Eat, drink, dance repeat: best Hostel bars in Europe
Everyone remembers that bangin’ hostel bar where epic party nights weren’t just a one off. We’re not talking about a game of beer pong and cheap Jäger shots in the basement. We’re talking hostels with rooftop bars overlooking the Sacré-Cœur, soundproofed nightclubs, delicious breakfast menus and Moroccan chill out zones. You don’t just want a place to crash. You want somewhere you can dance under a pig shaped disco ball and get a good night’s sleep fresh for the next day’s escapades around the city, right?! Here’s some of the best hostel bars in Europe…
Best hostel bars in Europe
- Swanky Mint, Zagreb, Croatia
- Circus Hostel, Berlin
- The Little Havana Hostel, Kraków
- Les Piaules, Paris
- Hostel Room, Rotterdam
- Koisi Hostel, San Sebastian
- City Circus, Athens
- YellowSquare, Rome
- Mosaic House, Prague
- Generator Paris
- Oasis Backpackers’ Place, Sevilla
- Balmers, Switzerland
- St Jordi Rock Palace, Barcelona
- Generator Venice
- Wombats City Hostel, Vienna.
- Generator London
1. Swanky Mint, Zagreb, Croatia
A former 19th Century textile factory in the middle of Zagreb’s Old Town, Swanky Mint has the cool factory vibe DOWN. Knock back your welcome shot of “Rijeka” and get comfortable as this hostel has two bars, three terraces, and a new pool. It’s also home to the daddy of all hostel breakfasts – think burek (traditional pastries), waffles, Nutella, fruit, croissants, and fresh coffee. Rest assured this hostel is indeed swanky and mint 24/7 with it winning the “Best Hostel in Croatia” award at this year’s Hoscars!
- Customer rating: 9.6
- Dorm beds from £11.52/night
- Private rooms from £27.66/night
2. Circus Hostel, Berlin
We don’t know many hostels that have their own in-house microbrewery, do you? Circus Hostel is where brewmaster Heiko produces one of the finest craft beers in the backpacking world. The vibey bar downstairs makes it hella easy to meet other travellers, and you have the U-Bahn station right outside should you want to take the party up a notch in the edgy Mitte neighborhood. Take it from one customer: “Personally I wouldn’t stay anywhere else.”
- Customer rating: 9.2
- Dorm beds from £13.50/night
- Private room from £61.12/night
3. The Little Havana Hostel, Kraków
Kraków + Havana Hostel = culture and hedonism rolled in to one. You’ll instantly feel the friendly Caribbean vibes with the colonial style décor, free welcome shot at check in (sponsored by Havana Club!) and there’s rum soaked fiestas every night in the bar. The 9.9 location rating means you’re just 100 meters away from the famous market square and 50 meters from Szewska, Krakow’s party street ?. Don’t forget to join the Kraków Crawl – we challenge you to try to keep up with the hard partying staff!
- Customer rating: 9.3
- Dorm beds from £8.98/night
- Private rooms from £51/night
4. Les Piaules, Paris
Les Piaules is located in Belleville, aka the “New York of Paris” and where the locals hang out. It’s just 10 minutes on a metro to the heart of Paris, and the rooftop overlooking the city is just blissful, especially when you’re doing your morning tree pose at a free yoga class! The cinematic-chic bar downstairs serves French speciality drinks, along with some tasty ass food e.g. salty tarts, meat platters and of course, the croque monsieur. Don’t forget to visit the retro photo booth with your new hostel mates for a cheeky souvenir from one of the best hostel bars in Europe!
- Customer rating: 8.9
- Dorm beds from £26.70/night
- Private rooms from £97/night
5. Hostel Room, Rotterdam
? Matt Greenwell
“Warm, welcoming and filled with heart and love” is how our customers describe Hostel Room. The living room bar has a scrumptious toastie menu and a fabulous selection of grandma-chic lampshades (can we take one home please?!) to die for. The daily happy hour and collection of Dutch board games make it a doss to meet other travellers. At night the bar transforms into a live music venue where you can lounge on the couches with a beer and enjoy the local talent. Feeling the community vibes at one of the best hostel bars in Europe!
- Customer rating: 8.9
- Dorm beds from £15.96/night
- Private rooms from £47.22/night
6. Koisi Hostel, San Sebastian
? @ms._navarro
The El Antiguo neighbourhood is all about Basque charm and sunset views. Koisi is a brand new, upscale hostel just 8 minutes from the Ondarreta beach, and has already smashed it with a 9.5 rating from our customers. You can fuel up at the hostel’s restaurant with the chef’s famous tortilla, or delve in to a homemade dinners and traditional pinxtos after sundown. The bar is open 7 days a week, and a daily happy hour on the rooftop is for *good vibes only*
- Customer rating: 9.5
- Dorms beds from £14.38/night
7. City Circus, Athens
? @minkaguides
If you’re fond of 19th century nostalgia, this Grecian beauty is your dream hostel. City Circus is a neoclassical mansion set against the backdrop of the gentrified Psirri neighbourhood. Insta fans might want to delete some phone space for the frescoed ceiling in the lounge, antique furniture and local art everywhere – inspired! It’s also perfect for the solo traveller wanting to meet other peeps with a happy hour organised every night PLUS a free glass of wine, a bar crawl on Saturdays and wine tastings on Fridays. The new restaurant Zampano (inspired by the main character of Federico Fellini’s masterpiece ‘La Strada,’ FYI) is already making a name on the gastronomy scene with a creative spin on traditional Greek cuisine.
