International Beer Day!

Three cheers for International Beer Day! Of course, there’s no shortage of bars in which you can raise a glass to mark this noble day, but then not all bars are equal. Join us for our rundown of our magnificent seven…

Bar Koszyki

Koszykowa 63 (Hala Koszyki)

When Hala Koszyki opened in 2016 it redefined the way the city ate, drank and played. Seven years on, the Grande Dame of Poland’s new generation of social hubs continues to lead the field with a busy program of highbrow cultural events inside its wrought iron confines. But who are we kidding, it’s the social scene everyone loves the most, something aided by the presence of their epic Bar Koszyki that dominates the interior. Arm yourself with a frothing Czech pint and grab some terrace space outside.

Barka Wynurzenie

Bulwar Grzymały Siedleckiego

Putting the bar into barge, bounce across a gangplank to board this summer hit. Gently bobbing on the river, seats can be hard to find but it’s always well worth the squeeze. Heavily decorated with plants and greenery, and sheltered from the elements by a giant overhead awning, this floating pub serves ace beers from the likes of Raduga and Funky Fluid.

Browar Warszawski

Grzybowska 60 (Browary Warszawskie)

Browary has utilised the surviving elements of the 19th century Haberbusch & Schiele brewery and set them against a backdrop of freshly mapped streets and fresh new build that feel contextually suited to the area. Assuming the feel of a swanky micro-district, the flagship brewery in the centre of it all is perfect for summer. Beyond the glass frontage, it’s the most swish of Warsaw’s tap bars with the selection brewed on-site – the beers are diverse and tasty and well-suited to both fussy tastes and those that just appreciate a damn good pint. The shaded, sunken plaza in which it’s found is well suited for summer chilling.

Cuda Na Kiju

Nowy Świat 6/12 

Warsaw’s first multitap craft bar can no longer claim to be the city’s most adventurous but is it the most popular: hell yes! Offering an understandable choice – plus a few mad mavericks – the pints are complemented by on-tap cider and Prosecco. At the weekend, hundreds of people gather to splay on the deckchairs and watch the sun dipping down over the iconic palm tree out front.

Elephant Belgian Bar

Freta 19

Signposted by a jolly, dancing elephant, this Belgian pub presents its cause the moment you enter – you’re hit by a wave of Belgian options. True, the prices are steep, but those that complain should be reminded that by its very nature, imported Belgian beer is rarely on the cheap side. You pay for what you get: quality. The design is basic – brickwork, beer kegs and varying ephemera of the brewing trade – but it doesn’t need that much more: Elephant is about beer, bonding and having a blast.

Kufle I Kapsle

Nowogrodzka 25

Ten years old this summer, KiK stands out as one of Warsaw’s original tap bars. Respectful of the building’s pre-war heritage, the interiors feature a warming back room with low-slung armchairs, but the real action is out front where note-taking nerds and international pissheads join as one to clamour around a bar serving some of the best and most radical beers in Poland. If it gets too sweaty, the narrow street terrace captures Warsaw’s nighttime atmosphere to a tee. The wider area is often considered the heart of the capital’s craft movement, but you can consider Kufle the king of them all.

Same Krafty

Rynek Starego Miasta

Same Krafty dominate the Insider’s Old Town agenda thanks to two scuffed and boisterous craft pubs slotted between the square and the Barbican. When the weather turns though – NOW! – it’s the terrace on the north-western corner of the Rynek that becomes the default choice. Watching the sun slope down over the Old Town’s tiled rooftops while accordionists play in the distance is an experience in itself, and one best enjoyed with a pint of something crafty.