The greenest summer bars in Bucharest
In Bucharest you can find plenty of bars, pubs, rooftop bars and restaurants, but on a summer day, what I love the most is a (hidden) garden where I can relax, have a refreshing drink and enjoy great music.
Here are my top choices of the greenest summer bars in the city:
Sera Eden
Located on 37 C. A. Rosetti street, the large green place is almost hidden behind the fence that doesn’t say too much about what you’ll find once you walk in. If you don’t pay too much attention, you can pass by and actually miss it.
Sera Eden is in the courtyard of a mansion, which formerly belonged to the Brătianu family, and its neighbours are the Vietnamese embassy on one side and the Hungarian embassy on the other.
As its name states (Paradise greenhouse), it looks like a greenhouse, with a glass ceiling, inside of a big garden.
Sera Eden has different bars for alcohol and smoothies plus a different one for food. The food menu is not too vast but you have quite a few options to choose from. They don’t offer table service but they will bring you the food at your table once it’s ready.
The place is typically open from noon till 10 PM.
Expirat Halele Carol
This is a place I choose anytime I want good music and friendly faces. It’s situated next to Carol Park and the nature continues inside the terrace as an extension of the park itself.
As they say, Expirat functions as a bar, club, indoor concert and event venue and terrace, while being the place that keeps you connected to the underground culture.
Because they hold different parties, concerts and events, check their schedule before heading there, to enjoy an evening of good music. Also, during the weekend, it’s party time, as the building serves as a club. You can spend time outside or inside, as you feel inspired to do.
They also serve food, with options such as pizza or warps.
The exact address is 1 Constantin Istrati street, so you can find it easily. Expirat is typically open from 7 or 8 PM until 2 AM or 6 AM during the weekend.
Cafe Verona
Another beautiful garden, right in the heart of Bucharest is Cafe Verona, on 13-15 Arthur Verona street. Located behind the Cărturești bookstore, it’s a great way to combine a book search with a refreshing lemonade.
The place has been there since 2009 and offers around 400 seats in a green environment. The food menu is quite diverse and offers plenty of options for vegetarians too, including breakfast and lunch.
Cafe Verona is open from 10 AM till 10 PM.
Grădina Floreasca
This lovely garden is located in the Northern side of Bucharest (16 Mircea Eliade Bd.), compared to the previous options that are mostly in the city centre.
Surrounded by trees, this place offers a swimming pool that definitely catches your eye once you walk in. They also have live music sessions, so you can enjoy your drink accompanied by sweet sounds.
They are open during the morning too (10 AM – 12 AM), so you can also have your breakfast if you are in the area.
Biutiful by the lake
This option is not the greenest but it’s the only one that made my list that is by the lake.
Located in the Northern part of Bucharest (7-9 Nordului Street), Biutiful by the lake is on the banks of Herastrau Lake. It is open only during summer and, as they state, “it brings together the best of two worlds, as the seaside feeling of the lake shore meets the hot, crowded city life”.
Their manu is especially created for the summer time and to make you feel like you are at the seaside, on your holiday.
Biutiful by the lake is open from 12 PM to 2 AM.
Options by Dâmbovița river
Though this is not exactly one bar, I think it’s worth trying one of the bars by the river in the city centre. Especially during the evening, when the lights are on, the traffic is slow and the weather is great, a cocktail with new or old acquaintances can be the perfect activity for a hot summer evening.
So, if you find yourself in Romania, most probably you are going to check out Bucharest and what the city has to offer, even if not during summer.
Note that some of these places are open all year round and that spring and autumn can be just as amazing, when nature just starts blooming or when the leaves become yellow, orange and red. Also, don’t exclude winter, when a white carpet of snow while drinking a hot mulled wine can be an idyllic experience.