- Customer rating: 9.5
- Dorms beds £15.92/night
- Private rooms from £51.36/night
8. YellowSquare, Rome
? lolaphotography.co.nz
“Loud is the new Black” is YellowSquare’s motto, and with a late-night hostel bar, partying ‘til 4am is the norm. Not only do you get a free drink when you follow them on Google+, the bar hosts live entertainment with local bands and DJs. The Arcade is transformed in to an airy café by day where you can dig in to their “rehab” breakfast, sip on Bloody Marys and chat with your mates about why the hell you have a fresh tattoo on your elbow?! *Cue flashback to the hostel’s tattoo parlour next door*
- Customer rating: 8.7
- Dorms beds from £12.87/night
- Private rooms from £82.44/night
9. Mosaic House, Prague
A music, design and eco hostel rolled in to one! One of the best hostel bars in Europe, The La Loca Music Bar & Lounge is where the party people are at, with everything from tango nights to upcoming bands playing on the stage. You can dance ‘til 3am then get a cosy night’s sleep in one of their snazzy rooms. There are 55 shared and 41 private rooms, all with ensuites with baths and a rain shower to dance in, and you can upgrade to their penthouse suite for a private garden and views of over the city. One house, 1000 memories, one love is all we need…
- Customer rating: 8.9
- Dorms beds from £8.77/night
- Private rooms from £55.52
10. Generator Paris
This sophisticat is basically Paris under one roof. Start your night with a cocktail at the magnifique roof terrace overlooking the Sacré-Cœur and Montmarte, then head down to the underground bar for some Parisian tunes. Mornings are spent with a fresh coffee in Café Fabien with its canteen and conservatory overlooking the garden, followed by a snooze in the Moroccan chill zone. If you’re in the mood for an upgrade, the premium rooms with private terraces and hammocks are worth splashing the cash for.
- Customer rating: 8.7
- Dorms beds from £21.84/night
- Private rooms from £114.03/night
11. Oasis Backpackers’ Place, Sevilla
Oasis is a lively hostel located in the city centre, just metres away from the epic Cathedral and Alcazar palace. Space is a thing here – think high ceilings, windows with golden light pouring in and air con for a sweet night’s sleep. The unbeatable atmosphere is all thanks to the friendly staff, common room, bar and the terrace where you can sink in to a mojito at sundown. As a customer says, “The only problem is that the hostel is so exciting, friendly and comfortable that you will be reluctant to leave it at all.” You have been warned!
- Customer rating: 9.1
- Dorm beds from £12.81/night
- Private rooms from £53.93/night
12. Balmers, Switzerland
Set amidst two glacial lakes and the Jungfrau mountain range, Balmers is a hostel for pushing your comfort zones. Skydive and canoe in the summer, and snowboard and ice-skate in the winter. Then hop in the Jacuzzi or visit the nightclub for happy hour to make those “what happens in Interlaken, stays in Interlaken” memories. If you fancy a night in, snuggle down in the games room and play chess by the fire or get a front seat at the all-you-can-eat fondue night.
- Customer rating: 8.3
- Dorm beds from £20.68/night
- Private rooms from £41.49/night
13. St Jordi Rock Palace, Barcelona
“Yeah, purple haze all in my eyes. Don’t know if it’s day or night. You’ve got me blowing, blowing my mind. Is it tomorrow or just the end of time?” – Jimi Hendrix
This cutting edge hostel is themed around rock icons, complete with a rooftop swimming pool, steam room and nightclub! Join The Beatles and Mick Jagger at St Jordi Rock Palace where they have “The Roxy” and “Tavern Club” bars in the basement. You’ll be boogying with your new travel mates and trying out the hostel’s epic guitar collection in no time! Don’t worry, sound proofed rooms are a thing here too 😉
- Customer rating: 9.4
- Dorm beds from £10.75/night
14. Generator Venice
Generator does it again! This opulent hostel is a converted grain house on the serene waterfront of Guidecca, and only a 5 minute ferry ride to St Marco Square. The hostel boasts a drawing room and an impressive lounge/common area, complete with a bar that hosts live music, DJ club nights and art collabs. Those Venetian mosaic floors, stone fireplaces, chandeliers – you might think you’re in the debaucherous renaissance era of Venice after a few signature cocktails! If you need help mapping out the hidden treasures and secret wine bars of Venice, just ask the staff at the 24 hour lobby for their invaluable local knowledge.
- Customer rating: 8.5
- Dorm beds from £34/night
15. Wombats City Hostel, Vienna
This award-winning hostel is right near the Mariahilfer Straße and only 50 metres away from the Westbahnhof railway station. “No age limit, no curfew, no lockout and no stupid rules” is the motto at Wombats, so the basement bar is the perfect place to start (and/or end!) your night out. Food is also served in their “sound-proof brick vaults” and there’s free pasta, tea, coffee, spices and more in the guest kitchen. Vienna, we’re coming to get ya!
- Customer rating: 8.8
- Dorm beds from £34/night
- Private rooms from £58.21
16. Generator, London
“London’s largest, liveliest and funkiest hostel” is cleverly concealed off a street in central Russel Square, just a ten minute walk away from King’s Cross and cocktail haven Soho. The roomy bar has a two hour happy hour – or G&T hour as we like to call it – from 5pm – 7pm, cosy booths, and a London Routemaster bus which transforms into a DJ booth after hours.
- Customer rating: 8.4
- Dorm beds from £15.30/night
- Private rooms from £104/night
All those free drinks, how will you cope?!
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