It is a more useful question than it sounds. A group that wanted to talk ends up somewhere with a sound system built for dancing, or a group that wanted to dance ends up in a quiet wine bar, and everyone blames the venue when the real problem was the category.
In Krakow the distinction is blurrier than in most cities, largely because so many venues occupy medieval cellars that were never designed for either. Here is an honest guide to the difference, and where a place like ours actually sits.
What a Bar Gives You
Conversation, earlier hours and no commitment. A bar is somewhere you can arrive at eight, stay for two hours and leave without the evening feeling unfinished. Sound levels allow talking, and you can usually walk in without booking.
The limitation is atmosphere later on. Most Krakow bars wind down well before the clubs get going, and a group still full of energy at one in the morning has to move.
What a Club Gives You
Late hours, music as the main event and a sense of occasion. A club is a destination rather than a stop, and the evening is built around being there rather than passing through.
The cost is conversation. In most clubs, talking properly is not realistic, which is fine if that was the plan and a problem if it was not.
Where White Chocolate Sits
Somewhere between the two, deliberately. We are a night club in that we open at 20:00, run until 03:00 to 05:00 depending on the day, have a stage, a programme and a dress code. We are closer to a bar in that the venue is built around seated private salons and sound levels that allow a conversation.
That suits a group that wants a proper late night without shouting at each other for five hours. It suits less well anyone whose main objective is a dance floor.
Frequently asked questions
Are you a bar or a club?
A club by hours, dress code and programme; closer to a bar in that the venue is built around seated salons where conversation is possible. Most guests find that combination is the point.
Can we have a conversation at your venue?
Yes. The private salons are separated from the main room and the sound level stays conversational, which is one of the main reasons people choose us over a conventional club.
Is there a dance floor?
There is a stage and a programme rather than a large dance floor. If dancing all night is the main objective, a dedicated club will suit you better.
Which should we pick for a group that wants to talk?
Either a bar early or somewhere like us later. The thing to avoid is a large club, where conversation genuinely is not possible regardless of intentions.
What time does each get going in Krakow?
Bars fill from around 19:00 to 21:00 and thin out by midnight or one. Clubs get going from around 22:00 and run to 03:00 or later. We open at 20:00 and are at our best from around 22:00.