Bars

The Psycho Dolls perform in Whiskey in the Jar (p.92); instagram.com/thepsychodolls.

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 Cuda na Kiju

Multi-tap Bar Housed in the former communist party HQ, just next to the statue of General Charles De Gaulle, this 3-level bar was Warsaw’s first multi-tap and boasts an impressive 16 taps pouring craft beers from around Poland and Europe, plus pizza for your late-night feed. The interior design is unobtrusive and kept to a minimum, making for a nice and airy atmosphere, and features three outdoor seating areas. The owners should really be given a special prize for this brilliant initiative; instead, in true Warsaw tradition, they quickly got dozens of copycat bars. Still, we stay true to our first-love multi-tap bar.QH‑8, ul. Nowy Świat 6/12, MNowy Świat‑Uniwersytet, tel. (+48) 784 48 97 27. Open 12:00‑01:00; Fri, Sat 12:00‑02:00; Sun 12:00‑ 24:00. E

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

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, tel. (+48) 507 45 64 47. Open 18:00‑24:00; Fri, Sat 18:00‑01:00; closed Mon, Sun. B6

Ether Bar at NYX HOTEL WARSAW

Cocktail Bar Step onto this 19th-floor terrace bar for a breath of fresh air, and the views might just take it away. Nestled amongst the capital’s soaring skyscrapers, this open-air rooftop lounge features stylish furnishings, classy cocktails to match the scenery, plus occasional live music and DJs. It’s perfectly legal to get this high; in fact, you don’t even need to be a guest of the hip NYX Hotel to lose your head in the clouds. Note that the opening hours are somewhat dependent on the weather.QD/E‑8, ul. Chmielna 71, MCentrum, tel. (+48) 22 346 29 00, www.leonardo‑ hotels.com/warsaw/nyx‑hotel‑warsaw. Open 14:00‑ 01:00. UBE6

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-pat crowd taking in paraphernalia like a wellworn 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, tel. (+48) 22 222 07 00, 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 green 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, tel. (+48) 733 30 20 08, www.miamiwars.pl. Open 12:00‑ 24:00; Fri 12:00‑03:00; Sat 10:00‑03:00; Sun 10:00‑24:00. Open from mid‑May till end of September only. 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, and as such, the clientele skews sexy Slav. Known for good food, great drinks, shisha smoke 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 and teriyaki salmon to burgers and quesadillas, and they offer almost 300(!) flavours of shisha. There’s live music every Sunday from 21:00 and also Guinness on draught, but you’ll find most guests sipping their signature cocktails. If you were hoping Warsaw would be a bit more Wild, Wild East, check this place out.QG‑8, ul. Żurawia 6, MCentrum, tel. (+48) 534 72 73 25, www.myatawarszawa.tilda.ws. Open 12:00‑01:00; Fri 12:00‑04:00; Sat 16:00‑04:00; Sun 16:00‑01:00. XE SWING Asian Fusion Restaurant & Cocktail Bar

Cocktail Bar Right on the Royal Route, Swing is one of the capital’s most sophisticated destinations for dining, drinks and, yep, swinging parties. The elegance exuded by day is offset by the creativity of the Asian-fusion cuisine and the relaxed atmosphere created by the staff and clientele, particularly in the evenings. A curtailed menu of tasty Asian tapas goes into effect after 22:00 Fri-Sun, the cocktails are excellent, and they have an ample offering of wine, champagne and other spirits to move you as the hour gets late. After all, it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that Swing. QG‑7, ul. Nowy Świat 31, MNowy Świat‑Uniwersytet, tel. (+48) 667 98 88 88, www.swingrestauracja.pl. Open 17:00‑24:00; Fri 17:00‑02:00; Sat, Sun 15:00‑02:00. 6

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, tel. (+48) 22 400 28 23, 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, Whiskey in the Jar is now something of a Polish institution, boasting locations in several cities, including this glorious one in the centre of Warsaw. Known primarily for its steaks, rock n’ roll aesthetic and live concerts (Thu-Sat from 20:00), it might be easy to chalk this up as just the Polish take on a certain international chain, yet WITJ exudes authenticity and is very much a passion project for the team behind it. So while you’ll get choice cuts of seasoned steaks, mouthwatering burgers, a wide selection of craft beers and the eponymous whiskey served in jars, there are also traditional Polish touches here and there - plus the possibility that a Harley might tear through the place at any moment.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 13:00‑21:30. UBE6