Panorama Forum on top of the brutalist Hotel Forum in Kraków's Podgórze is the 2024 penthouse reopening with a glass lift, a restaurant, a garden cocktail bar and a cigar lounge looking straight at Wawel and the Vistula.
Tip: Garden cocktail terrace is the sunset spot; kitchen closes 22:00 so book dinner before 21:00. Glass elevator from the riverside lobby.
Address: ul. Marii Konopnickiej 28, 30-302 Kraków
Roof Top Terrace on the 5th floor of the Sheraton Grand Kraków is the hotel rooftop bar over the Vistula with a wraparound deck facing Wawel Castle and a Marriott Bonvoy seasonal cocktail and dinner menu.
Tip: Open seasonally; rain closes the deck. Book a Wawel-side table 24 hours ahead and ride the lift to the fifth floor.
Vidok on top of the orange Jubilat shopping arcade by the Vistula in Kraków's Zwierzyniec is the panoramic rooftop restaurant and bar looking straight at Wawel Castle, opened in the converted department-store crown.
Tip: Sunset is the draw; book a Wawel-side window. Lift access is via the Jubilat lobby on Krasińskiego.
Sky Bar on the 6th floor of Hotel Stary in Kraków's Stare Miasto is the small open-air terrace looking across the Rynek Główny to St Mary's Basilica and the Cloth Hall, paired with the Rybki Nove grill kitchen.
Tip: Open in summer only; lift to the 6th floor through the hotel lobby on Szczepańska. Cocktails from 32 zł.
Mercy Brown above the Smakołyki restaurant on ul. Straszewskiego in Kraków's Stare Miasto is the unsigned art-deco speakeasy, with jazz and burlesque nights, in-house tinctures and a spot on the World's 500 Best Bars list.
Tip: No street signage; enter through Smakołyki and ask for the cloakroom. Cocktails from 24 zł. Book burlesque nights two weeks ahead.
William Rabbit & Co on ul. Bożego Ciała in Kraków's Kazimierz is the Alice in Wonderland-themed Magic Spot speakeasy down a hidden staircase, with false mirrors, secret cupboards, giant playing cards and an inventive cocktail list.
Tip: Find the bunny paw prints on Bożego Ciała, ring the buzzer and offer a magic word. Tables for two are the easier walk-in.
Mr. Black on the second floor above the Multi Qlti pub on ul. Szewska in Kraków's Stare Miasto is the dark-walled cocktail speakeasy with a small bar, a tight banquette room and a list built around Polish-led classics.
Tip: No signage at street level; walk past the Multi Qlti taps and climb the stairs. Cocktails 32-45 zł; the rye and apple sour is the house call.