Bucharest, Nightlife

The nightclubs of Bucharest vary between hip-hop haunts spinning the latest sounds and flashy discos where Romanias wealthy go to let off steam. There are no licencing hours in Romania. Nor is there a legal drinking age, however, one must be over 18 to purchase alcohol, which costs between US$0.50-3, depending on the type of establishment. Entrance fees are cheap compared to those in the West, ranging from nothing to US$1.50. Many nightclubs are concentrated in or around the historic centre, making club-hopping an option. Clubbers going further afield can grab one of the taxis that hover outside most clubs. Many nightclubs close in June for the summer and reopen in early October.

Jazz is popular in Romania and Bucharest has good jazz clubs. Latino music is also trendy and salsa-dancing couples invade the dancefloors of certain clubs. Casinos flourish in the newfound capitalist climate and many of Bucharest's well-to-do flock to those along Calea Victoriei.

For up-to-date information on nightlife, get the latest English-language issue of Bucharest In Your Pocket (US$2.50).

Bars:

Young people gather in bars to drink cocktails, cappuccinos and foreign beers. Wine is only available by the bottle and is excellent value for money. Some of the best bars are at the National Theatre, Bulevardul Balcescu 2. Il Caffé, left of the theatre, serves alcohol and tall-glassed cappuccinos in a lively, cosy environment with a nautical theme. Laptaria Lui Enache, entered through an unmarked door on the theatre’s left side, then by lift to the fourth floor, has spectacular new outdoor roof terrace, with film screenings and live bands on weekends. Other trendy spots include Opium Studio, Strada Horei 5, with surrealist décor and retro music, and The Corner, a new bar located at Piata Alba Lulia 6, which also offers state-of-the-art computers and Internet connection. Another Bucharest trend is Belgian beer halls, such as La Belle Époque, Strada Aviator Radu Beller 6. Ex-pats tend to favour the Irish pubs, such as Dubliner, Bulevardul Titilescu 18, or British-run The Green Man, Strada Putul lui Zamfir, where you can even indulge in a game of darts.

Casinos:

Visitors to casinos should dress smartly and bring a passport – the minimum gaming age is 18 years. US Dollars or Lei can be used as currency for chips. The lavish 24-hour Monte Carlo-style Palace Casino, Calea Victoriei 133-135, has an excellent restaurant. Stylish Victoria Casino, Calea Victoriei 174, has a good cabaret show (open 1800-0700 Wednesday-Sunday).

Clubs:

For hip rave and house sounds, try Space, Strada Academiei 33-37, the Web Club, Bulevardul Mihalache 12, or the new Colours Club, Calea Victoriei 48-50, and huge Tunnel Club, Strada Academiei 19-21, with faded church paintings and a gothic atmosphere. For upmarket discos, the chic Club Sugar, Strada Batistei 11, has the strictest dress code in town and is frequented by Bucharest’s young and loaded. DJs spin Latino sounds at Club Flamingo, Strada Zalomit 6, where Art Deco balconies, colourful kitsch sofas and a marble dancefloor add to the ambience. Club A, Strada Blanari 14, plays a different type of music every night of the week. At the student end of the scale, Spell House, Strada Gabroveni 20, has black lights and intentionally grim décor but good house music and friendly staff.

Live music:

Intimate jazz and blues is played at the 24-hour Café Indigo, Strada Eforie 2, which serves cool cocktails, and Ciuc, a delicious, dark Romanian beer. Green Hours 22, Calea Victoriei 120, with an open courtyard in summer, and Art Jazz Club, Bulevardul N Balcescu 23A, both feature top jazz names (live performances start around 2100). Folk music and dancing is performed in restaurants serving traditional Romanian cuisine, including Burebista Vanatores, Strada Batistei 14, and La Mardare, Calea Grivitei 32.

The most popular hotels in Bucharest are:

• Hotel Opera
• Central Hotel Bucharest
• Howard Johnson Grand Plaza Hotel
• Hotel Majestic
• NH Hotel Bucharest
• Golden Tulip Bucharest
• Residence Hotel Bucharest