Singer

A Kazimierz legend - dim and gloomy, with shadows deep enough to drown the moodiest drinker, and illumination provided by an all-day candle vigil. Come in off the Jewish Square (Plac Zydowski) for a warming vodka or warm beer with fruit syrup, and lose track of the time altogether. Don't expect any live vocals, except in the early hours from an uproarious crowd - the bar is actually named after the Singer sewing machines and trestle tables scattered about the place. Classic Cracow.

Singer on Viatribe.com

We had an amazing night at Singer last friday...don't know how we made it home, or when did it start to rain and got wet all over, but after all those Zywieces I guess we didn't even care:) Thanks for the music!!!

I have no idea what the previous posters are going on about, maybe I was very, very drunk (let's face it I was) but I had no trouble being served by the bar staff, despite being English. I even feel over and made a complete fool of myself and (unknown to me) lost my (very expensive) camera. Went back next day shamefaced and they had it behind the bar. I can only praise their honesty and customer service. My only regret is that I only had 26 Zloty left to give as thanks.

really loved this place to chill out after a long walk was there 4 days out of 5.
i never had a problem with being served as with other reviews but it was mostly afternoons when we were there,dont know what it was like late at night.
maybe i differ and really dont take much notice of the staff as long as i get my drink and are left alone,
it makes a difference from some of the busy irish bars were you seem to be under pressure to keep spending.
over all a great little hang out to pass a few hours

I just read the reviews under and suddenly i realised that those people did not hate me for some unknown reason -it's just their regular attitude!
We had to wait forever to get some attention at the bar, and i finally had to ask three times to get our drinks. AND the bar was NOT crowded, and i don't think my brother and i look so revolting you would not want to look at us! In fact i had the impression that as soon as they heard we were not polish, we became transparent.
So yes the place is nice and cosy, but yes the staff is incredibly un-friendly. And i do agree that there are so many nice places in Krakow ehre you can get a drink AND have a good human experience at the same time that you wouldn't like to give your zlotis to those people again...

Wow, I would totally agree with Mark and the review below. It used to be very open and welcoming place with people dancing on tables till morning hours.It's a shame it's become a bit snobby and not so welcoming too. But the Singer machines are still there!

Singer has always had an arrogant air about it. It's more of a club that you are either part of or not, than a regular pub. This is probably because it was the first pub here in Kazimierz (as I recall) I go to it less and less, but years ago we had great times thee, and the nostalgia still lingers.

Whilst I would agree with the majority of what has been written about the place (all good) I have to agree with Rob regarding the bar staff. Arrogant, rude and had I not been overtly assertive I may not have been served at all. I got a sense or elitism and I strongly felt the barman that did eventually serve me resented doing so. For those of you that use the 'Qype' iPhone app, I managed to sneak a photo of the guilty barman and posted it on their site.
I must stress that you should not be put off by my comments as the bar is lovely and atmospheric and once you have opened a tab I'm sure they will be happy to continue to take your Zlotys

While I can't disagree with a single word about Singer's review and the comments - 'spooky, atmospheric, a real find' - having visited the bar a few times now I've found the bar's manager and a couple of his bar staff - namely one blond peroxide haired girl incredibly unpleasant. Queuing up at the bar for a least half an hour its routine for these two to ignore foreigners and instead serve Poles first. Not a one off - it's happening way to often. The stroppy bar manager, with a face that'd turn cream sour just by him looking at it, has an enormous attitude and is simply an unpleasant guy. I've never encountered this in other bars and I know it's not reflective of the Polish mentality - which is generally warm and welcoming. So despite Singer's jovial atmosphere, I for one will spend my money where I'm made to feel more welcome - and more likely to get served.

As part of the Scottish Folk Duo "Ardbeg" we dropped in one Tuesday night and played for a couple of hours.
Forget these so called "Irish" bars Polish Pubs are far better!

Totally agree with everything Alan said about Singer bar. Went there 4 nights out of 5 when I was in Krakow, it was that good. In fact, I think I was talking to Alan on Saturday night (26/6/10).

I was advised by a waitress to visit the Singer Bar. What a Plesent Shock !
This dingy drinking hole in the Jewish quater is one of the most weirdest bars. The atmosphere just makes you feel so comfortable, the people are fantastic, the beer is good. Most of all .. is the music - Everyone is up and dancing.
I visited on a Saturday night and it was the best party night in the whole of Krakow.. . but be prepared, for something different. Excellent.

Like something out of a pre-war film. Memorable in candle light...

Another place where we spent more time than was healthy. Still, great memories - if a little fuzzy!

For anybody that loves the idea of being submerged into a little piece of Balkan history then Singer is definitely one of the best places to go drinking! There is attention to every tiny detail, from pictures on the wall to the tables which are in fact old singer sewing machines! The wall paper is beautiful and there is a beautiful aroma of old wood and what seems like cigars. The set up is amazing, really makes you feel that you're in Eastern Europe, unpretentious and truly unique. The bar feels like a place filled with mystery and secrets, makes you want to hang around as long as possible and hope that you'll catch wind of something. Everyone that goes must definitely try the heated raspberry beer, really nothing better on a cold night, or any time really. Can't wait to go back!

Wonderfully atmospheric. Dark and moody. Candlelight and velvet. Virtuoso gypsy violin soundtrack. Charmingly untouched, like stepping back in time.

Magnifique bar avec une ambiance toute particulière !

Singer Bar. In the old jewish quarters of Krakow, the street lights are still out. In complete darkness, you stumble around, trying to find a place hidden behind black curtains. Double curtains in the doorway, just to reinsure that absolutely no light slips out to guide the accidental guest.

If you still find your way to the place, you will find that the music is limited to only two genres, opera and film music.

Try the Charlotka. Then, after you finish the pie, order the same, but as a drink. Zubrowka and apple juice on the rocks.

Locale carino frequentato per lo più da ragazzi molto giovani. Il personale non ci è sembrato particolarmente gentile, probabilmente troppa pubblicità non gli ha fatto molto bene. Buoni comunque i long drinks e buona birra.

Darkness is golden in this divine drinkery. Piaf soundalikes vie with Estonian pop on the playlist whilst intense young folk contemplate their great unfinished novels. Given the pitch black environs, the hint of red velvet decadence and the atmospheric tea lights even Peter Beardsley could look wayward and poetic here if he slipped on a polo neck and sparked up a gitane. A true treasure and the pick of a fabulous strip of bars.

We visited this very attractive bar/cafe three times in a weekend.
The tables outside have Plac Nowy's best afternoon sunshine and Singer's sewers, of course!

this is a really cool bar - think you were back in the 19020s - worth a visit