For the best surprise of what’s been a stinker of a year, see the reopening of Nocny Market: months after Warsaw bade a tearful final farewell to this nocturnal institution, along came the news that, well, they hadn’t died… again.

For newbies, then the story is as follows: debuting in 2016, Nocny Market brought together dozens of street food vendors to form a patchwork of uber cool traders and hip little stands.

Mirek Kaźmierczak

But more than just an ultra-edgy collection of ethnic cook spots, the Nocny Market became the place to get tattooed in front of baying strangers, stock up on artisan donuts, swag some Indigo-colored Palace of Culture socks, get the whiskers waxed or simply boogie on down to side-burned DJs rescued from the Lost Years of Hipster. To many, it represented the essence of Warsaw.

But doom lay around the corner. Set on the disheveled, disused platforms of Warszawa Główna station, word that PKP were finally going ahead with returning this lost piece of real estate to its original function spelled the end for this seasonal sensation. Warsaw wept.

Mirek Kaźmierczak

Not so fast! Having been granted a miraculous last minute stay of execution in 2019, the same situation has played out again last year – and again this year!

Reopened last night, organizers have this time around promised to give preferential treatment to those vendors hit hardest by the pandemic, as well as those just starting out in their gastro adventure.

Mirek Kaźmierczak

Though the line-up is set to change pretty much regularly, this weekend highlights include the presence of the Hopito and Inne Beczki breweries, meaty dude food from Bydło i Powidło, raclette from Melted, Mex & Arizona style BBQ from El Camino, Neapolitan pizza from Włoski Strajk, and Korean food from Massita. And that’s the tip of the iceberg.

Full report once the sun comes back out!

Nocny Market
ul. Towarowa 3 (Warszawa Główna)
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Fri & Sat 5 p.m. till 1 a.m.
Sun 4 p.m. till 11 p.m.

(All photos: Mirek Kaźmierczak)