Bars

“Whack for my daddy, oh...” (p.95).

BarKa

Seasonal Bar Brainwave for the heatwave, Barka is basically a flat-topped barge, pimped up to look modern and cool by the designers at Project Praga. Once you’ve navigated the narrow gangways and the security blokes you’ll find a bar, concert and dance area. A whole series of gigs and guest DJs appear throughout the summer and the venue is regularly mobbed with partygoers. In fact it gets so busy that many visitors prefer to just make use of the riverbank area in front of the moored barge to chat and listen to the music. Our sympathies go out to you if you need to make use of the portaloos (Toi-toi in Polish).QI-6, Skwer im. Tadeusza Kahla, MCentrum Nauki Kopernik. Open 11:00-02:00; Fri, Sat 11:00-06:00. Open May-Sept only. BE El Koktel

Cocktail Bar Moody and elegant, this sophisticated cocktail bar serves signature drinks with performative flair. The imaginative menu of classic and modern mixed drinks changes seasonally; during our recent visit the sci-fi/space exploration theme featured delicious drinks with names like ‘Enter the Void’ and ‘Johnny Silverhand,’ and the range of unique ingredients included nutella liqueur, agave nectar, bison grass absinthe and pomegranate tincture. These alcohol alchemists even make their own flavoured gin (cleverly named ‘Gin Dobry’), which you simply must sample by ordering a classic G&T. Also on the menu: wine, craft beer, and antipasti boards. Ring the doorbell to be admitted.QG-7, ul. Wojciecha Górskiego 9, MCentrum. Open 18:00-24:00; Fri, Sat 18:00-01:00; closed Mon, Sun. B6

Symbol Key

Category C-1 Map Coordinate M Metro N Credit cards not accepted E Live music U Facilities for the disabled X Smoking room available B Outside Seating 6 Animal friendly

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. Hard Rock Cafe’s large downstairs bar 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-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. And, of course, there’s live music - Wednesdays and Fridays starting at 19:00. Check their social channels for special events like parties and monthly visits by a children’s entertainer who will watch over your young’uns while you imbibe some hard alcohol in peace.QE-8, ul. Złota 59 (Złote Tarasy), MCentrum, www.hardrockcafe.com. Open 09:00-23:00; Fri, Sat 09:00-24:00. 6

Miami Wars

Seasonal Bar There may not be any sand, but this is one of the greenest, most lush riverside bars in the capital - with great views of Saska Kępa beach. The spacious area consists of multiple wood-planked terraces - one of which is heated, a bar with a huge selection of prosecco and rum-based cocktails, gastrobars offering burgers and vegan food, and a lovely meadow where you can have a picnic, grill or bonfire. A popular hangout with cyclists and water sports enthusiasts, they host film screenings, DJs and even have a fleet of motorboats offering river cruises. Absolutely worth the trip.QK-8, ul. Solec 8, www.miamiwars.pl. Open 12:00-24:00; Fri 12:00-03:00; Sat 10:00-03:00; Sun 10:00-24:00. B

Myata Lounge

Cocktail Bar The first Myata Lounge in PL, this franchise might be familiar to those who have wandered over the border east. Known for good food, great drinks, shisha smoke, sexy Slavs and general debauchery in a sleek, modern interior full of plush love seats, Myata covers a lot of bases, but what makes it special is its regulars, who would rather go hard than go home. It’s a few-fucks-given kind of vibe that only the young and beautiful can pull off, and they do it here. The menu ranges from wasabi shrimp to burgers, quesadillas and seafood risotto, and they offer almost 300(!) flavours of shisha. There’s Guinness on draught, but you’ll find most guests sipping cocktails. If you were hoping Warsaw would be a bit more Wild, Wild East, check this place out.QG-8, ul. Żurawia 6, MCentrum, www.myatawarszawa.tilda.ws. Open 12:00-01:00; Fri 12:00-04:00; Sat 16:00-04:00; Sun 16:00-01:00. X Plan B

Dive Bar Walk up a curving stairwell to enter Plan B, a venue where the ceilings are high and the windows are low – so low you’ll have to crouch for views of pl. Zbawiciela - known locally as ‘Hipster Square.’ It’s a fitting moniker and you’ll discover why when you get to Plan B, the area’s flagship bar. This place has seen minimal investment, with a design that must have set the owner back the price of a packet of sausages; decor is limited to little more than tatty posters, black tiles and sofas. Job done. But Plan B is astonishingly popular, especially with students, the DIY crowd and those who look like they’ve just finished band practice. In summer the party spills outside, with gangs of drinkers chucking frisbees and sharing sneaky puffs on Moroccan cigarettes. Drunkenness is rife and encouraged, and it’s only fair to mention that this place has become a bit of a magnet for expat lads attempting to pick up Polish girls.QG-10, Al. Wyzwolenia 18, MPolitechnika. Open 14:00-02:00; Fri, Sat 14:00-03:00. XB

