Maze
Maze occupies a basement space on ul. Neofit Rilski 58, accessible through an unmarked doorway that belies the scale inside. The venue spreads across multiple rooms connected by narrow corridors, each with its own decor theme, music, and atmosphere. One room runs house and techno. Another plays funk and soul. A third leans into hip-hop. The cocktail program is the real draw, built by bartenders who've competed in national and international competitions. They use Bulgarian spirits, seasonal ingredients, and house-made syrups in drinks that would cost twice as much in London or Berlin. The space holds around 300 people across all rooms, and on weekends it fills completely. The crowd is Sofia's creative and professional class: designers, tech workers, and media types who want quality drinks without the bottle-service posturing of Bedroom or the megaclub energy of Yalta.
What to Expect
The unmarked entrance opens into a staircase descending to the first room, which functions as a reception area and cocktail bar. Corridors lead deeper into themed spaces: one with exposed brick and leather seating, another with a small dance floor and DJ booth, a third that feels like a library crossed with a speakeasy. Each room has its own bar and its own energy. The effect is exploratory, like discovering different bars within the same building.
Intimate, curious, and layered. Each room reveals something different. The overall effect is more interesting than any single space would be alone.
Room-dependent: house and techno, funk and soul, hip-hop and R&B. Volume varies by room, from conversational to club-level.
Smart casual. The crowd dresses with intention but not formality. No dress code enforcement, but the venue's atmosphere naturally filters toward people who care about how they present.
Cocktail enthusiasts. Couples. Creative-industry types. Anyone who wants a night out that offers variety without changing venues.
Cards and cash accepted. BGN preferred.
Price Range
Cocktails BGN 14-22, beer BGN 6-8, shots BGN 8-12. No cover charge.
Cocktails ~EUR 7-11/~$8-12, beer ~EUR 3-4/~$4-5
Hours
Wed-Sat 20:00-04:00
Insider Tip
Start in the back rooms and work forward; the front fills first and the best atmospheres develop in the deeper spaces. Ask the bartender for a recommendation; they take pride in matching drinks to preferences. Wednesday is the quietest night, good for actually tasting the cocktails.
Full Review
Maze lives up to its name. The multi-room layout creates a venue that rewards exploration and changes character depending on where you settle. The front room is the most accessible: a proper cocktail bar with high stools, attentive service, and a menu that rotates seasonally. Drinks here are genuinely good. The bartenders know their craft and take visible pride in execution.
Moving deeper, the rooms get more distinct. The house/techno room has a compact dance floor and decent sound for its size. The funk room is smaller, warmer, and better for conversation between tracks. The back room, when open, feels like a hidden bar that only regulars know about.
The crowd is Sofia's most interesting cross-section: young professionals, artists, expats who've been in the city long enough to find this place, and Bulgarians who want something beyond the Yalta/Bedroom mainstream. Conversations start easily, partly because the multi-room format creates natural transitions and encounters.
Pricing sits above average for Sofia but well below Western European cocktail bar levels. You're paying for genuine quality. The cocktails use techniques and ingredients that show real investment. Compared to Bedroom's club focus or Motto's restaurant-bar hybrid model, Maze exists in its own category: a drinking-focused venue with enough variety and energy to last an entire evening.
Go on a Thursday or Friday for the best balance of atmosphere and space. Saturday nights fill every room to capacity, which adds energy but limits movement between spaces.
The Neighborhood
Maze sits one block from Vitosha Boulevard on Neofit Rilski, a street with several other bars and restaurants. The surrounding area includes Bedroom (2-minute walk), Motto (5-minute walk), and easy access to the boulevard's full nightlife offering. Late-night food from nearby kebab shops and the 24-hour bakery on Graf Ignatiev is within walking distance.
Getting There
Walk from Vitosha Boulevard in 2 minutes. Serdika metro station is 8 minutes on foot. The entrance is unmarked; look for the doorway on Neofit Rilski 58 with a small Maze sign or no sign at all.
Address
ul. Neofit Rilski 58, Sofia 1000
Other Venues in Vitosha Boulevard
Yalta Club
Sofia's most iconic mega-club, operating since the 1980s near NDK. Three rooms cover commercial house, Bulgarian pop, and R&B across two floors with a capacity exceeding 1,500. The city's go-to for big weekend nights.
Bedroom
Premium nightclub in the heart of Sofia known for international DJ bookings and strong production values. Bottle service culture dominates, but the dance floor stays open and active. Popular with the 25-40 crowd.
Terminal 1
Underground electronic music club that books serious techno, house, and minimal acts. Raw industrial space with a Funktion-One sound system. Sofia's closest equivalent to a Berlin-style club.
Motto
Landmark bar and restaurant on Aksakov Street that's been a Sofia institution for over a decade. The terrace fills year-round thanks to heat lamps in winter. Live DJ sets on weekends push the energy from dinner to party.
Stroeja
Intimate live music venue near Vitosha Boulevard hosting Bulgarian and international acts across rock, jazz, blues, and electronic genres. Low ceilings, brick walls, and a sound system that fills the room without overwhelming it.