Clubs

Pepper Night’s irresistible offer of alluring high-calibre cocktails (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. To add some extra exotic flavour, Baila switches hats and brings out its arsenal of shishas after 18:00! Choose from three types of shisha, three smoking intensities, and more than 30 flavours to choose from the best quality of tobacco. At this rate, we can say without hesitation that Baila is the best shisha bar in Warsaw!QC-7, ul. Grzybowska 60, tel. (+48) 514 06 06 24, www.bailawarsaw.com. Open 12:00-01:00; Tue 18:00-23:00; Sat 13:00-03:00; closed Mon, Sun. €€€€. E

DZiK (Dom Zabawy i Kultury)

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 12:00-24:00; Fri 12:00-03:00; Sat 12:00-04:00; closed Mon, Tue. oE

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 12:0001:00; 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. Taking its name from a particularly abstract Polish film from the early 1970s, 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 non-existent, 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! The fact is, whilst other bars purposefully fake the ‘road-worn’ look, this place is literally the real deal, and, in our opinion, they don’t need to change a damn thing! This has emerged as one of the best places in town, found right in the heart of Stara Praga (old Praga) 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 22:0003:30 only and during events. XUE6

Read and review 175+ Nightlife venues

iyp.me/warsaw/bars-pubs-clubs Level 27

To anyone with vertigo, a word of warning: this ecstatic rooftop party 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 is a showcase for high society’s beautiful people, DJs typically spin R&B and hip hop, but anything can happen from fire 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 only. E

Sassy Warszawa

This plush performance space and nightclub for the curious, brash and unencumbered, has quickly become one of the capital’s hottest weekend destinations. Like their Browary Warszawskie neighbours Baila, Sassy promises dinner and a show; each evening gets underway at 20:00 with a full meal (ranging from sushi and tataki to steak and pork ribs) and a live act or concert, including provocative burlesque and drag shows, followed by DJ parties from 23:00 that routinely rip the covers off the dawn. Reservations are a must.QC-7, ul. Grzybowska 58, MRondo Daszyńskiego, tel. (+48) 784 52 67 00, www. sassywarszawa.pl. Open Fri, Sat only, 20:00-05:00. E

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 calamari to beef tartare, 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.41). 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 22:0004:00; Fri, Sat 22:00-05:00. XE