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Krakow, Poland's capital of clubbing, boasts energetic
nightlife
and a lively club scene. The party goes on week long, but – no
doubts about it – the Friday and Saturday nights tend to be
the hottest with hops all over the town. As elsewhere, on
weekends Krakow’s young professionals, expats, and students
mingle happily in crowds that pack
bars,
discotheques, and
restaurants
in vogue at the moment. Loyal patrons happen, but most
club-goers wander from place to place encouraged by the high
density of nightspots in Krakow's
Old Town
and
Kazimierz
central historic districts.
Krakow's dancing underground
On average,
Krakow clubs are not large as they mostly occupy the vast
cellars of
historic buildings.
Few of them can seat more than 100 and sweaty dance floors
are the norm. Recorded music is the staple, with live
performances two or three nights a week. Some Krakow DJs
attain local fame, while club celebrities from other parts
of Poland and from abroad spin occasionally in the city.
Musical tastes
Even as house
music
reigns supreme as the accompaniment to jigging in its clubs,
Krakow's myriad live entertainment venues cater to all
tastes and generations. Sure thing, those in their twenties
to thirty-something are best served since most clubs offer
contemporary pop music from disco to hip-hop to techno.
Seniors, too, have their places of choice to enjoy
themselves with immortal evergreens.
Salsa has its addicts in Krakow. Also, the Irish tunes prove
surprisingly popular with the locals.
More on music in Krakow
Ballet performances are irregular except for several dance
festivals
that take place in Krakow every year. Visiting dance companies
from Russia, USA, and Europe happen every month or two. Also,
the
Krakow Opera Company
stages classical ballets and modern dance shows featuring its
ballerinas and dancers. Plus, Krakow can boast an array of
semi-professional and amateur modern dance companies and
affiliated choreographers.
Ballet shows in Krakow
Other dance shows
Historical dance, usually with elaborate choreography, takes
over during Krakow's yearly Festival of Court Dance
in August but otherwise sporadic performances also happen.
Every year Krakow hosts several ballroom dancing
tournaments.
Flamenco
shows take place at least once a month even if the original
Spanish artists perform rarely and the Krakow ensembles
substitute for them.
Japanese butoh dancers sometimes perform in the
Manggha Center.
See the upcoming events in Krakow
Krakow's folk dances
The archetypal dance of the Krakow region is krakowiak,
known to foreigners as a cracovienne. Unfortunately, one can
rarely see it in Krakow. Folk dances in Poland are faced
with extinction and practiced solely by traditional folk
ensembles, mostly amateur performers.
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Krakow Nightlife
There is no
shortage of places to drink, eat, and stay merry late into
the night in Krakow. Notably, the huge central
Grand Square
in the heart of the historic
Old Town
district and its environs look like they never sleep, at
least most of the year save winter. And recently trendy new
hangouts are launched also in the nearby
Kazimierz
quarter almost by the month.
Krakow Restaurants
Krakow has always been Poland’s gourmet Mecca. And the recent
decade brought about a genuine restaurant explosion all over
the city owing to the hectic efforts of aspiring
restaurateurs, native ones as well as immigrants. The Old
Town historic district seems virtually stuffed with
establishments catering to all kinds of diners. The bulk of
Krakow restaurants close when the last customer leaves.
Krakow Carnival
It lasts
from the New Year’s Eve till the Shrove Tuesday some two
months later. The season is marked by feverish partying in
Krakow’s numerous clubs on the one hand, and snobbish
charity balls on the other.
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