Do's & Don'ts for a cracking night in Krakow
Krakow is easily one of the best places in Europe to party, In fact, the Old Town district has more pubs and bars per square meter than anywhere else in the world. Krakow is home to some of the best, strangest and exciting nightlife in Europe.
To help you experience all that Krakow has to offer by night we have made a quick list of the Do's and Don'ts of partying in Krakow.
The shot bars in Krakow are unique to Poland due to their love of vodka and lack of high taxes & regulations on spirits that most western countries have, you can get many delicious flavors, from chupa chup to monte. The most popular shot bars in Krakow are BaniaLuka and Pijalnia with shots and beers from 1 Euro.
Generally, Polish people are very friendly and approachable, don't let the language barrier hold you back. As Krakow is a student city, most young people speak great English and if not then have shot and try to speak polish. Hot Tip: Learn a few basic Polish words as it will surely impress the locals.
Tip the bar staff: It doesn't matter if they don't tip where you're from, they tip in Poland so you should too. More often than not the bar staff will really look after you if you do tip ;)
Polish dumplings with delicious fillings. Most people will grab a quick heart-stopping kebab on their way back to their accommodation after a night on the town but in Krakow, you can skip that and instead get yourself some nice pierogi from some of the all-night pierogi shops. Our favorite is 24Pierogi.
There are so many great popular bars and clubs in Krakow but there are also some, well frankly, shit places in Krakow (not many but some) and the best way to have an authentic and really fun night out with the locals & fellow travelers is to join a Pub Crawl. You’ll have a blast, avoid tourist-traps and crap venues, and save a fortune while partying with new people. We recommend Krakow Crawl if you’re looking for a proper night out!
It doesn't matter how much you want to go, just don't do it. The strip clubs here are extremely dodgy and are purely designed to steal as much money from drunk tourist's as possible.
If two girls approach you on the street and say they're lost or not from around here and ask you to take them somewhere unless you look like Brad Pitt... run away as fast as you can. This is a scam where they take you to a bar they work for and you will be charged ridiculously high prices for drinks.
Unlike Poland's neighbor, Germany, you can't drink on the street here and can receive hefty fines from the city police who are sick of hearing tourists whinge and whine about how they didn't know they couldn't drink on the streets. Hot Tip: just put it in a coke bottle or McDonalds Cup.
This is a bit of common sense but when you've had 20 shots of vodka the footpath and garden bed can look like a very enticing place to sleep but don't lay down not even for a quick nap, as you might wake up with no phone, wallet or shoes or to some police questioning you.
Well, you can look at them but as long as you're smiling and not swaying side to side with your eyes rolling into the back of your head you'll be fine. It’s safe to say security in Poland don't have the best temperaments and you don't want to be on the receiving end of one of them having a bad day.
Depending on what type of person you are these could be in either section, so we decided to make a section with both and you can try at your own risk.
1. Spiritus - There can be sort of a love-hate relationship with this one, this stuff is super strong and will get you super wasted and at 95% alcohol it's definitely not for the faint-hearted
2. Order and attempt to drink every flavor of vodka. There are so many great polish vodkas and you should try them all but maybe not all in the one night.
We hope these will come in handy whenever you're Krakow-bound!
To help you experience all that Krakow has to offer by night we have made a quick list of the Do's and Don'ts of partying in Krakow.
DO's in Krakow
Go to a shot bar
The shot bars in Krakow are unique to Poland due to their love of vodka and lack of high taxes & regulations on spirits that most western countries have, you can get many delicious flavors, from chupa chup to monte. The most popular shot bars in Krakow are BaniaLuka and Pijalnia with shots and beers from 1 Euro.
Join the locals
Generally, Polish people are very friendly and approachable, don't let the language barrier hold you back. As Krakow is a student city, most young people speak great English and if not then have shot and try to speak polish. Hot Tip: Learn a few basic Polish words as it will surely impress the locals.
Tip the bar staff: It doesn't matter if they don't tip where you're from, they tip in Poland so you should too. More often than not the bar staff will really look after you if you do tip ;)
Swap out the standard greasy kebab for some Pierogi
Polish dumplings with delicious fillings. Most people will grab a quick heart-stopping kebab on their way back to their accommodation after a night on the town but in Krakow, you can skip that and instead get yourself some nice pierogi from some of the all-night pierogi shops. Our favorite is 24Pierogi.
Do a pub crawl
There are so many great popular bars and clubs in Krakow but there are also some, well frankly, shit places in Krakow (not many but some) and the best way to have an authentic and really fun night out with the locals & fellow travelers is to join a Pub Crawl. You’ll have a blast, avoid tourist-traps and crap venues, and save a fortune while partying with new people. We recommend Krakow Crawl if you’re looking for a proper night out!
DON'Ts in Krakow
Don't go to strip clubs
It doesn't matter how much you want to go, just don't do it. The strip clubs here are extremely dodgy and are purely designed to steal as much money from drunk tourist's as possible.
If two girls approach you on the street and say they're lost or not from around here and ask you to take them somewhere unless you look like Brad Pitt... run away as fast as you can. This is a scam where they take you to a bar they work for and you will be charged ridiculously high prices for drinks.
Don't drink in public
Unlike Poland's neighbor, Germany, you can't drink on the street here and can receive hefty fines from the city police who are sick of hearing tourists whinge and whine about how they didn't know they couldn't drink on the streets. Hot Tip: just put it in a coke bottle or McDonalds Cup.
Don't fall asleep on the streets
This is a bit of common sense but when you've had 20 shots of vodka the footpath and garden bed can look like a very enticing place to sleep but don't lay down not even for a quick nap, as you might wake up with no phone, wallet or shoes or to some police questioning you.
Don't look at the security
Well, you can look at them but as long as you're smiling and not swaying side to side with your eyes rolling into the back of your head you'll be fine. It’s safe to say security in Poland don't have the best temperaments and you don't want to be on the receiving end of one of them having a bad day.
Do's & Don'ts
Depending on what type of person you are these could be in either section, so we decided to make a section with both and you can try at your own risk.
1. Spiritus - There can be sort of a love-hate relationship with this one, this stuff is super strong and will get you super wasted and at 95% alcohol it's definitely not for the faint-hearted
2. Order and attempt to drink every flavor of vodka. There are so many great polish vodkas and you should try them all but maybe not all in the one night.
We hope these will come in handy whenever you're Krakow-bound!
