Jackrock & Balthazar Share Their Sofia Hangouts

Balthazar & JackRock’s techno journey began in the capital of Bulgaria – Sofia, a long time ago. From DJing across the globe, organizing their own events and festivals, to releasing on some of the most renowned labels including Drumcode, Filth On Acid, and Terminal M, Balthazar & JackRock have been deeply entrenched in the global electronic music scene for the past 28 years. Here they share their must do guide to Sofia

Places to eat

Japanese food holds a special place in our hearts, and without going into too many details, the go-to spot is “Hamachi” in the heart of Sofia.

After many tours in India, our appreciation for Indian cuisine grew, and we had to find the best place for it in Sofia. The one that impressed us and where we became regulars is “Kohinoor”. The food is amazing, made by Indian chefs with no adjustments to fit the local taste, as usually happens.

If you’re looking for a vegan option, our pick is Veda House. It has a cozy, intimate vibe, with a crew that perfectly complements the ambiance. It’s also a tea house with an insane variety of flavours. And for dessert, try their version of Ladoo. The thought about it will stay with you forever.

Craving something sweet? Y Dough is a complete cinnamon roll paradise. But go early—they sell out pretty fast.

Now, let’s finish with a truly special place. In my neighbourhood, there’s a traditional pastry shop called “Fantasia,” and it’s open 24/7/365. Always busy, it’s a true lifesaver for many during the early hours of the night, with people traveling from across the city just to grab a bag of “Fantasy”.

Fun fact – when the shop’s contract expired and the municipality didn’t want to renew it, people actually went on strike to save it. And yes, it worked!

Drink

In recent years, the city centre has become packed with various bars offering different vibes, and due to the fierce competition, they all strive to improve. Recently, a friend introduced us to a coffee place in one of Sofia’s malls—Paradise Center. It’s called LATE, and it immediately made it to the top of our list.

My recommendation for a bar might seem a bit unusual. It’s a place called “Hambara” (The Barn). In the early last century, the place served as a hideout for secret meetings of anti-government rebels and a propaganda printing house. Today, the place hasn’t been renovated much to preserve its vintage spirit. The only illumination comes from candles, and it attracts actors, writers, and all kinds of artistic people.

If you’re in the mood for something a bit fancier and want to enjoy a city view from above while sipping on a nice cocktail, you can visit Ozone Skybar.

Party

EXE club is without a doubt the symbol of modern quality club life in Bulgaria in recent years. As they put it, when you go there, you’re going “home”. Every weekend, the club is packed with people enjoying various international acts. There’s a strict no-photo policy, and the vibe among the crowd and crew is outstanding. You’re guaranteed a night to remember.

Chill

Sofia is a city with many parks and green areas, making them naturally awesome places to chill and hang out. In the evenings, areas around NDK, Crystal Garden, and the National Theatre become crowded with people socialising. For a daytime walk, South Park is lovely.

For yoga and various spiritual practices, Yoga District is great. And for a complete gym/spa day, you can visit Pulse Bulgaria, which offers a lovely view of Vitosha Mountain.

Day trips

Well, nowadays, everything noteworthy seems to have been discovered, so we’ll focus on the main attractions. Sofia is one of the very few capitals in the world with a mountain next to it. You can easily reach it by public transport for a walk and a view, or you can hike, have a picnic, or even ski in the winter.

Bulgaria isn’t a big country, so you can easily travel to some of the most impressive places we have, like the Seven Rila Lakes or the Belogradchik Rocks. You can also visit the old communist monument of Buzludzha, which was once considered one of the creepiest places on earth. However, it has been renovated recently, so maybe it’s not that creepy anymore.