1. Bacchus Jazz Bar, Zagreb, by Krunoslav Koprivnjak
Less than 100m from the central train station, this bar offers food and drink for both body and soul. A former notorious hot spot and gay meeting point, Bacchus reopened its doors in 2008, with a new concept. Everything here is about details: antique typewriters, gramophones, radios, television sets, model cars and even a shark gnawing on a disco ball. The counter is an old bookshelf stuffed with books for you to flick through. The bar is rather small, with just eight or so tables, which adds to the appeal. But if the weather is nice, you can sit out in the courtyard garden. There's live jazz from Wednesdays-Saturdays (see website for details). Besides wines, they offer a great list of cocktails and rakija made with herbs, berries, sour cherries, honey, pear, myrtle, and even nettle.
• Original article. Trg Kralja Tomislava 16, Lower town, +38514922218, bacchusjazzbar.net. Open 10am-midnight daily
2. Modern Retro Vintage Store, Stockholm, by Natalia Urbanska
You feel a little like Alice in Wonderland when you walk down the narrow hall with walls covered with magazines, furniture and old dolls, and end up in a room stuffed with wonderful new and second-hand things from the 1940s to the 1970s. There's shoes, jackets, bags, records, jewellery, colourful plastic kitchenware, hats, lots of nice dresses, shirts, lamps, belts and so on. I personally love the chaotic feel to it and hope it will always remain like this with boxes just laying there, full of undiscovered stuff …
• Original article. Wollmar Yxkullsgata 9, Södermalm, +4686407292, modernretro.net. Open Mon - Fri 12pm-6pm, Sat 12pm-4pm
3. The Electricitat, Barcelona, by Sonia Martinez Arguello
Located in the old fishermen's neighbourhood of la Barceloneta, this is the best place to go for vermouth on weekends. More than a century old, it's not sophisticated at all, with wooden tables and wine barrels all around the walls. The waiters are friendly and the atmosphere is noisy and young. The appetisers are also very good. I'd advise you to have a variety of seafood with a bottle of vermouth. The best place to go after here? Straight to the beach…
• Original article. Calle Sant Carles 15, Barceloneta +34932215017. Tue - Fri 07:00 - 15:00 & 18:00 - 22:00 Sat 07:00 - 15:30 & 19:00 - 23:00, Sun 07:00 – 16:00
4. Strandbar Hermann, Vienna, by Alicja Swierczek
Take your shoes off when you come to Strandbar Hermann, or you'll ruin them. Sand, canvas chairs and sunbathers are everywhere at this city centre beach on the on the river Donaukanal. There's a bar, as the name suggests, and some food stalls. This is the place to be in the summer, so expect crowds of young, well-dressed men and women after work as well as students. In the evenings, there are often DJs.
• Original article. Uraniastraße 1, Old city/centre. Open from 15 April-29 September.
5. Il Gallo Nero, Antwerp, by Niko Caignie
Not known by many, this is a real treasure. Il Gallo Nero is an Italian restaurant owned by a Belgian-Italian couple. He's Milanese and serves, she's Belgian and cooks. It's honest and excellent quality food. Some nice paintings and some traditional Italian kitsch complete the décor, with carefully selected music by Italian crooners.
• Original article. Grote Pieter Potstraat 36, Meir. +3232311960. Open Thu-Tues evenings (reservation necessary)
