Cluj Napoca

Hot on the heels of Bucharest, Cluj Napoca has seen a number of new breweries open their doors since 2015. As a result, an increasing number of bars and bottle shops stocking Romanian craft beer have shot up. Read on to discover where to find Romanian craft beer in Cluj Napoca, and check out the handy map for a bar or shop near you.

For an article with photos, please check this page – article is in Romanian though. 

Map

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Craft Breweries

Currently home to 4 microbreweries and 6 gypsy brewers, Cluj Napoca is slowly but surely becoming a thriving brewing centre in Romania.

  • Hophead Brewing: drop by the brewery to pick up bottles of beer fresh from the source. Have a chat with head brewer Darko, and discover the latest brews from this superb nano brewery. Tours can be arranged, but must be organised in advance.
  • Bere a la Cluj: now brewing in Cluj Napoca after producing in Hungary for a while, their beers can be found in numerous bars and restaurants throughout the city. In January 2019, they opened their doors to Blackout Brewing, followed by Propaganda Brewery in September, and Acan Brewing in January 2020.
  • Kutuma: brewing since November 2017, you can find their beers by the bottle and on tap in select locations. They have also been busy hosting the gypsy brewers at Neuron Mash and Acan Brewing, as well as Player One Brewery (now brewing on their own outside the city).
  • Clusa Brewery: the latest addition to the Cluj brewery scene. Open since June 2020, they have a varied range of beers, focusing on the cultural and historical heritage of the city.

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Brewpubs

Currently there is only one brew pub in Cluj Napoca. Klausenburger can be found in the centre of the old town. They brew up several different varieties of beer, most of which are available on tap in their sky bar-come-restaurant. Serving a varied menu of excellent food, it’s a great spot for lunch or dinner on a warm day. Visit their page for more information…

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Craft Beer Bars

As the craft beer scene expands, the bars and restaurants of Cluj Napoca are quick to catch on. While many bars occasionally stock craft beer, the following regularly have a superb selection of Romanian craft beer.

The Brewhouse

Newly opened in August 2021 by the brewers of Blackout, Player One and Brock and Bruin (the last one is our project), it’s currently a unique concept in the city of Cluj. We have 16 taps of Romanian craft beer (available in several glass measures), a fridge stocked with bottles (including some tasty German classics) and bar snacks (spent grain snacks anyone?). Drop by and say hi.

Jaxx

After 1 year of being closed due to renovations, Jaxx is now back in style. Home to an even wider range of craft beers than before, and with a new delicious food menu and expertly made cocktails, this pub is also worth a visit for the vibrant rock and roll atmosphere and decor.

Beer Wall Café

Opened in January 2020, Beer Wall is currently the only bar in the city that sells craft beer only. With 5 fridges dedicated to Romanian breweries, 1 fridge for Belgian stuff, and also 8 taps, the bar also aims to host regular craft beer events, so check out their Facebook page for updates.

Sisters Cafe

Cafe by day, bustling craft beer and cocktail bar by night. They typically stock a wide range of Romanian craft beer by the bottle and on tap, from the newest releases to well loved classics. The small, atmospheric cafe is situated slap bang in the centre of the city, and is ideally located for refreshments during a busy day of sightseeing.

Just across the road from Flying Circus, it’s a great place to get some quality drinks in before a gig or a movie. They also host their own events, and being an arts and entertainment bar, you can expect local artists to showcase their work, as well as DJ sets and live music.

DOT / District of Toast

One of the newest places in Cluj, this little bistro opened in March 2019 and it’s set on fulfilling all your toast related needs. From breakfast, to brunch and even just a side snack to go with a cup of coffee, their menu is surprisingly varied, ranging from sweet to savory combos. They are also stocking quite a remarkable number of craft beers.

Colin’s Gastro Pub

If you’re looking for a slap up meal and a cold craft beer, Colin’s is well worth checking out. With their beautiful riverside terrace, and exquisite interior, you’re in for a visual feast.

They stock a variety of bottles, generally core range offerings from established Romanian breweries such as Zaganu and Hophead.

Planetarium

Owned by Bere a la Cluj, Planetarium offers more than just their beers on tap or by the bottle. A cafe and pub, it is also a common meeting point for the city’s homebrewers, and has hosted several launch parties for local breweries and their beers, as well as live music events.

Blériot

Primarily a coffee shop in the center of Cluj, it’s also a great place to try out some of the local beers, often tagged under ‘Beer of the Week’. With plenty of happy hours and a varied drinks menu, they also screen quite a few football games and other sport events, as well as live gigs. If you drop by, make sure to say hi to Dino, the resident dog mascot.

Colectiva Gazette

One of the most iconic alternatives to clubbing in the city, this bar, club and vinyl shop is also a great place to chill out with one of their many Romanian craft beers on the menu. Home to many live gigs, DJ sets and film projections, as well as a terrace which is perfect for grabbing a beer on a hot, sunny day.

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Growler Stations and Bottle Shops

If you fancy a night in, there are some fantastic places to stock up on the latest Romanian craft beers.

Stația RomBeer Cluj

Part of the Stația RomBeer franchise, this bottle shop and growler station is located just outside the city, in the neighboring town of Florești. Offering 30 different beers on tap and over 100 by the bottle, it’s a great spot to pick up some beer to go, especially if you’re planning a night in with friends, or just don’t want to head out into the city center.

TapPoint/Beer’s Point

Beer’s Point was the first growler shop not just in Cluj, but also in Romania. Originally opened in 2017, it set up a model that was quickly picked up by similar entrepreneurs. In early 2020, they closed their original shop and, in September that same year, they released a brand new concept on the beer market: the self bar. You can currently find their beer van on the premises of Iulius Mall Park, complete with refrigerated kegs, taps and a self-serve system. There’s currently nothing like it on the Romanian market, so checking it out is a must. Best part? There’s no fixed measures for how much beer you can buy, so you can literally pay for any amount you wish to take with you, whether it’s by the growler, or by the (plastic) glass.

Casa Berarilor Artizani Cluj

Part of the nation-wide franchise ‘Casa Berarilor Artizani’, the Cluj shop features both bottled craft beer, as well as on tap, ready to be taken home in a growler. They also have a nice selection of spirits and snacks.

The Liquor Store

The Liquor Store supplies a wide range of bottled craft beer from all over Romania. While the small display may feature several old classics, it’s always worth asking what’s new in stock. They typically get their hands on the latest releases as soon as possible. On top of great beer, they stock – as the name suggests – a wide and varied range of spirits, wine and tobacco. A great shop, located in the centre, that is open 24/7. Ideal for those craft beer emergencies. They have also a second shop in the student district.

THIS PAGE WAS LAST UPDATED December 29 2021.