Foodies and trendistas had a collective seizure in April after organizers of the celebrated Nocny Market landed the bombshell that they would not be returning for a third stint this summer. Occupying the disintegrating platform of an abandoned train station, the street food market made its debut in 2016, quickly rising to become one of Warsaw’s best-loved seasonal attractions.

However, with Warszawa Główna Osobowa due to be renovated in autumn, the station’s management opted against extending Nocny Market’s agreement so as to prepare for the upcoming facelift. This decision was met with outrage, prompting the intervention of city councilors who joined forces with Nocny Market’s organizers to negotiate a stay of execution. To the relief of the public, the end of May saw a compromise reached with the Nocny Market allowed to return for a final hurrah.

More than just a hyper-cool collection of ethnic street food stalls, the Nocny Market has become the place to get tattooed in front of leering strangers, stock up on artisan donuts, swag some Indigo-colored Palace of Culture socks or simply boogie on down to DJs straight from the Golden Years of Hipster. All about good vibes, big beats and beery, blurry nights, the message now is loud and clear: enjoy it while you can!

Nocny Market
ul. Towarowa 3
Open: Thu 5 p.m. to midnight; Fri-Sat 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Sun 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Grand reopening scheduled for May 25th)

(Photos: Ed Wight)