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What happens when you take an ancient Polish capital, fill it to the brim with cafés, bars and clubs, mix in roughly 120,000 students and then shake this up with a generous measure of ex-pats and young tourists on holiday? The explosive cocktail that is Krakow's nightlife: that's what!
And where can you sample this heady and hedonistic brew? There's no better place to start than in Krakow's splendid Old Town where, underneath a façade of ancient architecture, are housed countless dens of vice and inequity all eager to cater for your ill-advised pleasure. Those of you that have spent any time in Krakow will agree with me when I say that there are few greater experiences in life than following your nose down a dark alleyway or into a cloistered courtyard to discover yet another fantastic bar that you'd never been to before. But if you are new to the city, or are planning just a short visit, then you needn't worry, you don't have to be Keith Richards to track down a good watering hole - we at Cracow-life.com have done the hard work for you! In addition to our complete café, bar, pub and club listings we would like to proudly present to you our specialist section, Cracow Life's very own Nightlife Guide.
Let's start with the pubs. Now whereas many a young Pole feels that it is perfectly OK to rock up to a club at ten o'clock and make themselves comfortable for the night, the English amongst us know that this nefarious practice is in fact illegal. All nights out, by orders of Her Majesty The Queen (whose authority bypasses such frivolities as international borders) must start in a bar and no later than eight o'clock! Luckily for those of you who share this Anglican ideology, Krakow proves to be something of an alcoholic's paradise. There is a fantastic selection of pubs and bars, often housed in attractive subterranean cellars, which will serve you their finest piwo (beer) for no more than around six zloty a time (that's about a pound, or one and half euros/dollars). Two such cellar bars (or 'piwnice' as they are known in Polish) are Czasem Trzeba Pub and Piec Art. Both attract a young academic crowd, relatively free of tourists, and are great places to savour a pre-club beer and build up the excitement before the carnage begins in earnest. The latter also hosts the occassional jazz night. If though you prefer something a little less studenty and a bit more swanky, then Boogie Bar and Cynamon Cafe are the new upmarket joints that are aimed at the money crowd. But then again why not chill out in the relaxing confines of the Budda Drink and Garden, or watch the world go by from any of the many cafés in the main square? When it comes to drinking this city simply spoils you for choice!
If Krakow isn't short of a bar or two (about two hundred in total by all accounts), then you don't have to go very much further to find a club. The roads leading onto the main square are chock full of doorways, which, unnoticed during the day, sprout big burly doorman at night and entice you in with the powerful thump of a familiar bass-line. Although there are clubs that cater for every taste, the vast majority of venues plump for the lowest common denominator soundtrack of house and techno, splash out on a nice bit of décor and succeed in attracting a mix of tarted-up girls and the usual suspects trying to pull them - or get dead drunk trying. The best of this variety is Cien, where the music is very palatable commercial and funky house and the girls are out of this world. But be warned, trying to compete for their attention with all the other droolers and dribblers at the bar can be tough. Frantic on Szewska plies a similar trade, with a fraction more tourists and a second room for hip-hop. It is ram-packed from Thursday to Saturday, whilst Goraczka next door plays cheesy party music and is lively every night of the week, even on Sundays (and if all the good girls are at church that leaves only the bad girls, right?). Fusion, on Florianska, adds a slight twist to the mix and you can bump and grind to hip-hop and r'n'b on a Friday, laid down by their Jamaican and UK DJs.
Whereas you can enjoy full-scale carnage at any of the above if (like the author of this guide!) you are a something of a 'club snob', then don't despair - there are a few genuinely great places in Krakow hosting serious music nights for the more discerning party-goer. Near the top of the list is Rdza, which has welcomed drum and bass acts as famous as Andy C on back-to-back nights with Makoto feat. MC Deeizim, whilst Ministerstwo is another good alternative to the generic tourist traps, and a worthy addition to the Krakow nightlife scene. But of course, when it comes to the big players no guide to Krakow's nightlife would be complete without mentioning Krakow's most wayward child, Prozak. With its shameless (and yet not entirely without merit) door policy of letting in only fit Polish girls and rich foreign men you might expect the worst, but it regularly stumps up stunningly original house and techno sets that are surely wasted on some of the clientele. Finally Midgard is staking out a claim as the best club to open in recent years. Not as pretentious as either Prozak or Cien, it can give both a run for their money in terms of a sheer no-holds-barred good time. Needless to say that if you feel differently please keep us informed by posting a review!
