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Cracow Nightlife

The epicentre of Cracow's nightlife is on and around Rynek Glowny, with pavement cafés a popular place to start off the evening. Distinctions between cafés, restaurants, bars and clubs tend to blur a bit later when cosy cellar bars become party zones, complete with throbbing dance music and sweaty dancefloors. Live music tends to be rock or jazz, but there are occasionally more offbeat shows. Arguably, the district of Kazimierz is just as good for a night out and is generally a stag-free zone.

Every week sees the launch of a new café or a pub, so keeping up with what's happening in the city can be a bit of a challenge. Check the local press or websites such as www.cracow-life.com, http://krakownightlife.com or http://where2b.org for the latest hip venues.

Cracow has long been Poland's cultural capital, but the city's appeal has taken off dramatically since the year 2000, when Cracow was chosen as a European City of Culture. The comprehensive monthly magazine Karnet (www.karnet.krakow.pl), available at tourist offices, lists virtually every event in the city. The freebie This Month in Krakow (http://miesiacwkrakowie.pl) has less-detailed coverage.

Bars in Cracow

Alchemia

Alchemia is the place to party in Kazimierz. In a nod to Narnia, revellers walk through wardrobes to get between rooms, while the antique furniture, melted candles and rock music make for a grungy atmosphere.

Address ulica Estery 5, Cracow, Poland
Telephone: 12 421 2200.
http://www.alchemia.com.pl
Antycafe

Antycafe is one of the hippest hangouts in Cracow. Industrial in style, this watering hole boasts two bars (one is for smokers) and sells a myriad of local beers and vodkas. Electro-fused rock music provides the soundtrack to this trendy but unpretentious bar.

Address ulica Slawkowska 12, Cracow, Poland
Do Zjedzenia

This communist-themed drinking den takes boozers back to the Soviet era. The bouncers wear 1970s police uniforms, newspapers adorn the walls, and cheap vodka is consumed like water. No frills but fun.

Address ulica Swietego Tomasza, Cracow, Poland

Clubs in Cracow

Cien

You might feel slightly grubby after an evening in Cien’s medieval cellars, but the short skirts, cheap drinks and commercial dance music keep luring revellers back. Regarded as the hottest venue in Cracow, it employs a strict door policy so put your glad rags on and try to look sober.

Address ulica Swietego Jana 15, Cracow, Poland
Telephone: 12 244 2177.
http://www.cienklub.com
Pozytywka

The salubrious styling of the ‘music box’ might appear to be at odds with the bohemian vibe in Kazimierz. However, this lively joint is popular thanks to its easy-going ambiance, classic dance music and discount drinks.

Address ulica Bozego Ciala 12, Cracow, Poland
Telephone: 12 430 6482.
http://www.pozytywka.pl
Wielopole 15

One of most raucous venues in Cracow, ‘The Complex’ is a crumbling Old Town house with five clubs under one roof. From dance to dub step, there are tunes for all tastes. It’s a dark, dingy, sticky-floored affair where the booze is cheap and it’s free to get in; all the ingredients for a cracking night and miserable next morning.

Address ulica Wielopole 15, Cracow, Poland

Live Music in Cracow

Harris Piano Jazz Bar

The plush Harris Piano Jazz Bar is one of the slickest jazz clubs in Cracow. This sultry cellar bar hosts a dazzling array of concerts but there are rarely enough seats so arrive early, grab a cocktail and bed in for the night.

Address Rynek Glowny 28, Cracow, Poland
Telephone: 12 421 5741.
http://www.harris.krakow.pl
Jazz Club U Muniaka

Jazz is hugely popular in Cracow, and arguably the best venue to listen to it is Jazz Club U Muniaka. The brainchild of saxophonist Janusz Muniak, it’s one of the best-known jazz outlets in Poland and has live music every day.

Address ulica Florianska 3, Cracow, Poland
Telephone: 12 423 1205.
http://www.umuniaka.pl
Stalowe Magnolie

Purveyors of fine jazz music and expensive drinks, Stalowe Magnolie is slick, sexy and has a whiff of exclusivity about it. Dress sharp, enjoy the vintage opulence and allow its beautiful bar staff to keep the booze flowing.

Address ulica Swietego Jana 15, Cracow, Poland
Telephone: 12 422 8472.
http://www.stalowemagnolie.com

Classical Music in Cracow

Filharmonia

Cracow's musical heritage goes back to the liturgical music of the 11th century, and the celebrated Cracow Academy of Music continues to produce high-calibre musicians. The Cracow Philharmonic Orchestra performs at the Filharmonia. The Capella Cracoviensis choir gives special concerts in the Cloth Hall and a number of Cracow's churches, in addition to Filharmonia.

Address ulica Zwierzyniecka 1, Cracow, Poland
Telephone: 12 619 8733.
http://www.filharmonia.krakow.pl
Opera House

Performances by the Opera Krakowska take place at the Opera House.

Address ulica Lubicz 48, Cracow, Poland
Telephone: 12 296 6100.
http://www.opera.krakow.pl

Dance in Cracow

Teatr im Juliusza Slowackiego

The Teatr im Juliusza Slowackiego, where Stanislaw Wyspianski's plays premiered, today focuses on Polish classics and large-scale theatre productions. Ballet is also usually performed at the Teatr im Juliusza Slowackiego. The red-letter days for classical dance here are the Cracow Ballet Meetings in November.

Address plac Swietego Ducha 1, Cracow, Poland
Telephone: 12 424 4500.
http://www.slowacki.krakow.pl

Theatre in Cracow

Cricoteka

Cracow has a rich dramatic history and counts a dozen theatres. The Cricoteka, now a theatrical archives and the city's best-known theatre, was once the place to see the avant-garde (and now defunct) Cricot 2 troupe, created in 1955 by Tadeusz Kantor.

Address ulica Kanonicza 5, Cracow, Poland
Telephone: 12 422 8332.
http://www.cricoteka.com.pl
Stary Teatr

The Stary Teatr, Cracow's ‘Old Theatre', is Cracow's best-known (and most beautiful) theatre and attracts the best of the city's actors.

Address ulica Jagiellonska 5, Cracow, Poland
Telephone: 12 422 4040.
http://www.stary-teatr.krakow.pl
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