3 Of The Best Bars In Tirana You Must Visit (One Is A Hidden Gem!)
There are a number of quirky bars in Tirana to visit, so you should add one or more of them to your itinerary if you are visiting the Albanian capital.
We were only in the city for 2 nights and visited two incredible bars. The third on my list; Hemingway Bar was sadly closed on Sunday and I hadn’t thought to check that in advance – so ensure you don’t make the same mistake as me.
Tirana has plenty of cool spots where you can enjoy a local craft beer, a cocktail or even try the traditional raki; the grappa liqueur from the Balkans.
It can be challenging knowing where to start if you are short on time. So here are 3 bars in Tirana that you must-visit, especially if you’re looking for quirky things to do in Tirana.
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Quirky bars in Tirana you must visit
Radio Bar Tirana
Radio Bar Tirana is one of the most popular bars in Tirana and for good reason. This quirky little gem is hidden down an alley, nestled between some shops and restaurants in the heart of the Blloku neighbourhood; the trendiest part of Tirana.
As the name suggests, there are plenty of old radios on display along with lots of retro memorabilia making it a fun, quirky place to visit in Tirana. While it looks small from the outside, the bar is very spacious inside and it feels like a bit of an institution in this city.
There are a number of seats around the bar area and groups of tables all around with various types of seating. There is also an outdoor area to the right that was lively when we visited and they often have live music and various musical nights that they host.
Radio Bar Tirana is full of colour and personality. They serve an extensive list of cocktails, beers and food. The cocktails are reasonably priced and suitably strong, though it’s worth knowing that the drinks here are overpriced by Tirana’s standards, as are many places in Blloku.
It certainly won’t break the bank though.
The vibe is very much relaxed and informal which I loved. Though it was quiet when we visited (pretty late at night), I am a big fan of places with a quirky vibe. I particularly loved all the vintage pieces, mismatched chairs and music memorabilia dotted around everywhere.
Location: Rruga Ismail Qemali, Tiranë 1000, Albania
ATY te Piramida
ATY te Piramida is a real hidden gem in Tirana that we only discovered when we popped into the Seletti store – one of the most drool worthy interiors brands if you’re into bold maximalism pieces.
This bar and restaurant is designed and furnished by Seletti, the Italian designer, so I knew we had to take a bit of a detour to visit. In fact, we even skipped lunch just before flying home to grab a quick drink here instead and let me tell you, that was the best decision we made.
Located at one of Tirana’s most iconic landmarks; the Pyramid of Tirana, ATY te Piramida is housed in one of the exterior cubes of the Pyramid and is quite difficult to find.
The signage on the outside isn’t clear unless you look up, and we only spotted it by chance after doing a couple of laps of the surroundings.
The iconic hanging monkey lamps and large giraffe in the window were a huge giveaway!
My jaw dropped as soon as I opened the door..
I want all of this in my home including the dartboard ‘stage’ complete with a microphone – just imagine how elevated karaoke nights at home would be with this!
Seletti have a reputation for creating some unconventional, innovative designs and this bar brings a cheeky and irresistibly unique character to essentially a white man-made pyramid.
The bar spans over two floors with the tiniest terrace I have ever seen upstairs – I think that 3 people sat there would be bit of a squeeze.
The ground floor is probably more suited to cosy dining experiences, while upstairs is more of an intimate bar vibe – where I assume they also host singers in the evenings.
The vibe is cosy, eclectic and allows for an intimate yet expansive experience. There are bar stools with high tables, small and large tables with lower seats as well as beanbags with something unique to see in each direction you look in.
ATY is the perfect spot to soak in the lively atmosphere of Tirana’s most important sightseeing spot, while feeling like you have stepped into an Alice in Wonderland-esque dream.
The black and white chess-like floor tiles really add to the surreal maximalism ambiance here.
Watch this space – this bar is so new that I don’t think many people even know about it yet. It certainly hasn’t made an appearance on any ‘bars in Tirana’ guides yet.
I think ATY will easily be listed as one of the coolest bars in Tirana given the quirky décor inside and the friendly service.
You heard it here first.
Fun fact: ‘ATY’ translates to ‘there’ in Albania, so the name of the bar was intended as a punny way for people to say ‘meet me there‘.
Hemingway Bar Tirana
Hemingway Bar is a really popular bar and one we sadly didn’t have time to visit during our time in Tirana. It gives me the impression of being a cosy hangout space for thinkers and writers.
The bar is well known for their collection of rum; a personal favourite of the owner, but they also serve cocktails, beer, wine and everything in between too.
Hemingway Bar has cool old-style architecture and the music ranges from British to Latin jazz.
Location: Rruga Kont Urani, Tiranë 1001, Albania
Bar crawls in Tirana
You might be interested in exploring more bars in Tirana and joining a group pub crawl is a great way of doing that. I have friends who have done these tours, so I have it on good authority that they are a fun way to explore more of the city while meeting some new people.
If you are visiting the Albanian capital, make sure you add at least one of these 3 bars in Tirana to your itinerary, and you won’t be disappointed. My personal favourite was ATY te Piramida.
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