Podgorica Nightlife: The Best Bars and Restaurants in Montenegro’s Capital
Montenegro’s capital city is the most common entry point for tourists, but people often pass straight through it. Don’t make this mistake! Give yourself a day or two to sample Podgorica’s top notch nightlife scene. Read on for our curated list of the best bars and restaurants in Podgorica, Montenegro, based on our two weeks living in the city.
When deciding where to visit on your trip to Montenegro, you’ve probably noticed that Podgorica (pohd-goh-REE-tza) doesn’t get a lot of love. People often say there’s not much to see, it’s really hot, and it’s not worth a visit. However, we spent two weeks here during our summer trip to Montenegro and we have to disagree! While it’s true there aren’t a lot of cultural sites to see, and yes, it’s hot (but really, where isn’t it hot in Montenegro??), Podgorica has a great nightlife scene and some excellent restaurants that definitely make for a fun weekend. Plus, it’s noticeably cheaper than other tourist destinations in Montenegro, so you can get a great meal or cocktail on a budget! In this post, we’ll give you our curated recommendations for the best bars and restaurants in Podgorica, Montenegro, organized by vibe for an easy skim.
Heading to other top destinations in Montenegro after your visit to Podgorica? Check out some of our helpful travel guides below!
- What To Do In Kotor: Your 2-Day Guide
- What to Do in Tivat: A Perfect Day Trip Itinerary
- 3 Days in Budva: What to See During Your Trip to Montenegro
- An Epic 3 Days in Durmitor National Park, Montenegro
Update note: This guide was reviewed in May 2026 to confirm current openings, pricing, and overall relevance.
Quick Picks - Best Podgorica Nightlife & Restaurants
- Best Casual Spot for Beers: Munchen Marienplatz
- Best Cocktail Bar: Kokotov Rep
- Best Hidden Gem Nightlife: Itaka Library Bar
- Best Restaurant in Podgorica: Steak House
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The Best Bars and Restaurants in Podgorica - Your Nightlife Guide at a Glance:
Top Podgorica Bars for Your Night Out
Before we get into our list of the best bars and restaurants in Podgorica’s nightlife scene, we’ve got one quick heads up for you. Throughout Montenegro, you’ll be brought several different checks as your evening progresses. In fact, you’ll receive a fresh check after each time you order. For example, they’ll bring you a check when you order your drinks, and then again when you order your meal. 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.
Casual Pubs for Happy Hour
Alright, let’s get started! To kick off your night out somewhere low-key and casual, check out these top pubs in Podgorica.
Attached to quirky Hotel Marienplatz, this German-style beer hall is a great casual bar to start your night. On top of an extensive beer selection, they also have a full dining menu, including some excellent homemade sausages. This is a popular spot, so you’ll always have a drinking buddy regardless of the hour. And with both indoor and outdoor dining, you’re set for any weather.
On the corner of the buzzing bar district in Downtown Podgorica, Pub WWW is an excellent spot to catch the game. Their large outdoor patio features several new flat screen TVs tuned to different channels so you can find something that interests you. Their pub grub is solid, and they even have misters to cool you down on those hot Montenegrin summer days.
Craft Cocktail & Live Music for Late Night
Ready to kick things up a notch? Head to these buzzing cocktail bars – many with live music – for late night festivities in Downtown Podgorica.
Themed after famous English rockstars, this Podgorica bar delivers on all fronts. Solid cocktails and draft beer? Check. Quirky newspaper menu full of delicious food? Check. Live music and trivia nights? Check and check. Morrison Pub is just a place you want to be. It feels both comfortable and full of energy, the epitome of Podgorica nightlife, and the perfect place to meet up with friends and catch up over (several) drinks.
Kokotov Rep is a top vibe and cocktail queen’s heaven. With a super cool aesthetic featuring fun neon signs, a disco ball, and a DJ, it’s a popular haunt with the younger crowd. Kokotov has a long menu of delicious craft cocktails and shots with fun names like “Thunder Down Under,” “OK, Boomer,” and “Girl Dinner.” And with drinks priced around 7 EUR, you can afford to hang out at this Podgorica bar all night!
This Podgorica nightlife hotspot gets pretty busy, so we recommend making reservations a few days in advance during peak season, especially if you’ve got more than two people in your party. Message them on Facebook to reserve your table.
Itaka Library Bar is hands down my favorite Podgorica nightlife venue, but you’ll have to work for it a bit. Slightly outside of Downtown, you’ll need to follow the music to find this bar located in an underpass. Yes, an underpass. You’ll be skeptical that you’re in the right place, but once you turn the corner, the space opens up into the coolest hidden gem. On stage, a live jazz band will entertain you, while inside, the bartenders will wow you with incredible cocktails. Unique, artisanal cocktails for under 8 EUR apiece, that is. Add my favorite – twinkly lights – and I am completely sold. Don’t miss this one!
Loft cafe bistro club sits amongst several very similar bars that line this block of Bokeška street in Downtown Podgorica. Each bar is pretty much the same as the last, but they’re all a great time. Stroll the strip to find the one with the best music to your taste, or even just one with an open table, and sit down to enjoy the buzzing energy!
The Best Restaurants in Podgorica, Montenegro
Every great night out starts with an excellent meal. Here are our picks for the best restaurants in Podgorica to tackle any craving you might have.
