Top 5 Romanian Drinks Every Stag Should Try in Bucharest

Planning a bachelor party in Bucharest? Excellent choice.
This city was built for big nights, late mornings, and legendary memories, and the drinking culture is a large part of this.
This culture blends tradition, bold flavours, and a touch of “hold my beer and watch this.” If your group wants a taste of the local experience, here are the Top 5 Romanian drinks every stag should try while partying in Bucharest:

1. Tuica - The Queen of Romanian Spirits

If there’s one drink that defines Romania, it's Tuica.
Tuica is Romania in a shot glass. Distilled from plums, a fruit that is cultivated in every rural Romanian household. It is so essential that a lot of families make their own drinks with it. This iconic spirit varies from smooth and fruity to fiery and unforgiving. Most versions sit around 40% ABV, but homemade Tuica can creep into the 50s.

Why stags love it:

• It’s Romania’s classic “welcome shot”
• Guaranteed to kick-start the night
• A true “when in Rome… or Bucharest” moment

Pro tip: Start with one. Just one.

2. Palinca - Tuica’s Wilder Brother

If Tuica didn’t already test your limits, try Palinca. Palinca is the no-nonsense big brother. Think of it as Tuica tougher, hotter, more rebellious brother. Distilled multiple times and crafted from fruits like pear, apricot, or cherries, Palinca often clocks in at 50-65% ABV. In Transylvania, they drink it in the morning “to open the appetite.” It will open something.

Why stags love it:

• It separates the legends from the lightweights
• A guaranteed story for the next morning

Beginner warning: Do not mix this with early morning activities. Trust us.

Intrigued? For groups looking to take it up a notch, our Palinca Tasting Experience is the perfect way to try multiple flavors under the guidance of an expert.

3. Fetească Neagră - Romania’s Signature Red Wine

Romania is one of Europe’s oldest wine-producing regions, and Fetească Neagră is its superstar red. Fetească Neagră is one of the country’s most prized grape varieties. This deep, dark red wine offers rich flavours of ripe berries, plums, spices, and sometimes a touch of smoke. It’s perfect for a pre-party dinner, especially with steaks or anything grilled.

Why stags love it:

• Goes hand in hand with a steak dinner
• The classier alcoholic option
• You can impress the groom with something classy

For a more refined pre-party experience, book our Wine Tasting Experience, perfect for trying multiple Romanian wines without skipping a beat.

4. Ciuc & Ursus - The Local Beers

Before you dive head-first into hardcore spirits, get acquainted with Romania’s best-known beers: Ciuc, Ursus, and Timișoreana - the go-to local brews. They’re crisp, refreshing, cheap, and available literally everywhere — supermarkets, bars, terraces, kiosks, you name it. These beers are the backbone of every Romanian night out..

Why stags love it:

• Perfect for the pre-game
• Reliable and refreshing between spirits
• Keeps the whole group upright… more or less

If you want to discover Romania’s best brews, join our Craft Beer Tasting or Craft Beer Crawl and sample a variety of local beers with your stag crew.

5. Visinata -The Sweet Cherry Surprise

Vișinata is Romania’s favourite homemade treat. Made by fermenting sour cherries (“visine”), sugar, and alcohol, this ruby-red liqueur is dangerously smooth. Grandmothers make it. Farmhouses make it. Sometimes even clubs serve an artisanal version.

Why stags love it:

• Sweet and dangerously drinkable
• A true Romanian celebratory drink
• Perfect for a toast with the groom before the night gets wild

Warning: It tastes like juice. It is not juice!

Final Tips for Drinking in Bucharest:

• Romanians love to toast; be ready for many “Noroc!” (Cheers) moments
• Homemade spirits (“de casa”) are everywhere. Approach with caution
• Hydration is your best friend

Planning a stag do in Bucharest? We include traditional drinks in many of our bar crawls and dinners — ask us to customise the experience!