LGBTQIA+ friendly caffe bars and nightclubs in Croatia
UPDATED: 20.6.2023.
If you want to feel incredibly welcome, free, and safe, there is no better place to visit than an LGBTQIA-friendly bar – no matter who you are. In Croatia, Zagreb is the most open and welcoming of all. Next is Rijeka, which is generally recognized as the most liberal and tolerant Croatian city.
This article covers Croatia’s most significant LGBTQIA-friendly bars and clubs, including their locations, contact information, and what makes them unique. Some are upfront about their LGBTQIA-friendliness, and others are known for their long-standing reputation.
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Croatian LGBTQIA+ friendly caffe bars and nightclubs
LGBTQIA+ bars in Dubrovnik, Croatia
#1 Milk
Milk is a new gay bar in Dubrovnik that opened in May 2022. It was named after the movie Milk, which focused on Harvey Milk, an activist and politician fighting for gay rights. The interior is decorated with mirrors, velvet, colorful flowers, and animal patterns, making it different than usual bars.
Read our interview with the owner of Milk here.
Address: Ulica Marojice Kaboge 7, 20 000 Dubrovnik – view map
E-mail: milk.dubrovnik@gmail.com
LGBTQIA+ bars in Opatija, Croatia
#1 Monokini
Lounge bar Monokini near the coast is labeled as an LGBTQIA-friendly bar. The bar offers croissants, fresh salads, freshly squeezed fruit juices, and hot cocktails. They have a neat interior and spacious terrace with occasional DJ sets.
Address: Ulica Maršala Tita 96, 51 410 Opatija – view map
LGBTQIA+ bars in Osijek, Croatia
#1 Caffe Bar VooDoo
LGBTQ-friendly bar VooDoo is situated near the central railway station in Osijek. It is an alternative bar with a retro-designed interior and a cozy terrace ideal for friendly gatherings. Their staff is friendly, the atmosphere pleasant, and the prices affordable.
Address: Sunčana ulica 8, 31 000 Osijek – view map
E-mail: mamikajdoo@gmail.com
LGBTQIA+ bars in Rijeka, Croatia
#1 Celtic Caffe Bard
Celtic Caffe Bard is a pub-like bar situated in the core of Rijeka. If you pass by Bard, you will notice the sounds of Celtic and jazz – you can’t miss it. They offer a top choice of drinks emphasizing Croatian craft beers.
[Read: 5 ways to connect with Croatian craft beer culture]
Address: Trg Grivica 6b, 51 000 Rijeka – view map
#2 Kosi Toranj
Kosi Toranj is an LGBTQ-friendly coffee and lounge bar located near the riva. Try some of their provocative cocktails, ice teas, gins, flavorful pancakes, or iced coffee. It is a suitable place to warm up before a crazy night out or take a morning coffee.
Address: Put Vele Crikve 1, 51 000 Rijeka – view map
E-mail: phanas@phanas.hr
#3 River Pub
If you like to sing, visit River Pub at one of their student’s karaoke evenings and pretend to be Freddie Mercury. Their interior resembles a proper pub so that beer lovers will adore it. The bar also organizes quizzes and free rock listening rooms led by their DJs.
Address: Ulica Frana Supila 12, 51 000 Rijeka – view map
#4 Tunel
Tunel (Tunnel) is a lovely ruin bar below the railway whose interior looks like a real tunnel. It is known for outstanding music evenings. They have a cozy little terrace with DIY pallet benches in the shade of trees and ivy where you can chill during summertime.
Address: Školjić 12, 51 000 Rijeka – view map
E-mail: tunel.klub@gmail.com
LGBTQIA+ bars in Rovinj, Croatia
#1 Labirint Klub
Labirint (Labyrinth) is a gay club in Rovinj whose motto is Be what u are, you’re at home. This explains a lot.
The club is open only during the night hours in the summer season. Their DJs play commercial, house, and progressive music on the dance floor. You must become a member by paying a daily membership to join the club.
Address: Put Valsaresi 3, 52 210 Rovinj – view map
E-mail: klub@labirint-klub.hr
LGBTQIA+ bars in Split, Croatia
#1 Kocka
Kocka (Dice) is an LGBTQIA-friendly underground club that organizes alternative concerts, parties, exhibitions, workshops, conferences, and other artistic programs. The club is in the basement with dim lights, ideal for intimate chats.
They host drag shows a few times a year, which are tons of fun. If you are looking for something eccentric and arousing, visit Kocka.
