SoSofia.com

The first-person guide to Sofia, Bulgaria
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    December 10th, 2009radaBars & Cafes

    twins

    When I gеt inspiration I am always like this – Twins bar is on the other side of Funkiss club which on its side has been keeping a low profile for some time now. It’s like I haven’t heard about any activities going on there. Too bad, we would agree.

    Twins bar, however, is at its height. It made me impression that unusual events are being organized like, for example, on that last Tuesday night there was a band playing and singing live a strange mixture of folk songs and drum and bass rhythms. They even had didgeridoo as an exotic ingredient. And you should have seen the crowd – most of them were whistling, jumping and dancing some kind of horo which made the whole setting totally awkward. Still, people enjoy it and did what they felt like doing while I played billiards with almost professional gestures.

    Find the bar on one of the sides of the National Palace of Culture (NDK), on the other side of Funkiss Club. There might be some admission fee at the entrance which is by any means affordable.

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    August 18th, 2009radaBars & Cafes

    4roomz

    4 Rooms Bar is a cosy place with 4 rooms but not quite. In the past these were basements. Now, thanks to the construction workers, we have a bar. At first it is not quite obvious where are those rooms, but maybe I accept things too literary.

    Inside the walls are painted red on some sides, on others there are red wallpapers with white flower motifs or was it vice versa? In addition to all this, numerous framed pictures and posters grab the attention of the visitors so that they find it hard to reach the bartender. There are so many to look at. When you finally make it to the bar, they are just about to close it but the friendly staff would make an exception. Only this time, saying – no more pictures for you!

    Well, next time you should concentrate on the football table or on the old-school classic arcade!

    The website hasn’t been updated for a long time which makes me wonder – they have much more activities than the site says so. Like for example, an acquaintance of mine organizes every Thursday night a ska party. Furthermore, a whole program for the week(ends) is scheduled.  And from the website I understand that this place has something to do with Teatroto.

    4 Rooms Bar is on 14 Nerazdelni str.

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    July 8th, 2009radaClubs

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    What I like about Yalta club is that its design allows movement. Of course, movement when it is not crammed which happens often but this is because of the DJs. They are the main reason for lack of space. Otherwise, one can freely move up and down, out and in as the club is on two floors and has a garden in the front. So, this movement may be a result of your mood. If you feel like chilling out, then you would prefer the second floor which is equipped with huge stools, almost like beds. From there a beautiful view opens, allowing you to secretly watch what’s going on outside and inside. However, my observations show that people rarely relax. When seen from above, they are a colourful and lively unity that changes its form all the time – hands wave, heads nod, legs strech in a wild dance which ends with the dawn.

    The garden has different appearance during the day. Apart that the designer chairs are more visible, it does not hints for wild people dancing. Instead it imprints calmness and timelessness which is not affected by the dynamics of the busy work hours. So cool.

    Check Yalta’s event list on http://www.yaltaclub.com/

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    June 17th, 2009radaBars & Cafes, Restaurants

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    I have been observing the transformation of this place for some time. When it became clear that it would be a coffee and/or eating place, I was not even thrilled.

    However, I was wrong not to show any curiosity because Park Bar & Restaurant opened doors (and windows) with a full determination to be outstanding and noteworthy. I have always been impressed when conventional elements are displayed in an unusual perspective that makes you contemplate on how this is achieved. For example, we see the pattern called hounds tooth decorating some of the walls in dark purple and green, making different animal shapes, while the furniture is a variant of artistic creation and interior design which is adapted to the needs of contemporary living – comfortable, clear-cut and stylish. I like the idea of sitting on the rims on the windows – there are numerous pillows for that aim.

    The coffee is strong and has many variants, the fresh juices are as fresh as they can be but I have not tried the food yet.

    The place is on its way to becoming kinda my personal favorite.

    The address is 30 Shipka str., right before the Russian Cultural and Science Center if you come from Sofia University.

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    May 28th, 2009radaBars & Cafes

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    The concept of Bio Cafe inevitably distinguishes it from the rest of the cafes, firstly with the fact that all products offered (except for the alcohol)  are organic, nature friendly and not easy to find. Secondly, smoking is forbidden inside which is a bold decision indeed, however it’s high time we start thinking in this direction.

    In a small cafe like this, lots of things can be done like checking your e-mail because of the wi-fi, reading magazines that reveal the latest innovations in the environmental area, enjoying a cup of tea, served with imagination and tracing the passing trams through the window. Their last or first stop appears to be there, so they do a kind of circle in order to change the direction.

    Spending time in Bio Cafe has an revitalizing effect maybe because of the rustic interior, the smoothing music or maybe we needed a place like this long ago. Moreover, it is attached right next to a Bio Shop and now the picture gets completed. Everything that you need for your organic meal could be found there.

    Bio Cafe is on Zhurnalist square (Journalist square), right next to Bio Shop.

