Sidro – The Last Fortress For The Restless Ones

Zagreb’s nightlife offers a variety of possibilities whether you’re looking for a fancy nightclub with sparkly drinks and latest music hits or more urban places with craft beer and indie tracks. If you want to dance your way through the weekend or discover local bands that are just making their way into show business, this city will surprise you with its palette of opportunities to have fun. Once you’ve wearied your body with jumping around and mingling on the dance floor, you just might want to call Uber and go to sleep. But if you’re a bit more adventurous and you can feel the adrenaline pumping through your veins, you’ll want to take it someplace else. You step outside and see that the dawn is already breaking, most clubs are closing and nearby parties have already died out so which direction leads to a place where you could quench your thirst for amusement? Well, I’m here to tell you there’s one last port for restless ones, those who refuse to call it a night; a place all locals know about, even if they’ve never been there – Sidro.

Image Credit: Love Zagreb, Paula Bracko

Sidro means an anchor and its name is fully deserved – it’s an asylum for obdurate party people ready for more fun, more new people, more dancing, more of everything while taking a sip of their favourite drink and overlooking a day breaking and Sun rising above the Sava river. Sidro is located right next to the tram turnstile at the Sava bridge. Some think of it as an obscure place on the edge of the city centre, but those who’ve been there have seen for themselves that it is a place with soul, place where you’ll meet the like-minded people, but also people who are so very unique and different from you and you’ll leave that place with a new friend.

A night to remember

I remember one night when some friends of mine and I were so exhausted because the bar we were at played amazing music and we danced so hard that we were completely worn out. Yet, we weren’t ready to go home just yet. As we savoured delightful food at fast food joint over at Sava’s embankment, someone recommended we proceed to Sidro and continue our night of fun and adventures. I’ve never been there up until that point, but everyone else loved the idea so I didn’t argue. My mind was intrigued by the fact there’s a place in this town still open at that hour because the first light of the day was already peeking above the river.

What surprised me the most was the first look at Sidro – it welcomed me as a small yellow boathouse with well-known music coming through its windows. Some people were standing outside, surrounding it in groups, enjoying their drinks and laughing at their private jokes. They greeted us, even though we’ve seen them for the first time. As we entered Sidro, I've realised surprises aren’t over just yet. This peculiar place was crowded and yet, no one complained about the noise or stir around them. The lights in the bar were muffled because they weren’t neon lights like in other clubs, but that pleased us because our eyes were weary at that point.

Image Credit: Love Zagreb, Paula Bracko

Rock music was blasting from the speakers and bartender gave us our drinks, asking where we were up until that point. After chitchatting with him, we joined the crowd and danced a bit more. Funny thing is, I’ve noticed that everyone around me was standing out in some way - hipsters, goths, punkers or any other members of a certain subcultural group were equally enjoying without questioning why anyone is here. Everyone is welcome, no matter what. Partying was what they had in common. And having that same thought in mind, they’ve welcomed new day in a small boathouse on the edge of the city.

Sidro is a proof you can make friends and create new memories in the most unusual places. Be sure to check it out for a unique experience and insightful view of nightlife in Zagreb.

Header Image Credit: Love Zagreb, Paula Bracko

Author: Paula Bracko