Address: Ulica slobode 28, 21 000 Split – view map
E-mail: kum.kocka@gmail.com
Web site | Facebook | Instagram
LGBTQIA+ bars in Zagreb, Croatia
#1 AKC Medika
AKC Medika is a paradise for the alternatives, artists, weirdos, queers, distinct, and everyone else who feels like they stray from the norm. It is a symbol of independent culture, subversive art, and activism.
Medika offers concerts, parties, art festivals, film and theater production, gallery programs, and free educational content.
Address: Luigija Pierottija 11, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
E-mail: medikainfo@gmail.com
Web site | Facebook | Instagram
#2 Bacchus
Bacchus is a jazz bar with the most adorable green terrace in the shade of figs, horse chestnut, ivy, and other plants making a small oasis in the city’s center. It is a second home to artists and intellectuals.
Prices are affordable, and the coffee is good. No one will remain indifferent to intimate surroundings and the wondrous jazz gigs in their garden.
[Read: 5 hidden garden bars in Zagreb including Bacchus]
Address: Trg kralja Tomislava 16, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
#3 Booksa
Booksa is a book club ideal for drinking coffee or tea in their reading room while browsing books or magazines from their library. You can always discover something worthy in this cozy club.
Literature and poetry lovers will enjoy Booksa’s literary programs, including visits of Croatian and foreign authors and concerts.
Address: Martićeva 14D, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
E-mail: booksa@booksa.hr
Web site | Facebook | Instagram
#4 Hotpot Bar
Hotpot is an official gay bar and club in the city center. Go there if you want to dance to Latino, trash, pop, and house music until the early morning. Hotpot was also a sponsor and official club of the Queer Zagreb festival.
Address: Petrinjska 31, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
E-mail: hotpot.hr@gmail.com
#5 Juta/Kota Bar
Juta/Kota Bar is a gay-friendly bar with live music, tasty cocktails, and good coffee which you can enjoy in a comfortable living room or colorful terrace. They are also pet-friendly and often collect donations for animal shelters.
Address: Medulićeva 20, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
E-mail: pleroma.juta@gmail.com
#6 KIC
KIC stands for Kulturno informativni center (Cultural Informational Center). This public cultural institution organizes forums, visual arts projects, and screenings. If you have a critical opinion towards current social events, visit KIC and have an open-minded discussion.
Address: Preradovićeva 5, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
E-mail: kic@kic.hr
Web site | Facebook | Instagram
#7 Kolaž
Situated in a small basement in the city center, Kolaž is a cult underground cafe that gathers lovers of the alternative scene. Kolaž is known as one of the first Zagreb’s gay-friendly bars. It is an ideal place to spend the evening hours before the club or after-party.
Address: Amruševa 11, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
E-mail: caffekolaz@inet.hr
#8 Močvara
Močvara (Swamp) is a legendary alternative club situated on the embankment of the Sava river where everyone feels welcome. Its team of eternal enthusiasts works on fantastic cultural programs, including concerts, exhibitions, music listening rooms, theater performances, film and literary programs, and workshops.
Address: Trnjanski nasip bb, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
E-mail: mochvara@urk.hr
Web site | Facebook | Instagram
#9 Pločnik
Pločnik is a bar at Zapadni kolodvor with a large offer of great beers and quality music. They have a bar with a terrace on the ground floor and hold night programs with DJs in the basement.
On the first floor is a record store of PDV, an independent record label and merchandise production house from Pula/Zagreb. Pločnik welcomes all artists, weirdos, and casual personalities and encourages them to chill, sing, and dance.
In addition, ploča means a vinyl record in Croatian.
Address: Međimurska ulica 21, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
E-mail: plocnik@pozitivanritam.hr
Web site | Facebook | Instagram
#10 Program Bar
Two LGBTQIA-friendly bars called Program in Zagreb are owned by the same owner. They are relatively new, each in a different part of the city. The baroque style inspires the designs of both bars, and they are so-called urban oases.
Address: Prvi program – Martićeva 14F, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
Drugi program – Petrova 21, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
E-mail: program.programbar@gmail.com
View our other LGBTQIA+ articles
- All the pride parades in Croatia
- How to obtain a life partnership for same-sex couples in Croatia
- Interview with Vicko Lazo of Milk, the first gay bar in Dubrovnik
- LGBTQIA+ web sites & Facebook communities
- Non-Profit LGBTQIA+ organizations in Croatia
- Rights of the LGBTQIA+ community in Croatia
Sources:
LGBT+ guide to Zagreb by TimeOut
lori.hr
Please note: Information provided by Expat in Croatia is only for the purposes of guidance. It does not constitute legal or financial advice in any form. Croatian laws and bureaucratic rules often change, and each personal case is individual, so different rules may apply. For legal advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian lawyer. For financial advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian tax advisor or accountant.
