They’re baaaack! Several months after we enjoyed our last legally poured pint, news that bars and restaurants are back serving – albeit in a limited, outdoor only capacity – couldn’t have come soon enough. And that news has been boosted by a string of new venues and concepts – and a couple of golden oldies as well.
Photo: Helena Majewska
Where the latter is concerned, it’s a big welcome back this weekend to Lunapark – now if you don’t know what the hell this place is, you’ve been living under a rock: quite simply the most imaginatively insane F&B concept that Warsaw’s ever seen, find this once-abandoned outdoor leisure complex given a Coney Island makeover complete with a bar set around a carousel; a circus-style big top entered via the mouth of a grinning clown; a shot bar disguised as a shooting gallery; and a bank of fairground games.
Photo: Helena Majewska
A wild world of top quality food stalls, games, drinks and weirdness, it’s a haven of hip and a hedonist’s asylum.
Offering up a similar vibe, last weekend saw the launch of OFF Brzeska, a superb collection of exciting street food concepts bundled together in a plot behind the cult Bazar Rózyckiego.
With Brzeska offering a chipped and broken background to it all, there’s something of that Berlin style spirit here, something edged along by the cool crowd, DJs, and artsy atmosphere. And the food offer is bang on as well.
Now we’ve no clue if it’s the same line-up as last weekend, but if so then you’ll be choosing from approximately 25 food and drink points, including vegan burritos from Momencik, dude food from Porgromcy Meatów, vegan Asia offerings from Umamita, ice cream from Pallone and a heap of others.
Back in the center, and we can’t wait to get ordering at two new craft pubs: Hopito (pictured below) look set to cement Parkingowa’s reputation as a center of hedonism with their combo of brewery fresh beer and artisan pizza.
Just as exciting, Pinta – creators of Poland’s first ever craft beer – are finally launching on Chmielna in what some will remember as the former home of the Mikkeller pub.
Words can’t express how excited we are about this place, and we’ll be visiting next week to bring a full report from the front line.
But tempting as it is to spend the weekend in a boozy haze, there’s culture as well. Today marks the 17th annual Noc Muzeów, a time when assorted museums, galleries and cultural institutions throw their doors open through the night.
Though less ambitious than usual, tonight should prove no less special than before with a range of museums also tailoring their offer to include virtual tours and discussions for those still not leaving their front door. For further details, see: website
