Entertainment in Pomerania
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Café Ferber
It’s startling to step straight from Gdańsk’s historic main street into this very modern café-bar, dominated by bright red panels, a suspended ceiling and boxy lighting. The scarlet décor contrasts with its comfy brown armchairs, from which you can sip well-made coffee, international wines, and cocktail creations such as the szary kot (grey cat). On weekends, DJs spin house and chill-out music into the wee small hours.
reviewed
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Spiritus Sanctus
If you’re tired of beer and vodka, head for this stylish wine bar opposite St Mary’s Church. There’s no wine list to peruse – instead, the knowledgeable waiters suggest suitable tipples from unfamiliar regions of the Balkans. While you’re enjoying your Slovenian white or Croatian red, you can marvel at the amazing décor, a jumble of abstract art and classic objets d’art.
reviewed
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Tantra
Forget those Gothic bricks – this bar takes the colour red to new heights in its astonishingly decorated interior. It’s done out in an Indian and Tibetan theme and layered with cloth and other artefacts from the subcontinent, including some tastefully rendered images of erotic temple statuary. Sit on the cushion-strewn divans, order a drink from the long list and meditate on the infinite.
reviewed
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u7
Taking the American under-one-roof concept to extremes, U7 offers much more than your average bowling alley: a snack bar, a gym, a sauna, a solarium, pool tables, darts and even a shooting range are packed into the subterranean space by the market hall. Unsurprisingly, the heady combination of tenpin and live ammo is a magnet for Gdańsk’s younger citizens.
reviewed
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Café Art Deco
Tucked away at the quiet western end of Monte Cassino in a small courtyard back from the street, the tiny Art Deco serves some alcoholic tipples, but it’s the coffee that makes it special. It’s an atmospheric update of the classic Polish kawiarnia (café) that defies the current onslaught of cookie-cutter café chains.
reviewed
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Christopher Columbus
This bar-restaurant, boasting an attractive timber-lined interior, overlooks the river and its less than fascinating dockyards, but you can always turn your chair to face the nearby Naval Academy. The curved bar resembles a boat, and there’s a vast beer garden. Jazz and swing music is on Monday and Tuesday evenings, respectively.
reviewed
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St John’s Centre
Housed within the massive Gothic interior of the former St John’s Church in the heart of the Main Town, this spectacular venue is administered by the Baltic Sea Culture Centre as an exhibition space and auditorium, showcasing everything from classical concerts to world music. Check the posters outside for upcoming events.
reviewed
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Coctailo
Bright little drinking space hidden from ul Bohaterów Monte Cassino at the back of the Crooked House, with a cosy light-filled interior and a peaceful outdoor seating area. The drinks list contains Italian wines by the glass (6zł to 15zł), along with good coffee, smoothies and ice cream sundaes.
reviewed
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Soda
Cool, laid-back venue with a split identity – upstairs it’s a mellow pot plant–strewn bar and restaurant during the day, while downstairs it’s a club after dark. Musical styles change from night to night, and can include anything from house to ’70s and ’80s classics.
reviewed
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Mandarynka
This very cool confection of timber tables, scarlet lampshades and huge orange cushions is about as loungey as it gets. The bartenders seem to be on first-name terms with all the patrons, and are superbly nonchalant to boot. There’s a food menu, and a DJ in action upstairs most nights.
reviewed
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Mezzoforte/Zielony Abażur
This Italian restaurant leads a double life as one of Szczecin’s hippest bar-clubs, with a different musical flavour on the upstairs stereo every day, and guest artists laying beats in the basement at night. The outdoor seating on the cobblestone mall is a great place to sip a beer.
reviewed
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Celtic Pub
Another Hibernian-themed cellar bar with late-night parties, and it’s exactly the kind of messy, crowded, chaotic dive you need to round off a hard day’s drinking. The surface-level entrance leads to DJs playing music every night, ranging from karaoke to chill-out tunes.
reviewed
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State Baltic Opera
Founded in 1950, Gdańsk’s premier opera company resides in this opera house in the Wrzeszcz district, next to the Gdańsk Politechnika train station. Alongside the usual operatic repertoire, it stages regular ballets. Symphonic concerts are also held here.
reviewed
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Soho
This long-time hot spot still hasn’t lost it. Haunt of the cool people, including scenesters, celebs and fashionistas, Soho goes for a surprisingly rough-cut retro style: brown walls, pink and yellow stripes, and red lighting fixtures to set off the glamorous crowds.
reviewed
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Na Plantacji
Was it ever this civilised down on the plantation? Genteel ladies sip tea while waiters glide past bearing orders from the voluminous menu of hot beverages. This might be the place to order that great Polish refresher – herbata z rumem (tea with rum).
reviewed
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Miasto Aniołów
The City of Angels covers all the bases – late-night revellers can hit the spacious dance floor, crash in the chill-out area, or hang around the atmospheric deck overlooking the Motława River. Nightly DJs play disco and other dance-oriented sounds.
reviewed
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Winiarnia Bachus
Classy wine bar offering outdoor seating overlooking the square in front of the town hall and it serves up beer, spirits and wine, though the selection isn’t as broad as you’d expect. There’s also fine food on the menu, including snails.
reviewed
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Caipirinha
Another good bar set within the surreal façade of the Crooked House, it serves plenty of cocktails, including local creations like the Sopot Special Night, featuring peach liqueur. It also has a decent selection of nonalcoholic drinks and light meals.
reviewed
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City Hall
The basement of the massive Red Town Hall packs in up to 400 mad-for-it clubbers for some of the biggest nights in town, featuring rhythms from soul to house to R & B. The best night is Saturday, when Berlin DJs often hop over the border to play here.
reviewed
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Irish Pub
Set in the vast vaulted cellars of the Old Town Hall, this sort-of Irish pub is famous for its cheap booze and shamelessly naff sessions of the dreaded karaoke. There’s some kind of music most nights – see the very green website for details.
reviewed
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Papryka
This appealing timbered villa near the beach buzzes on all levels – the two floors, balcony and beer garden are set in an attractive park surrounding the club. Music includes house, dub and alternative sounds. You must be 21 or older to enter.
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Yesterday
Groovy cellar venue decked out in 1960s flower-power décor, including cartoon characters and a fluorescent portrait of Chairman Mao. DJs play a variety of sounds from 9pm every night, and there’s the occasional live gig.
reviewed
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Kamienica
The pick of the bunch on Mariacka is this excellent two-level café with a calm, sophisticated atmosphere and the best patio on the block. It’s as popular for daytime coffee and cakes as it is for a sociable evening beverage.
reviewed
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Kawiarnia U Hrabiego
The oldest family home in Sopot now houses a charming little café and art gallery, far from the madding summer crowds. The quaint interior is perfect for cake and conversation, and there’s seating in the garden terrace.
reviewed
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Brama Jazz Café
Housed in the Baroque Royal Gate, another fragment of lost history, the Brama has a DJ playing different styles of jazz on Tuesday nights. Have a drink in the relaxed outdoor area beneath a stern circle of carved Prussian eagles.
reviewed
