While it’s true that the hard-working city of Zabrze in Poland is much more famous for the city’s beloved football club and the coal mines than it is for its nightlife, nonetheless the range of quirky pubs, innovative bars and stylish nighttime haunts in modern-day Zabrze comes as a welcome surprise . This list will ensure you remember your nights out in Zabrze as much as your mining tours and visit to the famous football stadium where former European finalists Górnik Zabrze ply their trade.
Resto Pub Okrąglak is a cosy little venue to party the night away in the heart of Zabrze, near the main train station. With colourful flavoured shots, sumptuous cocktails and cold beers on tap, it’s a great drinks venue. Resto Pub Okrąglak also has excellent Polish and international food – double check with the staff what time the kitchen closes each time. This food includes crispy pizzas and Polish zapiekanki (baguettes with various toppings). At weekends, there are DJs and a dance floor. Resto Pub Okrąglak attracts a mixture of young single people, students, couples and group parties.
Smocze Oko, which translates into English as ‘Dragon’s Eye’, is a quirky hangout on the streets of Zabrze. The place is designed like a hidden cave with its grey walls and – wait for it – a mock ‘dragon’s eye’ is embedded into the wall! The venue hosts regular events such as karaoke and live music evenings featuring local bands. There are numerous good beers on tap, but the highlight is the ever-changing range of bottled beers. The themed nights are superb – prepare to be spooked by the venue’s popular Halloween parties.
Oficyna is one of the coolest little night venues in town, located on the central Wolności Street in Zabrze. With live music, comedy nights and spontaneous stand-up events, this venue attracts all kinds of characters and local creatives. Typical Polish vodka shots are served to complement a range of locally brewed beers. The vibe is relaxed and casual. Superb frothy coffees are also served to perfection along with glasses of international wines. Summer barbecues in the beer garden are great fun in this little gem of a bar.
Pub Skrecz is located just outside Stare Zabrze (Old Zabrze) and is a cosy local pub with a vibrant nighttime vibe. On Fridays and Saturdays, it stays open until the early hours of the morning and, depending on how busy it gets, it can be 24 hours. Live football is shown, and the pub notoriously has a love for the local team, Górnik Zabrze. Górnik Zabrze is named after the town’s miners, and they are one of the most successful Polish football clubs in history, having won the Polish League 14 times and being the only Polish team to reach a European final. Be sure not to get confused, though, as Pub Skrecz is also known locally as Noran Pub, so be aware that locals may use both names as the venue has changed names and owners a few times.
Football fans will feel totally at home in the lively Pub 13 Zabrze. This bar takes its inspiration for its love of the local football team Górnik Zabrze. Be sure to blend in with the locals if you visit this bar – they play in white, red and blue, often with squared kits and flags. As far as the bar is concerned, it sells cheap, cold beer or vodka and some Polish bar snacks. The bar shows live football featuring Górnik, of course, as well as other Polish clubs, the national team and some foreign matches. On match days, the bar gets very busy as it’s right next to the stadium.
Pub Biały Słoń is the city’s ‘White Elephant Pub’ and one of the most famous and longest running pubs in Zabrze. Having opened its doors in 1993, it was one of the new pubs to achieve success once Poland’s Communist times came to an end. These days, it has more competition, of course, but Pub Biały Słoń maintains a quirky and casual approach. With ivy growing on the outer walls and the wooden window frames, the pub tries to maintain a vintage façade that is instantly noticeable from the outside. Inside, a modern vibe keeps the pub busy and popular amongst locals and visitors. The usual range of beers, wines, shots and cocktails are served by multilingual staff here at Pub Biały Słoń. Polish food such as zapiekanki and chleb ze smalcem (bread with smalec) are served. Please note the irregular opening hours, which are also subject to change. On Sundays and Mondays, the bar is closed completely, and the rest of the time it opens at 5pm.
Literally translating as ‘Gate Pub’, Pub Brama is a lively nighttime venue located on Ulica Cieszyńska in Zabrze. It stays open late at weekends, attracting a high-spirited and cheerful crowd. The entrance to the pub is through a gate (hence the name), and the interior has red bricks walls and comfortable seating. DJs and live music help turn Pub Brama into a party atmosphere at the weekends. Polish beers are served on tap and in bottles, and buckets of ice are given with vodka bottles to the tables. Get in early to secure a seat on weekend and themed nights. At times like Halloween, Christmas and Poland football matches, Pub Brama gets packed out.
