Krakow Old Town nightlife is where most stag weekends end up: cellar bars under the Main Square, shot bars, Irish pubs and the city’s biggest clubs, all within a few minutes’ walk. Here is how the Old Town works at night, what it costs and how to stay out of trouble.
Where the night happens
The Old Town is the area inside the Planty park ring, with the Main Square (Rynek Główny) in the middle. Many bars and clubs are in brick cellars below street level, so a quiet-looking door can lead to a full dance floor. The busiest streets at night are Szewska, Floriańska and Szpitalna – Szpitalna is often called club street.
Bars and clubs in the Old Town
- Shot and beer bars – cheap retro bars such as Pijalnia Wódki i Piwa, open very late.
- Craft beer – House of Beer and Multi Qlti Tap Bar for Polish craft beer on tap.
- Clubs – Prozak 2.0, Szpitalna 1, Frantic and Shine are all in the Old Town; see Krakow nightclubs for stag groups.
Prices on and around the Main Square
The terraces on the Main Square are the most expensive place to drink in Krakow. Walk one or two streets away and the same beer is cheaper. Club entry at the weekend is usually 20–40 PLN plus a few złoty for the cloakroom. Full list: Krakow drink prices.
Old Town rules worth knowing
- Drinking in the street is not allowed; the usual fine is 100 PLN.
- Shops do not sell alcohol between 22:00 and 6:00, so buy anything for the apartment before then.
- People live above many bars – keep the noise down when you move between venues.
- Say no to street promoters offering free entry or free drinks, especially for strip clubs.
The Old Town with everything arranged
- Pub & Bar Crawl – an open bar hour and four venues with free entry, from 32€.
- VIP Party Package – guest list, a table and two bottles, from 55€.
- VIP Strip Club Entry – a table, a bottle and a lap dance, from 39€.
Krakow Old Town nightlife: FAQ
Is the Old Town the best area for nightlife in Krakow?
For clubs, yes – most of the city’s clubs are in the Old Town. For relaxed bars, Kazimierz is a good alternative.
Is it expensive to drink on the Main Square?
The terraces on the square are the most expensive. Bars one or two streets away are cheaper.
Can we drink in the street in Krakow?
No. Drinking in public places is not allowed in Poland and the usual fine is 100 PLN.
How do we book?
Send us an inquiry with your dates and group size and we put the whole weekend together. We usually ask for a €100 deposit; for larger groups the deposit can be up to €50 per person (your travel agent confirms the exact amount). The rest is paid one month before arrival.
