Kraków Beer Gardens

Certainly there can be no more Krakowian activity than sitting in the sun in the late afternoon with a beer in your hand, recounting the events of the night before, making half-baked travel plans and dreaming up daft art projects you’ll never follow though with. In fact some people seem to have made a living out of such blissful idleness (they’re called ex-pats). While all of Kraków may seem like a beer garden in the summer months, contrary to the evidence in front of you, it is not legal to drink in public spaces, whether it’s the Planty, the Wisła riverbank or elsewhere. Nor should you need to. With more bars per capita than any other city in Europe, suddenly every single one has a garden full of patio furniture the moment the sun comes out. So which to choose? Most foreigners will keep to the Rynek(C-3), and while the views and vibe are super, you’ll find that every establishment on the market square charges 50% more for beer; every one except the venerable Vis a Vis (Rynek 29) that is, where a beer is still a swallowable 8zł. On the square’s opposite side seek out the courtyard of Buddha Bar (Rynek 6) where DJs spin records under the stars. Other Old Town notables include Bunkier - a positively huge terrace on the Planty (B-2, Pl. Szczepański 3a), Klub Re (D-3, ul. Św. Krzyża 4), and the popular nook known as Doubting Thomas Lane (C-3, ul. Św. Tomasza). Track down to Kazimierz, however, to enjoy alfresco drinking at its finest – Plac Nowy (D-6) is a no-brainer, though for the most scenic garden head to Mleczarnia (D-6, ul. Meiselsa 20). Also, don’t forget ul. Szeroka (E-6) - far less lively than the rest of Kazimierz, but less grubby as well and catches sun later into the evening.