Did someone say they don't like dance music? Shame on you, but fear not - when the thought of yet another night of 130bpm blasted at your poor lugholes gets too much, then you can visit one of Krakow's 'alternative' venues, for 'alternative' people. Uwaga on the Maly Rynek is probably the most famous with its seminal New Romantic and Electroperversion nights; meanwhile Carpe Diem I and II and the Tower Pub dish up the metal to the rock kids; and, if you want a truly Polish experience, check out a ragga party at Art Klub Bledne Kolo, which by the way also hosts some pretty wild electro parties, normally on Saturdays. Finally, housed in the same building on Wielopole street, Caryca, Lubu-Dubu and Kitsch add further diversity to the Krakow nightlife experience, and each come complete with their own cult following. Kitsch is one of the only gay bars in town and is famous for throwing a riotous party until the very early hours.
If all that isn't enough to keep you entertained in Krakow then you will be pleased to know that this is just the sand in the city's bikini, and there's plenty more left on the proverbial beach. Besides the Old Town the reinvigorated area of Kazimierz is rapidly enlarging its reputation as the place to be right now. A bevy of bars and cafes and a couple of clubs are pulling the arty crowd away from the tourist hordes in the main square and preserving a genuinely sophisticated drinking scene in the unique Jewish Quarter. The majority of the best venues can be found in and around the Plac Nowy, the funkiest of which is surely the ultra-hip Alchemia. Worth its weight in gold on any day of the week, it also hosts various concerts and performances in the shadowy depths of its downstairs. More upmarket, Le Scandale is the name on the lips of those in the know. But if you are looking for romance (viz. a cheap lay) be warned, the Kazimierz crowd wouldn't look out of place in Hoxton's finest and the chat up line 'do you speak English?' doesn't guarantee the same sort of success that it does in the tackier joints around the Old Town.
One more thing you should remember about Krakow's nightlife is that it is heavily influenced by the seasons. As summer rolls on and the Polish students finish their exams and jet off to man the bars of London and Dublin, or to venture even further afield, the scene will change considerably. Their number will easily be replaced by the high season's tourists and it's a safe bet that anywhere with seats in the sun, plus all the clubs around the Main Square, will be doing a roaring trade as excited young hedonists on holiday hustle at the bar to be the first to spend their zloty. It's not real money after all!
So now that you know a little about Krakow's nightlife, don't you think it's time you checked it out for yourself? There are hundreds of places besides those mentioned here to try out and we suggest you use our pub and café directory to get a fuller flavour of what's for you. We are just the few and you are the many, so don't let your opinions of a venue you have visited go to waste. Keep us and our users informed by posting a review and help us make Cracow Life the most up-to-date and accurate guide to the city's hotspots. Remember the best and most informative annual review wins a weekend trip for two back to beautiful Krakow with all expenses paid - that includes flights courtesy of Cracow Life, tours courtesy of Krakow Tours and accommodation courtesy of Krakow Apartments!
Finally don't forget to check out our clubbing guide courtesy of our friends at Where2Be. If you want to know which is the best party in Krakow they'll tell you where's it at!
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 | | "Hey all!
Has anyone got good tips on where to go partying and clubbing on the 28th and 29th of august 2008? Then me and some co-workers will be on a trip to Cracow and ofcourse we wanna check out the nightlife!!!!!" | Herman
Netherlands
Aug.20.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "If you need to move, qo to Cracow, maybe one of the most interresting city, it's very fun, club, peoples...are the best... Cracovie c'a dechire tout, les boites, les gens, d'ici quelque années se serat une ville incontournable!" | Slek
France
Jul.29.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Well following on from my earlier comments, I have now been to Krakow and thouroughly enjoyed it, and yes there were idiots legless and causing a nuisance from back home but this was localised to only a few bars.
