There is no Steve

In this week’s Buzz:

• I made a site to share Bansko’s beauty

• Is someone called Steve the owner of the new Steve’s Pub?

• Local municipality and Bansko Street Dogs’ recent neutering programme info

• Border Police helicopter and mountain rescue team conduct aerial exercise over Bansko

• Bansko Municipality to allocate €125,000 to Snowboarding World Cup

• Halloween parties this coming Saturday

• Bansko Film Festival in November this year is a paid event

The real story behind Steve’s Pub, and why some local history only lives in conversation.

Last week, Alex posted a photo of a place called Steve’s Pub up past the National Park Tourist Information Center that was new. It’s where The Hub used to be before moving to their current location at Bansko Royal Towers.

In the post, people discussed the name; some remembered it used to be called Steve’s Pub before it became The Hub, and some said they still refer to it by its old name among themselves.

I was interested to see if any of the artificial intelligence models had information about Steve’s Pub and knew what the place was called and when. Most had no idea. The closest was ChatGPT, which knew The Hub had been there and had moved to a new place, but there was still a lot of confusion. Some models said Steve’s Pub closed years ago, and others said The Hub was still there. 😂 Not one of them had the full timeline, though, which actually didn’t surprise me. Even I sometimes get confused when a new place opens up, and the place has had more names than I can remember.

So what’s the actual timeline for this location where Steve’s Pub is now?
It used to be called Steve’s Pub before Covid. After Covid, Kris took it over and named it The Hub, later moving down to the winter market location as Hub360, which then later closed (this is where he currently has Tipsy 360). Caroline and Kevin then reopened The Hub at the current Steve’s Pub location (129 Pirin Street), and they stayed there for a few seasons before moving to their current location at Bansko Royal Towers last year (for the 2025/2026 season).

So, where does the Steve name come from? Is there someone called Steve as the owner? No, the name comes from a combination of the owner’s daughters’ names.

I find it fascinating how such a small town can have so many different stories that you don’t actually learn unless you already know about them or have an in-person conversation with someone who does. Much like what Pirin 75 was before it was a bar, or how many different types of businesses were at 25 Otets Paisiy Street (where the new Italian place Amalfi is).

Altspace: Winter Crew Loading…

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Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 64 New Posts, 💬 118 Comments, 👍️ 771 Reactions

Anyone know where I can get some LPs in town?
Stuart wants to add to his music collection and wondered if any shops in town sell LPs. See what was suggested.

I’ve used Mapy for years, but I like this new site I found
Adam posted a site he’s using now (with an app) to hike in the mountains: it has interactive maps, detailed information about huts, and the ability to plan routes.

I made this site to share Bansko’s beauty
Preslav shared a website he set up to share photos he’s taken in Bansko, and since he’s out of town for a few months, he wants somewhere to go as a reminder of how beautiful the town looks.

Bansko & Beyond

Local municipality and Bansko Street Dogs neuter dogs and cats
The local municipality published the number of dogs and cats neutered during its free neutering campaign for domestic dogs and cats, which took place in September. The municipality, alongside Bansko Street Dogs, neutered 30 cats and 20 dogs. This effort aims to reduce the homeless population of dogs and cats in the region. Read more. Want to help? Donate to BSD here.

HEMS helps woman with life-threatening condition
The Red Angel helicopter (HEMS), based in Sofia, flew to help transfer a 33-year-old woman from Razlog Hospital to the intensive care unit at Alexandrovska Hospital in Sofia. This was after she was suspected of having a rare condition called Moschcowitz disease, which resembles the symptoms of a stroke. Read more.

Theft of new electric cabling in Dobrinishte
On Friday evening, the local municipality published photos of the construction work being carried out on Ivan Kozarev Street in Dobrinishte. Alongside it was a complaint that some electrical wire had been cut and taken (stolen) from the public infrastructure project, which now had to be replaced. Read more.

Other news stories
Here are a handful of other news stories you may find interesting:

• Border Police helicopter and mountain rescue team conduct aerial exercise over Bansko [Translation required.] This was ahead of the upcoming exercise on November 5th (more details in next week’s Buzz).

• Baba Vuna announces re-opening for winter in the first week of November

• SOF Connect officially launches preliminary construction phase for Terminal 3 [Translation required]

• A 36-year-old man arrested for distribution of drugs in Bansko [Translation required]

• Bansko Municipality allocates €125,000 to Snowboarding World Cup [Translation required]

• Bulgaria issues over 13,000 seasonal work permits to non-EU nationals

Recommended Businesses

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Shop online & receive packages delivered to Bansko with GGBG. Regular journeys from the UK, Germany and the USA to Bulgaria. See website for info.

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Events Next Week

Bansko Run Club
On Tuesday (27th), meeting at 6.30pm at Altspace Central location on Gotse Delchev Street, have a run with others around town, covering a distance of 5km and finishing up at a local bar. More info.

Beginner Bachata & Kizomba dance class
On Tuesday (27th) from 8pm at Four Leaf Clover on Yavor Street, join FusionX Dance Studio and Leroy for very beginner classes of Bachata (8pm) and Kizomba (9pm). If you’ve ever wanted to try, it’s worth going, as no prior experience is necessary. Price €10 per class or €15 for both classes. More info.

European funding information meeting
On Thursday (29th), starting at 10.30am in front of the main municipal administration building in Bansko, Blagoevgrad's Regional Information Centre will explain the application process for programmes funded by European funds available to citizens, entrepreneurs, non-governmental organisations, and institutions. More info.

Dance Your Mind Out (Razlog)
On Friday (30th), at Ether Studio in Razlog, join Gabi for an evening of music and movement through your body: experience freedom, laughter, closeness, movement, and a genuine connection. Starts at 7.30pm. More info.

Seasonal Clothes Swap
On Saturday (31st) from 2pm to 5pm (location TBC), get the chance to greet the new season by swapping some of last year's collection and generously exchanging it for new-to-you items brought by someone else. Coffee, tea, and baked goods will be available. More info.

Pirin Sense Halloween Party (for children)
On Saturday (31st) from 4.30pm to 7pm join for an unforgettable Halloween party for children aged 3+, featuring fun entertainers, Halloween-themed games, delicious Halloween treats and spooktacular decorations. Price is €15 per child and space is limited. More info.

Tipsy 360 Halloween Party (for adults)
On Saturday (31st) from 7pm, dress up in your scariest outfit for a Spooktastic Halloween party at Tipsy 360. Halloween-style drinks and offers will be available. More info.

Organising an event in or around Bansko? Submit it for consideration here.

Photo of the Week

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