Hevre

Hevre is a Kazimierz bar set in a 19th-century building that was once a Jewish prayer house. The building was badly damaged during the Second World War and was later reopened as a bar by the team behind Alchemia, the district's long-running music club. Traces of the original frescoes survive on the peeling walls, and the balcony above the ground-floor bar is believed to be the original mechitza, the gallery that once separated men and women during prayer.

The result is a space with high ceilings and a strong sense of history, part dive bar and part cultural venue. It rewards a slow look around the walls as much as a drink at the bar.

On the drinks side, Hevre serves seasonal signature cocktails and is known as the only place in Kraków pouring unpasteurised Pilsner Urquell straight from the tank, offered in four different styles of pour, which beer lovers will want to compare. Ordering two different pours side by side is a fun way to see how much the serving style changes the taste and texture of the same beer. The kitchen draws inspiration from old Jewish and Galician food traditions, with a menu that changes often, so check the bar's social media pages for the current dishes. Breakfast is served in the mornings, and appetisers continue into the evening, which makes Hevre useful at almost any time of day.

The atmosphere shifts as the day goes on. Mornings are given over to breakfast, while weekends bring DJ parties. Upstairs, a separate bar hosts art openings and club nights, and there is a smaller space in the basement. Local listings give opening hours from 10:00 until midnight on most days, with later closing on Fridays and Saturdays and earlier on Sundays, but check before you go.

Hevre suits couples, groups of friends, beer enthusiasts and anyone interested in the layered history of Kazimierz. Remember that you are drinking inside a former place of worship, and treat the building with respect. Its long hours also make it a convenient base between sights during the day, when it is calmer than in the evening. Meiselsa Street is in the heart of Kazimierz, so it is easy to combine with dinner in the district or a concert at Alchemia.