On the hole the rest of the place was intriguing and genuinely captivating, enjoyed it so much im going back with the missus and leaving the boys at home !" | andy
United Kingdom
Jul.14.2008
rates this page 2/5 |
| | "Hi,
I'm Italian and I spent five months in Krakow for business.
It's a fantastic place to live, good people, excellent beer and wonderful girls !
Polish people are very different from other Europeans ... It's normal, but this is the best reason to be back again in my second Country !
Go there, have fun and enjoy every minute of your days and nights!
Giovanni" | Giovanni
Italy
Jun.20.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "was over last summer and going again next week. cheap beer and lovely ladies, every mans dream. any poles want to show us about krakows clubs let me know." | Paul
Ireland
May.22.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "were are all the good bobby moores???" | deebone
Ireland
May.16.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "I'm going next week and i'm gonna get wankered every night...and day." | merc
United Kingdom
May.15.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | ""stay at home you banch of retards" - One retard that can't spell!
Chris - You need to get a life and get out more!
" | Mark
United Kingdom
May.12.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "It rags me off to see pitiful whingeing about idiots on the piss in a foreign country, every country has them and every country duly exports their fair share and poland is no exception. I will be going myself shortly and yes it is a stag party, but we are all in our thirties/forties and although we do intend sampling local beverages and having a god forbid it LAUGH ! we are not rall tall muppets with no respect for our hosts.but we will be boosting the economy with five star accomodation and blowing large amounts of cash,
get over yourself even poland has gits !!" | Andy
United Kingdom
Apr.28.2008
rates this page 2/5 |
| | "Will be visiting Krakow this week 27th may bank holiday weekender. Looking forward to the beer and food. I heard the bars are nice and the woman are very attractive....so lets see. I'll keep u posted on how i got on and where i went. cheers." | dal
United Kingdom
Apr.28.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "well mate your entitled to your opinion, but if you know the drill out there i could possibly do with a bit of help to make sure that we dont come across like "some" groups of lads who go away. pop me a mail @ the_nemesis_666@hotmail.com practice what you preach and give me some pointers" | lander
United Kingdom
Apr.24.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "obviously...dear Lander,sure you're smart enough to understand what sort of (majority)groops of lads from both countries i refer to.People there are sick of this (stag nonsence)...and it is rather embarrassing for those, who as you put it so rightly don't wish to be brushed with the same brush and be associated with those retards i mentioned earlier.So again,my dear if you are decent(interesting,interested,intelegent,elegant)...or simply NORMAL person,-GOOD FOR YOU!!and so i hope you will be welcome.But unfortunatelly my man as you well know majority is far from it...Good luck... " | chris
United Kingdom
Apr.23.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "nice to see that you are tarring everyone from two countries with the same brus there chris! I am from england and I will be coming on a stag weekend in July with 12 others, however i will have to dissapoint you as we wont be what your expecting. We are going for a laugh and to see some sights. Dont tar everyone with the same brush matey" | Lander19
United Kingdom
Apr.23.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "all of you groups of English lads(10,20,30)going on the stag weekends...you don't need beautiful city like Krakow,as all you are interested in,is cheap piss and sluts.you will find MORE of that in Newcastle,Leeds,London,Liverpool...trust me,so go there,or perhaps just go to hell!! NO ONE wants you in Krakow!!!Girls can't stand you,and drinks are no longer cheap.So stay at home you banch of retards.And if you still deside to go,you will not be able to get in to any decent venue,and rightly so.You spoil a great atmosphere in a beautiful city for everybody (the same goes to Italians)...so stay at home where ever you are,-ambarrassing banch of tossers!!!
