Kazimierz Bars After Dark – A Guide to Pubs with Character

After sunset, Kazimierz changes its rhythm. The narrow streets around Plac Nowy (New Square) fill with chatter, candles flicker in the windows of the old tenement houses and music drifts up from the cellars. No wonder Kazimierz bars are the first choice for locals and visitors who would rather find places with character than chain venues.

In this guide you’ll find the district’s classics, addresses for beer and live music lovers, ideas for a late-night snack and practical tips for larger groups.

Kazimierz in a nutshell

Kazimierz was founded in the 14th century by King Casimir the Great (Kazimierz Wielki) as a separate town, which at the time stood on an island between two branches of the Vistula. For centuries the district was the centre of Jewish life in Krakow – synagogues, the Remuh Cemetery and former prayer houses still stand here today. After years of neglect, its run-down tenements were taken over by artists, cafés and bars. This blend of history and bohemian spirit creates an atmosphere you feel best in the evening. Every year, at the turn of June and July, the Jewish Culture Festival takes place here, filling the whole district with concerts, talks and walks.

Kazimierz bars: the classics

1. Alchemia

One of the places that built the district’s legend. Dim light, candles on the tables and mismatched old chairs – that’s an evening at Alchemia on Estery Street, right by Plac Nowy. Concerts are held regularly in the cellar, so it’s worth checking the programme before you go.

2. Singer

A bar where old Singer sewing machines stand in for ordinary tables. It’s one of the oldest places of its kind in Kazimierz – cramped, buzzing and very atmospheric, especially late in the evening. You’ll find it on Estery Street too. With a larger group, arrive early, as the free sewing machines go fast.

3. Mleczarnia

A café and bar on Meiselsa Street in the slightly old-fashioned style so typical of Kazimierz. In the warmer months its biggest draw is the courtyard garden, where a free seat on a weekend evening can be hard to find.

4. Hevre

A bar set in a former Jewish prayer house, a few steps from Mleczarnia. The building’s history blends with the laid-back atmosphere typical of Kazimierz, and the interior itself is one of the most interesting in the area.

5. Eszeweria

A pub on Józefa Street in the style of old Kazimierz, with a small garden hidden at the back. In summer it’s one of the nicest places for a quieter conversation, away from the bustle of Plac Nowy.

6. Propaganda

A bar on Miodowa Street that takes a tongue-in-cheek look back at the communist era of the Polish People’s Republic (PRL): posters, slogans on the walls and decor straight out of those years. A good place for a glass of something stronger and a taste of the world many Poles’ parents grew up in.

Beer and live music

7. Omerta

A pub for craft beer lovers, with over a dozen taps and a long list of bottles. It’s on quiet Kupa Street, a few minutes’ walk from Plac Nowy, so it’s easy to fit into your evening route.

8. Kolanko No 6

A café and bar on Józefa Street that hosts concerts, often with klezmer and world music on the bill. Its large garden makes it a good place for a long summer evening with a bigger group.

9. Klezmer-Hois

A restaurant serving Jewish cuisine in a former mikvah (ritual bath) building on Szeroka Street. On some evenings klezmer musicians play here, which makes an atmospheric start to the rest of the night. The Old Synagogue and the Remuh Synagogue stand on the same street, so take a stroll around the area before dinner.

Something to eat after dark

10. Zapiekanki from the Okrąglak

The round hall in the middle of Plac Nowy was built in 1900 as a market hall, and before the war it housed, among other things, a ritual poultry slaughterhouse. The hatches around the building sell zapiekanki – long baguettes baked with toppings – and in the evening people queue for them. During the day the square hosts markets selling everything from fruit and vegetables to antiques and clothes.

11. Food trucks on Św. Wawrzyńca Street

On the corner of Św. Wawrzyńca and Wąska streets there’s a food truck park where you can grab something quick before the next bar. You’ll find another one by Plac Izaaka (Isaac Square).

Kazimierz before or after a tram ride

A private TramParty tram makes a great warm-up for an evening in Kazimierz. The two-hour ride with music and club lighting can also pass through Kazimierz and Podgórze, and we agree the final stop individually – often near Kazimierz or the Old Town, a few minutes’ walk from your first bar. An evening like this works well for a stag do or a birthday, among other occasions. Find out more on the TramParty Krakow page.

Sample route around Kazimierz

• 19:00 – dinner on Szeroka Street, ideally with klezmer music
• 20:30 – Alchemia or Singer on Estery Street
• 22:00 – craft beer on Kupa Street
• 23:30 – Hevre or Propaganda
• After midnight – a zapiekanka from the Okrąglak to round off the night

Practical tips

• Groups – Kazimierz venues are often small, so if there are a dozen or more of you, call ahead or split into smaller groups.
• Respect the place – synagogues and cemeteries stand right next to the bars, so keep quiet and show restraint near them.
• Residents – Kazimierz is a living residential district, so don’t carry on your conversations under people’s windows when you leave a bar.
• The bill – in smaller venues, when you order for a big group, agree straight away whether you’re paying together or separately.
• Opening hours – these change with the seasons, so check them before you head out.

Frequently asked questions

Where are most of the bars in Kazimierz?

Around Plac Nowy and on Estery, Józefa, Meiselsa and Miodowa streets. The venues are only a few minutes’ walk from each other, so it’s easy to plan a route taking in several of them.

How do you get to Kazimierz from the Old Town?

From Rynek Główny (the Main Market Square) to Plac Nowy it’s about a 20-minute walk along Grodzka Street, then Stradomska and Krakowska streets. Kazimierz also has good tram links with the rest of the city.

Can the party tram finish its route in Kazimierz?

Yes. We agree the final stop individually and often choose one near Kazimierz or the Old Town, so it’s easy to walk to the bars after the ride. We confirm the details when you book via the TramParty Krakow page.