Krakow Bars and Pubs

Famous for their vodkas and superb beers, Poles are not shy when it comes to the odd tot or three. As a visitor to the city, the choice is mind-boggling. Just bear in mind that for every drinking hole you find at street level, there is probably another in the basement, and a club upstairs. Even the local franchise of a famous coffee shop chain offers spirit chasers! Once you're here, just remember that the Old Town district has more bars per square metre than anywhere else in the world, so don't expect to get very far on a pub crawl. For a fuller flavour of what to expect on a night out in Krakow, check out our nightlife section with updated info on weekly parties. On this page you'll find links to detailed and comprehensive information on over 200 places to drink in Krakow, but in addition we've included a short and cheeky list of the top 5 places to drink that we actually go to, so simply clink the link right here to read more.

1) Eszeweria

“Eszeweria“

No self-respecting pub crawl in Krakow would fail to take in the city's Kazimierz district. A ten minute walk south of the Market Square, Kazimierz is the former Jewish quarter, and now the gritty and hip centre point for many of Krakow's best bars. The most famous are Singer and Alchemia, but you'll do hard to find better that Eszeweria, a perennial favourite with locals and less inundated with tourists than the former two. If this pub was in Budapest, it would doubtless be called a 'ruin bar- - the vibe is chairs and tables from the local flea market, scruffy recycled cupboards and plenty of old candle wax, amongst which you will find a lively and regular crowd and drinks that don't cost the earth. In the summer a small courtyard at the back opens out with additional tables, and provide another excellent hideaway to enjoy a cold beer away from the prying eyes of paparazzi who are doubtless looking for you.

2) Rio

“Kawiarnia

Drinking in Krakow doesn't just mean alcohol. Drink means cafes and cafes mean coffee. And while we can't all make it over to Brazil to enjoy the best, Krakow at least has its doppelgänger in the small, modest but cult Rio on Utica Jana. At first glance, Rio doesn't seem to have much to recommend it - uncomfortable-looking stools, a dearth of young people, and a constantly changing but reliably mediocre exhibition of art on the wall - but that's to miss the point. Rio is a Krakow landmark, a meeting place over the decades for distinguished artists and writers and nowadays a dying glimpse into how it was like to live in the city before the hordes of tourists descended. Oh, and they make probably the best coffee you'll find in Krakow.

3) Piękny Pies

“Piekny

Hands-down Krakow's best know bar, Piękny Pies ('Beautiful Dog') has moved location several times in the last twenty years, but always managed to drag its hip, artsy clientele along with it, wherever fate has led it. Currently to be found on Plac Wolnica in the funky Kazimierz district, the club showcases live music, DJs, with a weekend tendency to offering its club-goers solid portions of electro, techno and acid. You may not get too many smiles from the bartenders, but you’re in the right place.

4) Betel

“Betel”

So good, we named our dog after it. Or rather, our daughter’s dog. Which we take care of. Often. Betel is one of those pubs / bars / clubs which defies classification. During the day, a rather scruffy, small, but perfectly-located-for-students cafe, which transforms as the day wears on into an exhibition space / concert hall / riotous party venue. So you'll never be quite sure what version of Betel you'll get, which is the essence of its appeal. Just walk smugly past the lines of tourists queueing outside the neighbouring Charlotte for their overpriced oat-milk lattes and croissants, and slip into Betel for better coffee, better people, and better times. And if while there you bump into a friendly dog that looks like a small Alsatian, you finally get your once-in-a-lifetime chance to just say hello to Betel in Betel.

5) Zielono Mi

“Zielono

Will you accept this challenge? The challenge involves leaving the comfort of the Old Town, taking a tram (normally number 1 or 2) all the way to Salwator, and then one further stop after that, where the tramway does a tight circle and stops before heading back. At this point, jump out of said tram, amble over the zebra crossing to the small house covered in ivy, and you have arrived at Zielono Mi. You have now officially left the tourist centre of Krakow behind, and entered the local's pub. Congratulations. Now, depending on your mood, order a glass of wine, a craft beer, or a round of vodka shots. And repeat. Various people will enter and depart your field of vision, and before long you'll have made friends with the locals and feel like moving to Krakow permanently. At this point, all you require is the approval of the bar owner. If she appears with her (thankfully decommissioned) AK-47 and threatens you, asking you to leave because of your rowdy behaviour, it's official. You have passed the test and been approved. You may now leave your current home country and apply for residency in Krakow.

A final few words

Our top 5 will obviously not be to everyone's liking. If you're a beer afficionado, You might find this list of top ten craft beer places in Krakow to be more useful.

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ul. Grodzka 2

17. Zakatek Cafe & Wine.

11 reviews
al. Krasińskiego 34

18. Filmowa Cafe

3 reviews
Rynek Główny 35

19. Europejska

14 reviews
Plac Nowy 9

20. Le Scandale Garden

21 reviews
ul. Krowoderska 31

21. Klub Ciemnia

6 reviews
ul. Mikołajska 5

22. English Football Club

122 reviews
ul. Jagiellońska 10

23. Teatro Cubano

5 reviews
ul. Zabłocie 23

24. Coffee Proficiency

2 reviews
ul. Szeroka 2

25. Sababa - cocktail & club

2 reviews
ul. Grodzka 34

26. Let's Sing Karaoke Bar

2 reviews
#Bars
Kryspinow Beach

27. Chata Kryspinow

1 review
ul. Konfederacka 4

28. Konfederacka 4

1 review
Plac Niepodległości 1

29. Cafe Cinema Paradiso

1 review
al. Krasińskiego 34

30. Kijow Klub

0 reviews
ul. Dietla 43

31. Chit Chat

0 reviews
ul. Karmelicka 52

32. Mamy Cafe

0 reviews

Reviews about Krakow Bars and Pubs

Very bad

Germany,
Club Pod Jaszczurami

I can speak much on this question.

Taiwan,
Night Club VIP

Extremely rude waiter. They overcharge and and they always put the reserve sign on empty Tables. I know it it not reserve and if you cannot fill a table they don’t allow you to sit down. There are so many other places much better in krakow then this place.. avoid it at all cost

Poland,
Bull Pub

Barman is very kissable

Irish Pub Pod Papugami

Piwo dobre, dania bardzo dobre, kelnerzy super ( poza niemiłym lajkonikiem NIKOSIEM)

Italy,
Bierhalle

Best bar in Krakow great location, meet good people from all over ( the crack is grand) live music live football live music live people.grand staff and management HH

Duffy's Irish Bar

so sad it is now closed.

Cafe Bunkier

Other variant is possible also

Mozambique,
Budda Drink & Garden

Is the address correct? I was in a strip club at Grodzka 4, but it is not marked anywhere, so I would venture to assume that we are talking about this club. If so, I strongly advise against going there unless you want to be robbed.

Israel,
Wild night

Dobra muzyka, przyjemni ludzie za barem, niestety niekompetentna ochrona.

The Legends Music Club
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