Think about it (if you can) before you go." | Chris
United Kingdom
Apr.21.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "im a 19 year old dziewcynka from AUSTRALIA
coming to krakow in july & looking for gorace polskie chlopcy" | l y d d i a
Australia
Apr.14.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "I'm coming to poland next month, where are the hottest girls, Krakow?" | Babz
United States
Apr.13.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Jay, the clubs are definitely full during the week, especially as it gets warmer and more tourists fill them. Check out the events calendar for special club nights, as well as where2b.com" | Cracow Life Team
Poland
Apr.04.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Is Krakow just bouncing at weekends or will the clubs b able to be crawled through the week too, as we were thinking of going through the week, Thanks" | Jay
United Kingdom
Apr.03.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Cracow's spots has got one serious vice. There're so packed. I hate throng." | Lotnik
Poland
Mar.30.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "I heard its pretty easy gettin laid in this place and if your unlucky enough you'll have to pay for it
that ugly mug doesn't advertise much though" | christy
Ireland
Mar.13.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "second trip to krakow in 5 days, cant wait. love it!! the people, the sights the beer. " | tracey
United Kingdom
Mar.04.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "26 fella's land mid july for 2 nights of carnage,any tips or idea's to make the most of the weekend?venue's etc??
Cheers" | Anon
United Kingdom
Feb.29.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "wheres the Casino in krakow-poland???
who plays poker???" | jimmy
United Kingdom
Feb.27.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "here you've got kamilka-w@o2.pl" | wenedonga
Poland
Feb.26.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Deei please - contact with me (mail)" | wenedonga
Poland
Feb.26.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "ML, for some good indie rock, try B-Side on ul. Estery. For something heavier, Jazz Rock on ul. Slawkowska is pretty good and has live shows too." | Dagny
Poland
Feb.04.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Are there any good rock bars/ clubs in Cracow????" | ML
United Kingdom
Feb.03.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Hi - myself and 5 young guys from thr UK arrive on fri 1st feb for 3 nights..anyone know of the best weekend spots for this weekend? cheers" | Adam
United Kingdom
Jan.29.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "There are some clubs that have special nights during the week, and are usually packed. In general, people go out here no matter what day of the week it is, and there are always tourists out." | Ania
Poland
Jan.25.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Being a student town, is there good nightlife during the week in krakow, as i'm likely to be passing through on a Monday & Tuesday in April?" | Hugo
United Kingdom
Jan.24.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "went saw and drank wot agreat place and cheap must go again if my liver can stand it" | donk
United Kingdom
Jan.22.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "hi Krakow...4 italians r coming up 4 Easter...be aware Krakowian girls...ahah" | Davide
Italy
Jan.20.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Click on the where2B logo on the right hand side of the page to find out where the party is tonight and every night." | Sea Man
Poland
Jan.17.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "deei, there are more than enough irish bars here - irish arms, irish mbassy, nic nowego, etc..." | Tomek
Poland
Jan.15.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Steve, Warsaw is overpriced - sure there are some good clubs, but they're spread out throughout the city and they're more expensive. In Krakow you can get hammered without leaving the old town, and the atmosphere is better! Let the Crazy Stags guys organize your stag, they did a great job with mine!!" | Brad
Poland
Jan.15.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "hi going to krakow in feb just wondering is there any irish bars ..." | deei
Ireland
Jan.14.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Which is better Warsaw or Krakow? 10 londonders to hit either of the two in october this year.. need advice!" | Steve
United Kingdom
Jan.14.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "i'm going 2morrow in krakow with my boyfriend.can't wait to see it." | dijana
Croatia
Dec.27.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "We're a group of 30's men going to visit Cracow in december, 14th-16th. Is there any good club/event on that weekend? Would like to avoid clubs with 18's people.
