Krakow by Night – short introduction to Krakow’s pubs and drinking culture

Krakow by Night

Krakow is a place of wonderful rich night culture. There is no shortage of places to drink, eat, and stay merry late into the night in Krakow. The huge central Market Square in the heart of the historic Old Town district and its environs look like they never sleep, at least most of the year save winter. Some people counted 800 pubs or clubs within walking distance from it. And recently trendy new hangouts are launched also in the nearby Kazimierz quarter almost by the month.

Krakow Night Clubs

Krakow has a lively and growing club scene. Party goes on week long – especially among students – but, no doubts about it, the Friday and Saturday nights tend to be the hottest, especially in places such as Łubu Dubu or Caryca, Prozak, or Kitsch – first official gay night club. As elsewhere, on weekends Krakow’s young professionals go out filling every space possible, and students mingle happily in crowds that pack bars, discotheques, and restaurants in vogue at the moment. Loyal patrons happen but most club-goers wander from place to place – almost popular is the road between the centrally located Market Square and Kazimierz – both of them focal points of Krakow’s night life, two entertainment centres.

Beer in Krakow

Beer has been brewed in Krakow for a long time and nowadays is the most popular alcoholic beverage. Present-day Polish beers mostly resemble German lager. Best places to go out for a pint are – in the center of Krakow – Albo Tak, Ck Browar (local micro-brewery with it’s own variation on Ale), Stary Port. In Kazimierz you have to go to Alchemia, Singer or Mleczarnia.

Krakow Tea

Typical Pole drinks a glass of black tea for breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, and in between as well. ‘Herbata’ (pol.) is usually pretty weak, with sugar and often a slice of lemon, rarely milk. And on frosty days hot tea with rum or strong vodka, sometimes called ‘highlanders tea’, can warm him up in a flash.

Coffee in Krakow

Most Poles seem hooked on strong coffee and they cannot carry on without a cup a day, or two or more. Many still brew it the Polish way by putting a spoonful or two of ground coffee into a glass and filling the vessel up with boiling water. Some do so even in Krakow though it is held rather barbarian in the city enamored of espresso. In its penchant for good coffee Krakow resembles Vienna, close both geographically and historically, and it may well rival the Austrian capital in the saturation with cafés, some century-old and museum-like, some brand-new and trendy.

Soft Drinks in Krakow

Poland’s youngsters but hardly any adults have proved a captive market to divers brands of both American cola giants. Conversely, the French mineral waters, though widely available, are no competition to their cheaper Polish counterparts of established reputation, notably those produced in well-known spa resorts. At the same time there is fierce rivalry between the country’s makers of fruit juices – orange and grapefruit are based on imported extracts but try such domestic specialties as apple or black currant. Lastly, do not drink tap water when in Poland unless you must: it is safe yet hardly palatable.

Krakow’s Booze

Poland has long been part of the ‘vodka belt’, i.e. the crescent of north European countries from Russia to Norway where hard drinking looked like a part of everyday life. Actually, Russians adopted their beloved liquor from the Polish neighbors. Polish ‘wodka’ (pronounced ‘voodkah’) is rather strong, with 40-45 percent alcohol content. It should be served straight, chilled but no ice, and swallowed at one gulp. Unlike the Russian ones, the Polish vodkas come in great variety. In addition to the most popular ‘czysta wodka’ (i.e. absolute vodka) – cheaper brands distilled from potatoes and finer ones from rye – there are many time-honored flavors to choose from, such as juniper, nut, pepper, plum, cherry, caraway seed, etc. Like wines, they can be dry, half-dry, half-sweet and sweet.

The traditional Polish ‘nalewka’ (pronounced ‘nalavkah’) infusions of herbs, berries or fruits steeped in vodka are yet another story. Every second Krakow restaurateur boasts its own ‘nalewkas’ whose recipes he guards as family secrets.

Wine in Krakow

Up to the mid 19th century respectable Poles disdained vodka as plebeian booze and their hard liquor of choice was either imported wine or domestic mead made of fermented honey. Nowadays the latter remains a local curio whereas a wide selection of wines from all over the world is available in Krakow shops. Yet some pricey vintages may be hard to come by as most local customers opt for cheaper Italian and Spanish imports as well as Bulgarian, Hungarian and Romanian ones. The place which stands out is Bodega Marquez Vinoteka.

Would you like to talk about that on our Forum?