Entertainment in Poland
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A
Czuły Barbarzyńca
Stripped-back space where books, discussions and readings come first and coffee (albeit good) is just along for the ride. The ‘Gentle Barbarian’ was the city’s first café-bookshop.
reviewed
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B
Scena Stu
The 'STU Stage' started in the 1970s as a politically involved student theatre and was immediately successful. Today it is a solid professional troupe performing avant-garde plays.
reviewed
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C
Teatr Im H Ch Andersena
Performances are in Polish at Teatr im H Ch Andersena but the puppets of Hans Christian Andersen can be enjoyed in any language. Check the website for show times.
reviewed
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D
Piwnica 21
On busy weekend nights this brick basement bar is packed with music fans taking in DJs, or classic live pub gigs in a jazz-blues vein, helped on by table football and draft stout.
reviewed
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E
Propaganda
This is another one of those places full of communist nostalgia, but so real are the banners and mementos that we almost started singing the 'Internationale'. Killer cocktails.
reviewed
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F
Ciemnia Club
This is Kraków’s premier gay bar with facilities intended for those seriously OFB (out for business). Ring and await appraisal/approval; this is Poland, after all.
reviewed
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G
Numery Litery
Small, peaceful pocket for quiet reflection or a chilled chat. Extensive coffee and tea collection and plenty of children’s books and coffee-table tombs (mostly in English).
reviewed
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H
Piwnica Pod Aniołem
This splendid, spacious pub in the town hall cellar is one of the old quarter’s most popular live music venues – check the big posters at street level for the latest gigs.
reviewed
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I
Teatr Wybrzeże
The main city stage, next to the Arsenal in the Main Town. The theatre features mostly mainstream fare, including some top productions of great Polish and foreign classics.
reviewed
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J
Café Bar Lemon
For late starters or the terminally energised. With a kitchen also open for morning refuels, it really does cover all the bases. Club, bar, café – you decide.
reviewed
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K
Bezsenność
With its alternative/rock/dance line-up and distressed décor, ‘Insomnia’ attracts a high-end clientele and is probably the best club in town currently.
reviewed
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L
Antykwariat
Lovely sepia-tinted atmosphere, with all scuffed wood, mismatched furniture, old cushions and overflowing shelves of books. Best enjoyed in winter, as there’s no garden.
reviewed
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M
Balsam
A unique club, located inside an old military fort. It’s good for lunch during the day but clubbers hold court at night and party hard under its vaulted ceilings.
reviewed
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N
Café Artzat
This low-key café just north of the landmark Church of St Elizabeth is one of the best places in town to recharge the batteries over coffee or tea and a good book.
reviewed
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O
Rdza
This is your classic Krakovian cellar, dressed up with cushy sofas, coloured lights and house music. The bouncer ensures that the dancers match the sophisticated decor.
reviewed
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P
Weranda Caffe
This cosy café-bar, with a fireplace glowing in winter and outdoor terrace set up in summer, is a good place to have a drink, alcoholic or otherwise, year-round.
reviewed
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Q
U Louisa
This stylish pub is conveniently located below the main square as you enter from ul Grodzka. Big screens to watch sports and wi-fi throughout rounds out the picture.
reviewed
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R
Café Antrakt
A mellow venue for an alcoholic or caffeine-laden drink, hidden away above a mineral shop with an ambient old-meets-new décor. It occasionally hosts live jazz.
reviewed
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S
Le Scandale
Smooth drinking hole with low black leather couches, ambient lighting and a gleaming well-stocked bar. Full of mellow drinkers sampling the extensive cocktail list.
reviewed
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T
Aquarium
Soaked in UV light, the basement Aquarium brings on some top dance nights, including an entertaining kitsch funk party. It’s serious clubbing for over-21s.
reviewed
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U
Metropolis
This humungous place has two dance floors, one on the ground floor with dance and techno, and a piano bar in the cellar. It’s something of a meat market.
reviewed
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V
Stodoła
Stodoła is one of Warsaw’s biggest and longest running student clubs. It hosts events, club nights and touring bands when they’re in town.
reviewed
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W
Café Faktoria
Café Faktoria is a veritable temple to coffee and its loyal companion, chocolate; thrilling concoctions of both are brewing in various pots on the stove.
reviewed
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X
Rotunda Cultural Centre
The cinemas that may have some art-house and quality mainstream movies on their programme include the cinema at the Rotunda Cultural Centre.
reviewed
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Y
Highlander Pub
A good central place for a beer and a bop, the friendly but not-very-Scottish Highlander hosts DJs playing anything from tribal house to Latin and dancehall.
reviewed