If you’re looking for an upscale start to your night, look no further than Hemera. Attached to Hotel Hemera, this restaurant has a dark, artsy vibe inspired by Greek mythology. The Mediterranean menu features high quality fish and an excellent steak, but make sure to save room for dessert, as they also offer the most amazing chocolate lava cake we’ve ever had (and it’s Colby’s favorite, so he’s had a lot of them). The best part? You’ll be pleasantly surprised to find the prices completely reasonable.
Getting advanced reservations at Hemera isn’t a bad idea, but you’ll need to call or stop by to do so, as they do not offer an online booking platform.
Just slightly off the beaten path is this restaurant with a name so direct, you would be forgiven for thinking it might be some kind of scam or mistake. I mean, a steak house called Steak House? We were skeptical. But despite the questionable name choice, the food was excellent. In fact, it was the best meal we had had in a long while. We ordered the sirloin and the beef tagliatelle, and were served a crostini appetizer with a spicy cheese spread on the house, as well as an apple on the way out! On top of that, the twinkly lights and greenery created a lovely romantic ambiance, and the service was warm and friendly.
While we were able to visit Steak House without a reservation, we recommend booking one if you’ve got more than two people in your party. Request a table a few days in advance on their website.
If you spend any time in Montenegro, you’ll learn that the food scene is not particularly diverse. So, when you find an international cuisine that actually tastes like that international cuisine, it’s a pretty exciting win. Masala Art does just that. Whether in person or takeaway, Masala Art delivers authentic and tasty Indian dishes. It’s a bit less convenient for after-dinner drinks, as it’s in Novi Grad, not Downtown, but the meal is well worth it if you need a breath of fresh air from grilled meats and French fries.
While I won’t kid you by telling you this is authentic Mexican food, sometimes you just really need to scratch that taco and margs itch, and in Podgorica, this is the best restaurant option you’ve got. While there are some strange takes here, Hacienda La Paz also has some solid Mexican dishes, and a range of your favorite tequila-based drinks like margaritas and palomas. Plus, live bands play right out front on the pedestrian street where it’s located on the weekends, so it’s a great place to get dinner with a show. There’s also a trendy large back patio that is perfect for your Podgorica Instagram.
FAQs for Podgorica Nightlife and Best Restaurants
Which Podgorica Bars & Restaurants Require Advance Reservations?
You’ll be able to visit most of the best bars and restaurants in Podgorica without a reservation. However, we do recommend making reservations a few days in advance at the following spots if you’re visiting during peak season, especially if you have more than 2 people in your party:
- Kokotov Rep
- HEMERA Restaurant & Bar (in person or by phone)
- Steak House
Where Are the Best Restaurants and Bars in Podgorica?
The bar and restaurant scene in Podgorica is highly concentrated in the Downtown area, making it a great place for bar hopping. For the best night out, we recommend staying in that zone. While there are a few solid restaurants in up-and-coming area Novi Grad, it’s still mostly a business zone, leaving it feeling a little dead and empty outside of office hours.
Downtown is also the best area to book your hotel in Podgorica. We’ve included some of our top hotel recommendations in these areas for you below.
- Hotel Marienplatz ($$) – ⭐⭐⭐, 8.5 average rating – quirky but upscale stay for adults only
- Hotel Hemera ($$$) – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, 8.6 average rating – stunning and moody luxury stay with a spa
- Rosewood Podgorica ($$) – 10.0 average rating – modern and fully equipped apartment ideal for longer stays
Note that hotels in Podgorica are noticeably cheaper than stays on the coast, so a $$$ hotel here is still a bargain!
When Do People Typically Eat Dinner & Go Out in Podgorica?
Dinner is on the later side in Montenegro (8-9pm), so the nightlife scene picks up later too. Plan to hit up the cocktail bars around 10pm and any clubs or live music venues from midnight onward.
Should I Tip at Bars and Restaurants in Podgorica?
Tipping is not standard in Montenegro, though rounding up here and there is always appreciated. If your waiter is specifically asking you for a tip, you’re in a tourist trap.
Do Bars & Restaurants in Podgorica Accept Credit Cards?
Most of of the best restaurants and bars in Podgorica, Montenegro will accept credit cards. However, 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 Bars & Restaurants in Podgorica?
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
- Excuse me – Izvini – ihz-VEE-nee (to call a waiter’s attention)
- Can I pay? – Mogu li platiti? – MOH-goo lee plah-TEE-tee
- The bill/check – Račun – RAH-choon
- Delicious – Ukusno – oo-KOOS-noh
Where Can I Learn More About Montenegro and Why I Should Visit It?
Right here! We lived in Montenegro for three months and have an extensive set of first-hand guides on nearly every destination in the country, from full travel guides and itineraries to day trip highlights and top bars and restaurants. Check out our guides on some of Montenegro’s most popular destinations below, and see all our Montenegro travel guides to get inspired:
Final Thoughts on the Best Nightlife & Restaurants in Podgorica
We hope our nightlife guide has convinced you that Podgorica is worth a visit! With a wealth of fun bars and some of the best restaurants in Montenegro, you’re sure to eat and drink well during your time here. Comment below what your favorite spots were!
Looking for more recommendations on what to see and do in Montenegro? We spent 3 months here and have got you covered with a litany of itineraries and recommendations. Check out all our Montenegro travel guides to decide where to go next!
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