Clubs

Pepper Night - Dance till dawn with the wild spirit of Warsaw, alive and untamed! (p.87)

A clubbing paradise, the capital certainly has some special nightclubs and Varsovians know how to party. Dress your best, anticipate a cover charge at any place worth getting into, and be prepared to greet the dawn. If you don’t make it till sunrise with this crowd, you’re probably doing it wrong.

Baila Show & Dining

‘Baila’ literally means dance in Spanish, and here it’s a literal call to action and command to live in the moment. Delivering on the promise of their name, they host live DJ sets Wednesday to Friday, while Saturday sees this place pack out with patrons eager to enjoy delicious Latin American dishes and premier eye-pleasing performances on their stage (starts at 20:30, reservations required), before going wild themselves during DJed afterparties. Dripping with intrigue, Baila adheres to a ‘what happens in Vegas’ philosophy and the less you know about what you’re getting into, the better the payoff. During the week, enjoy the colourful interior and oysters, steaks, salsas and other menu items with a bit less titilation.QC‑7, ul. Grzybowska 60, tel. (+48) 514 06 06 24, www.bailawarsaw.com. Open 12:00‑23:00; Thu, Fri 12:00‑01:00; Sat 15:00‑03:00; closed Wed, Sun. €€€€. BE DZiK House of Fun and Culture

Located right near Łazienki, DZiK is one of those wonderful places that defies concise characterisation. In essence it’s an old residence (1927 to be exact, which is fitting as it seems like a place that Gatsby would have enjoyed if he’d ever made it to Warsaw), with lots of original furnishings, a glorious 1000m2 courtyard garden, and a wide spectrum of happenings that attract a diverse and inclusive crowd - everything from burlesque, cabaret, concerts and DJ nights to children’s events and yoga sessions. The restaurant serves European cuisine and it’s a lovely place to drop in for a date or a glass of wine. We list it here in clubs because the dance parties last loooong on the weekends, but you never know what could be happening here. Keep an eye on FB to find out.QI‑13, ul. Belwederska 44 A, MPolitechnika. Open Wed, Thu 12:00‑24:00; Fri 12:00‑03:00; Sat 12:00‑04:00; Sun 12:00‑23:00; closed Mon, Tue. BE

Hulakula

Entertainment centre by both day and night, but once the kids are getting tucked in, Hulakula drops its family-friendly daytime disposition for party vibes. Although unusual, the idea to also use this huge entertainment centre as an after-hours hangout place with friends is absolutely brilliant and the fun is irrepressible as this place turns into a different kind of rumpus room. DJs often play weekends, and it’s worth checking their calendar for other concerts and events.QJ‑4, ul. Jagiellońska 82B, MDworzec Wileński, tel. (+48) 669 00 10 01, www.hulakula.com.pl. Open 12:00‑23:00; Wed 12:00‑01:00; Thu 12:00‑02:00; Fri 12:00‑03:00; Sat 10:00‑03:00; Sun 10:00‑23:00. XU

Hydrozagadka

You will not find a more unkempt bar than Hydrozagadka; this place has barely changed since it opened way back in 2007, and it still looks like it’s been ransacked by students; it’s almost advisable to check yourself for fleas when leaving. Decorations aren’t so much limited as virtually nonexistent, and you won’t find much more than brick walls and a collection of seats that appear to have been rescued from the rubbish. Have we scared you off? We hope not, for while it looks scruffy, they don’t need to change a damn thing as this has emerged as one of the best places in town, found right in the heart of Stara Praga (Old Praga, p.54) as both an artistic and music venue with off-beat performances enjoyed by a crowd that doesn’t get out of bed till way after noon. QJ‑1/2, ul. 11 Listopada 22 (Praga Północ), MDworzec Wileński, tel. (+48) 502 07 09 16, www.hydrozagadka.com. Open Fri, Sat 22:00‑03:30 only and during events. XUE6

Level 27

To anyone with vertigo, a word of warning: as the name suggests, this is not some dingy cellar club, but rather an ecstatic rooftop party that puts you in the centre of Warsaw’s skyline. Rated one of the best clubs in the world, Level 27 occupies the top floor of a modern skyscraper, and includes a 450m2 open-air terrace in the summer. A showcase for high society’s beautiful people, DJs typically spin R&B and hip hop, but anything can happen from fire

