Things to do in Sofia at night that are not only bars

Sofia has many theatres in a small area, including the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, the Satirical Theatre, Zad Kanala and Theatre 199. Nearly all performances are in Bulgarian, so if you do not speak it, choose dance, opera or music instead.

Dom na Kinoto shows European and independent films, and Odeon cinema shows classics. Foreign films in Bulgarian cinemas are usually subtitled rather than dubbed. In March, Sofia hosts its international film festival and there are screenings almost everywhere.

The Sofia Philharmonic plays at Bulgaria Hall, and the Sofia Opera and Ballet has performances most weeks. For something less formal, look for small club gigs and jazz nights in the centre.

Quiz nights in bars work because they give you a shared task with people you do not know. If you are alone, ask the host whether you can join a team; there is often one that will take you. Board game clubs work the same way, and stand-up nights are easy because nothing is required of you except laughing.

Vitosha Boulevard, then NDK and South Park. Or Borisova Garden at sunset. Or the streets around Tsar Ivan Shishman and Oborishte, which have small bars and cafés for one stop.

Evening running groups, climbing gyms, salsa and bachata classes, Bulgarian folk dance (horo) clubs: all of them happen after work, and all of them make meeting people easier than a bar does, because you are doing something together. In partner dance classes people usually rotate, so you do not need a partner to start.

That is the usual problem in the evening: not a lack of places, but nobody to message. Haide lists small events in Sofia that you can join on your own, weeknights included.