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.
Address: ul. Szczepańska 5, 31-011 Kraków
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.
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.
Wódka Cafe Bar on ul. Mikołajska in Kraków's Stare Miasto is the two-floor speakeasy-tight Polish vodka room running since 2003, with around 100 flavoured vodkas from earl grey to chocolate and chilli on a counter list.
Tip: Order a tasting flight of six shots for around 30 zł; the upstairs counter is the quieter perch. Pairs with herring snacks from the menu.
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.
Wódka Cafe Bar on ul. Mikołajska in Kraków's Stare Miasto is the two-floor speakeasy-tight Polish vodka room running since 2003, with around 100 flavoured vodkas from earl grey to chocolate and chilli on a counter list.
Tip: Order a tasting flight of six shots for around 30 zł; the upstairs counter is the quieter perch. Pairs with herring snacks from the menu.
Club Papuga on ul. Dietla between Stare Miasto and Kazimierz is the basement queer venue that took over the room left by Cocon, with two bars, two dance floors, a courtyard and weekend drag shows, queer bingo and karaoke.
Tip: Door from 22:00 Fri-Sat; the kitsch back lounge has the bingo and karaoke nights. Smoking courtyard is the meeting spot.
Slay Space on the Kazimierz bank of the Vistula by the Bernatek Footbridge in Kraków is the pink-painted 1889 Dutch cargo barge converted in 2024 into the city's most visible LGBTQIA+ restaurant and club, with drag bingo and burlesque nights.
Tip: Drag bingo every Tuesday from 20:00; weekend brunches when weather allows. Find the rainbow-flagged boat moored opposite Podgórska 16.