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shows to fashion runways (check their FB). Arrive early for an incredible sunset, or better yet, keep pace with these party people to see it come up again from the best vantage point in town. Are you on the level?QC‑9, Al. Jerozolimskie 123A, tel. (+48) 733 66 10 94, www.level27.pl. Open Fri, Sat 23:00‑ 05:00; Sun 18:00‑24:00. E

Selavi

The folks behind this multifaceted establishment just steps from Ogród Saski (Saxon Garden) have taken on quite the task for themselves, as their self-described motto is to show their patrons ‘the life’. Which life you might ask? It’s all in the name, ie Selavi, or in its original French rendering C’est la vie. Part fine dining restaurant, the menu features a wide variety of well-crafted European fare, including excellent seafood and steaks; for the more budget conscious, who still like to enjoy a bit of decadence, the set menu lunch gets the approval of both our wallet and palate. On weekday evenings, Selavi is a top-notch cocktail bar, while at the weekends it morphs into a late night club, where some of Warsaw’s most beautiful inhabitants come to dance the night away and usher in the dawn.QF‑6, Plac Małachowskiego 2, MNowy Świat‑Uniwersytet, tel. (+48) 535 31 89 33, www.selaviwarsaw.pl. Open 12:00‑22:00; Fri, Sat 12:00‑04:00; Sun 13:00‑20:00. BE

SLA Warsaw

Don’t let the stately, nondescript facade fool you, once you enter you’ll be met with an incredibly eclectic selection of food, drinks, smokes (by which we mean shisha) and décor. It’s fitting, as ‘SLA’ refers to the mythical Shangri-La, where everyone lives in harmony and enjoys the finer things in life. With a menu that ranges from bau and tempura shrimp to beef tartare and smoked duck salad, as well as some fine pizzas, there should be something to please everyone. It’s after dark, however, that SLA really shines, with every drink imaginable served from behind a 14-metre bar - said to be the longest in all of Poland, and unforgettable parties. With 600m2, there’s plenty of space to lose yourself over this ‘lost horizon.’QG‑7, ul. Świętokrzyska 3, MNowy Świat‑Uniwersytet, tel. (+48) 505 60 69 36, www.slawarsaw.com. Open 18:00‑01:00; Fri, Sat 18:00‑05:00. E

Smolna

This bunker club based on the Berlin techno model is situated in a grand old City Centre townhouse, just seconds away from the ‘Palm Tree’ (p.42). The music delves into the diverse, murky depths of electronica and the organisers are pretty radical, so you never know what kind of musical journey they’ll take you on. Three dancefloors - including one poutdoors (the neighbours love that one), three bars and a chillout room make up this hugely popular venue. Keeping things enigmatic and secretive, they have a strict ‘no photos/no smartphone’ policy and pretty cryptic marketing campaigns so you know they’re serious. Expect queues at the entrance, but the door policy seems to be in place simply to keep out aggressive yobos and anyone with a camera around their neck. QH‑8, ul. Smolna 38, MNowy Świat‑Uniwersytet, www.smolna38.com. Open Fri, Sat 23:00‑08:00 only.

Teatro Cubano Warsaw

What’s that warm Caribbean breeze blowing through the centre of Warsaw? Must the blast of fresh air emanating from this sultry, rhythmic Cuban lounge and dance club. With giant palms flanking the entrance, as you enter you are enveloped by the joyful vibes and vibrant blues and yellows of this huge, spacious club with high ceilings and a massive bar at its centre, behind which is the large stage which regularly hosts international touring acts and DJs mixing Latino and pop music. Attracting a young, international crowd of students, locals and travellers, diversity is something PL could use more of, and this boisterous club embraces it. Stop by!QF‑5, ul. Fredry 6, MRatusz Arsenał, tel. (+48) 538 19 44 94, www.teatrocubano.com. Open 22:00‑03:00; Thu 22:00‑04:00; Fri, Sat 22:00‑05:00. XE