Announcement The Croatian government is in the process of updating kuna to Euro. We will update our site as they do.

LGBTQIA+ friendly cafe bars and nightclubs in Croatia

Klub Kocka in Split, Croatia
Underground Klub Kocka in Split

PUBLISHED: 01/07/22

If you want to feel incredibly welcome, free, and safe, there is no better place to visit than an LGBTQ-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 the most significant LGBTQ-friendly bars and clubs in Croatia including their locations, contact information, and what makes them unique. Some are upfront about their LGBTQ-friendliness and others are known by their long-standing reputation.

Jump to a place:

The facts are these…

LGBTQIA+ friendly cafe bars and nightclubs in Croatia

Dubrovnik (1 place)

#1 Milk

Milk is a brand-new gay bar in Dubrovnik that opened in May 2022. It was named after the movie Milk, which is focused on Harvey Milk who was an activist and politician who fought 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

Instagram

Opatija (1 place)

#1 Monokini

Lounge bar Monokini near the coast is labeled as an LGBTQ-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

Facebook | Instagram

Osijek (1 place)

#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

Facebook

Rijeka (4 places)

#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

Facebook | Instagram

#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

Facebook | Instagram

#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 looks like a proper pub, so 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

Facebook | Instagram

#4 Tunel

Tunel (Tunnel) is a lovely ruin bar below the railway whose interior looks like an actual tunnel. Tunel is known for outstanding music and DJ 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

Facebook | Instagram

Rovinj (1 place)

#1 Labirint Klub

Labirint is a gay club in Rovinj whose motto is “Be what u are, you’re at home”, which 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. To join the club, you must become a member by paying a daily membership.

Address: Put Valsaresi 3, 52 210 Rovinj – view map
E-mail: klub@labirint-klub.hr

Web site | Facebook | Instagram

Split (1 place)

#1 Kocka

Kocka (Dice) is an LGBTQ-friendly underground club that organizes alternative concerts, parties, exhibitions, workshops, conferences, and other artistic programs. The club is settled 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

Bacchus, bar in Zagreb
Jazz bar Bacchus, Zagreb; Image by Mirjana Stojičić Markovinović

Zagreb (10 places)

#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. AKC is a symbol of independent culture, subversive art, and activism. They offer 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. No one will remain indifferent to intimate surroundings and the wondrous jazz gigs in their garden. Bacchus is a second home to artists and intellectuals. Prices are affordable, and the coffee is good.

[Read: 5 hidden garden bars in Zagreb including Bacchus]

Address: Trg kralja Tomislava 16, 10 000 Zagreb – view map

Facebook | Instagram

#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. Lovers of literature and poetry will enjoy Booksa’s literary programs, including visits of Croatian and foreign authors and concerts. You can always discover something worthy in this cozy club.

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 the Latino, trash, pop, and house music until the early morning. In 2022, Hotpot was a sponsor and official club of the 20th Queer Zagreb festival.

Address: Petrinjska 31, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
E-mail: hotpot.hr@gmail.com
Facebook | Instagram

#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 their 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

Facebook | Instagram

#6 KIC

KIC stands for Kulturno informativni centar which translates as Cultural Informational Center. It is a public cultural institution that organizes forums, visual arts projects, and screening activities. If you have a critical opinion towards current social events, visit KIC and find an open-minded for discussion.

Address: Preradovićeva 5, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
E-mail: kic@kic.hr

Web site | Facebook | Instagram

#7 Kolaž

Kolaž bar is a cult underground cafe that gathers lovers of the alternative scene. It is known as one of the first gay-friendly bars in Zagreb. The bar is in a small basement in the city center. It is a good place for spending the evening hours before going to the club or after-party.

Address: Amruševa 11, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
E-mail: caffekolaz@inet.hr

Facebook

#8 Močvara

Močvara (Swamp) is a legendary alternative club situated on the embankment of the Sava river. It has a team of eternal enthusiasts who work on a fantastic offer of cultural programs, including concerts, exhibitions, music listening rooms, theater performances, film and literary programs, and workshops. In Močvara, everyone can feel welcome, comfortable, and safe.

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 good beers and quality music. They have a bar with the terrace on the ground floor and hold night programs with DJs in the basement. On the first floor, there 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.

Address: Međimurska ulica 21, 10 000 Zagreb – view map
E-mail: plocnik@pozitivanritam.hr

Web site | Facebook | Instagram

#10 Program Bar

There are two LGBTQ-friendly bars called Program in Zagreb, both owned by the same owner. They are relatively new, and each is situated 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

Facebook | Instagram

View our other LGBTQIA+ articles


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.

Sharing is Caring:
Subscribe to the Expat in Croatia Newsletter and get our FREE Croatia Starter Kit.
I'm already subscribed.