By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Nightlife Editor
From jetsetters to jet laggers, big bucks celebrities to backpackers, they all come to Hvar, Croatia, to party in the summertime.
And they do it in these bars. This is a guide on where to party daytime and nighttime, the best and most happening bars on Hvar, an island a one-hour ferry ride (or yacht trip, depending on one’s income) from the city of Split.
The cool thing about partying on Hvar is that it’s pretty simple. There are not a lot of bars and they are steps from one another so mostly it’s just pointing you in the right direction. You can’t go wrong.
For general information on Hvar, including where to stay and other important need-to-know information, read this boots-on-the-ground guide to Hvar.
The Daytime Party Bars On Hvar
There are two main party places for daytime partiers – Las Vegas likes to call this “daylife“ – on Hvar. By far the most popular is Carp Diem Beach Bar. It’s on its own island, which in itself is pretty cool. If you don’t have a yacht or boat to take you there, you grab a water taxi in front of Mlinar bakery. The round-trip price is 10€ and it leaves every 20 minutes with a return at the top of each hour (if you’re from America, be sure and set your smartphone to 24-hour time!).
Carp Diem Beach Bar is where the jet setters and celebrities go in August and starting in July it rages at night and well into the morning. Until 5 a.m., in fact. The action takes place next to beautiful lounge. At night, the water taxis leave from in front of the Carp Diem bar on Hvar (where the ferries dock during the day) from Midnight until 5 a.m., arriving every 20 minutes at the club. The water taxi price includes entrance fee for the nightclub.
If you want to stay on land the whole time during the day, Hula-Hula is a 10- 15-minute walk to the right of Hvar harbor along a beautiful walk path. It’s great afternoon bar where you can leap into the deep water between cocktails. Another cool spot on the scenic walkway is the also-beautiful Beach Club Hvar. If you want to peel off the beaten party path for a cold brew, Vunetovo Craft Beer has locally-made beers.
Late afternoons, when the daytime people make their way back to Hvar from Carp Diem Beach Bar and Hula-Hula, they pack a small fishing harbor just beyond the point past where the ferries dock. There’s a small, rocky beach (Beach Kriza) and a couple of restaurant/bars, including Hvar Brewing Company, which brews Croatian craft beers. Tho it is interesting to note that it is run by people from Argentina.
Hvar Bars & Nightlife After Dark
As I have already covered Carp Diem Beach Bar as a hotspot to party at night (and beyond), this section focuses on where to party on Hvar. The main bar is in an alley halfway around the port, a series of three small bars called Kiva Bar. People go in and out of them and drink and socialize in the alley. Note that these places are small and it gets very crowded (tip: arrive by 11 p.m., to claim a spot). One of the bars has a small dance bar.
Just aound the corner, up the stairs just to the right is Lola Bar. This is a PubClub.com favorite; it, too, is in an alley and the vibe of the place is just plan fun. The music is awesome, the vibe is rocking and the bartenders are as lively as the patrons. It was at Lola Bar that I found nightlife heaven in Hvar.
There are also bars along the waterfront. Seven is midway around the harbor and just around the corner from Kiva bars. There’s another spot and next to it tho I never got the same of it, so I just called it the “Coca Cola bar” because it has big yellow umbrellas with the soft drink logo on them. Seven has a dance floor while the Coca Cola bar is a hangout outside place to have some beers and drinks.
On the more upscale side, there is the land-based Carp Diem (there’s a penguin out front dressed as a maitre d holding a bottle of champagne on a tray and next to it is Don Quijote. Both have large balconies looking over the harbor.
Hvar Is Not Cashless
Be prepared to go “old school” on Hvar when it comes to spending money. You’ll use your ATM card at least as much as your credit card. That’s because many places don’t take credit cards (Carp Diem Beach Bar does, tho) due to a weak and inconsistent WiFi signal. You see, there is only one underground WiFi cable and it’s spotty enough during the off season so during July and August it’s often overloaded.
At the very least, you may have to wait to post social media photos and videos.
There are ATM machines all over the place by the Hvar harbor so getting cash is not a problem (Croatia is on the Euro, by the way). Just avoid the yellow ones, for they are like the ATMs in convenience stores in the States and chaarge a higher rate. Use one from a bank.
Be Sure You Get On The Right Ferry From Split To Hvar
Getting on the correct ferry to Hvar can be confusing. Trust me, I was there and was one of the confused. There are several different companies operating ferries from Split to Hvar and many of them leave around the same time. When you buy your ticket at the booth by the dock, ask which boat is it, the company and also the color of the boat.
It is also important to state you want to go to Hvar Town. Another ferry goes to another town on the island 20 minutes away and while there is bus service between the two places, you don’t want to waste valuable party time getting Hvar Town. Plus, you may meet someone on the ferry (hey it happens!).
When Is The Best Time For Bars, Nightlife & The Hvar Party Scene?
As anywhere in these Mediterranean islands, the high party time is July and August. Things are a bit slow in May but start to heat up the end of the month with the beginning of Croatia Yacht Week. The first two weeks of September are still busy and it eases back on the throttle each successive week.
Blame It On Hugo
Hugo is a big wind that occasionally sweeps over Hvar. It brings with it bad luck and bad karma – locals swear it’s true – so whenever anything negative happens they all say “blame it on Hugo.” It could be something as simple as you knocking over a table of drinks. If that or anything else like it happens, simply look at your server and say “blame it on Hugo!” He or she will laugh.
You also now know what locals mean when they say the phrase. Just laugh with them.