Fox Mulder, I know where you can take Scully for Valentine’s.
Tonic previously mentioned the UFO restaurant in a piece about the Bratislava-”Hostel” connection, but your Tonic Trekker finally got a chance to experience the saucer for himself. For starters, the UFO sits above the New Bridge, the world’s seventh largest cable-stay bridge, on a tower that stretches nearly 300 feet into the sky. Considering the tower was completed back in the early 70s, it’s impressive that the elevator takes you to the top in a zippy 45 seconds. However, the ride does feel more like an alien abduction as the lift rumbles, shakes and makes scary noise like an airplane in turbulence.
Once sky high, you have two options, both of which should be explored. First, you can go to the UFO’s roof for an outdoor observation deck. There was a mean wind the night I stood atop the deck, but I loved that it was open air and allowed for pure views (and photos) of the city around me. The deck also stays open late, to 11 p.m., which makes for romantic late night views, especially if you come at sunset
From there, I explored the second option, which is the restaurant level. I opted to sit at the bar, where I enjoyed a mediocre coconut mojito (so manly, I know), but it was nice to sit and look at the city illuminated under a bright full moon. I did look at the restaurant menu, however, which included a great wine selection and dinner items like a vension and wild mushroom tart, waygu beef ghoulash and black truffle veal tenderloin. All I could think was, “Why did I have that kebab!?!” On top of all this, the restaurant occasionally turns into a club, such as the time they hosted an official 50 Cent after party or the My Pimp Is Rich shindig that required Dolemite-approved threads.
Admission prices to the observation deck top out at just under 7 euros, although it’s free with dinner reservations. While the rest of the city is all about the past, the UFO tower is a fun, futuristic experience that should not be missed.