Krakow Bars and Pubs
All the roads in Krakow lead to the main market square, the Rynek the biggest of its kind in Europe: the heart of the city and the epicentre of Krakow nightlife. If you’re looking for a bar or pub, you’ve come to the right place. Krakow’s Old town, the district centred around the main market square and once enclosed by the old city walls, is often said to have the highest concentration of bars and pubs per square mile in the world. But this isn’t always obvious to newcomers or even to seasoned Crakovians.
First off, many Crakow bars don’t go in for advertising, many don’t even bother with a street sign. What’s more, the more enticing bars tend to be tucked away, down an alley, in a hallway, up a flight of crooked stairs, or most common of all – under your feet. Once you begin to explore the extensive subterranean network of stone clad, dimly lit chambers, you might get the impression that half of Krakow is a labyrinth of bars lodged beneath the Earth’s surface. Descend a low beamed, spiralling stone stairwell and chances are you’ll find a warren of high vaulted lounges, decked out with low-slung sofas and makeshift art – with a well stocked bar poised for your arrival. Many such cellar bars are highly individual, often based on an exotic or outlandish theme (typical of the slightly off-centre Crakovian imagination), and successfully blending contemporary design with Krakow’s gothic underbelly. If underground dens aren’t your thing or should you tire of the underworld, you can always hit the Rynek or make the short journey to the old Jewish district of Kazimierz, a bohemian hangout littered with trendy and often spellbinding bars, pubs and clubs.
Krakow bars in the Old Town offer best of both worlds: there’s the intimate and character rich surrounds of countless cellar bars, street level saloons and first floor lounges - but the main attraction has to be the main market square. Set in the grand but unassuming architecture of one most stunning townscapes in Europe, the Rynek is lined with a good mix of cafes, bars and restaurants. In summer months, it’s the ideal spot to sit back, relax and soak in the rarified atmosphere. Note that food and drink prices on the Rynek tend to be on the steep side – explore any side street for a better deal. Moving away from the square, take a stroll in the Old Town and discover a bar in one of the many charming courtyards that spring up from cobbled alleyways. Once you’ve had you fill of the outdoor life, hit the cool of the cellar bars, and chill out in a dusky netherworld of soft furnishings and phantasy.
The thriving Krakow nightlife scene and its abundance of bars and pubs can be largely put down to the soaring student population. Krakow is Poland’s oldest university town and is home to its most prodigious academic institution: Jagellonian University. There are approaching 200, 000 students resident in Krakow, and with a little help from the tourist industry they’ve pushed the number of bars up to an astronomical level. Indeed, to get the most from Krakow bars you need to be selective. Among some Crakovians this has led to a kind of elitism, whereby new and innovative bars are established and ‘preserved’ on the basis of word of mouth, and this goes some way to explain the clandestine nature of the not so easy to locate bars. To get in on the act, befriend a trendy looking student for inside information. It’s worth doing your research before settling down in any old joint. Check out our directory of Krakow Old town bars and clubs for a rough guide. For an alternative drinking experience visit the old Jewish district of Kazimierz: bars here spill out from pre-war tenement buildings, in an eclectic mix of burlesque and contemporary creations, many that have gained cult status. Click here for more on Kazimierz bars.
Alchemia
Baroque Cocktail Bar
Kraina Szeptów