One of Belgrade's best bars has to be Bar Central, which boasts a vast range of top-quality cocktails befitting the home of the Barmen Association. Amateur barmen and enthusiasts will find this a great place for learning, while those with a taste for weird and wonderful concoctions will find plenty of excuse to keep returning.

Belgrade's Strahinjića Bana (also known as 'Silicon Valley') has a whole street of trendy bars and cafés with street-side tables and seating, of which Kandahar stands out for its eastern theme. The interior is filled with colourful pillows, hand-painted walls and Middle-Eastern music, while the exterior features an open terrace with low tables and canopies. Choose from a large selection of drinks, including cocktails, tea blends, Turkish coffee and Yeni Raki (a local, anise-flavoured spirit).

For something especially unique, seek out the subterranean world of World Travellers' Club, a laid-back bohemian bar that was formerly a basement apartment where the young would escape to party during the Balkan conflict. Also known as The Federal Association of Globe Trotters, there's a quirky, friendly atmosphere in this former maidservants' quarters.

For something different, head to one of the many floating rafts moored along the banks of the rivers. Club Sound plays good urban electronic music and regularly hosts international DJs. Guests often circulate between this club and Freestyler, which used to be next door until Club Sound moved to the super-hip Sava quay.

One of a number of top floating nightclubs along the banks of the rivers, Freestyler is situated between the Stari Savski and Gazela bridges where its strobe lights flash out onto the water below. Popular with the younger hordes, the club spins everything from R & B and disco to house and techno music. Expect big crowds, a great atmosphere and go-go dancers.

Thanks to Belgrade's exciting, new grassroots verve, there are a number of cultural centres popping up in the city. Of these, KC Grad is perhaps the most compelling. Whether for film projections, parties, music, themed nights, or just a drink at the bar, this converted warehouse is a great space in trendy the Savamala area, a post-industrial zone by the river.

For live music, the Bitef Art Café is great for funk, jazz, soul, pop, disco, house and live rock depending on the night. Based for more than a decade out of a converted church, Bitef recently moved to a larger, modern venue, which hasn't hampered its popularity but can now fit some 700 music lovers into this popular art space.

This long-standing live music venue is a bit of an institution in Belgrade, having put on shows and gigs from over half a century. Variety is key at Dom Omladine, which doubles up as the Belgrade Youth Centre. Organisers here host concerts, film, theatre and even debate. There are also all kinds of workshops covering psychology, sign language and crafts.

Belgrade regularly hosts big international bands and artists such as the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Madonna, but these performances usually take place out of the city centre at venues like the Sava Centar. Built in 1977, this vast and impressive arena is one of the biggest in Europe.