Warsaw has always had something of a rough and ready reputation when it comes to its nightlife. There are still plenty of seedy dives, where foreigners are less than welcome and casual, drunken violence can still be a problem for visitors. However, the scene is constantly improving. New-style bars and club nights seem to be opening every other week and big name DJs are being persuaded to head east, further enhancing the club scene in the process. Warsaw’s nightlife tends to be spread out around the city, with plenty of nice venues opening up on the outskirts of the city. Nevertheless, the Old Town is always a safe bet for some good pubs.
There are no licensing hours and many bars and clubs stay open until the last guest leaves. The minimum age for purchasing alcohol is 18 years. A beer costs around Z4-6, while spirits can be anything from Z20 upwards. Admission to clubs tends to cost between Z10-40. A recent trend has seen door staff insisting that all coats and bags be left in club cloakrooms – for a fee of course.
The best source of information on cafes, pubs and clubs is Warsaw in Your Pocket (website: www.inyourpocket.com), an excellent magazine that is updated on a monthly basis by a savvy and irreverent writing team.
Bars
Champions
Lim Center, Al. Jerozolimskie 65/79
Phone: 022/630-40-33
Champions sports bar and restaurant is a great place to watch American basketball and football games.
Harenda
Krakowskie Przedmiescie 4/6
Phone: 022/826-29-00
Harenda occasionally hosts some good jazz and has an outdoor terrace that gets crowded in summer.
John Bull Pub
Ul. Zielna 37
Phone: 022/620-06-56
Ul. Jezeicka 4
Phone: 022/831-37-62
The John Bull Pub is open until midnight and serves English draft beers.
Morgan’s
Ul. Okólnik 1
Phone: 022/826-81-38
Dance Clubs
Ground Zero
Ul. Wspolna 62
Phone: 022/625-43-80
Ground Zero, a former bomb shelter, is a large, crowded bi-level disco.
Hades
Al. Niepodleglosi 162
Phone: 022/49-12-51
Hades is a popular disco in the cellars of the Central School of Economics, with plenty of seating space.
Labirynt
Ul. Smolna 12
Phone: 022/826-22-20
Labirynt attracts the young-professional crowd.
Orpheus
Al. Jerozolimskie 65/79
Phone: 022/630-54-16
In the Marriott hotel, Orpheus has an elegant air and is very expensive.
Stodola
Batorego 10, Ochota
Phone: 022/25-86-25
The student club Stodola has a well-established disco.
Tango
Al. Jerozolimskie 4
Phone: 022/622-19-19
Tango is a pricey disco.
Music Clubs
Akwarium Jazz Club
Jazz
ul. Emilii Plater 49
Tel. 620 50 72
Blue Velvet
Krakowskie Przedmiescie 5, Royal Route
Phone: 022/828-11-03
Blue Velvet hosts regular modern jazz evenings.
Kawiarnia Literacka
Krakowskie Przedmiescie 87/89, Royal Route
Phone: 022/826-57-84
Kawiarnia Literacka has classic jazz on weekends.
