The best bars in Warsaw, Poland...
The bars in Krakow are largely aimed at the partying tourists, each claiming to offer "the best cocktails in town", with promotions girls on the street trying to talk you in. However with a bit of research, like our list below, you can find some great cocktail bars and unique venues away from the stag-parties and large groups looking to get wasted.
- Warsaw bars generally get busy after 18:00 with most closing at midnight or 02:00, and clubs at 06:00
- Warsaw is a small enough city to be explored easily by foot or short Metro rides.
- Most Warsaw bars accept payment by credit or debit card
- Staff in most Warsaw bars speak fluent English
- Most Warsaw bars offer free WiFi, even at some of the older establishments
- You can not smoke in bars in Warsaw
- Generally, the locals tip by just leaving loose change however, when paying, be careful when saying "Dziękuje", or even "Thank you" in English, as that indicates you do not want any change back
Best Bars Warsaw ~ Dom Wodki / Photo: Facebook domwodki
1 ~ DOM WÓDKI ~ VODKA ATELIER
Opened in October 2015 next to the Opera house, and with plans to expand to the bar next door, this incredible modern cocktail bar specialises in vodka - 320 varieties of it to be precise with 120 from Poland alone. Dom Wodki is two concepts under one roof; the Elixir Restaurant offers some of the best Polish dishes we've tasted, each given a modern fine dining twist, whilst the Vodka Atelier bar is a stunning place to sample the national drink or enjoy some well crafted vodka cocktails and even sample food and vodka pairings.
Cocktails 25zł+ Beer (0.5l) 12zł+ Wine 10zł+
Best Bars Warsaw ~ El Koktel / Photo: Facebook elkoktel
2 ~ EL KOKTEL
NOW CLOSED ~ A few years ago, quality cocktail bars were a rare thing in Warsaw. Now, there seems to be a plethora of openings, especially in the area around Poznanska Street. However it's the drinks at this tiny basement bar below the Leniviec Cocktail Bar and Chill Out Hostel that stand out over anything else in the city, thanks largely to the return of two pioneers on the Polish bar scene. Diageo World Class 2015 Finalist Mateusz Szuchnik is recognised as the best barman in Poland, learning his trade at Paparazzi, Pies Czy Suka (below), and London's Michelin-starred Pollen Street Social before returning to open this place in December 2014 with Paweł Rodaszyński (also formerly Pies Czy Suka). Press the buzzer on the door and enter to be rewarded with some of the best drinks you've ever tasted.
Cocktails 25zł+ Beer (0.5l) 12zł+ Wine 12zł+
Best Bars Warsaw ~ Kita Koguta / Photo: Facebook kitakoguta
3 ~ KITA KOGUTA
Translated as "Cock" or "Rooster" Crest, this colourful two-storey April 2014 opening completely transformed the premises of the high-end cocktail bar, Columbia. Thankfully it's owned by two former Columbia bartenders so the seasonally changing drinks remain just as creative and tasty, presented in glasses that are either smoking or on fire, such as the delicious "Candy Man", a mix of Woodford Reserve bourbon, Laphroaig single malt whisky, Fernet Branca Menta, Polish berry liquor and white chocolate syrup, served in a smoking metal fish. It's no surprise that the place is packed with some of Warsaw's most fashionable crowd.
Cocktails 26zł+ Beer (0.5l) 13zł+ Wine 13zł+
Best Bars Warsaw ~ Pies Czy Suka / Photo: Facebook piesczysuka
4 ~ PIES CZY SUKA
Translated into English as "Dog or Bitch", this hidden-away cocktail bar is one of our favourites in the whole of Europe. Located inside a designer concept store, the drinks are every bit as bespoke as the furniture for sale around it, each presented in one unique glass or another. The menu is delivered on an iPad and whilst many of the cocktails may no longer be of the same international competition standard as the days when one World Class Finalist after another learned their trade here, there's still plenty to keep you happy.
Cocktails Not known Beer (0.5l) Not known Wine Not known
Best Bars Warsaw ~ Między Ustami
5 ~ MIEDZY USTAMI
It comes as no surprise to us that this Victorian industrial style stunning cocktail bar has won numerous awards for its design since opening in March 2015. Translated as "Between Mouth", its eye catching bespoke copper furniture is as well crafted as the delicious drinks on offer and the bar is relaxed enough to be a great place to enjoy a good conversation with friends.
Cocktails 27zł+ Beer (0.5l) 12zł+ Wine 15zł+
Best Bars Warsaw ~ 6 Cocktails / Photo: Facebook 6cocktails
6 ~ 6 COCKTAILS
This is Warsaw partying at its very best. The first proper speakeasy to open in the city, you'll have to press a buzzer at 57 Mokotowska street and wait to see if the big wooden door to the building buzzes open for you. From there, enter the courtyard and take the unmarked door on the left, climbing the unlit stairway to the third floor, following the noise to apartment number 6 as guidance, where once more, you'll need to ring the bell and hope the stern doorman lets you in. It's all very clandestine and feels like you've been invited to a secret party at a private apartment. Which, in essence is what it is. The apartment in question, being Enyo's, the 20 year old law-student who inherited it from his grandmother. Apparently he lived for most of his life in the room now used as the cloakroom, whilst the bathroom still boasts a shower cubicle. A bar in the corner of one room serves up great cocktails to a smartly dresses young crowd, and a DJ in the living room provides the soundtrack. Opened in January 2015, it's hard to say how long the place will last before the authorities pick up on the lack of fire escapes and sprinklers. Something that became apparent when the lock on the door broke and we couldn't exit temporarily. Not that we're complaining - there are far worse places to be trapped on a night out.
Cocktails 25zł+ Beer (0.5l) 16zł+ Wine 22zł+