Looking for the best jazz bars in Krakow? We’ve got you covered. Our resident jazz head runs through the city’s top venues and much more…
There’s a long and rich tradition of jazz bars in Krakow.
Ever since the interwar days when swing would echo out from the basements of the Old Town, the genre has been a mainstay of the city.
Later, visits by the likes of Dave Brubeck in the 50s took Polish jazz to all new heights. Led by the likes of Krzysztof Komeda and others, it became an integral part of Krakow’s cultural fabric.
These days, you don’t have to look too far to find a jazz bar. Krakow has plenty.
Names like the Harris Piano Jazz Bar remain the most iconic. But there are also hidden venues where sax and trumpet bands grace the stages throughout the night.
This ultimate guide to jazz bars Krakow has all the info you need. It lists the very best establishments in town. It runs through the history of the style in Poland. And it’s even got suggestions on hotels to stay in close to the jazz dives.
This article may contain affiliate links to hotels, services, and other extras that will earn us something if you click through and book. It’s what helps us keep offering great info on Krakow, so thanks for that!
This is just one part of our ultimate list of Krakow bars and cafes
What’s in this guide to Jazz Bars in Krakow?
The most iconic jazz bars in Krakow
When it comes to jazz bars, Krakow has three places that stand out from the crowd.
They’re the oldest and most prestigious venues in the city, all being able to trace thier heritage back to the early 90s when jazz was really starting to cook in Poland after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
We list them here in order of personal preference, but really there’s barely a oboe reed between them.
They are all highly rated and lauded for spearheading the Krakow jazz scene over the last three decades. Each has hosted greats of the genre. Each promises to be a wonderful evening.
If you’re looking to visit any of the bars below on a weekend, we’d certainly reccomend booking ahead!
Harris Piano Jazz Bar
Krakow’s most famous jazz bar – go here if you only have time to visit one!
Rarely has a Polish basement bar been as quintessential jazz as this!
Yep, Harris is nothing short of legendary on the Krakow – nay Polish – jazz scene.
It was one of the pioneers of live music shows in the city since first opening its cellar doors in the late 1990s.
In the decades that followed, its tight-knit stage and intimate underground interior have hosted big names like the late Art Farmer, sax master Gary Bartz and percussion maestro Idris Muhammad to name just a few.
Poland’s own jazz greats have been regulars too. They’ve included everyone from violinist Michal Urbaniak to Scorpions-bassist Pawel Maciwoda.
Patrons can expect a dimly-lit interior and a prime location on the edge of the Market Square. There’s also a line-up of cocktails that’s perfectly suited to the occasion.
Basically, Harris gets the creme-de-la-creme of touring musicians so it’s the place to go in Krakow if you count yourself among the most dedicated jazz connoisseurs.
That said, we like that they still intersperse the calendar with shows by local and student artists, especially on quieter weekdays.
Nice variety; even better atmosphere.
Piec Art Acoustic Jazz Club
The best for lively acoustic shows
Piec Art Acoustic Jazz Club offers something of a respite from the wilder clubs and chart tunes that dominate Szewska Street in the middle of the Old Town.
It’s a quirky, narrow venue with a swish and stylish bar and seating that spills out onto the pavements during those jazz-friendly summer evenings.
The calendar of acts focuses – as the name suggests – primarily on acoustic gigs.
Most set up and play in the small cellar underground.
Expect the usual exposed brick walls, plenty of Polish beers and great cocktails to boot.
Piec Art also boasts a long history. It’s up there with U Muniaka (see below) and Harris (see above) as one of the OG jazz venues of the town.
It’s expanded since opening in the 90s and has modernized a bit more than its compadres from way back when. The vibe is kinda’ jazz chic and it gets busy with both jazz lovers and non-jazz-loving drinkers, which adds a bit more va-voom into the mix on weekend evenings.
U Muniaka
Over 35 years of jazz history and one of the best underground stages
Forever vying with Harris Piano Jazz Bar for the title of Krakow’s most prestigious underground venue, this no-frills spot lurks below the much-trodden stones of Florianska Street – one of the main arteries of the Old Town.
