Zadar is one of the most alluring spots on the Dalmatian coast of central Croatia. First and foremost, it’s famed for its UNESCO-tagged Old Town area, which juts out into the Adriatic on a peninsula that’s covered in Venetian, Roman, and medieval ruins. But it’s also a bit of a student hub, with a darn good nightlife offering to boot.
This guide to Zadar‘s best nightclubs will run through seven of the most rollicking venues in the town. It’s got a whole hodgepodge of options for the budding hedonist looking to hit this salt-washed city at the top end of the riviera, from gritty craft beer bars that spill onto the ancient streets to pumping EDM venues that go all night with laser shows and strobes and big-name DJs.
Generally speaking, Zadar’s nightlife scene is unpretentious and dynamic, at least compared to major party hotspots like Hvar and Split. It’s also way more lively in the summer months, though hardly dies in the spring, fall, and winter, since there’s a pretty hefty student population to help keep things ticking over.
Svarog Bar
The only nightclub within Zadar’s old city walls, Svarog is a premier party spot in the city and is unmissable if clubbing is on the agenda for your Dalmatian getaway. Svarog is located in Five Well Square in the historical center, and visitors can dance the night away until 5 am, six days a week, in the high season.
The open-air terrace supplies the perfect atmosphere for magical nights and new experiences. You can expect Hip Hop and RnB sounds all summer long.
- Rating: 3.9/5
- Price range: $$-$$$
- Address: Trg pet bunara 1, 23000, Zadar, Croatia
- Contact: +385 95 775 3009
- Opening hours: Open daily, 9 pm to 5 am (seasonal hours)
Arsenal Zadar
Arsenal is a multifaceted venue, occupying a 16th-century naval building on the edge of the Old Town. The tall ceilings create the perfect acoustics for concerts and theater performances, and by day, the cozy café and gallery form the cultural heart piece of the city. However, its cocktail bar and spacious stage, which hosts international DJs as well as local bands gets pretty lively by night and visitors can party away until 4 am in the summer months.
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Price range: $$-$$$
- Address: Trg tri bunara 1, 23000, Zadar, Croatia
- Contact: +385 (0)23 253 821
- Opening hours: Open daily, 9 am to 4 am (seasonal hours)
Deja Brew Pub Zadar
Calling all beer lovers, the Deja Brew Pub Zadar is the place to go in the Zadar Old Town for your fix of craft ales, IPAs, stouts, and everything in between. They boast a pretty OTT collection of everything barley and hops – think in the region of 5 beers on tap and more than 70 in the bottle.
But it hardly ends there. The whisky buffs behind the bar have also stocked more than 70 varieties of single malts and malts and bourbons. They do mixed cocktails with real flair. And there’s a card for Croatian and international wines. To put it another way: You can drink pretty much anything you want in this here establishment.
You’ll settle into a stoic and stylish space that hearkens back to the medieval period. Notice the nigh-on meter-thick walls, the arched doors, the rough-wood flooring. During the summer months, the seats spill out onto the cobbled lane that runs right out front. That’s the most atmospheric place to chill for us, with people watching on tap, just like the beers!
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Price range: $-$$
- Address: Borelli ul. 8, 23000, Zadar, Croatia
- Contact: +385 98 331 392
- Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 8 am to 1 am, Fridays from 8 am to 1.30 am, Saturdays from 10 am to 1.30 am, Sundays from 10 am to 1 am
Hype Bar
Located five minutes from the center of Zadar’s Old Town, Hype bar is a relatively new contender on the city’s nightlife scene. but it’s done well to make a name for itself with partying tourists and lively locals.
Hype Bar hosts regular DJs with an extensive cocktail menu, fashionable interior, and spacious dancefloor, which can get pretty busy on the weekends. Open until 5 am, it scores the perfect balance between hip hangout and raucous nightclub.
- Rating: 4.1/5
- Price range: $$-$$$
- Address: Obala kneza Branimira 6A, 23000, Zadar, Croatia
- Contact: +385 99 282 8154
- Opening hours: Thursday to Saturday, 11 pm to 5 am, Sunday to Wednesday, Closed
Podroom
You might have to venture slightly outside of the Old Town of Zadar to visit this nightclub, but it will certainly be worth it. Podroom is one of Zadar’s biggest and most popular clubs, drawing tourists and DJs from all over Croatia.
Their music catalog spans genres, from pop and dancehall to disco and EDM. Podroom boasts private booths and even a VIP room for special occasions. Things don’t kick off until late here – Podroom is a club to hit after all the bars in the Old Town have closed for the night. Open until 6 am, and even later for special events, this is a destination for true night owls.
- Rating: 3.0/5
- Price range: $$-$$$
- Address: Ul. Marka Marulića 2A, 23000, Zadar, Croatia
- Contact: +385 99 749 8451
- Opening hours: Friday to Saturday, 11 pm to 5 am, Sunday to Thursday, Closed
Rio Bar
Step back to the 70s in one of Zadar’s oldest bars. Rio Bar prides itself on its funky vibes, old-school tunes, and wide selection of house cocktails, including the signature “Rio Color”, a vibrant twist on the classic mojito in colorful, gaudy style.
Rio Bar is conveniently located next to the waterfront in Zadar, and despite its retro theme, it’s a popular hangout for young, local crowds, thanks to its reasonable prices and eclectic atmosphere. With a welcoming owner, great tunes, and a well-loved position as part of the furniture on the Zadar nightlife scene, Rio is one of the best-rated nightclubs in the city and it knows how to keep revelers coming back.
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Price range: $-$$
- Address: Putevac ul 3, 23000, Zadar, Croatia
- Contact: +385 95 199 7360
- Opening hours: Open daily, 8 am to 1 am
Opera Club Zadar
A premier clubbing destination for fans of techno, house, dance, and Hip-Hop, Opera Club is a seasonal nightlife venue on the edge of the Old Town in Zadar. It stays open most nights of the week throughout the summer months, and until 6 am on Saturdays, with multiple rooms, atmospheric dance floors, state-of-the-art sound systems, and a cool outdoor terrace.
- Rating: 4.2/5
- Price range: $$-$$$
- Address: Obala kralja Tomislava 1, 23000, Zadar, Croatia
- Contact: +385 91 339 3393
- Opening hours: Open daily, 11 pm to 6 am
Does Zadar have good nightlife?
Zadar isn’t the liveliest spot on the Dalmatian coast, but crowds of budding tourists and energetic locals keep things exciting in the high season. Zadar has an unpretentious entertainment scene. People spill out from the city bars on warm summer evenings, and there are plenty of places on the waterfront to enjoy the sea breeze with a glass of Croatian wine in hand. The Old Town is peppered with late-night haunts and music venues, but for the best nightclubs, you’ll have to wonder just outside the historical center. When you do, you’ll find thumping bass and busy dance floors ongoing until the early hours of the morning.
Where is the best nightlife in Croatia?
The Croatian capital, Zagreb, arguably boasts the best nightlife in the country, with the perfect mix of young locals, curious students, and a steady flow of international tourists. However, the Dalmatian Coast and islands off the coast of Zadar can get very lively in the high season. Hvar and Split are premier party destinations in the summer months, and Pag Island plays host to a number of international music festivals on its enchanting northern beaches.
How old do you have to be to go clubbing in Croatia?
The legal drinking age in Croatia can start at as young as 16, but to purchase alcohol and enter nightlife establishments where alcohol is served, the general age limit is 18 years. You’re much less likely to get asked to show identification in Croatia than you are in other European countries where the drinking age is more strictly regulated, but it doesn’t make it less illegal to enter nightclubs and the establishment could face harsh repercussions for allowing you to enter.
