Here I am in an cloth bestrewn, opulent, intensely red lothario lounge. There are lovers wedging themselves into the clubs crannies of this rock walled bar but I’m the only lone drinker in La Piano Rouge. This is far removed from the branded umbrellas and their touristic shade in the Rynek above and another reason to love Krakov. I have finally found it after following Terry’s sometimes contradictory directions.
I could be as cliched to say that it is the Paris of Central Europe, with its medieval beauty, its strking buildings, fairy tale castle and gently wooded park around the old town where the walls once stood. But I think it is more like the Barcelona of the north. It’s laid back, packed full of bars and cafes and interesting looking people. It has a relaxed and vibrant night scene. Not what I thought Poland would be in any way at all.
The last couple of days I’ve kept ending up in Kazimierz, either by myself or when with Jo. The Plac Nowy is the Hoxton of the Eastern Bloc. Jazz bars, dance clubs, trendy pubs line the square while an old school polish market bustles in the middle. Earlier today we sat drinking coffee, vodka and beer, watching hipsters play impromptu badminton in the square. In the evening every club/bar/gig we’ve tried to go to over the last couple of days has been packed out and we cant even wedge ourselves in sideways.
If I moved east of London then Krakov is where I would like to head, and Kazimierz is where I would live. It’s just like Hackney and Hoxton all rolled into one bundle of fun.
