Entertainment in Kraków
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Singer Café
Louche hang-out of choice among the Kazimierz cognoscenti, this bar pays tribute to the sewing machine that was once produced here. By day, it's an atmospheric, antique-filled cafe, where patrons sit at sewing machines and sip cappuccinos. By night, they turn up the music and the place hums until dawn.
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Crikoteka Archive
Even in life it was hard to define Tadeusz Kantor, a master of both performance and visual arts, who blurred the line between genres. Poet, painter, set designer and actor, he delighted and confounded his audiences with his one-man avant-garde extravaganzas. The venue for his performances was the Cricot 2 Theatre - defunct since his death in 1990. But the Crikoteka archive documents his life work, maintaining a collection of set designs, costumes, photographs and videos. Kantor's Atelier is also open to the public, housing a small gallery of pieces that the artist created towards the end of his life.
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Cheder
Unlike most of the other Jewish-themed places in Kazimierz, this one aims to entertain and educate. Named after a traditional Hebrew school, the cafe offers access to a decent library in Polish and English, regular readings and films, as well as real Israeli coffee, brewed in a traditional Turkish copper pot with cinnamon and cardamom.
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Drukarnia
Old typewriters and newsprint wallpaper evoke the namesake 'printhouse', creating an arty atmosphere at this riverside venue. Upstairs, there are two spacious bars and pavement seating; downstairs is where the music goes down (live music on Wednesday and Thursday, dance parties on Friday and Saturday).
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Pauza
Beloved for its alternative atmosphere, Pauza offers stiff drinks and heady conversation on the 1st floor (not to mention the occasional art exhibit and great window seats overlooking Floriańska). As the night wears on, head down to the basement, where the club continues to pulse into the wee hours.
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Teatr Groteska
The 'Grotesque Theatre' stages puppet and mask shows for adults and children. The theatre is especially known for its creepy, wordless version of The Golem, the story of a Frankenstein-like clay creature brought to life by a Prague rabbi. Also hosts the Grand Dragon Parade in early June.
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Teatr Bagatela
Bagatela is one of the city's leading venues for drama, staging plays by both Polish and foreign writers, although all performances are in Polish. Recent productions include versions of Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
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Prozak
A legend in its own lifetime, this nightlife giant was once celebrated for luring Kraków’s rich and beautiful into its labyrinth of passageways, nooks and crannies. It still draws in the clubbing faithful, but too may (drunken) foreigners have scared away the local talent.
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Cień Klub
One of Kraków's hottest nightspots at the time of research. What this means for you: wear your Sunday best and you might have the chance to get down with the upper crust or relax in the groovy garden. The crowd is attractive, as is the cavernous vaulted-cellar setting.
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Cava
In up-and-coming Podgórze, one does not expect to see such a chic little wine bar, but here it is, complete with post-industrial decor and spiffy waitstaff. Come for cappuccino or cava (duh). If you're hungry, there are sophisticated, Med-style tapas listed on the slate board.
reviewed
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Nic Nowego
Nic Nowego ‘Nothing New’, run by a genuine Paddy, is a ‘modern Irish café-bar’ and a welcome addition to the drinking scene in Kraków. It’s a bright, modern place with a long bar, a great atmosphere and good food.
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Pod Papugami
Pod Papugami ‘Under the Parrots’ is a vaguely ‘Irish’ cellar pub decorated with old motorcycles, street signs, musical instruments and other junk. It’s good to escape to, with its pool table and tunnel-like maze of rooms.
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Cafe Rękawka
The smell of fresh-brewed java and the sounds of jazz music entice you into this sweet sanctuary. It's a funny mismatch of burlap coffee bags, lace curtains and leafy plants, creating the perfect atmosphere to sink into a comfortably worn armchair and warm up with a cuppa.
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Alchemia
Decked out with the usual retro Kazimierz knick-knackery, Alchemia offers multiple rooms for drinking and watching the activity on Plac Nowy. Most importantly, the grungy, arcaded basement hosts the best line-ups of live music acts in town, including jazz, blues and pop.
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Zbliżenia
Tucked into the corner of Plac Nowy, it's easy to miss this place, but don't pass it by. Krakovians rave about this luscious, laid-back little bar. It's hip enough to impress a date, but friendly enough that you want to return again and again. Decent food, sweet garden.
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Piwnica Pod Baranami
The beer bar 'under the rams' is a legendary place, established in 1956 as a 'literary cabaret'. Nowadays the program is a bit sporadic, but the place continues to host a summer jazz festival in July and other concerts and recitals throughout the year.
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Klub Kombinator
Inside the Łaźnia Nowa building, the eclectic Klub Kombinator attracts creative types who hang out, smoke, drink vodka and play cards. On weekends, the place is packed with artsy-looking people, especially before or after a show.
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Wiśniowy Sad
With its old furniture, lacy tablecloths and scattered antiques, the ‘Cherry Orchard’ evokes the world of Chekhov and serves Russian-style tea and pastries. Sip your Darjeeling to live piano recitals at 8pm from Thursday to Sunday.
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Demmers Teahouse
An outlet of the famous Viennese teehaus, this is the best place in Kraków for a cup of tea. It sells 130 varieties, many of which can be tried in an intimate tearoom in the 13th-century cellar of this lovely building with sgraffito.
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Harris Piano Jazz Bar
Yet another smoky, subterranean jazz haunt, Harris has one of Kraków's most varied programs. There is jazz, blues, big band, fusion or soul music every night at 9.30pm; Mondays and Wednesdays are given over to jam sessions (free admission).
reviewed
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Klubokawiarnia Mleczarnia
Wins the prize for best courtyard cafe. Shady trees and blooming roses make this place tops for a sunny-day drink. If it's rainy, never fear, for the cafe is warm and cosy, with crowded bookshelves and portrait-covered walls. Self service.
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Lizard King
'I am the lizard king; I can do anything', sang The Doors' Jim Morrison, an apt inspiration for this cool music club. Come for local rock bands and the occasional international act, which usually start at 9pm, from Thursday to Saturday.
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Opera Krakowska
The Kraków Opera performs in the striking, modern, red building at the Mogilskie roundabout – brand new in 2009. The setting is decidedly 21st century, but the repertoire spans the ages, incorporating everything from Verdi to Bernstein.
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Club 1949
Nowa Huta has come a long way since 1949, when the steelworks and suburb were built. Opposite the museum, the funky Club 1949 pays tribute to the ’hood, with local street signs and propaganda posters adorning the walls.
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Café Szafe
The colourful cafe on the corner is a cupboard full of surprises, from the whimsical sculptured creatures lurking in the corners to the intriguing artwork that hangs on the walls. The place hosts concerts, films and other arty events.
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