We traveled back in time and went back to the years when the Bulgarian spent most of his time in the pub. One’s friends were in the pub and often the most important things in the homeland happened there. Well, there was no special district of restaurants and gourmet menus with a few specialties, with names difficult to pronounce. But things weren’t much different. Crowded restaurants, relevant among the various strata under the hills and again filled to the brim with noise, laughter and vast topics of conversation.
Golyam Bunardzhik
Few people know what the functions of the currently abandoned building on the first terrace under the monument to Alyosha were. In fact, it was a beautiful building, with a landing for outdoor tables to drink coffee, soft drinks or beer after the hike to the top. Or to eat something light - you still needed strength to go down. The famous Golyam Bunardzhik was municipal, offering shade and coolness on its panoramic terrace. Its area was extremely small with absolute care for the hill and its natural resources. In the 80s it became a disco called Druzhba. It was privatized after 1989. Passing into private hands, attempts were being made to upgrade and expand it, which have been the subject of lawsuits for years. With the declaration of the hill as a protected natural landmark in 1995, all new construction was banned and so far it hasn’t been improved.
Sahat Tepe
Danov hill is far more crowded with people, especially on nice sunny days. The advantage is that it is lower and closer to the center. The improvement of Sahat Tepe began with the mayor Enyo Manolov - in the late 20s and early 30s. Then in 1933 under the mayor Bozhidar Zdravkov, the building of the restaurant was built with a project by arch. Ovcharov. It lasted 34 years and was demolished in 1967. There the remains of the aristocratic restaurant at the top have been completely erased. It was located a meter from a small fountain, and the tables didn’t reveal a view of Plovdiv from above, as in practice they were on something like a mini plateau. It was demolished relentlessly in 1975. (The idea of the then totalitarian government was to build a huge concrete giant where the beautiful building was with the same function as the Stadium restaurant, for example, which fortunately was not realized). The restaurant was the most ecological establishment, ventilated on all sides, and the music was heard in the 4 corners of Plovdiv. In recent years, there has been talk again of a restaurant, but such a project has not yet been presented.
Mihalcho
Legendary pub in the area of Monday market - Tepe alta. Now the school fence is in its place. It has changed many names, but has always been colorful, known for its good cuisine and selected branded wines. The owner himself was a great chef, a bartender both in soul and vocation. Nikola Alvadzhiev also mentions it in his book with the expression that he had "created an era with its frog legs". After demolishing the pub, Mihalcho went to work at the Golden Pear. A large part of the clientele followed him and filled the new restaurant, which until recently was one of the oldest, which had never changed its function and name. Unfortunately, it closed due to the pandemic.
Tihiya kat
A pub with such a name existed in several places. It is last known that it was located on the Grape Market. There the famous "princessa" was born - known in the beginning as "meatballs on toast". Some believe that the Tatar meatball was born here, but researchers of the matter dispute the claim.
Bumbarnika
Part of Trimona from its classical era. Born in Hotel Trimontium in the spring of 1959, the pub quickly became a favorite for Plovdiv residents and guests of the city. It opened for customers at 4 pm and closed at 11 pm. And an hour before the opening, Bacchus' children were waiting in line outside. The place was quiet, without music. Only in the summer could a classical live orchestra be heard from the garden. A jug of wine, which at least in the beginning cost exactly 16 stotinki. This is the first picture that emerges in the nostalgic memories of Bumbarnika. The white and red intoxication served in glass jugs is not the only thing that makes the older citizens of Plovdiv blink their eyes, as if they still see their friends at a table in the cult pub. But the appetizing food and especially the tasty bumbarnik, whose fame quickly reached Australia. The great dish offered there is a food that needs a lot of diligence and great skill. The initiates keep its recipe a secret. It remained until everything was erased from the legendary place. There are almost no photos, the menu has disappeared, there is only the sweet bohemian memory of those living at that time.
