Dragoljub New Balkan Cuisine has witnessed decades of Belgrade’s history unfold within its walls. Occupying a space that has lived many lives. It is the house of Jevrem Grujić, one of the first Serbian diplomats. It is the space where Šećer, one of Belgrade’s first discos, once pulsed with energy. And it shares a wall with Atelje 212, a cultural institution that has shaped the city’s artistic soul. Today, the cultural and historical energy of this place has naturally become part of its identity.
The entrance is understated, the street familiar to those who know the city’s beating heart. But crossing the threshold of Dragoljub is to enter a Belgrade that exists in memory and aspiration—a Belgrade of long conversations, art, music, and hospitality shaped by layers of cultures. The bar carries the spirit of the city as it once was, and as the team hopes to preserve it: relaxed, social, and honest.
Notably, a place for food lovers, cocktail lovers, and those brave enough to bring both worlds together at the same table. The space is intimate yet alive—where the boundaries between kitchen and bar dissolve, and the experience becomes something greater than the sum of its parts.
Behind the bar stands Vladimir Simić, a bartender and hospitality professional with more than 20 years of uncompromising experience. Known for a direct, no-nonsense approach to cocktails, service, and bar culture, Simić is the founder of Bartenders 710 and director of Belgrade Cocktail Fest. His work is built on discipline, pressure, long hours, and constant creation—not trends, performance, or imitation.
Simić’s philosophy is refreshingly straightforward: cocktails should be honest, well-crafted, and rooted in the ingredients that surround them. In a city where hospitality is woven into the fabric of daily life, he brings a rare combination of technical precision and deep respect for tradition. His approach is not about reinvention for its own sake—it is about refinement, consistency, and a commitment to the craft that has defined his two-decade career.
The cocktail menu at Dragoljub is built around recognizable classics with a Balkan twist, using local herbs, fruits, spices, and ingredients that bring a distinct regional character to familiar drinks. While inspired primarily by Serbia, the menu also explores flavors from across the Balkans, where local terroir gives every ingredient its own identity. This is not mixology for the sake of spectacle—it is a celebration of the region’s rich culinary heritage, expressed through the language of the cocktail. Juniper from the mountains, honey from local apiaries, herbs foraged from the surrounding countryside—each ingredient tells a story of place, of tradition, of a culture that has survived and thrived through centuries of change.
The Altamura Distilleries Experience
That philosophy naturally connects with Altamura and its story of ancient durum wheat from Puglia. Just as Altamura embraces the authenticity and character of its raw material, Dragoljub’s cocktails aim to express the uniqueness of local ingredients through modern bartending and contemporary Balkan hospitality. “The philosophy of using local ingredients with authenticity and respect is something we share with Altamura.
Their story of ancient wheat and raw material integrity mirrors our commitment to Balkan flavors and honest hospitality.” — Vladimir Simić, Bartender and Founder of Bartenders 710. Altamura Vodka, with its structure, authenticity, and refined character, finds a natural home within Dragoljub’s philosophy. It is a spirit that understands the value of raw material—ancient wheat, careful production, and a commitment to place. In a cocktail program built on local ingredients and Balkan character, Altamura stands as a bridge between Italian tradition and Serbian creativity.
