Sky Bar at Hotel Stary ★ 4.1
€€€stare-miastoDaily 12:00-24:00, seasonal
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 ★ 4.7
€€€stare-miastoTue-Wed 18:00-24:00, Thu-Sat 19:00-02:00, Sun 18:00-23:00, closed Mon
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 ★ 4.3
€€€kazimierzMon-Wed 18:00-24:00, Thu 18:00-01:00, Fri-Sat 18:00-02:00, Sun 18:00-24:00
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 ★ 4.4
€€€stare-miastoTue-Thu 17:00-01:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-02:30, Sun 17:00-01:00, closed Mon
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 ★ 4.3
€€stare-miastoMon-Thu 14:00-24:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-01:00, Sun 12:00-24:00
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 ★ 4.2
€€kazimierzThu 21:00-04:00, Fri-Sat 22:00-06:00, closed Sun-Wed
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.