Old Town Brewery
Old Town Brewery is Skopje's first craft brewery and taproom, housed in a converted Ottoman-era building in the bazaar's commercial heart. The venue spans two floors: a ground-level taproom with the brewing equipment visible behind glass, and an upper floor with additional seating and views over the bazaar rooftops. The courtyard out front seats about 40 people and serves as the primary draw during warm months. The brewery produces six to eight beers on rotation, ranging from pale ales and IPAs to darker stouts and seasonal specials. Production is small-batch, and popular styles sell out before the next batch is ready. The space holds roughly 120 people across all areas, making it one of the larger venues in the bazaar. It opened in 2019 and quickly became a fixture of the nightlife scene, drawing both the craft beer crowd and casual drinkers who appreciate the setting.
What to Expect
The entrance opens into the ground-floor taproom where the brewing tanks are visible behind glass panels. The bar runs along the left wall, with tall stools and a few standing tables. The atmosphere is casual, with the smell of malt mixing with grilled food from a small kitchen menu.
Relaxed, beer-focused, and unpretentious. The brewing equipment adds visual interest and conversation topics.
Rock, indie, and classic rock playlists. Volume stays low enough for conversation.
Very casual. This is a brewery taproom, not a cocktail bar. T-shirts and sneakers fit in perfectly.
Craft beer enthusiasts, groups looking for a casual evening, and anyone who wants to try Macedonian beer beyond Skopsko.
Cash and cards accepted. Card payment is reliable here.
Price Range
House beer MKD 150-200, flights MKD 400, cocktails MKD 250-350, bar snacks MKD 200-400
House beer ~EUR 2.50-3.25, flights ~EUR 6.50, cocktails ~EUR 4-5.75
Hours
12:00-00:00 Mon-Thu, 12:00-01:00 Fri-Sat, 14:00-23:00 Sun
Insider Tip
Ask the bartender for a tasting flight if you can't decide. The seasonal brew is always worth trying. The upper floor has the best views but fewer people, making it ideal for quieter conversations.
Full Review
Old Town Brewery fills a gap in Skopje's drinking scene that nobody knew existed until it opened. The city had plenty of bars serving Skopsko and imported lagers, but proper craft beer was missing. The brewery changed that with a rotating tap list that takes ingredients and styles seriously without pretension.
The ground floor is where the action concentrates. The bar counter is long enough for a dozen stools, and the standing tables behind fill with groups sharing flights and debating their favorites. The brewing equipment, visible through floor-to-ceiling glass panels, isn't just decoration; you can watch the brewers working during afternoon hours. The interaction between production and consumption in the same space gives the venue authenticity that branded craft bars can't replicate.
The upper floor is a different experience. Quieter, with cushioned seating and views through arched windows over the bazaar's terracotta rooftops, it suits couples or smaller groups who want conversation without raising their voices. The same tap list is available, and service is consistent between floors.
The courtyard is the summertime draw. Stone walls on three sides create a sheltered outdoor room, and the tables fill early on warm evenings. The food menu is short but competent: cheese boards, grilled sausages, and a surprisingly good hummus that pairs well with the lighter ales. The brewery's IPA is the flagship, hopped assertively for the style but balanced enough that it doesn't alienate lager drinkers making the transition.
Pricing is fair for craft beer, with house pours running about EUR 2.50-3.25. Compare that to craft beer bars in any Western European city, and the value is obvious. The staff is knowledgeable and happy to guide newcomers through the tap list. Solo visitors who sit at the bar get drawn into conversation with bartenders and other patrons naturally.
The Neighborhood
The brewery sits on one of the Old Bazaar's main commercial streets, near the cluster of bars that includes Menada and Rakija Bar. The surrounding area is the bazaar's most active nightlife zone, making it easy to combine a brewery visit with the other venues.
Getting There
From Macedonia Square, cross the Stone Bridge and walk straight into the bazaar (5-7 minutes). The brewery is on the main pedestrian street, identifiable by the brewing equipment visible through the ground-floor windows.
Address
Old Bazaar, Skopje
Other Venues in Old Bazaar
Menada
A popular bar in a restored Ottoman courtyard, known for its outdoor seating, craft cocktails, and relaxed atmosphere that draws a mixed local and expat crowd.
Rakija Bar
A small, focused bar dedicated to North Macedonia's national spirit. Over 40 varieties of rakija line the shelves, and the bartenders guide newcomers through tastings with genuine enthusiasm.
Kolektiv
A live music venue and cultural space in the bazaar that hosts local bands, acoustic sets, and occasional DJ nights. The crowd skews young and creative, drawn by the programming rather than drink specials.
Cafe Bar Jazzin
A cozy lounge tucked into an Ottoman-era building, playing jazz, soul, and blues. The intimate space seats about 40 people, and the cocktail menu borrows from classics without overcomplicating things.