There are a crazy number of bars in Tirana, so much so that it can be hard to know where to start! So, purely for the purposes of research, I did my best to travel around all of the bars in Tirana!
Whether you are a nomad looking for a quiet drink after a day at work or want to sample the best of Tirana on a weekend trip, I have something for you. And so does Tirana! This really is a city that has everything and does not disappoint.
I have put together this list of my favourite bars in Tirana for you to explore when you visit this incredible city.
Best Cocktail Bars in Tirana
There are some fantastic cocktail bars in Tirana. The modern and trendy vibe in this fantastic city goes hand in hand with glamorous cocktails.
Nearly every bar in Tirana will serve you a cocktail but I have picked out a couple of my favourite spots here.
Colonial Cocktail Academy Tirana
Colonial Cocktail Academy Tirana serves up some of the best and most unique cocktails in the city.
The bar is stocked with over 1,000 bottles of spirits meaning the friendly staff can rustle up pretty much anything! But if you aren’t sure what you want, the staff will help. They will ask you for your favourite tastes and then will create a unique cocktail for you.
Colonial Cocktail Academy Tirana has a cool and retro feel inside and a lovely outdoor area. If you arrive during the day then grab one of their fantastic frozen cocktails and grab a table in the shade to cool off.
During the evening it is very popular and has a fantastic atmosphere. Take a look at the menu to get a real feel for the place. It’s one of my favourite bars in Tirana.
Radio Bar in Tirana
Radio Bar Tirana is an institution in this city. It is located in the heart of Blloku, the trendiest part of Tirana.
It could just have easily been listed as one of the coolest bars in Tirana given the incredible décor inside. This cool bar is located just off the main road and looks small from the outside.
Once you head in, there are a number of tables around the bar area. But the highlight for me is the outdoor area to the right of the bar. Lots of tables, some great music and one of the most relaxed places in town.
As you may expect from the name, there are plenty of old radios on display along with lots of retro memorabilia.
Then there are the cocktails. Radio Bar Tirana has an extensive list of cocktails for all occasions. They are reasonably priced and suitably strong.
You can also grab one of a number of beers if you prefer and the menu has lots of food options.
It really is one of the best bars in Tirana. Head in to check out the amazing décor and retro pieces. Stay for the delicious cocktails and the lively atmosphere.
Coolest Bars in Tirana
I love the fact that Tirana really embraces its history and particularly its communist period. The result is plenty of bars with authentic memorabilia and stories to tell.
Here are a couple of my favourite such bars in Tirana as well as a great bar that takes us a little further back in time.
Komiteti Kafe and Muzeum
Komiteti Kafe and Museum is a highlight of Tirana in a variety of categories! By day it is a trendy café and by night a lively bar. And irrespective of the time of day, it is an incredible communist museum in Albania.
Inside the bar, you will find some of the 17,000 pieces from the communist era collected by the owner. Some of the small snugs inside are set out like a living or social space from the time. Super comfy and incredibly interesting.
Outside, you have a great outdoor space with plenty of tables. There is even a mezzanine level for some great views and chilled vibes.
It is hard to overstate how impressive this superb bar in Tirana is. From the dedication to collect and display these historically important pieces to the same care put into creating a great place to socialise and drink any time of day.
At night, you can expect DJs and live music as well as a raki-inspired cocktail menu. I have not yet become fully on board with raki as a drink on its own, but Komiteti do wonders with it in a cocktail!
Komiteti is a must for anyone visiting Tirana and always gets positive reviews. If you find yourself in Korçë, Drimadhes, Gjirokastër or Vlorë during your time in Albania then you are in luck! Komiteti has sister bars in each of these towns.
Equally, if you find yourself at a festival or party in Tirana during your stay, look out for the Komiteti van. These guys will be there ready to serve you a beer or cocktails at any party in town.
Hemingway Bar Tirana
Hemingway Bar Tirana is a little gem hidden in the midst of Tirana. If you think of a retro hangout for thinkers and writers then you get the idea of Hemingway Tirana.
It is a great cosy bar with bags of personality and if that sounds up your street then Hemmingway Tirana should definitely be on your list.
The drinks list here is extensive, with cocktails, beers and wine aplenty. But the main attraction is the incredible collection of rum! A personal favourite of the owner.
