- 1. The Owl Cocktail House – A true “hidden gem” for mixology enthusiasts, The Owl presents itself as an intimate retreat where craft cocktails are the star of the evening. The bar is set up in a hidden space and emphasizes personalized experiences: there is no classic printed menu, and bartenders talk to customers about preferences and create drinks on the spot, tailored to each. The atmosphere is sophisticated, with chill music and carefully dosed light games, and the cocktail presentation is part of the show. Price range: cocktails between 45 and 60 lei. A cocktail often mentioned in reviews is a Reinterpreted Old Fashioned, described as “perfectly balanced with an unexpected twist, probably the best in town”.
- 2. The PUB (with secret entrance) – Under the seemingly banal name hides a speakeasy pub with a hidden entrance, in a central area of Bucharest. Once the secret door is discovered, you step into a space with the air of an elegant cellar, exposed brick, solid wood and vintage objects. The PUB combines the spirit of the British pub with the sophistication of modern cocktails and frequently organizes theme nights inspired by the 1920s. Price range: cocktails between 35 and 50 lei, craft beers 25–30 lei. An oft-praised cocktail is the Classic Negroni, which customers say is ‘impeccably executed, just like a top bar in London’.
- 3. Fix Me a Drink – Discreetly located in Palatul Universul, Fix Me a Drink is an internationally recognized cocktail bar for its botanical and creative approach. The unassuming entrance contrasts sharply with the airy, minimalist and plant-filled interior, where the focus is on local and Eastern European ingredients. The menu is seasonal and changes frequently, reflecting the bar’s philosophy of working with its own infusions and syrups. Price range: cocktails between 45 and 65 lei. A highly appreciated example is the buckthorn and gin cocktail, described in reviews as “unique, extremely fresh and impossible to find anywhere else in Bucharest”.
- 4. Oficiul 1 – The first speakeasy in Bucharest, Oficiul 1 operates in a space that evokes the bureaucratic atmosphere of a post office from other times, reinterpreted in an urban and sophisticated key. The entrance is intentionally sober and easy to overlook, and the interior surprises with minimalist elegance, low lighting and an air of intimacy that favors long conversations. The bar is known for well-executed, no-frills cocktails with an emphasis on balance and technique. Price range: cocktails between 40 and 55 lei. A frequently praised cocktail is the House Gin & Tonic, described by customers as “remarkably clean and precise, with a subtle twist that sets it apart from any other G&T in town”.
- 5. Sous Sol – A true underground bar, Sous Sol operates in a discreet basement in the city center and is appreciated for its intimate atmosphere and lack of unnecessary artifice. The industrial decor, low lighting and carefully chosen music create an ideal space for conversations and well-made cocktails. The menu focuses on clean reinterpretations of the classics, without striking visually, but with a lot of emphasis on quality. Price range: cocktails between 40 and 55 lei. A cocktail frequently mentioned in reviews is the House Martini, hailed as “extremely precise, elegant and just right for a bar that respects the drink”.
This article is an English translation and adaptation of the original Romanian article on Lista Scurtă. Read the Romanian version.
