Krakow in winter is genuinely beautiful and genuinely cold. The Rynek under snow is one of the great sights in Poland, and about twenty minutes of admiring it is all most people can manage before the cold wins. Darkness arrives absurdly early. The outdoor terraces that define the city in summer are shuttered or wrapped in plastic.
This is the season a cellar club comes into its own. White Chocolate is a vaulted brick basement under the Old Town, warm regardless of what is happening at street level, lit low and gold, and built around six private salons. In August it is an atmospheric choice. In January it is simply the right one.
Warmth as an Amenity
Thick stone vaults hold heat well, which is why these cellars were built in the first place. The practical effect is that you take your coat off at the door and forget about the weather entirely for the rest of the evening.
There is no outdoor smoking terrace fighting the front door open, no draught along the floor. It is one continuous warm room, which after a walk across a freezing Square is worth a great deal.
The Right Light for a Dark Season
Winter light in Poland is thin and grey for months. The interior here is a deliberate answer to that: Edison bulbs, brass and gold accents, white leather catching the warm light. It is a room designed to feel like the opposite of a February afternoon.
The Winter Calendar
Winter carries a heavy run of occasions. Company Christmas parties through December, New Year's Eve, then carnival season from Twelfth Night through to Shrove Tuesday, with Fat Thursday somewhere in the middle. The salons are in demand across that whole stretch.
January and early February midweek nights are the quietest of the year and the easiest time to get the salon you actually want.
Frequently asked questions
Is the club warm in winter?
Yes. The vaulted stone cellars hold heat very effectively and the whole venue is a single enclosed space. Coats go to the cloakroom and the weather stops being a factor.
Which are the busiest winter nights?
December is heavy with company Christmas parties, New Year's Eve books out well ahead, and carnival weekends from January onward are busy. Midweek in January and early February is the calmest stretch.
Do you have a cloakroom for winter coats?
Yes. In a Krakow winter it is essential rather than optional, and it means you are not spending the evening with a coat over the back of your chair.
Are you open every night through winter?
Yes, nightly from 20:00 year round. Closing is 03:00 Sunday to Wednesday, 04:00 Thursday and 05:00 Friday and Saturday.
How far is it from the Main Market Square?
A few streets. We are at ul. Św. Tomasza 16 in the Old Town, which in winter is a short enough walk to manage without regretting it.