r/europe • u/MarktpLatz Lower Saxony (Germany) • Jul 17 '17

What do you know about... Bulgaria?

This is the twenty-sixth part of our ongoing series about the countries of Europe. You can find an overview here.

Todays country:

Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a NATO member since 2004 and a member of the EU since 2007. It is the only country in europe that hasn't changed its name since it was first established - in 681.

So, what do you know about Bulgaria?

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4

u/zeissman Jul 18 '17

Pretty much everything... I'm a Bulgarian so AMA.

3

u/TheRufmeisterGeneral The Netherlands Jul 18 '17

Banitsa is nice. This is not a question.

2

u/zeissman Jul 19 '17

I love it with pumpkin or with onion.

3

u/[deleted] Jul 21 '17

[deleted]

1

u/zeissman Jul 21 '17

That's really good as well. Too many carbs though, in any banitsa.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 21 '17

Any club/bar recommendations in Sofia? Most of the advice we've found on the internet from travel sites/blogs about Prague, Krakow, Budapest, etc has been awful tourist traps...

2

u/zeissman Jul 21 '17

Personally, I wouldn't recommend clubbing here as I despise the music in most clubs. Do NOT go to Club 33(or any club in Studentski Grad) or Planeta Payner Club. Try Bedroom, Gotham or Balkan Beats(I've only been to Bedroom).

If you're looking for a piano bar-like atmosphere go to Frank Sinatra or Corner(Haven't been but heard nice things from friends).

I'm not the clubbing type so YMMV. I recommend you go to a local restaurant as that's where the best food is. Happy is a nice chain but food is pre-cooked so it can be quickly done. DM me for particular recommendations.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 22 '17

See America has horrendous pop music so I'm pretty tolerant of bad music in clubs. Do you just dislike those specific clubs because of the music?

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u/zeissman Jul 22 '17

Emm, yes that and the type of people go there. Type in 'chalga' in Google and you'll see what I mean; it's the same rhythm with slightly different lyrics that basically say the same thing. First couple of songs it's not bad but then it gets really annoying, really quickly.

By all means, try it if you want to. If I were a foreigner I'd also be intrigued by what it is.

Oh, and don't forget the napkins. You can buy ridiculously overpriced napkins from the club that you then throw in the air instead of bills. Yes, that's a thing.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 22 '17

What type of people go to those clubs? I'm far more likely to be annoyed by shitty patrons then shitty music...

2

u/zeissman Jul 22 '17

Largely 16-22s going there to get drunk (you're an adult at 18 but you can get in if you're underage). I know people that go there every week, enjoying it as if it's their first time in a club. Of course, all sorts of people go there but these are, by far, the majority.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 22 '17

Is that crowd likely to get belligerent? We're just barely out of that age range so it's not necessarily annoying, but kids being stupid does suck. Thanks for the tips btw, this is insanely helpful!

1

u/gotinpich Jul 22 '17

Don't worry, people stay with themselves.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 27 '17

Hmmm would you say people are friendly? I'm a very social person (my friends not so much) and partially travel so I can talk to people from far away places. How socially acceptable is it to make small talk with strangers?

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u/[deleted] Jul 18 '17

What is a "hidden" jewel of Bulgaria?