It’s been going since way back in 1991, which might be why there’s a palpable air of nostalgia bouncing between the apses of the medieval cellar where the music acts kick-off. Shows can start there any time after 8pm.
Jazz club U Muniaka was actually founded by a great of the Polish jazz scene: Janusz Muniak (hence the name).
He played with the likes of Trzaskowski back when the genre was really finding its feet and experimenting in the post-war era up to the 60s.
Alongside the music, there’s a menu of vodkas, tequilas, and cocktails, bolstered by bar snacks like nachos and olive plates.
Just one word of warning here: Service has been said to be curt. But who cares about that when the line-up of shows comes littered with big-name jazz figures and a venue where some of Poland’s very best have played over the decades? Not us.
Other jazz bars in Krakow
There are plenty more bars in Krakow that offer jazz shows and regular jazz schedules but perhaps don’t come with the long and prestigious history that go with the original three listed above.
That’s not to knock the jazz offering. We’ve visited many of the places below and found the quality of the music to be on par, or even superior, to some nights in the more famous, dedicated jazz bars.
What’s good is that they’re not usually as crowded, you might not have to jostle for tickets on summer weekends, and these bars bring something else to the table, whether that’s a cool new location or a more creative food/drink offering.
Let’s take a look…
The Piano Rouge
Taking us back to the very heart of the Krakow Old Town is this noir restaurant-com-jazz bar.
Doused in a Moulin Rougue-esque glow, the interior is opulently done out. You’ll find regal red carpets and flowing velvet curtains. It all adds up to something that nostalgically echoes the building’s 16th-century origins but has the feel of a Wild West saloon to us.
A prized Bechstein grand dominates the playing room, which is where you can sit and dine while listening to the music. Yup, this joint is a kinda bistro-bar mashup that serves Polish-European fare in the form of poultry platters and artisan burgers to a backdrop of the music.
But the music hardly plays second fiddle. There’s an event every night of the week and it’s varied stuff, ranging from Spanish flamenco guitar to classic tenor singing to jazz piano.
HEVRE
We think HEVRE is one of the most intriguing bars of the moment in Krakow. It made waves back in the mid-2010s when it opened in a disused synagogue in the heart of Kazimierz.
The interiors were really something to behold and still are. They’re all peeling paint hiding elegant turn-of-the-century motifs. The ceiling is wonderfully vaulted and the bar showcases hints of old-school Art Deco charm. Basically, it’s a feast for the eyes.
Now, HEVRE is not a dedicated jazz bar. However, there are occasional jazz shows here that are certainly worth a mention. They promise to be some of the most cutting-edge in the city, mashing electronica DJs with classic jazz compositions, all delivered in immersive style on a stage that’s vaulted above the bar.
Look out for the Junior Jazz Fest or ad hoc jazz nights on their website and be sure to get there early – HEVRE always fills up!
New Day Blues Pub
As more of a blues lover than a jazz lover (though I do still love jazz!), I was particularly chuffed when New Day was added to the list of venues in Kazimierz.
It’s an out and out blues bar that gets positively rocking when there’s a good band in.
It’s actually located literally two steps away from aforementioned HEVRE, on Bozego Ciala street, which is now one of the main vena cava for nightlife in Kazi.
It’s kinda big, but then that’s what you’d expect from a place that occupies the old home of legendary Piekny Pies club (still going, now moved).
The Friday open mic nights can be great fun. Watch out for touring Polish and European blues bands on Saturdays.
Lots of good beer options in bottles and cocktails on the side.
Quick-click links to our top stays in Krakow
- PURO Krakow Kazimierz – If in doubt, go PURO. Retro rooms, a noir cocktail lounge, and an underground spa. It’s our fav all-round hotel in the city right now.
- Hotel Stary – A famous lux hotel in the Old Town. Beloved of celebs. Wellness facility in the basement. Book it if yo’ budget allows!
- Academia Apartments – The Deluxe Apartment in this complex has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Planty Park and the Old Town. It’s exquisite for those who want more space.
