Krakow has a buzzing nightlife scene with almost a thousand pubs and clubs which will satisfy everyone whether you are a tourist, student or regular Krakow dweller as it boasts all styles, trends and genres no matter your age group, taste or preferences. The two main areas in Krakow are the Old Town and the Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz full of bars, pubs, live music venues, beer gardens, dance clubs and restaurants all offering different kinds of settings, drinks & international food choices. So, a wide choice on offer has been whittled down to some of Krakow’s most unusual drinking venues. Let’s begin with the Old Town which has the main square, Rynek or Draper’s Square as the major landmark, the square itself is surrounded by many bars and restaurants with external seating to view the hive of activity on the square and have higher prices than all the streets leading off it that are also crammed full of venues. So whether you are on a romantic visit or a Stag & Hen Party or just a weekend break here are some of the best and eclectic locations
Cosmic Minigolf Pub offers a 9-hole galactic crazy golf course with your beer and peanuts. The indoor course illuminated with lights, lasers and outer space murals certainly gives you the relaxing feeling of a Star Wars space trooper taking a break after a hard day’s grind protecting the universe. The location address is Świętej Agnieszki, 9.
Music Club Forty Kleparz this 19th century fort used to house the military forces but today it is a live music centre with open air gardens, music stages, DJs and dancefloors plus a movie theatre. Concerts are held in the open as well as indoors and several bars available as the fort covers 1,000 square metres. A most atmospheric venue with all kinds of attractions in the hallways of this glorious real life fort that was part of Krakow’s defences in the past.
Tram Bar is a typical ruin or dive bar. If you enjoy trainspotting then this bar has an added attraction with its well-used furniture as they are actually wooden pre-war tramcar seats with the old tram luggage racks hanging on the walls .A great place to grab a cool beer in the evening.
Propaganda on Ul. Miadowa. A small but atmospheric non-conformist and proletariat themed place to grab a crazy anarchy beer comrades. Decked out in the old Communism paraphernalia you will be introduced to the Polish Punk Rock and Ska environment, this is Propaganda definitely not found on your usual tourist to do list.
Eszeweria a most quaint pub with a beer garden situated in the rear of the pub. The antique style furnishings and sofas make for an intimate tete a tete style vibe although it is common to see groups of friends gathering there. The garden itself has a floral theme on a gravel surface with rickety furniture creates quite a special feeling in what is said to be one of Krakow’s oldest pubs in the Kazimierz area.
The main square in Kazimierz is Plac Nowy. Like the Old Town an evening spent there in the streets, squares and alley ways visiting the area’s best and most unusual public houses, on this square there are several unexpected and bizarre venues, one such place is Alchemia Pub. This spacious drinking house has 2 floors with live music and DJ downstairs with the ground floor offering food and comfy table sitting areas, as the name suggest it displays old photographs and curious mystical objects in the suffused candle-lit bars.
Szklanki has a Middle Eastern vibe and atmosphere and unusually on the 1st floor of a town house but nonetheless it specialises in classical cocktails using exotic ingredients enhancing this Middle Eastern theme. The beer garden looks out over the area and has a dancefloor which is well frequented late into the night.
Singer Pub on Plac Nowy has tables that used to be treadmill sewing machines, hence the pub’s name as the once well known sewing machine maker. At a certain point during the night the music flares up and dancers begin doing there moves on the tables and incite the revellers to join in.
The majority of these above mentioned venues are included in organised Pub Crawls available through dedicated companies such as Party Krakow or Party Animals both include free drinks on the crawl, Karaoke, dance club entry and experienced Guides to make your evening one to remember – check more here https://partykrakow.co.uk/krakow-stag-do-activities/krakow-guided-bar-crawl.
One final venue to visit is Banialuka, renowned for its cheap prices, drinks are a £1 a go, vodka shots, beer & prosecco in the hot season. They have made Soviet vodka drinking snacks a trendy & unusual thing to do in Krakow. It’s like a Pound Shop but serving alcohol & snacks.
A good to know fact is that the Krakow pubs and clubs have flexible closing times as long as there are people frequenting the venue they stay open, so pace and prepare yourselves for an extra-long night and possibly an early sunrise breakfast on the way back to your accommodation. Cheers!