Alchemia

Alchemia has been part of the life of Kazimierz since 1999. It stands at the corner of Estery Street and Plac Nowy, the small square at the heart of the old Jewish quarter, and describes itself simply as a place for concerts, meetings, remarkable people and events.

The bar itself is dim and atmospheric, lit by candles and decorated with old photographs and antique curiosities, which gives it a timeworn, bohemian feel that suits a long evening of beer and conversation. Regulars and visitors queue side by side at the counter, and the room often stays busy until the small hours. Next door, Alchemia od Kuchni serves a full food menu in the evenings, so you can eat before a concert without leaving the corner. Alongside the bar, Alchemia has its own concert hall, used for a varied programme of live music and cultural events. Jazz is particularly important here: the club is closely involved with the Kraków Jazz Autumn festival, and concerts at Alchemia opened the festival's 21st edition. The cellar also takes part in klezmer programmes and is sometimes used for student dance nights, so the mood changes from one evening to the next. The programme also includes meetings and other events, so check the listings on the club's website before you go.

Alchemia is an arts-minded venue rather than a polished cocktail lounge. It suits music lovers, couples looking for an evening with character and solo travellers who enjoy striking up conversations. Those after a big nightclub or slick service would be better served elsewhere. Local listings give long opening hours, from the morning until 2:00 most nights and later at the end of the week, which makes Alchemia a café by day and a bar by night.

For concerts, buy tickets in advance where possible. The bar is a sensible place to start an evening in Kazimierz even if you are not attending a concert, since many other bars and cafés are a few steps away.

Alchemia is about fifteen to twenty minutes on foot from the Main Market Square. After an evening here, the rest of Kazimierz, with its synagogues, restaurants and bars, is right on the doorstep.