Despite its status as Poland's 'cultural capital', Kraków is routinely passed over by bands touring Europe in favour of other Polish cities like Warsaw, Wrocław and even Katowice (how embarrassing). Though perplexing, this can be explained by a lack of suitable venues with receptive management, plus a city-wide arrogance and indifference towards inviting or attracting talent to town. As a result, we can hardly hail Kraków's live music scene, however that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of opportunities to experience energetic local bands. Though proper concert venues are few and far between, Kraków is still home to dozens of great bars with bands frequently gracing their small stages; all of these are marked with a live music icon (looks like a saxophone) in both our print guide and online, but we've listed some of the surest bets for catching a live band on any given night of the week below. Other great venues that host concerts often enough to be worth investigation include Alchemia (Kaz Nightlife), Klub Re, Cafe Szafe and Stary Port.

Poland has a long jazz tradition and a strong crop of home-grown jazz talents. In Kraków's Old Town you'll find several popular jazz clubs that offer live music every night, the best of which we list below. Kraków also hosts several jazz festivals each year worth keeping an ear out for including July's 'Jazz Summer Festival' in Piwnica Pod Baranami, October and November's Autumn Jazz Festival in Alchemia, and Europe's oldest jazz festival: the 'All Souls Jazz Festival,' which takes place in various venues during the week before and after All Souls' Day (November 2nd).

Check our online Events Calendar to find out exactly what festivals are happening and concerts are playing while you're in town.