Bucharest’s nightlife offers a mix of experiences. Clubbing in the Romanian capital is increasingly popular, with parties often lasting until dawn. Find out more about Bucharest at night with practical tips and insights to maximise your experience while staying safe.
Bucharest’s Old Town by night
By day, the historical centre of Bucharest is a lovely place, with many terraces and beautiful old buildings. However, the Old Town hosts a variety of night venues that cater to all kinds of party-goers. The place already has a reputation among party people and attracts both locals and tourists. As the night falls, its narrow streets get crowded with people ready to party.
Here is the 0 km for partying in Bucharest. If you want to party but don’t know what to expect from your night, just go to the Old Town. You’ll find many clubs and bars for different tastes. As they are within walking distance of each other, you can hop from club to club until morning.
Some venues offer a more glamorous setting, while others are casual and laid-back. Explore the area and find the spot that matches your vibe.
Given the wide range of nightlife options, prices can vary significantly. You can expect to pay around €4 for a beer, while a more elaborate cocktail might set you back €12 or more. Most clubs don’t charge an entry fee or require a table reservation.
Besides clubs, Old Town has plenty of bars and restaurants. You can also find live music venues or karaoke parties. While the clubs are usually open until 5 AM, other types of places have different closing hours. Bars and pubs often close around 2-3 AM. If you find yourself hungry after a night of dancing, keep an eye out for Dristor Kebap, which might still be serving food.
The Old Town is the busiest during Friday and Saturday evenings. Also, the area gets more crowded in peak season, during the summers.
Tips for a fun and safe night out in Bucharest
Keep yourself safe!
Bucharest is generally a safe city, but like in any large urban area, petty crime can occur. If you have a night out, stick to well-lit, crowded places.
Old Town remains safe throughout the night, though it’s always wise to keep an eye on your belongings and avoid engaging with suspicious individuals, as you would anywhere else.
Most nightlife spots have bouncers or bodyguards ready to calm down spirits if necessary. Also, there is a police section in the Old Town, responsible for maintaining order.
Outside the historical centre, the main boulevards are typically safe as well. Central neighbourhoods in Bucharest are generally secure, but you may encounter homeless individuals or people dealing with addiction, especially on smaller streets. These individuals are usually harmless, but it’s best to avoid them.
It’s also safer not to venture out alone at night—stick to a group whenever possible.
Best times to go out
Bars and pubs typically open between 10 AM and 12 PM and stay open until around 2 AM. Eateries generally operate from 10 AM to 10 PM, though restaurants in the city centre often extend their hours, especially on weekends.
You might also find supermarkets, fast food or doner venues open 24h. The concerts typically finish by 11 PM to comply with public noise regulations.
Clubs usually open around 10 PM and close at 5 in the morning. Don’t bother to go for the first two hours, as the party kicks off around midnight. The exception to this rule is for clubs that require reservations; in those instances, arrive at the agreed-upon time.
Many clubs are also open on weekdays. Some venues have extended business and function as pubs or bars during the day and clubs at night.
Local etiquette
The general rules are pretty much as everywhere else in Europe: be respectful and don’t be rude.
Tipping is well-received in bars, pubs and restaurants but not mandatory. In clubs, if you pay by cash, you may leave the change for the bartender.
Read more: Do people tip in Romania? All you need to know about Romanian tipping etiquette
Dress codes vary depending on the venue. Casual attire is acceptable at most nightclubs in Old Town and similar areas. If you’re heading to the upscale clubs in the Dorobanti district, a glamorous look is expected.
Transportation at night in Bucharest
The transportation options available in Bucharest by night are night buses, taxis and car-hailing apps.
Yellow taxis are abundant around Old Town, especially near Unirii Square. However, taxis can be risky for tourists, as some drivers may attempt to overcharge. Using ride-hailing services like Bolt or Uber is generally a safer and more reliable option, even though they may be slightly more expensive.
If you rely on public transport, all the night buses in Bucharest depart from Piata Unirii 2 station to the neighbourhoods. The metro does not operate overnight. If you spend all night in the club, after 5 in the morning you can use the day public transport, both surface and metro.
Read more: Public transport in Bucharest: trams, buses, metro system and more
What else besides clubbing
There’s more to Bucharest’s nightlife than clubbing, although options beyond that tend to wrap up earlier at night.
You can relax in bars, enjoy outdoor terraces, or even try a karaoke club — however, most of these venues typically close by around 2 AM. If you feel lucky, find out gambling is legal in Romania and there are casinos in Bucharest open 24/7.
If the weather is nice, take the opportunity to explore Bucharest at night. While the Palace of the Parliament isn’t well-lit, the Triumphal Arch is beautifully illuminated. Take a stroll down Victoriei Avenue, it’s the prettiest street in Bucharest after dark. Avoid parks late at night, especially those that aren’t well-lit.
Pick the best spot for you
Some of the bars and clubs in Bucharest are already legendary. But many night businesses open and close within a few years. For this reason, it’s best to avoid relying on specific recommendations without doing a bit of research on your own.
If you are looking for a specific type of fun, here are a few places that come to mind. Check online before going out, in case they just closed or have private events/parties.
If you’re looking for specific parties or events, Facebook is still used to promote happenings in Romania. Most of the events get posted there.
Glamorous clubs: Face Club, Oxya Club and Kayo are the fanciest clubs in Bucharest, all located in the northern part of the city. Dress to impress, in your in your finest attire, and book a table in advance – expect a minimum spend required of about 500 euro.
Rock/Metal music: Private Hell is a club in the Old Town full of the friendliest metalheads. Quantic is a great place for concerts, mostly metal. Control or Expirat holds rock concerts all the time. For rock bars, check out Encore, Boogie, and Fabrica.
Electronic music / Alternative: check out Guesthouse, Nether, Nook, Platforma Wolff, Control, Expirat.
Oldies: If you’re into the 80s – 00s music, El Comandante, El Dictator, and b52 are great options.
LGBTQ+ Friendly: Q Club
Hip Hop: Azero
Karaoke: Mojo
Jazz: Green Hours
Latino Music: Club Rio
Adult: nothing. Avoid strip clubs and stuff like this, they’re most probably tourist traps.