Fans of nightlife visiting Belgrade find themselves in the Balkans’ best spot. Serbia’s capital takes clubbing to an art form with attractive, well-dressed crowds flocking to bars and discos, taverns and restaurants throughout the city and along the riverbanks — seven days a week and well into every early morning.

Party activity centers around Ušće, where the Danube and Sava rivers join, and spreads along the shores. Party barges lining the rivers include two summertime favorites: restaurant-raft Move and raft-club Leto. Along nearby Kosančićev Venac, café patrons sip wine while overlooking the waterfront and magnificent bridges.

At Nacionalna Klasa, famous musicians show up to perform for crowds enjoying local specialties ćevapi (smoky grilled sausages), pljeskavica (Serbian burgers of ground beef, lamb and pork) and rakia (fruit brandy). Several venues adjoin the Belgrade Pier, around Beton Hala. Sakura serves drinks and Asian cuisine at an elongated bar, while Ambar proves one of the city’s best restaurants for local fare. Enjoy a beautiful view of Ušće from Kalemegdanska Terassa restaurant within the park surrounding the city’s antique stone fortress. Also near the fort, renowned Manufaktura serves national cuisine as famous Serbian bands perform.

The downtown old city Dorćol district in the heart of Belgrade serves as a meeting place of artists, musicians and Bohemians. “It’s our Belgrade Manhattan,” reported Serbian Consul Tamara Vujovic. Pedestrian street Skadarlija offers galleries, antique shops and old town taverns featuring local tambourine and accordion music. Mali Vrabac presents a picturesque storefront with checked tablecloths and wine bottles lining the walls. Racks of flowers decorate the façade of Šešir Moj, with inside walls covered in folk paintings.

Newly popular in the upscale Galerija development sprawling along the Sava riverbank, a mall with upscale shopping, clubs and restaurants includes Buddha-Bar, serving pan-Asian, European and Californian cuisine “expanded with a special Serbian twist.” Red Queen features “refreshing cocktails and lemonades.” Welcome around town, LGBTQ+ visitors favor gay-friendly clubs Half and Klub 20/44.

Throughout the city, reservations are essential but easily booked, in English, on each club’s website. Whatever music, atmosphere or venue you prefer, you’re bound to find it in Belgrade.