Pubs&Clubs: Festival 39
It is possible that some of you have already heard of this pub, either in Bucharest or in Brasov: Festival 39 is our latest discovery as far as uber-cool pubs are concerned. And its online presentation threatens to be even cooler. Check the presentation for the pub in Brasov to have an idea about it.The pub, located on Splaiul Independetei, behind Manuc's Inn, was opened less than a month ago, still it is already over-crowded and the waiters - a bit superficial and careless - seem to be completely overwhelmed. More precisely - to do away first with what's not really right - a simple order consisting of one beer and a cocktail arrives in 10 to 15 minutes.
Festival 39 is considered to be quite expensive for Romanians. There is only 330ml bottled beer and it is served in a huge glass, so that the whole drink fits in. :) You can also come across unpleasant surprises such as: "Oh, I am sorry, we don't have that right now... oh, that one either." So much for the cheapest beer - 6 RON (approximately 2 EU) and this leaves only Leffe and Peroni starting with 3 EU.
Cocktails cost no less than 4 or 5 EU and an average Coke is 1EU and half. You can also eat at Festival 39, but not extremely complicated dishes, just a few types of salads, sandwiches or appetizers.
But what counts most for this kind of pub is the atmosphere. The pub was carefully and tastefully decorated so that it resembles an inter-war traditional cafe, with several original accesories dating from the 30s, vintage photos and pictures and it is wrapped in a cozy and discrete yellow light coming from lots of small lamps placed near the tables.
Unlike the original version, in Brasov, the Bucharest pub is much larger it has two floors and also very nice and sophisticated toilets. However, it doesn't appear to be the proper place for live events and concerts, the old piano standing in a remote corner of the pub is most probably part of the "props."
The music on the other hand is a bit too loud for this kind of place but nonetheless delirious. If only you could imagine a hoarse-voiced jazz singer interpreting songs from Metallica, Nirvana or The Killers. If not, go there and hear for yourselves. :)
To put it short, the Old times Bucharest Cafe - so it says, in Romanian language on the entrance wall - is likely to become one of our favourite places to go/drink in Bucharest. That is only if all small problems - regarding the staff, serving manners and relation with the clients - are fixed.
