Right in the heart of the artsy Praga-Północ neighborhood is where you’ll find one of the cultural bastions of Warsaw: Centrum Praskie Koneser.

Tucked within the historic brick walls of the former vodka factory, there are a plethora of art galleries that feature paintings and creations from prominent Polish and international artists – including some that have never been seen before – exhibitions, and events all summer (and through the rest of the year) that give visitors with a keen eye for culture, nearly unlimited options.

Warsaw’s Cultural Hub
 

One of the most talked-about events (at least among artists in Warsaw) is the exciting, fantastical “Beksiński in Warsaw” exhibit hosted by the Museum of Fantastic Art, located right in the heart of Centrum Praskie Koneser. This is truly a must-see for Varsovians and visitors alike, as Zdzisław Beksiński was one of the most important Polish painters. But he wasn’t exactly known for traditional art. Trained as an architect in the mid 20th century, the introverted master tried his hand at many different art forms, but the one he became most well-known for was his fantastical, almost horror-esq paintings. Dripping with imagery of life and death, the mysterious pieces are some of the most recognized by Poles and cemented him as one of the Polish masters. Now, on the 20th anniversary of his death, the Museum of Fantastic Art is making sure his pieces are celebrated by the world through this exciting exhibition, which runs through September 28th. Along with his well-known pieces, this exhibition features paintings which have never been seen by the public!
 

While that is high on our list of must-sees, there are other incredibly exciting events, like an exhibit showcasing the work of Zbigniew Herbert, one of Poland’s most prominent poets. The 20th century poet, essayist and drama writer was nominated several times for the Nobel Prize in Literature and is beloved for his incredible works, which often criticized the oppressive nature of communism in the mid to late 20th century. As one of the most-translated post-war Polish poets, his work is easily available to read before you visit Centrum Praskie Koneser to see it in person. The exhibition runs through the end of November and – big bonus – it’s free!

If you haven’t gotten your cultural fill, make sure to check out Centrum Praskie Koneser’s other renowned art galleries, including ToTuart Gallery, which displays beautiful, occasionally mind-bending sculptures and paintings and also has an auction house! Or Leonarda Art Gallery, with its unique, beautiful, pieces from renowned street artists.

Of course, no trip to this space is complete without a visit to the Polish Vodka Museum, a multimedia experience that starts with the beginnings of vodka production in Poland and details the history of the beloved booze up through the modern day. Check out a variety of vodka bottles, buy some gifts and of course, try some during the vodka tasting (though of course, this is for adults only). 

There are a whole host of exciting events held here, too, like an open-air display of colorful urban art, which was installed in June and lasts through the summer. Or a henna workshop at the restaurant Bombaj Masala Praga, held every Wednesday through August. Even find classical music performances every Thursday through August 21.
And that just scratches the surface – there’s loads more to check out in the events section of their website.

Foodies Fall in Love  

We’re of the opinion that culture doesn’t just stop at incredible art. In fact, the food offerings at Centrum Praskie Koneser easily rise to the level of a cultural attraction. The whole place is the perfect option for foodies looking for innovative dishes and high-quality ingredients. The restaurants offer a wide range of flavors from over a dozen restaurants, cafes and bars, that include cuisines like American, European, French, Asian, Italian and more. Plus, since it is Poland after all, you won’t be hardpressed to find both traditional and modern Polish flavors. 
 

We recommend starting with Koneser Grill a high-end steak restaurant, and one of the few places in this part of the city to secure a spot on the coveted Michelin Guide. This is a place for people who love juicy grilled meat and other dishes cooked over a live fire, as well as a spot for premium wines.
If you’re looking for more variety, try Bombaj Masala, which offers seriously good Indian food, or Concept Food & Wine, which has comfort food with a modern twist (and some gorgeous plating). Of course, swing by Społdzielnia.Koneser for everything from burgers to pizza and more, or Azia Restaurants for any Asian food you can imagine. Others include popular Italian restaurant, ORZO, French bistro Zabawa, and wine and cheese bar Figa z Makiem. Meanwhile, new wine bar Starlet offers 40 carefully selected wines and a seasonal menu with local, fresh ingredients – all waste-free! It’s all under the guise of Artur Malinowski, a Warsaw chef who gained experience in popular restaurants like KUK, Soul Kitchen and Opasły Tom. Suffice to say, he knows his stuff!
 

For delicious food and cocktails, head to Setki Powodów, which is located in a space decorated with neon signs and filled regularly with live music. Speaking of drinks, swing by the ¾ Koneser Bar, located in the Polish Vodka Museum, which offers a number of unique and artisanal alcohol infusions.There’s also the 24-hour Moxy Bar, with bright lighting and fun little decorative details (pink flamingo drawings abound).

Shopping, Spa, Studio Art and More! 

Not only is Centrum Praskie Koneser bursting at the seams with art, food and cultural attractions, but it’s packed in the way of shopping, relaxation and more. Start by getting a room at the reputed Moxy Warsaw Praga Hotel, which has delightful little elements and pops of color that make your stay unique, cozy and give it a metropolitan feel. When it comes to shopping, swing by Mydlarnia Cztery Szpaki, which makes natural handmade soaps and shampoos.

There’s a lot in the way of self-pampering, too. Several salons are located in the space, as well as Ambassade Biologique Recherche, a spa-like spot that offers facial, body and hair treatments amid Parisian-style decor. There’s also Eyebar, where you can get face massages along with professional makeup, eyebrow work and mani/pedis.   
 

An Historical and Gorgeous Space

In fact, we would argue that the whole complex itself is a bastion of culture, based on its architecture and history alone. Opened in 1897 as a factory to house the famous Koneser Vodka operations, vodka production continued at the factory through much of the 20th century, with a major boom in the first half of the century, when the factory employed over 400 people and produced 250,000 bottles of vodka a day.
After production ended in 2007, developers could tell the set of buildings not only had a lot of history, they had promise, too. That’s thanks to the gorgeous blend of industrial and neo-Gothic architecture throughout the complex. The buildings are made of red brick and boast rib-vault ceilings, smoke stacks and narrow windows.
When developers began repurposing the space for an entertainment, food and shopping center – which opened in 2018 – they leaned into the existing architecture, highlighting it with contemporary industrial elements. 
Now, among the 19th century buildings, you’ll find sleek glass structures, string lights and pops of greenery, along artistic decor like giant tulips by renowned artist Jarosław Koziara. The whole complex is connected by a pedestrian and bicycle bridge to Powiśle and the Old Town over the river, meaning that you can easily meander from sightseeing in the center of town, all the way over to the gorgeous brick buildings of Centrum Praskie Koneser.