Bars � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

Classy smiles and drinks are always evident at Woda Ognista (p.85).

The explosion of bars in Warsaw means you are never far from a fresh beer or decent nightspot, however, local knowledge is a prerequisite to achieving a successful time out� This section highlights some of our favourite venues for all budgets� But time for some quick tips: Warsaw‘s young arty crowd prefer the down-at-heel clubs and bars in the districts across the river: Stara Praga (H/I-4) and the fashionable and increasingly gentrified Saska Kępa (L-7), whereas the young trendy crowds head to the hipsteresque Powiśle district (p�42)� Lads on holiday stick to the party strip on ul. Mazowiecka (F-6/7) and skint travellers and students enjoy the vibe of the dive bars

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6 Animal friendly N Credit cards not accepted E Live music U Facilities for the disabled o Year-round Garden X Smoking room available in The Pavilions (Pawilony, G-7) inside the courtyard on ul. Nowy Świat 26� In practice, many bars will stay open well beyond the call of duty if the need arises (and you’re continuing to spend), but by the same benchmark will happily bolt the doors if business is slow�

AURA Bar

Bar Walking around Warsaw’s atmospheric city centre side streets, you could easily miss this place� It’s barely bigger than a small bedroom� Despite its size, it’s been causing quite a stir amongst Warsaw locals who are more than happy to squeeze in� Found on the corner of an eye catching pre-war residential building, entering, you’ll immediately see why all the hype is justifed� Small, dark, moody in all the right ways; it has a relaxed Moroccan interior design to draw your attention� Once you’ve stopped looking at the design of the place, your head then spins in the direction of the wall of bourbons behind the bar - a

huge selection for such a small venue� The cocktails here, based on seasonal ingredients, are as delicious as the atmosphere� It’s hard not to be impressed by such small places that pack a big punch�QG-9, ul. Hoża 27, MCentrum, tel. (+48) 791 88 81 98. Open 17:00-01:00; Fri, Sat 17:00-02:00; Sun 17:00-24:00. B6

Back Room Bar

Cocktail Bar Head down ul� Koszykowa, just off from Plac Konstytucji, and at no� 53 on your left, head down to the end of the lane which looks more like a residential car park� Keep hugging the right-hand side, walking past a few restaurants, and voilà, you’ll reach the Back Room Bar - an appropriate name indicating how well hidden it is! It would be a shame to miss this place, as inside, the mix of American 1930s bar and inter-war Varsovian lifestyle is strong; all with a heady art deco atmosphere� To top off the atmospehere, they have live music every Thu & Fri from 20:30� The cocktails the friendly dressed-for-the-part staff make are great, the setting perfect for a private drink, or a mingling session with friends� No harm in trying it out, huh?QG-10, ul. Koszykowa 49A, MPolitechnika, tel. (+48) 794 49 56 59, www.backroom.bar. Open 19:00-24:00; Fri, Sat 19:0002:00; closed Mon, Sun. E

Charlie

Cocktail Bar Billing itself as a venue where elegance meets comfort, this lounge bar feels like the type of place your classy ole pal Charlie himself would invite you into� If you don’t know anyone called Charlie, then let this venue be the substitute to fill that void! Found on the likewise elegant ul. Mokotowska, one of our favourite areas of Warsaw, just off the beaten track, come here to check out a wide selection of cocktails, all in the pleasantly dark and moody atmosphere� Their calendar of events, hosting live acts, jazz music, a Saturday DJ and various parties are legendary�QG-10, ul. Mokotowska 39, MPolitechnika, tel. (+48) 739 09 75 14, www.charliebar.pl. Open 19:00-01:00; Fri, Sat 19:0003:00; closed Mon, Sun. XE

Hard Rock Cafe

Cocktail Bar Sure you don’t need to see Freddie Mercury’s red leather pants to enjoy a night out, but it certainly doesn’t hurt� The Hard Rock Cafe’s large downstairs bar area is jumping at night even when live rock shows aren’t on the agenda� The endless bar mixes up a long list of colourful cocktails for a heavily ex-

The drinks dreamed up in The Roots (p�89) may have you frothing at the mouth�

pat crowd taking in paraphernalia like a well-worn Bee Gees guitar and a black leather outfit that formerly clung to Madonna’s early 90s frame� Music is available courtesy of Rock Radio Fri 14:00-18:00�QE-8, ul. Złota 59 (Złote Tarasy), MCentrum, tel. (+48) 22 222 07 00, www.hardrockcafe.com/location/warsaw. Open 09:00-23:00. 6

