Krakow's Old Town is one of Europe's most atmospheric places to spend an evening. Centuries-old cellars hide beneath the cobbles, the Main Market Square glows after dark, and a short walk takes you from a quiet wine bar to a buzzing dance floor. This guide maps out how to enjoy a night in Stare Miasto - and where to end it, at the Sweet Secret of the Old Town.
Whether you are visiting for a weekend or you call Krakow home, the city rewards those who know where to look. Below is a relaxed itinerary for an unforgettable evening, finishing in an exclusive basement club that most people walk straight past.
Start in the Squares and Cellars
Begin your evening on or around Rynek Glowny, the vast medieval Main Market Square. As the light fades, the cafes shift into bars, and the surrounding streets reveal cellar venues carved from centuries-old stone. A glass of wine in a vaulted cellar is the ideal way to ease into the night.
Wander the lanes off the square - ul. Sw. Tomasza, ul. Florianska, ul. Grodzka - and you will find everything from cosy pubs to lively cocktail bars, all within a few minutes' walk of one another.
Build the Energy
As the evening warms up, the Old Town's bars fill with a mix of locals and travellers. This is the time for cocktails and conversation, for hopping between a couple of favourite spots and feeling the city come alive. Krakow's compact centre means you never have far to go between rounds.
End the Night at the Hidden Gem
For the finale, the people in the know head to White Chocolate, an exclusive night club hidden in a vaulted basement at ul. Sw. Tomasza 16. There is no obvious sign - just a discreet door and a flight of stone stairs leading down to white leather, gold light and a marble bar.
Six private salons, editorial performers styled with white chocolate and an intimate, members-feel atmosphere make it the perfect, glamorous close to a Krakow night. Open nightly from 20:00 for guests 18 and over, until 05:00 on weekends.
Frequently asked questions
When does nightlife in Krakow get going?
The Old Town livens up after dark, with bars filling from mid-evening onward. White Chocolate opens at 20:00 nightly and is at its best later in the evening, especially on weekends when we stay open until 05:00.
Is the Old Town walkable for a night out?
Very. Stare Miasto is compact, so you can move between cellars, bars and squares on foot in minutes. White Chocolate sits at ul. Sw. Tomasza 16, a short stroll from the Main Market Square.
What makes White Chocolate the hidden gem of the guide?
It is an exclusive basement club with no obvious sign - intimate, glamorous and known mostly to those who have the address. That sense of discovery is exactly why it earns its place at the end of the night.
Do I need to book to finish the night at White Chocolate?
Walk-ins are welcome, but reserving a private salon ahead by phone guarantees your space, especially on busy weekend nights.
Is there an age limit for the venue?
Yes, White Chocolate is strictly 18+. Bring valid identification, as we may check at the door.