Harris Piano Jazz Bar

Harris Piano Jazz Bar is a jazz den beneath the Main Market Square, at number 28. Its appeal is simple: live jazz every day in an intimate underground room, right in the middle of the Old Town. Local guides recommend it as a good refuge on a winter night.

The bar hosts concerts daily. Local guides note that some of the best moments come when the musicians are at the bar rather than on stage. Check the bar's own listings for who is on and at what time, as the line-up changes from night to night.

Seating is limited and the room is small and cluttered, so if you want to watch a particular concert, reserve a table in advance; otherwise you may find yourself standing at the back with little view of the stage. When you arrive, make sure you go to the ticket desk before heading downstairs, as staff at the entrance can steer you straight past it. In summer the room can become very hot, so it is at its best from autumn to spring.

Food is served until midnight, which makes it possible to have a late supper while listening to music, and the bar stays open well into the night, with later closing at weekends. That makes Harris a natural last stop after dinner in the Old Town, and a good choice for anyone who wants live music without travelling to Kazimierz. If you are planning a full evening, book dinner nearby for around eight, then arrive at Harris in time to settle in before the music starts, so you are not squeezing through a full room in the middle of a set.

The bar suits jazz lovers, couples looking for an atmospheric night out, and solo travellers. It is not the place for dancing or for a quiet chat during a set. Because it is on the square itself, it is easy to combine with sights such as St Mary's Basilica and the Cloth Hall during the day, and with other Old Town bars and jazz venues, including Piec'Art on nearby Szewska Street, in the evening. Opening times and concert schedules can change, so check before you go.