Bratislava Nightlife

Named after Andy Warhol, who was Slovakian-American, this quirky little bar is well worth a visit. Set on a street in what was the Jewish ghetto, at the foot of the hill that leads up to Bratislava Castle, the interior is decked out like a tram and has an ever-changing selection of art on the walls.

Stylish bar on the upper storey of a building in the old town, serving some 70 different kinds of vodka as well as various cocktails, with excellent views of the castle and the cathedral. There's a terrace restaurant, too, serving Mediterranean and Thai dishes, and a lift whisks you up from street level.

The best place for a drink in Bratislava is in the cavernous Slovak Pub. The menu includes a good range of traditional Slovak dishes. As the moniker states, 'Not just a pub, it's an institution.'

A relatively new club, Music Gallery is located in the old town and is the creation of Slovak drummer Martin Valihora, with a focus on jazz and other laid-back beats.

Famous for its parties in the 1990s, this Bratislava institution is set in a former miltary storage bunker under Bratislava Castle. Most music genres are catered for at some point or another (as long as they aren't mainstream), but especially electro and techno. Wander down a narrow corridor and find yourself in a cavernous dance floor with a bar.

Set in a basement in the old town, this glamorous club has sleek minimalist interiors and is popular with a younger crowd and stag/hen parties. The playlist includes r 'n b, hip hop, mainstream and house. Get there early to avoid the queues.

Hlava 22 (meaning 'catch 22' in Slovak) is a club and live music venue featuring Slovak and international artists, with music styles ranging from jazz and blues to funk, latin and rock.

Nu Spirit is the best place in town for DJs and regular live music, varying from drum 'n' bass to jazz, funk, Brazilian and so on.

Part of the YMCA culture hub, Randal is an unpretentious live venue featuring punk-rock bands; check the website for the programme. Within the building are a number of bars, a concert hall, another live music venue called A4 that features underground artists, and a summer terrace.