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What's on in Sofia?

Clubbing

Clubbing culture in Bulgaria started for real in the late 90's. The combined experience of both the emerging promoters and the clubbers themselves transformed clubbing into something very different from a pre 90's, ordinary night out. During most of the year Sofia is definitely the place to be but in the summer (July to mid-September) night life moves to the Black Sea coast, most notably in the areas of Nessebur/Sunny beach and Varna/Golden Sands.

Bulgaria offers a wide range of clubs - from up-market spots with a slightly noir reputation, through smaller and cosier places frequented by discerning friends, to real underground locations, unmarked on the city map but often boasting the best music.

With a bit of luck you can find everything on the music style spectrum - house and easy-listening lounge, decent pop, rock-bands with their own street-cred, intriguing cover-versions and original productions. There's even the occasional extreme IDM or ambient electronic experiment. Bulgaria also has a massive hip-hop scene with MC's and rappers using Bulgarian rather than English verse, and the typically Balkan, expensively crafted, luscious 'chalga' or 'pop-folk'.

At least once a month, there are mass events with popular world-class DJ's and musicians, usually held in large stadiums or in the open.