From a city that once had a reputation for cheap drinks, Bratislava bars have turned up the dial in the last number of years. The result is a number of bars with a high quality of service, cocktails, and establishment. Join us for a cocktail bar tour of Bratislava.

Bratislava doesn’t hit high on the travel bucket list. In close proximity to grander capitals with more distinguished histories (Vienna, Budapest, and Prague), Bratislava is often bypassed by passersby.

Tourist sites advise staying for only one day, but one evening isn’t even long enough to sample all the cocktail bars in Bratislava.

After so many years behind the Iron Curtain, Bratislava residents still feel the need to “catch up” to the western world and push themselves to improve; bars are no exception. In the last decade the number of establishments focusing on quality and taste over a cheap-drink-to-get-drunk has risen. There are six establishments of particular quality in the city, each with a different feel.

Mirror Cocktail Bar

Inside the ritzy Carlton Hotel, the Mirror Cocktail Bar exudes elegance and luxury. The bar has been making a name for itself even outside the borders of the country, inviting guest bartenders to present masterclasses and hosting an yearly expo dedicated to improving hospitality in the country.

A theme of velvet green and a tree sculpture in the middle of the main room evoke the three pillars of the bar, Classy, Art, and Nature. A side room with opulent wallpaper is dedicated to cigars, and a presentation room extension also serves overflow.

Of all the bars in Bratislava, the cocktail menu here is the most extravagant with custom made glasses, bespoke serves, and optical illusions on the printed menu. It also has a number of categories, whether twisted classics based on famous hotel guests, firm favourites from past years, futuristic design, and even ones for sharing as a group.

Go to Mirror Cocktail Bar when you want to be wowed by your drink, inspired by the thought that can go into a cocktail and impressed by the dedication to your experience as a guest.

Sky Bar and Restaurant

As the name suggests, Sky Bar is situated up high, on the top seventh and eighth floors of a building right on the central Hviezdoslavovo Square. The 360° view looks over the Danube River, with skyscrapers in the distance and Bratislava Castle and St. Martin’s Cathedral right up close.

The bar and restaurant were renovated over the pandemic, with a modern and sophisticated vibe. The dining areas are divided into smaller sections, which keeps the spaces feeling intimate. The colour of the back bar, a smoky blue, is both unique and beautiful. The restaurant was surprisingly busy for the middle of the week, which carried over into a great active atmosphere around the bar.

The signature cocktails are based on the concept of 10 Pillars of Humanity, inspired by a desire to create something lasting. Nature, Time, Music and Humility become inspiration for innovative drinks that are accompanied in the menu with art by bartender Michal Dojcak, winner of World Class Slovakia 2024. A garnish of note is the rice cracker to the Slovakia named drink, made from leftover rice from the kitchen.

Go to Sky Bar when you are hungry; the restaurant features beautifully-plated food with modern interpretations of Slovak cuisine. You’ll get a bonus experience if you go around golden hour and sunset - hues of pink and orange acted as a backdrop of Old Town and glinted off the modern buildings of the city while we dined.

Michalská Cocktail Room

Speakeasy bars started during Prohibition in the United States, when voices had to be kept down to avoid detection and knowledge was passed by word of mouth - no signs could declare a bar’s presence. Michalská Cocktail Room follows this tradition - no signs direct the seeker to its presence below St. Michael’s Gate (Michalská brána). At the top of a dark flight of stairs are cupboard doors; upon passing through them, you enter another world, Narnia style.

Low and luxurious furniture is spread around the dark almost dungeon-like rooms with a grunge accent, set up for small groups engaged in cosy conversation. Multiple uses of pressed tin tiles and art deco lighting harken back to the bar’s pre-WWII inspiration.

The menu is based upon 10 classic cocktails and 10 modern versions of those classics. The drinks were served with a simple cocktail story, such as fog reminiscent of that around Mt. Fuji and a burning steel wool timer.

Go to Michalská Cocktail Room when you want to sink into a comfortable chair, relax, and engage in conversation with your besties.

Antique American Bar

Everything about the Antique American Bar proclaims “classic”, from the double-breasted white jackets worn with a red tie, to the mirrored back bar, to the etched glasses. The space inside is quite small, although seating is available outside as well.

The recently revealed menu is based on photos of Karol Kallay, a Slovak photographer considered among the best of the country who started his career in 1940. For each drink, a Kallay photo is juxtaposed with a new version of his photograph including the drink. The Corpse Reviver #2, for example, was made with lemon thyme instead of lemon, and was worthy of its name as it was bright and refreshing.

Go to Antique American Bar for an experience of excellence you can count on surrounded by the atmosphere of pedestrians strolling through the Old Town. An extra treat awaits those who appreciate vintage spirits.

SPIN Me Around Bar

From an unassuming entrance, SPIN Me Around Cocktail Bar - called SPIN for short - opens up into a sleek bar of understated elegance. The entrance is set in a cutout corner of the building, which makes for a perfect summer terrace in the historic centre.

The curved ceiling brings to mind a cellar, but one decked out in deluxe stone, leather, and dark polished wood. The neutral colours bely the colourful bartenders proclaimed on the wording around the Spin sign, “personality bartenders & crispy atmosphere”.

The cocktail menu is a passport to flavours from all over the world. Each drink is inspired by the tastes and experiences the team has gathered during their travels, resulting in a liquid journey around the globe. If you can’t decide which drink to choose, our SPIN boardgame will help you decide.

Go to SPIN Bar for a cozy family-like experience. The game especially helps you connect with other guests, the staff, and adds a unique layer of fun.

Old Fashioned Bar

The Old Fashioned Bar - as named - recalls the elegance of bygone days. A nostalgic playlist, whether motown or Frank Sinatra, sets the mood for the historic atmosphere. The dusky scent of cedar and sandalwood complete the intake of the senses.

The interior is inspired by the British gentlemen’s club, modern Art Deco, and industrial accents reminiscent of speakeasies. Rich red velvet curtains, crystal lighting, and exposed ceiling all add to the ambiance.

The cocktail menu consists of two parts. The first, Old Fashioned Style Cocktails, offers their own twists on classic cocktails. The second, Old Fashioned Signature Cocktails, presents unique drinks combining elegance with unconventional ingredients. Gin lovers take note: the bar has over 200 types of gin.

Go to Old Fashioned Bar when you are feeling nostalgic, or when you want to sink into an elegant atmosphere with all your senses.

Bratislava Cocktail Bar Tour