This cute little gem is one of the coolest bars in Tirana and is well worth the effort to find it.
Illyrian Saloon
Illyrian Saloon is another of those bars that leave a lasting memory!
It is inspired by the culture and traditions of the ancient Illyrians, the inhabitants of this part of the world before modern Albania officially existed.
This saloon is located in Blloku and offers an interesting contrast to the modern and trendy bars that fill most of this district’s streets. Think dark wood and bulky furniture and you have Illyrian Saloon, complete with swinging saloon doors.
It has a great drinks list at a very reasonable price, especially for the trendy Blloku location. At the weekends you can usually find live music at Illyrian Saloon from famous and semi-famous local artists.
Combine the above with some lovely nods to Albania’s past and this is a unique and fascinating bar to visit during your time in Tirana.
Best Sports Bars in Tirana
If you love nothing more than a few cold drinks whilst watching the sport then these cool sports bars in Tirana have you covered.
My newfound interest in football (thanks Aaron!) means I was a very willing visitor to these two on various occasions.
Duffs Bar
We all recognise the name right?! You will even see the famous Simpson’s signage for Duff’s beer on show here!
Duffs is nestled in the heart of Blloku. It has good seating outside with a covered screen for watching the sport in the sun. Inside there are two rooms on either side of the bar with their own screens. If there is more than one match on, Duffs is your best bet at showing them all.
The interior has the classic American sports bar vibe with memorabilia from various teams across the world. The drinks list is impressive with a range of beers including their own Duffs beer.
Even if you are not into sports, it’s a cool bar to pop into for a drink or two. One of those bars in Tirana that you could easily lose a few hours at.
Meduza’s Irish Pub
Meduza’s is an Albanian-styled Irish bar in Tirana! It is styled like a typical Irish bar, with lots of dark wood and Irish memorabilia.
I am however torn. On the one hand, it does serve Guinness on tap. On the other hand, I don’t believe any of the people in the bar are Irish. So is it a real Irish bar?!
Technicalities aside, it is a great bar in its own right. Located on the popular Rruga Mustafa Matohiti (next to City Art Café, see below), you will never struggle for a seat.
It has an extensive outdoor area to the front giving views over the street for perfect people watching. Inside there are tables all around the bar and no fear of not finding a seat.
The bar has clearly been designed with sport in mind as television screens are dotted around and you can see them from pretty much every seat.
If you want to watch a specific match then perhaps check in advance – they will likely have the match and it is just a question of what language the commentary will be in.
Whether you come for the sport or the Guinness (or just because it is a great bar in Tirana!) take a look at the menu. They have some great beer accompaniments as well as an impressive fish menu.
A great bar in Tirana and well worth a visit whether you like sport or not.
Best Rooftop Bars in Tirana
High-rise buildings only started being built in Tirana in the 1990s and as a result, the skyline is not filled with skyscrapers. The benefit is that if you can find yourself an elevated bar, you will get some incredible views over the city and towards the mountains beyond.
Fortunately, this opportunity has not been missed and here are a couple of my favourite rooftop bars in Tirana.
Observator Wine and Piano Bar
The name perhaps says it all! Observator is a rooftop piano bar in Tirana with a selection of exceptional wine.
In fact, it is more than that. The bar is located on the 13th floor with a lift taking you up to the bar from street level. On arrival, you will be met with a glass-domed bar and restaurant with 360-degree views over the city. There is indoor and outdoor seating so you can find the perfect spot.
Observator is in fact open all day. So you can call in during the day for a coffee or refreshing drink and take in the views. I would certainly recommend heading here for sunset. You will get unbelievable views over the city as the sun sets behind the Dajti mountains.
After the sun has set, Observator hosts various fun-filled evenings. From piano to karaoke and DJs or live music, each night is different! They also offer bar food to keep you going late into the night.
Observator is a lot of fun and one of the best bars in Tirana for taking in those views.
Lift Steak & Rooftop Bar
Lift Steak & Rooftop Bar is featured in our best restaurants in Tirana blog, but it rightly deserves a place here too.
This is one of the more upmarket bars in Tirana and so perfect for a special occasion. Stop in for some food (caviar and lobster anyone?!) or just for a drink and to admire the views.