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    March 26th, 2009radaClubs

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    Apart from all the equipment an entertaining place has, Funkiss club owns a table soccer and bathrooms that are almost 1/4 the size of the main room – qualities that are distinctive and not easy to find in Sofia. The space inside is smartly organized so that one can move freely around and enjoy the beautiful view that is revealed from there. Funkiss is situated higher than normal since you have to climb a good deal of stairs but the effort is worthwile because you both warm up for the party and prepare to meet nice people. Nice clubs are visited by nice people, after all.

    The quality of the sound is good, the lights are fine, there is a visual wall as well, however, the thing that could be improved is the interior. It is not bad, it is just that it is not memorable. When I try to think of details, I cannot recollect anything or maybe the problem with the memorization lies within me.

    I have to go and check again.

    Funkiss club is at the building of the National Palace of Culture (N.D.K.), from the side more close to the Lovers’ bridge.

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    March 26th, 2009radaevents

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    An interesting jazz event is about to happen tonight at Tri Ushi Club. I crave for such initiatives so much and when an event of this kind is approaching, I get very excited, curious and determined not to miss it.

    The organizers, still unknown to me up to this moment, promise to start with the music of an Austrian trio called Triosk. Their style is electronically oriented which sounds good and only leaves me to expect more.

    Tri Ushi club is on 3 Tri Ushi Street, funny enough not to forget it but I will explain some other time. Still, the club is almost next to O.Ч.З.

    I have taken the beautiful poster made for the event from the organizers’ blog without permission, so I hope I won’t be sued and sent in jail.

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    March 3rd, 2009radaBars & Cafes, Restaurants

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    This restaurant or maybe pub or maybe neither of these two, but still having features of an eating-place, is different than the spots we usually visit. Fashion and pretence are epithets that don’t fit at all and if you seek a spacious and modern atmosphere, you won’t find it there.

    Instead you’ll discover a confined and intimate setting – with a fireplace, an old piano, or a wall decorated with strange old ski. Not to forget those paintings of prominent Bulgarian intellectuals… they all probably eat there. There is a kind of bohemian air inside, at least you get some from the paintings – they give you a sense that you are eating in a place that is not an ordinary one. Until the waitress comes and brings you back to reality, urging you in an irritated manner to order as fast as possible, without asking questions, if possible.

    My advice is to be patient and to disregard such details because the quality of the food is good. And the menu is different every day. The biggest disadvantage, however, is that there is no menu in English, so you have to bring a translator or hope that you will be understood. Good luck with the latter.

    Lunch for two with wine would be 20 or 25 Leva (approximately 13 Euro). There is a garden which functions only when it is warm.

    Sam si Doidoh is on 73 Tzar Samuil Str, near Faith Club, but finding it might be tricky since there is no clear sign but a writing on the wall made with chalk.

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    February 17th, 2009radaRestaurants

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    The qualities of this place are beyond doubt.

    Starting from the simple fact that the way the beer is served is actually done by you. You pour it in the glass, you decide how much you want and how much to drink. Meanwhile, the whole process happens while you sit it your chair and have a nice chat. At the end of every table there is a spout and a little counter that points out the quantity you have drunk. Impressive, isn’t it? And the beer is made there! In fact you see the whole machinery at the very entrance of the pub – two big copper containers that produce live beer which generally refers to the presence of noble yeasts left over from the brewing process, if I am not wrong.

    During the weekends, bands come to perform live, turning the calm atmosphere into a lively party.

    The rest is an exemplary menu with exhaustive list of beverages and a stimulating setting. The waiters, however, were somehow aloof.

    A dinner for two would about 40 Leva (20 Euro). The parking during the night won’t be a big problem, however during the day, there would be hardly any chance.

    Ale House is on 42 Hristo Belchev str, between Slaveykov square and Vitosha blvd.

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    December 15th, 2008raddiBars & Cafes

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      The Sziget Bar aims to be like a small oasis in the center of Sofia, where one could find nearly every necessary liquid needed to charge up and go on with the rest of the night. Its name comes from the word for “island” in Hungarian and the precise place to find it at is at 4 Alabin Street, Macedonia square. From what I found out, the owners of the bar used to live in Hungary. And perhaps in order to fight nostalgic feelings, named the place so? The name evokes associations with the annual Sziget Festival but that’s another story.

      The bar consists of two parts – the downstairs and the upstairs. The latter is great if you would like to get together with a group of friends, since the space allows for a bigger company and would keep you isolated from the rest of the people in the bar. It brings a feeling of aloofness. The downstairs consists of several tables and a window bar with tall chairs. The menu offers a variety of drinks, hot and cold, plus cocktails. This winter’s specialty is the forralt bolt or spiced up warm wine (греяно вино), which costs 3 leva. For the inhaling fans, there’s a hookah that could be rented.  Overall, this bar is cozy, unpretentious and at a perfect location. I, personally, expected that the Hungarian name suggested it would ensemble more of the spirit of that region, but even as it is, it remains a pleasant destination.

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