippocampus ($$$) – ⭐⭐⭐⭐, 8.3 average rating
- KAŽIN supreme ($$$) – ⭐⭐⭐⭐, 9.4 average rating
- Boutique Hotel Astoria ($$$) – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, 9.0 average rating
Note that you can find some more affordable accommodations if you stay outside of Old Town. Check out our Kotor itinerary and travel guide to learn about other lodging options.
When Do People Typically Go Out in Kotor?
The Kotor nightlife scene tends to pick up around 10pm. Most bars close by 1am.
Should I Tip at Kotor Bars and Restaurants?
Tipping is not standard in Montenegro, though rounding up here and there is always appreciated. If your server is specifically asking you for a tip, you’re in a tourist trap.
Do Bars in Kotor Accept Credit Cards?
Most bars in Kotor, Montenegro will accept credit cards. However, some like Letrika Caffe Bar do not, and Montenegro is still otherwise a largely cash-driven economy. We recommend keeping at least 100 euro (~$120) on hand at all times. Don’t forget our pro tip on withdrawing from ATMs in foreign countries!
Pro tip: When offered an exchange rate by an ATM, you can – and should – always decline the rate displayed. This rate often includes a heavy markup on top of the market exchange rate (up to 10% in Montenegro!). Declining the rate will not stop your transaction, but rather allow your personal bank to set the rate instead.
Do I Need to Speak Montenegrin to Order at Kotor Nightlife Venues?
Definitely not. We had no issues interacting with people in the service industry in English during our 3 months in Montenegro, though knowing a few key words will definitely win you some brownie points with the locals. Practice these ones before your trip:
- Hello – Zdravo – ZDRAH-voh
- Goodbye – Ciao – chow
- Please – Molim – MOH-leem
- Thank you – Hvala – HVAH-lah
- Can I pay? – Mogu li platiti? – MOH-goo lee plah-TEE-tee
- The bill/check – Račun – RAH-choon
- Cheers! – Živjeli! – ZHEEV-yeh-lee (the “yeh” part is fast and subtle)
Where Can I Learn More About Kotor and Why I Should Visit It?
Right here! We lived in Kotor for five weeks and have a full travel guide and itinerary for Kotor here, along with recommendations for the best restaurants in Kotor and a guide to popular day-trip destination Tivat. We’ve also got another nightlife guide to nearby Budva, which has even more to offer partiers – think hill top nightclubs, pool parties, and more.
We spent 3 months in Montenegro in total, so if you’re interested in visiting other Montenegrin destinations like Budva, Herceg Novi, or Durmitor National Park, we’ve got you covered. Check out all of our Montenegro travel guides for more helpful posts.
Final Thoughts on the Best Bars in Kotor, Montenegro
Now that you know all the best bars in Kotor, it’s time to get out there and enjoy some Montenegro nightlife! While a small town, Kotor’s rooftop bars, chill pubs, and nightlife hotspots are a ton of fun and well worth a visit. We hope you enjoy these Kotor bars as much as we did – comment below what your favorites were!
Looking for more recommendations on what to see and do in Kotor? Check out our post What To Do In Kotor: Your 2-Day Guide. Need somewhere to eat? Check out The 10 Best Restaurants in Kotor. Want more Montenegro nightlife? Read Budva Nightlife Breakdown: All the Top Spots to Party.
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