Perhaps the most international of national holidays, St. Patrick’s Day has gained a world-wide reputation thanks to its paradoxical nature. Originally a celebration of the arrival of Christianity to Ireland, it has evolved to encompass Irish culture and heritage at large. Simultaneously a feast and a festivity, St. Patrick’s Day appeals the national fervour of the Irish and its diaspora and conjures a communal fever of solidarity and fraternity. Solemn or cathartic, Christian or pagan, in Ireland or anywhere in the world, St. Paddy’s is a reminder of how easy it is to share a heritage that we could call our own and how mankind belongs neither here nor there, but to one another. Or maybe is just the alcohol talking here. In any case…
Put on your green socks and prepare to break Polish lent during Dzień Świętego Patryka. Here’s a shortlist of Irish bars in Poland you can go drown the shamrocks, celebrate everything Irish and honour what brings us all together.
@GDAŃSK – Irish Pub Piwnica
Although there’s not really an Irish Pub in Gdańsk these days, this is one place that is quite welcoming and serves Guinness. What appears to be a street level hut is just the entrance to a vaulted cellar with a well-stocked bar, a decent bar menu, televisions always ready for whatever sport you might want to watch and one of the friendliest, if toughest-looking, landlords in the city.
@GDYNIA – Donegal
As authentic an Irish pub in terms of appearance as you’re likely to find in Europe, Donegal is a long-term labour of love for its owners who clearly appreciate there’s more to an Irish pub than simply getting some beers in and sticking an ‘Irish Pub’ sign up outside. There’s a healthy selection of whiskey and the Guinness is as good a pint as you’ll get in Poland.
@KRAKÓW – Irish Pub Pod Papugami
A nice amalgamation of a classic Irish pub and Cracovian cellar bar. Over two levels full of wooden fittings, Irish bric-a-brac, a billiards table, darts, plasma screens streaming sports, fresh baked pizza and pints of Murphy’s, Guinness and cider, Pod Papugami has a friendly sociable atmosphere beloved by lads and gentlemen alike.
@KATOWICE – City Pub
Not an Irish Pub per se, but they serve liquid steaks (Guinness, that is). The oldest pub in Kato, City Pub is one of those places that often comes up when enquiries are made about the best places to have a drink in town, and its cult status is unquestionable. The ground floor houses two bars, and numerous private rooms including a billiards room, foosball and darts lounge.
@LODZ – Irish Pub
A staple of the Łódź scene since 1994, the Irish Pub on ul. Piotrkowska is under new ownership and they made a lot of big changes. Upstairs remains an old-style bar with a strong naval theme and warm pub atmosphere, whereas the basement bar and restaurant has undergone a complete overhaul with a splendid mix of modern and traditional elements; private cubicles, open fireplaces and a wide choice of rooms hint at the late-19th century ‘People’s Palaces’ with a modern twist.
@POZNAN – Dubliner
Live music acts at 21:30 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and a Mon-Fri 13:00-18:00 (plus all-day Sunday) special that knocks 50% off the food prices. Tucked on the ground floor of the city’s landmark Imperial Castle, this timber-cut pub feels like a secret clubhouse complemented with stained glass windows.
@SOPOT – Kava
There’s no Irish joint in the city, but for St. Patrick’s Day there will be a celebration at Kava, a friendly cafe/bar on the ground floor of a department store on Monte Cassino with a surprisingly good menu of food as well. They’ve recently extended and you’ll also find what are probably the largest screens in the city on which to watch sports.
@TARNÓW – Leprikon Irish Pub
With a great location on the market square, this Irish pub looks the part with plenty of lucky green and dark wood fittings, 2 TVs beaming live sports, Guinness on draught and even a full Irish breakfast on offer. One of a scant number of places on the market square that will feed you a proper meal, including daily specials, burgers and other pub grub.
@WARSAW – Legends British Bar & Restaurant
British owned and run, not 150 metres from the Marriott, this is a resto-pub with a bright, clean look, four flatscreen tvs on which you can watch SKY and Canal +, real dart boards and a cracking menu of British-style grub to soak up the Polish beer, British ales and rarely-seen spirits like Captain Morgan dark rum. Pub Quiz the first Friday of every month (20:00).
@WROCLAW – Guinness
This Polish-owned Irish pub isn’t the most authentic place in the world, but it plays its role just fine as flypaper for foreigners and football fans thanks to being one of the only places in town where you’re likely to find your match on the tube. True to its name they do serve the Black Nectar. Set over three levels serving up decent pub grub and live music some evenings.
