These aren’t the craft beer bars you’ll find in Belgrade on that first Google search. These bars are hidden in the center, and in neighborhoods outside the center. If you have more than a few days to visit, go to the craft beer bars you missed in Belgrade.
So it’s your third day in Belgrade. You’ve already crossed Republic Square a dozen times, watched the sun set over Kalemegdan, and experienced Belgrade nightlife on the river in a splav. You’ve been to the craft beer bars that you can walk to from Republic Square. Now you’re thinking – maybe I can jump on one of those funny trolleybuses and see what’s outside the center.
Here’s three areas in Belgrade with several craft beer bars:
- Banovo Brdo: Neighborhood in the south, by Ada Ciganlija
- New Belgrade: Neighborhood across the Sava River
- Center: Hidden bars you may miss on your first day
For a little more work, you’ll be rewarded with a, “I’ve never seen a foreigner here. Want a beer?”
The Craft Beer Bars You Missed In Belgrade
1. Banovo Brdo
Banovo Brdo is one of Belgrade’s many hills. This residential neighborhood is about 20 minutes south by transport from Republic Square. First, take of of the many buses/trolleybuses to the urban beach of Ada Ciganlija. You’ll be close to Dogma Brewery, which is a good start or finish for a trip to this area. After Ada, you can take a tram or bus down Kirovljeva/Pozeska Street, which runs through the heart of this area .
At the most southern part of Banovo Brdo is Zarkovo neighborhood. You can stop here, and walk back north toward Ada Ciganlija.
Pivologija
Milana Jovanovića 14, Beograd
At the southernmost end of Banovo Brdo, on the border of Zarkovo, is Pivologija Beer Shop & Bar. This craft beer bar is almost unknown to tourists, but in this neighborhood, it’s been an institution for almost 10 years. Although it functions primarily as a takeaway bottle shop, there’s still 8 taps to choose from. Since the owner has worked with Czechia’s Primator Brewery, this is the only place in Serbia where you can get fresh Primator Weisse and Pilsner on tap.
Beerland Pub
Požeška 138a, Beograd
Beerland Pub is in the heart of Banovo Brdo, right on Pozeska Street. This pub styles itself after a classic English pub, with comfy padded bunks inside and a large outdoor terrace which is still hidden from the bustle of the main street. The large menu has both typical Serbian barbecue and more English/American hamburgers. They have plenty of English craft beers in bottle and Serbian craft on tap.
Zanatski Cetvrtak
Turgenjeva 7, Beograd
Zanatski Cetvrtak means “Craft Thursday” in Serbian language. However, this little craft beer pub is open every day (except Sunday.) Truly a hidden gem, Zanatski Cetvrtak is on a small side street at the beginning of Banovo Brdo, next to the Brdo Theater. They make their own beer here, which was originally known as Nikolaczar Brewery from the early days of Serbian craft brewing. If you want a unique Serbian craft beer experience, and entertaining bartenders, hunt down this beer bar.
2. New Belgrade
When you look across the Sava River, you’ll see the urban blocks of New Belgrade. From Blok 72 to Blok 9b – just south of the Zemun neighborhood – this neighborhood covers an area larger than Belgrade’s Old Town. The large concrete buildings and wide boulevards may look intimidating, but New Belgrade is surprisingly quiet, green and residential. Zoning is not strict here, so most bars share the same space with residential buildings.
Although spread out, New Belgrade is well-connected, and it’s easy to follow public transportation on the grid layout of the streets. If you are into biking, the flat terrain and wide sidewalks are ideal for a biking and beer tour.
Mehanika Pub
Zgrada Ruža, Crvene Armije 11g, Beograd 11070
At the far end of New Belgrade, in the neighborhood of Belville, is cosey and inviting Mehanika Brewery. After several accolades, including a 2nd Place win in Serbia’s Homebrewing Competition, this team of rock’n’rollers started their own craft pub. Inside, it looks like a miniature Hard Rock Cafe, and they play classic rock music, as well as having live bands, (full disclosure: I’m one) to complement this. But their dozen taps, both their own and other Serbian craft beers, are the real pleasure here. Their IPAs are often the highest rated in Serbia.
Srpska Kuca Piva
Antifašističke borbe 33, Novi Beograd 11070
Be prepared to practice your Serbian if you go to Srpska Kuca Piva, the Serbian Beer House. This futuristic looking pub, located just down the street from the well-known Pivopija, is the place to go for Robocraft Brewery. As the name implies, this place serves two dozen taps of national Serbian craft beer, including their own house beer, Mala Baraka. Their beer is kept fresh in a cold chamber below the bar. Additionally, the kitchen is extensive, with the sausage being particularly delicious.
Belvi
Preradovićeva 3, Beograd 11080
Belvi is in the former Austro-Hungarian neighborhood of Zemun, just past New Belgrade. This bar has existed in the heart of Zemun in some form since 1939. It’s a great place to relax after walking up to Gardos Tower and along the riverside quay. The enclosed beer garden is a peaceful place to enjoy one of their dozen taps or homemade rakija shots.
3. City Center
On your first day in Belgrade, after visiting Samo Pivo, Gunners, Krafter and Dogma Station, you may think you’ve found all the craft beer bars. However, there are several which do not come up on that first Google search. Some of these bars have opened up recently. Others are just beyond past one kilometer from Republic Square, and that’s far enough to keep them off Belgrade’s nightlife radar.
Take a walk down that little side street, or go just a little further from the center, and you’ll be surprised what craft beer bars you’ll miss in Belgrade.
Domaci Pub
Vatroslava Lisinskog 12, Beograd 11000
Domaci Pub is a real neighborhood bar. Most of the patrons either live in the same building above or work at the police station across the street. The 14 taps here, all kept at ideal temperature from the cold chamber, are mostly Serbian craft beers. In particular, this bar features beer from Dilemma Brewery, a brewery just outside of Belgrade in the city of Pancevo. Yet, the owners are also fans of classic German lagers, so expect fresh Paulaner or Erdinger on any given day.
Kraft Raj
Kneza Danila 47, Beograd 11060
Kraft Raj, or Craft Heaven, is owned by the brewers of Sindikat Brewery, a brewery originally hailing from Valjevo. Sindikat specializes in natural ciders, so a visit here during the summer for a crisp cider is a must. This neighborhood bar is just behind Belgrade’s city park Tasmajdan, and can be easy to miss if you aren’t looking for it. Look for bright white twinkle lights strung on the tree out front.
Dva Medveda
Carice Milice 7
Although Dva Medveda is in the center of Belgrade, it’s a relatively new pub, and is often overlooked. Started by Russians who came to Serbia to leave the conflict in Ukraine, it will give you a little look into Moscow nightlife. This craft bottleshop hosts a variety of events for the Russian expat community: concerts, readings, stand-up comedy, etc. They have just 5 taps, but their bottle selection is large, and possibly the only place now to get Russian craft beer in Europe. And there is one big plus for foreign tourists here: this is one of the few non-smoking bars in Serbia.
For a tour of the best craft beer bars in Belgrade click: here
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