- Greg & Tom Party Hostel – Greg & Tom is nothing short of legendary. Great vibes. Low prices. Nightly parties.
Must-do activites in Krakow
- Wawel Castle – A guided runthrough of Krakow’s mighty castle complex.
- Taste Vodka – These guys run the single best voddie tasting tour in town. It’s fun, it’s food-filled, it’s wild.
- Oskar Schindler’s Factory – The factory from the iconic film is a journey through the millennia of history in Krakow.
- Zakopane – If you have time (two days is ideal), you should definitely visit the mountain town of Zakopane!
How much does it cost to visit jazz bars in Krakow?
Like with most things in Poland, you shouldn’t have to pay through the nose for a great night of jazz in Krakow.
Of course, that’s not to say that there aren’t some nights that will cost you a considerable sum. When big-name bands add Krakow to their tour list (and that’s quite common given the rich jazz heritage that the city enjoys), you can look to paying up to 100 PLN (around £20) for a ticket.
However, that’s most certainly not the norm. Most regular shows cost between 15-25 PLN (£3-5) per person. Some days the gigs are even free, though that’s more common in restaurant-style establishments like Piano Rouge. They typically don’t charge at the door but make their dosh on meals and drinks.
Talking of food and drinks, the cost of booze and food in the jazz bars in Krakow might be just a little higher than in other establishments across the city.
Take the pizza and snack menu of Harris Piano Jazz Bar, where you’ll pay between 20-30 PLN (£6) for a main. Next to that is the more fine-dining style of Piano Rouge, which has gourmet cooking costing 50 PLN per dish and over.
Plan your trip to Krakow
Search for flights – For our money, Kiwi is one of the best flight search engines out there. Great interface, easy to plan return tickets on low-cost fliers.
Book your stay – Booking.com rules in Krakow. We think it has the biggest range of hotels and some of the best rates.
Get insurance – Travel insurance is a must, even for a quick weekend hop to Poland, and ESPECIALLY since Brexit (grr). We’ve got SafetyWing insurance (medical insurance for frequent travellers).
Sort travel money with Wise – We can’t recommend Wise enough. Zero fees for card transactions, free ATM withdrawals up to 200 quid abroad, and the best app we’ve ever used. We won’t travel without one.
The history of jazz in Krakow
If you’re looking for the home of jazz in Poland – you’ve found it in Krakow. The tale of the genre goes way back to before the tumult of the Second World War, when underground bars playing American swing entertained the masses of a newly crowned Second Polish Republic.
It was a period when Krakow was transforming itself from occupied city into Central Europe’s cultural hun. The universities were alive. Cafes, expos, and – crucially for jazz in Krakow – musical institutions were popping up all over.
Things really took off when the first proper jazz bars in Krakow were established in the 50s and 60s. That helped some of the great names of Polish jazz thrive. The likes of musicologist and composer Andrzej Trzaskowski – a native of Krakow – started pushing the boundaries of bop, hard bop, and swing during this period. He collaborated with Wojciech Karolak (who would later go on to work with Miles Davis, no less) on quintet shows and compositions.
After the fall of communism, jazz in Krakow was finally given true freedom to express itself.
The wall came down in 1989 and it’s no surprise that, as musical influences began flowing in from the west, jazz bars started arriving by the bucket load. You couldn’t count them all on a single hand by the late 90s! That’s when Harris Piano Jazz bar first opened its doors.
A few years earlier, the Polish saxophonist (and contemporary of Trzaskowski), Janusz Muniak, started his bar on Florianska Street.
This article may contain affiliate links to hotels, services, and other extras that will earn us something if you click through and book. It’s what helps us keep offering great info on Krakow, so thanks for that!
Dear jazzfriends, thanx for the information about jazz live in Krakow. But can you give me names and contact to locations, where we can hear blues live in Krakow.
Thanx before and keep swingin’
Michae Wolter / IG jazz e.V.
Sorry for the late reply on this! We’ve just added Krakow’s best blues bar to the list this year (2024). Check out the New Day Blues Pub in Kazimierz.