When you here the name "Kosovo," most people associate it with war and genocide. This assumption isn't far from the truth; however, Kosovo has come a long way despite trying to become an internationally recognized state on the world forefront. Its capital Pristina, or Prishtinë as the locals refer to it, is host to some interesting post-War monuments and a smaller version of the Skenderbeg statue (the one in Tirana, Albania is bigger), which is homage to the Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti, or "Skenderbeg." Pristina also has a number of cool, hip places to grab a drink or a coffee. Kosovo, in fact, is known for their amazing coffee. One of the famous Kosovar past times is to meet their friends for a coffee and chat, and may do so various times throughout the day. One seems to wonder how high the caffeine overdose rate is here.
One such café that is an absolute must-see is the "Ditën e Nat" café, which is located near the Mother Theresa statue in the city center. When entering the café, one can liken the decor and general atmosphere to some of the locally-owned, hipster cafés that are found in Santa Cruz, CA, Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR. The walls are lined with books, which give the place a chic, avant-garde ambience. When the weather is nice, you can enjoy your macchiato or Turkish coffee in the café's courtyard, which is in the rear of the establishment.
If you're into dance and electronica music, but you don't want to go to an overpriced club, you should check out the underground "M Club," or "Club M." This clandestine bar, which is run out of a house, has an affordable cover charge of around 2 to 3 euros, but can sometimes go up to 5 euros, if there is a guest DJ playing. M Club is located on the road to Gërmia Park. It is mostly popular among the local youth, but every so often you may hear English being spoken in the club by Pristina's small, young expat community. If you have trouble finding this location, just ask some of the young locals. Most of them have heard of this infamous spot.
If you aren't interested in wild parties and would like to enjoy a nice, craft cocktail, then I suggest going to "Soma Book Station." Soma is generally a bit more pricey than most other bars here in Prishtina and caters to an older crowd, it does however, offer a variety of amazing craft cocktails to choose from as well as a great beer selection. If you're curious about the name, "Soma Book Station," it comes from the fact that the bar/café is decorated with a large assortment of books adding to the intelligent flavor of the venue.
If you're looking to have a drink while listening to jazz music then I recommend "Hamam Jazz Bar." This place is a hidden gem that can easily be missed. It's located underground, giving it a speakeasy vibe, and its hard wooden floors, hand-woven lamps, and cave-like walls give it a sense of rustic authenticity. Prices are generally a bit more expensive than your average, hole-in-the-wall café, but the architectural peculiarities and festive aura will definitely insure you with a great time.
Next time you're itching for a European vacation, but want to save money, I suggest that you give Kosovo a shot. This destination is off the beaten path, but it has a lot to offer. Whether it's stunning mountains and/or beautiful mosques, Kosovo is a destination that you can't avoid.
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