Thomas Bar
Thomas Bar is a quieter option in Budva's Old Town, occupying a stone-walled space on one of the secondary alleys north of the citadel. The bar seats about 40 across a simple interior and a small terrace that fits six tables. The exposed stone walls and wooden furniture create a pub-like atmosphere that contrasts with the cocktail-focused spots elsewhere in the Old Town. The crowd skews slightly older than the student-and-backpacker mix at Bar Cuba, drawing more locals and return visitors who know the Old Town well. The drink menu covers the basics without ambition: beer, wine, standard spirits, and a short cocktail list. What Thomas offers is a place to drink and talk without competing with a DJ.
What to Expect
A low-key stone bar with warm lighting and conversation-level music. The terrace looks out at passing foot traffic in a quieter alley. The pace is slower than the main square bars, and the crowd appreciates that.
Quiet, warm, and pub-like. The Old Town's chill-out option.
Background rock, blues, and classic pop. No DJ, no dance music.
Casual. Anything goes.
Couples who want conversation, older travelers, anyone looking for a break from the party bars
Cash preferred, cards accepted.
Price Range
Beer EUR 2.50-4, wine EUR 3.50-5 per glass, spirits EUR 4-6, cocktails EUR 5-8
Beer ~$2.70-4.30, wine ~$3.80-5.40
Hours
18:00-01:00 daily in summer
Insider Tip
The terrace tables go first. The house red wine (local Vranac) is the best value on the menu. Good spot for a quiet drink before heading to the louder venues later.
Full Review
Thomas Bar exists in the gaps between the Old Town's louder venues, and it fills a genuine need. Not everyone wants DJ sets and packed dance floors every night, and Thomas provides an alternative without leaving the medieval walls.
The interior is honest. Stone walls, wooden tables and chairs, a bar counter with a few stools, and lighting that's warm enough to be comfortable without trying for mood. It feels like a European pub transplanted into a medieval fortress, and the combination works. The small terrace is the premium seating, positioned on a quieter alley where foot traffic passes but doesn't overwhelm.
Drinks are straightforward and fairly priced. The local beer (Niksicko) is cheaper here than at the terrace bars on the main square. The Vranac by the glass is a good call, and the bartender pours generously. Cocktails exist on the menu but aren't the strength. This is a beer-and-wine bar that happens to have a cocktail list.
Thomas works best as a early-evening starting point or a late-evening wind-down spot. The conversation-friendly volume and relaxed pace make it ideal for a drink before dinner or a decompression stop between louder venues. The crowd understands this and the atmosphere stays mellow by mutual agreement.
The Neighborhood
Thomas Bar is in the northern section of the Old Town, closer to the main gate than to the citadel. It's on a side alley off the main pedestrian route. Bar Cuba is about 1 minute south, and Greco is 2 minutes toward the main square.
Getting There
Enter through the Old Town main gate, walk south on the main alley for about 100 meters, then turn right into a smaller side alley. Thomas Bar is on the left side. Look for the wooden sign.
Address
Stari Grad, Budva
Other Venues in Budva Old Town
Casper Bar
A popular cocktail bar set into the Old Town walls with a terrace overlooking the sea. Known for creative cocktails, a young crowd, and DJs playing house music on weekends.
Top Hill
Budva's largest club sits on a hill above the Old Town with panoramic Adriatic views. International DJs headline during summer, and the open-air dance floor holds over 2,000 people.
Greco
A stone-walled bar on one of the Old Town's main squares. The terrace fills early on summer evenings. Plays a mix of pop, house, and Balkan beats depending on the night.
Citadela
Upscale lounge bar built into the citadel at the tip of the Old Town peninsula. The rooftop terrace offers the best sunset views in Budva. Cocktails lean toward the premium end.
Bar Cuba
A long-running Old Town bar with a Latin theme and a loyal following. Mojitos, reggaeton, and an energetic crowd make this one of the liveliest spots inside the walls.