Are My Top 12 Bansko Bars And Restaurants Yours Too?

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Fancy Italian Restaurant next to the Kempinski

I recently reviewed some Bansko bars and restaurants which had music events that I had particularly enjoyed so far this season. Bars such as The Happy End, JJ Murphy’s first birthday party and the resident musician, “The Lizard” at Harry’s bar, have all shown what live music can bring to Bansko’s apres ski.Â So what about all those mehanas, bars and takeaways that make the diverse choice that Bansko’s apres ski scene? Read on for my top 14 to see if they are yours too.

I used my facebook and twitter this morning to guage some other’s opinion. But this list is mine and is influenced, or compromised, by something that makes me prefer a bowl of gruel than suffering the “smokefest whilst you eat” experience. And whilst I’m in rant mode… I really can’t stomach some local folk band blasting out some awful loud noise. Eventually I relent;Â pay them off whilst saying “no thank you, please move away”. Ok, I’m on a roll now…I never return to a place that serves up that special brew of unsmiling, unhelpful attitude garnished with a fair dose of grumpiness.

I avoid anywhere with a tout. Touts in Bansko it makes me feel as if I’ve arrived in a tacky seaside resort — or Borovets. No thanks.

1.Â Â Â Peshterite (“The Caves”): Best kebabche and chips I’ve ever had in Bulgaria. Usually a tasty bob (bean soup), omelettes, salads, grills etc. All at a price I’m not allowed to mention. Smoky inside. wonderful outside in the sunshine. Located by second bridge on ski road. Toilets are to be avoided.

2.Â Â Victoria Restaurant: Since my review when it first opened, Victoria still delivers. The Pepperoni pizza still hits the spot. Ask for the chili oil and for real mozzarella cheese. All dishes good. House wine is Telish and makes for a smart choice. Usually a no smoking section — that actually works. But not always. .Generally very good service. Opposite the Kempinski.

3.Â Â The Happy End: Okay it’s huge, but for live bands from the likes of Coco Mania, Awake, Ani Lozanova, “the Girl Band” interspersed with a respectable DJ in the distinctive form of “spike” and some dancing girls to distract it’s deservedly popular with all on Friday and Saturday nights. Can get smoky. Food not so good. Drinks (Tubourg draft) pricey. Service much improved this year. Convenient opposite the gondola lift.

JJ Murphy's, Bansko (near Lion Hotel)

4.Â Â Harry’s Bar: Friendly upscale, usually not too smoky. Pizzas are good. Service with a smile here. Excellent cocktails. Not a budget destination. Music from “The Lizard” is always a joy. Turn right by Friendly bar.

5.Â Â JJ Murphy’s: New managers finding their feet and offering a warm welcome. A good pint of Guinness. Beer, currently Shumensko on draught, at 2.50 lv for 500 ml. The ribs and potato wedges were very tasty on my last visit. A nice place for children and parents to go for early dining. Large no smoking area makes this a top no smokers destination. Located close to the Lion Hotel.

6.Â Â The Irish Bar: Visit for friendly service from English and Bulgarian bar staff. Fair beer prices.

7.Â Â Â The Lion Bar: This only sneaks into my list as it is so convenient. Great for Sky football Generally too smoky for me

8.Â Â Â Fancy: Italian and Pizza restaurant just up from Kempinski. Friendly service. Avoid the Thai spring rolls. Generally not too busy, so not too much of a smokefest

9.Â Â Â Todeva House: a mehana and a firm favourite. See Karen’s Todeva House review. I have not been this year, but others say it still delivers value and quality.

10.Â Dedo Pene: a family owned and run mehana by the Church square. Serves Stolishno and a solid traditional Bansko fare. Nice for lunch for less smoking.

The Goat, Not In My Top 12: But quite acceptable

11.Â The Avalon Hotel: every Thursday in ski season is curry night. Booking essential for James and Vania’s popular and completely smoke free curry nights. They set the no smoking standard.

10. Motikita: a popular mehana with superb starters, cabbage salad, peppers, salads all good. Respectable house wine, but a fabulous selection of top Bulgarian wines. Too much smoke at times. 200 m up from Kempinski in left in woods.

11. Karaoke Bar: Go with an open mind. Can be a lot of fun. A charitable crowd actually clapped at my appalling karaoke performance. Just watch George — the hardest working male Bulgarian I’ve seen in a bar. He can sing, operate the till and pour beer — all at the same time.