Read and review 175+ Nightlife venues

SWING Asian Fusion Restaurant & Cocktail Bar

Cocktail Bar Right on the Royal Route, Swing is one of the capital’s most sophisticated and upscale destinations for dining, drinks and, yep, swinging cocktail parties. The elegance exuded by day is nicely offset by the creativity of the Asian-fusion cuisine and the relaxed atmosphere created by the staff and clientele, particularly in the evenings, which belies all the finery. The cocktails are excellent, and they have an ample offering of wine and champagne to enhance the mood when local musicians bring the energy during retro swing concerts on Friday and Saturday nights after 19:00. It don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that Swing.QG-7, ul. Nowy Świat 31, MNowy ŚwiatUniwersytet, www.swingrestauracja.pl. Open 12:0023:00; Fri, Sat 12:00-24:00. E6

The Alchemist Metropolitan

Cocktail Bar Patenting the ‘future of drinking’ themselves, The Alchemist’s ‘Beer Wall’ was the first of its kind in Europe. With a handy card, you can pour yourself as many drinks as you like from the 8 taps on the wall - typically local craft beer and prosecco. Gizmos aside, however, the signature cocktails that shimmer, swirl and smoke are where the Alchemist earns its name, and their award-winning food (Gault & Millau 2020) makes this venue a must-visit. On the menu are delicious burgers, steaks and innovative interpretations of American and British classics. If all this wasn’t enough, in the summer it’s the spacious terrace that draws the locals to lounge around for hours enjoying The Alchemist’s experimentation. Second location (without the Beer Wall) at ul. Grzybowska 5A (E-7).QF-5, Pl. Piłsudskiego 3, MRatusz Arsenał, www.thealchemist.pl. Open 12:0023:00; Fri, Sat 12:00-24:00. TU6

The Legendary Jack’s Cinema Restaurant & Bar

Cocktail Bar Bottles at the bar, bottles on the ceilings, and why not, considering your signature alcoholic drink is one of the world’s most recognisable brands? Not just a bar, this spot does some great American style grub, from burgers, steaks and BBQ ribs to fried chicken. What’s more, the quirk of this place is the cinema screen round back, great for films, live screenings of sports events or as a space for live music and other events. Come here for a drink, food, and definitely check out their events calendar on Facebook.QG-8, ul. Bracka 18, MCentrum, www.jackscinema.pl. Open 12:00-01:00; Sun 12:00-24:00. TUBE6

Whiskey in the Jar

Cocktail Bar First opened in Poznań in 2013, it didn’t take long for Whiskey in the Jar to become something of a local institution, and the quickly-expanding brand now boasts locations in several cities, including this glorious establishment in the centre of Warsaw. Known primarily for its steaks and rock n’ roll aesthetic (including frequent live concerts), it might be easy to assume that WITJ is merely the Polish version of a certain international chain, yet this place exudes authenticity and is very much a passion project for the team that runs it. So while you’ll get choice cuts of seasoned beef, mouthwatering burgers, a wide selection of craft beers and of course the eponymous whiskey served in jars, there are also some traditional Polish tastes on the menu - and always the looming possibility of a pyrotechnics display or a Harley tearing through the place while you’re there. Definitely a fun experience for those looking for something different.QG-10, ul. Marszałkowska 53, MPolitechnika, tel. (+48) 798 80 56 18, www.whiskeyinthejar.pl. Open 13:00-23:30; Mon 13:00-21:30; Tue 13:00-22:30; Sun 13:00-21:00. UBE6 Wilcza Okocim Grill & Bar Beer Pub

Sports Pub A brilliant venue for anyone who believes a pub should be a casual, social place, where friends can drink good beer, watch the game and have a solid feed. This place looks the part with an interior of exposed brick, green booths and dark wood finishing, set over two levels, with a seasonal patio. First and foremost a sports pub, there’s not a seat inside or out without a view of the match of the moment. The menu - a mix of barbecue and burgers, steaks, goulash and golanka (traditional pork knuckle, try it!) is outstanding, and the national Okocim lager should serve you well, but they also have Guinness, Brooklyn EIPA and Grimbergen Blonde on draught, plus a full bar. All told it’s more than anyone deserves to expect from a modern sports pub.QF/G-9, Ul. Wilcza 35/41, MPolitechnika, tel. (+48) 22 621 35 06, www. okocimbeer.pub. Open 14:00-01:00; Mon 14:00-24:00; Fri 14:00-02:00; Sat 15:00-02:00; Sun 15:00-23:00. €€. B6