Tirana is a vibrant, slightly gritty city with a surprisingly good drinking scene. Whether you’re after a creative cocktail, a local craft beer, or just a spot to sit outside and watch the city move, there’s no shortage of places to settle in for the evening.
What makes Tirana’s bar scene worth exploring is the atmosphere. These aren’t just places to drink — they’re places to linger. I’ve picked spots across the city’s main neighborhoods so you can find something that fits wherever you are and whatever kind of evening you’re after.
Best bars in Tirana
Tirana has a ton of options for bars. Often during the day a bar or cafe is for drinking coffee, and as the day goes on, you can also order beer or other drinks. So, there’s not a lack of spots to stop and relax in the evening.
There are a variety of places throughout the city to try. I’ll try to separate into areas or neighborhoods for recommendations.
Drinks at Skanderbeg Square
Along the square, located between the Opera and Adrion Bookstore, you have a stretch of bars worth checking out. The offer inside and outside setting. This is a great place to sit and have a drink while at the very pulse of the city. You can’t go wrong with any of them, as the location is worth it.
Tirana International Hotel – also located right at the square. They have a bar upstairs, if you sit outside you have a nice elevated view of the square. Relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.
Bars between the Square, Zogu i Zi, 21
Hemingway Bar – maybe the most popular spot for drinks. Inside seating is very limited, but a cool atmosphere. With a great selection of rum and of course housing a cat. They have outside seating as well. They make Hemingway inspired cocktails and typically have a nice foreign beer on tap. If you only go for drinks at one spot, this is the one.
Hotel Colosseo – It feels like you’re sitting at a small square when seated outside. You’re right along a main road here, but it feels very peaceful and serene here. Sit outside and have a nice drink – offering cocktails and beer.
Oborri – this is also a brunch restaurant with nice options. They make great and inventive cocktails and have a decent appetizer/finger foods menu.
Bars in Blokku
Blokku is the spot for nightlife, restaurants, and drinks in Tirana. You have endless options. These are some I personally loved returning to time and again.
Duff Sports Bar – it’s all in the name for a Simpsons fan. They serve food and drinks here. It’s a perfect spot if you’re craving that sports bar feel, and you just so happen to be a Simpson’s fan. I personally loved getting a beer in a Duff glass.
Radio Bar – A very popular spot for drinks. This place is very cool inside also. You’ll stay busy just noticing all the trinkets and old time memorabilia on the walls. A wide range of drinks are offered for whatever your taste. It’s a fairly roomy place, worth noting, and some places are tiny or get rather crowded.
Nouvelle Vague Tirana – one of my personal favorites. It feels slightly like a ruin pub if you’ve ever been to Budapest. Awesome staff paired with delicious and creative cocktails.
The Taproom by Pan’s Microbrewery – it offers a larger selection of local microbrews. It has the most brewery type vibes. If you are into craft beer and want to try what Albania has to offer, this is a good spot for that. They also have a food menu too.
Hana Corner Cafe – this is maybe more known for a cool coffee spot. They offer cocktails and you can get local bottled beer here too. It’s a cool spot for sitting outside, very hipstery vibes. Feels a bit like you’re entering a cool cafe in Berlin.
Tirana Sky Bar – This is a nice experience. You can have drinks at a decent price while experiencing a great view. It feels a bit like a time warp when entering, but in the best way, felt like a smaller Space Needle in the 90’s. Also, it’s circular and slowly rotating, keep that in mind if you get dizzy.
Komiteti– Kafe Muzeum, a cool + unique spot for drinks with modern and traditional vibes. They have a nice selection of raki (the local drink). And, a cool atmosphere with a decent amount of seating as well.
Hops – for the beer lovers. It’s a fun spot, with maybe the largest selection of beer in Tirana (at least that I found). They also serve decent western type bar food like burgers etc. They also have a nice cocktail menu too.
Drinks between Skanderbeg Square to Pazari i Ri
Pedonale – just as a general area. This is a walking street from The Cloud to the Castle. You’ll find lots of bars and restaurants with outside seating. It has a nice atmosphere, like i’m really on vacation, sitting outside watching the tirana go by.
Castle – walking through the castle area are also several restaurants and bars. If you want a bit of a nicer and special vibe – like, ‘I am on vacation, and I really want to enjoy myself’. This is a nice spot for that. You can find decent prices still, but it is a bit more upscale than other places mentioned.
Si Dielli – right at pazari i ri market. It’s a small spot with outside seating. This is my favorite place to have a local craft beer. They typically only offer 2 or 3 Puka beers. But, they are local and draft. They also have a selection of wine, and offer small bites. Perfect spot for people watching.
Tirana, Albania has some great spots to chill and have a drink.
If you enjoy people-watching and wasting away time with a nice drink in a cool setting, Tirana is great for that. That’s the thing about this city — it rewards the people who slow down and let it happen. Enjoy tasting local drinks in Tirana, Cheers!