Jabeerwocky

Craft Beer ‘Beware the Jabeerwocky���’, no wait, this one’s not a fictional monster, but a bare-brick dive bar found inside a fine residential building right in the city centre� And one worth checking out too with 17 taps offering some fine craft beers, and bottles of whiskey too! This is a great place to kick back with friends for some good chat, and if you’re desperate to watch some sports, they have a large projector screen and TV for you to stare at if the chat’s not good enough� Aside from the craft beers, they also have bourbon on the menu, along with some basic snacks� A separate room is open available to book out for closed parties, which can hold up to 35 people�QG-8, ul. Nowogrodzka 12, MCentrum, tel. (+48) 22 254 31 07. Open 14:00-24:00; Wed, Thu 14:00-01:00; Fri, Sat 14:00-02:00; Sun 15:0024:00. 6

Bar 2020 marks the 2nd season of this outdoor fun place to hang out along the Praga side of the river� If you’re a fan of Nocny Market/Night Market (check), Warmut (check), were a fan of the old Hocki Klocki (check), and of street food trucks and markets (check), then you’ll love this place� The crazy fairground ‘Lunapark’ concept is the brainchild of the owners of the aforementioned venues, with Hocki Klocki having vaulted across the river to its new location, one of two clubs here, along with the new Wata Cukrowa inside a circus tent (wait, what?!), and a host of other bars� With the nightlife sorted, you’ll be glad to know that their Mini Market filled with street food takes up the role of Nocny Market’s younger sibling� There’s recreational fun to be had here during the weekend daytime hours, then more food, alcohol and beats to be sampled at night� It’s already regarded as awesome after its 2ndyear of operation�QK-8, Wał Miedzeszyński 407, MStadion Narodowy. Open Fri 17:00-05:00; Sat 14:00-05:00; Sun 14:00-23:00. E6

The Legendary Jack’s Cinema Restaurant & Bar

Bar Bottles at the bar, bottles on the ceilings, and why not, considering you’re signature alcoholic drink is one of the world’s most recognisable brands� Not just a bar, this does some great American style grub, from burgers, steaks, ribs in BBQ sauce to fried chicken (what else, huh?)� What’s more, the quirk of this place is the cinema screen round back, great for films, live screenings of sports events, or the space itself can be used for live music and or various events� Come here for a drink, food, and definitely

check out their events calendar on Facebook�QG-8, ul. Bracka 18, MCentrum, tel. (+48) 22 400 28 23, www.jackscinema.pl. Open 12:00-01:00; Sun 12:0022:00. TUE6

The ROOTS Cocktail Bar & more

Cocktail Bar While the cocktail revolution continues to shake and stir Warsaw’s drinking habits, some places manage to stand out from the crowd� In our opinion The Roots has secured a special place in the hearts of cocktail devotees� First up, the bar is a shrine to the noble art of being a barman/cocktail mixer, check out their intriguing collection of vintage ‘tools of the trade’ – the growing collection of mixers alone stands at nearly 100 items! Add to this a library of antiquarian books on the subject of bartending/cocktail mixing and you know you are dealing with hardcore scholarly mixologists� Two great menus; one featuring classics of the trade and another which presents signature drinks based on seasonal Polish regional flavours� Food is also available in the form of Polish fusion menu, which in itself sounds intriguing� Quite brilliant!QF-5, ul. Wierzbowa 11, MRatusz Arsenał, tel. (+48) 22 828 22 33, www.therootsbar.com. Open 17:0024:00; Fri, Sat 17:00-02:00. 6 Weles Bar

Cocktail Bar Walk past and you could very easily miss the entrance to this, well, quite frankly, hidden cocktail bar� Found in the far corner of an alleyway, you woulnd’t give a 2nd glance to the rather barren looking entrance� It’s looks as if they were trying to hide something, but don’t worry, there’s no prohibition shenanigans here, instead, a crypt-like bar which descends into the underworld���not literally, thankfully, but instead to the mysterious domain of Weles, the Slavic god of the underworld, and patron of magic, music and prosperity� The moody crypt vibe they’re rockin’ is definitely intriguing, so much so, that to not sample some of the drinks which catch your eye as the barmen ply their trade would feel like an offence to Weles himself! Try we did, and converted we were� The cocktails are perfect� To say anymore would give away too many secrets, which you can only discover with a visit���QG-8, ul. Nowogrodzka 11, MCentrum, tel. (+48) 602 77 39 97, www.welesbar.pl. Open 19:00-02:00; Sun 19:00-24:00. E