The interior dining room is sleek and sophisticated. Outside, you find a lounge-style terrace with comfy seating. Either spot is perfect for admiring the beautiful views over Tirana and the mountains.
Once the sun has set, the sophisticated dining vibes make way for a fun and trendy nightlife experience with music and live DJs beneath the night sky.
An experience on any basis, Lift Steak & Rooftop Bar is a fantastic bar in Tirana.
Best Bars in Tirana for Working
Whether you are heading to Tirana as a digital nomad, or just need to get a bit of work done whilst here, there are some great bars in Tirana for working.
It certainly beats working in your apartment because let’s face it, a beer and a calming atmosphere really help that productivity doesn’t it!
With that in mind, here are a couple of great bars in Tirana for working.
City Art Café
City Art Café is located on Rruga Mustafa Matohiti right next door to Meduza’s Irish Pub above.
It is a large and spacious bar with outdoor seating on the street side and plenty of tables and chairs inside. The outdoor area has a retractable roof which can help with the sun/glare or your laptop screen.
The Wi-Fi at City Art Café is very good and it has lots of plugs which are important for working. There are even a few outside so you can enjoy the great outdoors whilst getting that work done.
Like many places in Tirana, the staff do not mind how long you stay so order a drink without fear of having to have five coffees an hour to earn your stay!
That said, there is plenty on offer on the food and drinks front. Coffees and cold drinks are available all day as are beers and wine. The food menu is good with lots of bar snacks available to keep you going.
City Art Café is a great bar in Tirana for working whether for a quick task or for a few hours. Even if you are not in Tirana working, it is a great bar in its own right. Why not head in before or after a trip to Meduza’s Irish Pub!
Nouvelle Vague
Nouvelle Vague does not look like the largest bar in Tirana from the outside but there is plenty of space to work.
This great bar boasts a number of outdoor tables to the front. Head inside and the space keeps going with plenty of tables to set up at if the outdoor seats are taken. The Wi-Fi here is good and again there are plenty of plugs available.
This coffee shop by day and lively bar by night is open all day from 8 am (except Sundays when it opens at 4 pm) and so it is perfect for working during the day. Nouvelle Vague serves coffee and soft drinks during the day alongside some great beers and cocktails.
At night, Nouvelle Vague turns into a great venue with live DJs to accompany the impressive drinks menu which doesn’t close until 2 am.
Night Clubs in Tirana
If you still have some energy after visiting one or two of the bars in Tirana then there are a few nightclubs open deep into the early hours.
Check these two out if you find yourself wanting more.
Folie Terrace
Folie Terrace is at the heart of Tirana nightlife and is located just off the popular Toptani Street in the middle of Tirana.
The Folie hosts famous Albanian and international popstars as well as hosting DJ night. Whatever day of the week, you can find plenty of people in Folie enjoying the nightlife.
I would say that a nightclub in Tirana is slightly different to the UK. There is more of a European feel with table service and a more relaxed atmosphere than in the UK!
That said, Folie Terrace feels very much like the place to be, and be seen, in the Tirana nightlife scene. That comes at a price, with drinks more expensive than in the bars in Tirana. Irrespective, the music is good, the venue is huge and it can be a lot of fun!
Lollipop Night Club Tirana
Lollipop has been an integral part of the Tirana nightlife scene since 2006. It has a big five hundred seat capacity and some grandiose décor inside.
But you are rarely at Lollipop for the décor! The drinks list is long, the bar is big and the venue is huge. Lollipop often welcomes international DJs, and every night is a lot of fun.
Expect pop and commercial music which, for me, is the perfect combo in the early hours!
Have a Great Night!
I hope that has given you a flavour of the variety of cool bars Tirana has to offer. This awesome city really has something for everyone. It is bursting with cool bars, and it can be difficult to know where to look or turn.
I hope this blog gives you a starting point. It has some of the most famous bars in Tirana, many of which are institutions in their own right. I would definitely recommend picking a couple on this list for a night and then following your instinct when you are out. You can rarely go wrong in Tirana!
Have a great time if you do visit this amazing Albanian city. I would love to hear about it and if you need any more tips then let me know. You can get me on social media or leave a comment below and I will be more than happy to help.
Have a great night!
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