12. The Banitsa Takeaway: Not a restaurant but had to add this as the best banitsa award goes to the little takeaway just behind the theatre. A fun place to hang out for five or so minutes. People watching local life, whilst munching on homemade 1 lv (1 EUR) banitsa. The best that you will find within 50km kilometres of Bansko?

Other Receommendations:

B4Bar:Â nice music in upscale surrounds
Brilliantines: Retro and young. Always enjoyed this one…. I think. Don’t mess with the bouncers
Diamonds Pub:Â must try again soon
Bash Bar:Â a younger instructor crowd. Loud music, fair prices
London Pub: Pretty bar staff
Nai Klub: Flourimont. An upscale Chalga franchise (well nothing that wrong with that). Nice sound system. Best be a mutro.
Oxygen: There wasn’t any. Chico the DJ spins those tunes like pro. Huge loyal following and loved by many.
Basecamp: Those that know it, love it
Club Leglo: “Club Bed” in translation. Probably best if you are young and from Bansko
Graphite: Nice enough music bar in town square
Party Place: Have tried and can’t remember
Payner Club: For the full chalga experience. Go when a topb act like Preslava, Anelia, Kamelia etc are playing. Drink a lot.
Spirit Club: Lucky Bansko’s piano bar and disco. Nice music. Book for Monday “staff night”.
My Way: Perun Lodge, A piano bar – all good.
Sing Sing: Kempinski. Excellent piano bar (usually closed Monday and Tuesday)

Tip Of The Day

Date for the diary. 17th March is St Patrick’s night. So JJ Murphy’s, being an Irish bar is a good option. The Irish folk music band booked for this special evening will be well worth seeing — it’s the same band that I saw play in Sofia’s JJ Murphy’s in January and there was a memorable good atmosphere.

Your Best Bars and Restaurants

Would any of my top places features in your own list of Bansko apres ski restaurants and bars? Which ones should I try that I’ve missed out. I hear the Mexican is good near the Strazhite. please let me know what you think.

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Bansko Bars And Restaurants: A Musical Theme Share I’ve been taking in several Bansko bars and restaurants...

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Tagged as: Bansko, bars, blogsherpa, bulgaira, Fancy, happy end, Harry's Bar, JJ Murphys, peshterite, restaurants, victoria

{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

tracey %A %B %e%q, %Y at %I:%M %p

Hi,
We have thoroughly enjoyed meals at The Steakhouse attached to the Hotel Lazur further down from the Lion Bar on the same side as the bank. Food is very nice with good portions,excellent friendly service and not smoky! Prices have gone up a little on last year but still well worth a visit.
Tracey

LanceNelson %A %B %e%q, %Y at %I:%M %p: Hi Tracy,

Thanks for this recommendation. Sounds perfect… has anyone else tried this one? A decent steak can be just what's needed after a day on the snow.

Liz Wilkinson %A %B %e%q, %Y at %I:%M %p

Hi Lance,
We returned to Bansko for the third year at half term. I have to say that, this year, even I will admit that things are much improved from the food perspective, we didn,t have a bad meal.The Victoria was forever booked up, so wasn't able to eat there this year. We loved Fancy restaurant in the basement of the Sport hotel just above Kempinski. It has loads of good pizzas, but also a wealth of other interesting European food, all of which was excellent. And 5 stars for the lovely Smiling!!?? ……..( yes that's right they were ALL smiling) waitresses with their spattering of English. See you next year Liz

LanceNelson %A %B %e%q, %Y at %I:%M %p: Hi Liz,

Thanks for your review. The growth of smiling and helpful service is one I agree with you completely. They are starting to learn how to serve well. Anywhere else you particularly liked?
See you in Bansko next time,
Lance

liberatedstocktrader %A %B %e%q, %Y at %I:%M %p

I was skiing in bansko last week and our favorite bars were Harry's Bar, fantastic music, and happy end was also lots of fun.
Barry

LanceNelson %A %B %e%q, %Y at %I:%M %p: Hi Barry,

many thanks for your view. As both Harry's bar and The Happy End are in my personal top 12 bars/restaurants then… I agree. Although Happy End best Friday and Saturday nights.

I must also add that last night, at The Irish Pub, they served me and excellent pizza. Nice atmosphere too and popular with the British and Irish (of course).

by the way Bulgarian food is really good, you have to eat local

Barry

barry sinfield %A %B %e%q, %Y at %I:%M %p

Hi Lance, just read your artical on ski mania. I have used this hire shop since my first visit to bansko 5 years ago and must say george and all his staff have been excellant. Although i have my own equipment i always hire for my daughters and various friends and have always had excellant service at a geat price. He has also always been willing to help with any problems.
cheers Barry