The Best Bars on Nowy Świat (New World) Street, Warsaw

Cosy, lively and cheap – three words to sum up one of the smallest and most basic bars on Nowy Świat! With vodka shots from 2 złotych (40 US cents!), it’s a fantastic budget option for a few quick shots on a night out. The bar gets pretty packed on weekends and spills over onto the street. It has also been made famous by Polish groundhopping football fan Radosław Rzeźnikiewicz after his team Kartofliska played against Ulubiona in a Polish Cup match in 2017.

Named after the famous New York island and skyline, Manhattan is a cosy venue in which to mingle with a good mix of locals, expatriates and tourists. The friendly staff love interacting with customers and sharing good music. The bar’s background has the famous skyline on it, and cheap vodka and pints are served long into the night. There is also a downstairs basement and, in warmer months, outdoor seating out the front. This is one of a few bars on the list that are located in Nowy Świat’s Pawilony zone.

Somewhat of a Polish institution and one of the leaders in the country’s ‘budget bar scene’, Pijalnia Wódki i Piwa manages to keep its prices very low while still occupying a prime location on this famous street. Beers, vodkas and wine start at 4.5 złotych (US$1.30). Bar food such as tosty (toast), śledź (herring) and kiełbasa (sausages) cost from 8 złotych (US$2.35) and up. The venue does get busy every night of the week, but most people pop in for a few drinks then leave. It’s one of the few 24-hour bars in Warsaw.

For some typical Czech and Bavarian-style beers and food, check out the Bierhalle. Here, waitresses wear typical Bavarian attire, serving ‘steins’ of lager and a range of delicious Bavarian food with a Polish twist. Be aware that at weekends, it is better to reserve a table in advance. The bar doesn’t really offer a standing option, as it’s table service. Live football is shown for important matches.

Proof of Warsaw’s up-and-coming entrepreneurship is here for all to see at Komix. This cosy venue has one main theme – comics! Adorning the wall are various posters and comic strips from Poland and beyond. It’s a tight and compact room for mingling, located in the Pawilony zone of Nowy Świat. For those who love pub crawls, this is located next door to Manhattan and just a few doors from Shot Gun (see below).

As the title might suggest, this is a shot bar. Shot Gun is also situated in Nowy Świat’s lively Pawilony zone. The menu features a wide range of shots, mostly based around vodka. Also popular are the cocktails in a venue that has basement seating.

Windigo was one of the first bars in the popular Pawilony zone. There are speciality shots on the menu and some decent Polish craft beers. Expect happy and welcoming bar staff and a comfortable atmosphere. Good music also allows for spontaneous dancing in yet another of Warsaw’s hidden gems on this New World Street.