Thank you in advance" | Carico
Switzerland
Dec.05.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "I can't wait to see Krakow, everybody said it is beautiful!btw.someone said the boy's are cute, and I just need to check out if that is true ;)
See you in Poland, kiss" | Antonija
Croatia
Nov.28.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "my friend and i are off to krakow for 3 days,from nov.26th till wed.28th.im really looking forward to visiting this city.and sampling their food and drink." | tony raymond
United Kingdom
Nov.25.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Krakow (or Cracovia in spanish), a little cold but anyway beautiful city and people." | Virgilio
Mexico
Nov.17.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "The chaps from Plymouth are very much looking forward to sampling the hostleries and spicy sausage houses available to us in Krakow....Sounds a great place....Anybody who happens to be there from 16th November, Say Hi to Maverick, Merlin, Viper, Slider, and all the rest from Top Gun. Over and Out" | Kev aka "Merlin"
United Kingdom
Oct.29.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "i cant wait to go to krakow, i believe it will be fantastic for the english and especially scouse uni students" | Billy Sloan
United Kingdom
Oct.23.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Howdy, I have never been there yet...but my son John Wayne is back-packing throug Europe and is in Krakow as we speak. Please look for the best looking hair all over the place 23 yr. old smiling from ear to ear, willing to share his heart and soul with all good folks and tell him I love him very much, be careful, and can't wait for him to come home! Semper Fi! " | ken crouch
United States
Oct.11.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "cracow's a stunning city! You'll be back ! :D we rule europe's clubbing " | Tom
Poland
Oct.06.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Krakow is a wonderful city and the Polish girls are beautiful, no doubt!
But be warned that since salaries are soo bad in Poand alot of the Polish girls and (gay)boys come to London and do escorting as the money is excellent.
They make approximately £1600 per week!! and during their summer holidays would make about £15000 and then go back to university when the academic year starts in October." | Piotrek
United Kingdom
Oct.01.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "i will be soo in krakow,who will be the guide?
so see you.tony" | tny
France
Sep.18.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "I HOPE YOUR BEAUTIFUL CITY REMAINS SO IE NO SLEAZE / NIGHT LIFE WAS ANYTHING YOU WANTED IT TO BE RELAXED AND ROMANTIC OR FUN AND FRENETIC/THE YOUNG CROWD WERE GRACIOUS TO LET US DANCE AND PARTY UNTIL MORNING FOR OUR FRIENDS 50 BIRTHDAY IN A VERY COSMOPOLITAN SCENE/ONLY ONE INCIDENT WHEN WE ASKED FOR A CHAIR/ WE ARE COMING BACK!" | zoe from whitleyBay
United Kingdom
Sep.01.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Great place and awesome bars.
I wouldn't say that Polish girls aren't interested in Englishmen, you just gotta not act like a prat and so don't start to slobber on them, and also know a bit of the local lingo... I know from experience." | Robo
United Kingdom
Jun.01.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Krakow is a fantastic city with great bars, clubs and eating venues. Polish girls are without a doubt among the most attractive women is the world! But I wish to make one thing very very clear and that is these girls have very little interest in english men and easily label all as drunken yobs even if you are not. They have strong morals and principles proberbly due to their faith so all you guys looking for one night stands you will be hard pushed to get it in Krakow unless you drop on a prostitute. You have been warned!" | James
United Kingdom
Apr.29.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "i like poland. i wanna see krakow everybody tells me its very beatyfull like polish girls. my contact 00447738839139" | jaggi
United Kingdom
Apr.26.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "we also organize: " | Kasia
Poland
Apr.16.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | ""Roll on Tuesday" - Frantic Music Club, Szewska Street,. Krakow.Poland
Roll on is a group organising fabulous parties in Krakow. Join us,partying on Tuesdays in one of the most popular clubs in this city! What you may expect is free glass of Bubbly at the entrance. We also offer you special drink prices till midnight and free entrance with the invitations given out at the Main Market Square. Coming to Cracow? Don't forget to show up on one of our parties!!
*Kasia " | Kasia
Poland
Apr.16.2007
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "This is Duncan" | paul
United Kingdom
Mar.10.2007
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Great page, but who's that ugly mug in the photo?" | Ricky MArtin
United States
Mar.01.2007
rates this page 5/5 |
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