The Best Bars In Old Town Olsztyn Poland

Olsztyn, located on the Łyna River, is situated in the northeastern part of Poland. Olsztyn’s Old Town dates back to the 14th century, and comprises of the Old Town Hall, the Old Market Square, High Gate, the castle of the Bishopric of Warmia, and St. James’ Cathedral. It’s also here, you will find some of the best local bars to quench your thirst as you’re taking a historical tour of the Old Town.

Sznaps

Bar, Pub Grub

Outdoor Patio overlooking the Łyna river

If you’re looking for a beautiful view and a traditional Polish snack with your beverage, Sznaps is the place to go. Situated on the border of the Old Town and Podzamcze Park near the Łyna river, it servers beer and various brands of spirits, as well as a whole array of traditional snacks, such as pierogi, jellied pigs feet, herring, lard with bread, kiełbasa (Polish sausage) and pickles. It’s been a local and student favorite since it opened due to the budget friendly pricing. From day to early evening, visitors can enjoy live broadcasts of football matches and at night the venue offers live music, DJs, and dancing. In the warmer months, the pub opens its terrace to visitors, offering a beautiful view of the Łyna river and the Podzamcze park.

Valhalla

Discover the world of Nordic legends at this two-storey themed pub. With wooden benches covered with fur throws, coffee tables made of shields, swords hanging on the walls and carved Nordic strands, this unusual place allows its guests to experience the days of valiant Vikings with its unique atmosphere. This is truly the land of eternal happiness with its wide range of drinks in mugs and beer served straight from buffalo horns. This place is particularly great if you’re visiting in the fall or winter, with its warm and darkly lit atmosphere and seasonal drinks such as mulled wine and mulled cider, visitors can feel transported into Winterfell. Another plus is their menu filled with amazing comfort food.
Ul. Okopowa 24A, 10-075 Olsztyn, Poland, +48 733 502 255

Piwiarnia Warka

Bar, Pub Grub

If you’re a sports fan this place is for you. Piwiarnia Warka is a place where you can watch a good match in good company. The bar has hosted guests such as Mariusz Pudzianowski, Polish strongman competitor and mixed martial artist, and Mamed Khalidov, undefeated Polish middle-weight MMA fighter, so it’s a sports fan’s biggest dream. The pub is designed like a beer cellar and has an outdoor garden (enter through the Fish Market). Fun comes free with a pint of beer and some great food. The bar menu has Polish food staples like zapiekanki (open face toasted sandwiches), and homemade lard and bread with pickles and bacon bits. The pub features major sporting events, providing two different rooting rooms (depending on your team), karaoke every Thursday night, even for those who can’t sing, and numerous concerts, events.

Ministerstwo Śledzia i Wódki

Ministerstwo Śledzia i Wódki’s atmosphere is reminiscent of the unforgettable cult films of Stanisław Bareja. This place deviates from the standard pub fare. Translating to The Ministry of Herring and Vodka, the pub is named after the tradition of serving śledz (pickled herring) along with straight vodka, especially prominent during the times of Communism in Poland. Back in the day the śledz (herring) was reportedly the object of worship, attributed with magical powers, and so it is today at the Ministerstwo Śledzia i Wódki. Here you can sample herring in various ways along alongside different kinds of vodka. Apart from herring, the bar serves other traditional bar snacks such as bread with lard and pickles and red borscht in addition to good frozen vodka and music from the 1980s. Another characteristic feature of the bar is the fixed low pricing on both snacks and drinks, making a visit well worth it.
Ul. Kołłątaja 5, 10-034 Olsztyn, Poland, +48 506 950 553

Browarnia Stara Warszawska

Pub, Pub Grub

Browarnia Stara Warszawska is known for its large selection of over 100 beers. It contains not only regional beers from Warmia and Mazury, but beers from various other countries, such as Lithuania, Ukraine, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Belgium. But the most impressive are the vintage beers from old Polish breweries. The impressive two-storey bierkeller, equipped with wooden benches and soft couches and large photographs of the former Allenstein (Olsztyn), is stylishly furnished and reminiscent of the history of the city. It has a long bar with a wooden top and classic wooden tables surrounded by exposed brick walls. The bar is also housed on the former premises of the pre-war Białego Jelenia restaurant and hosts live music, broadcasts of sports matches and a foosball table. In the summer you can move outside the pub to the seasonal garden.

About the author

Kaja Kozak

Kaja is a writer who is passionate about anything art, fashion, and food related. Having been born with the wanderlust gene she's traveled extensively since she was a child attempting to circumvent her ever-present writer's block. She dreams of moving to a cottage in a picturesque village somewhere, owning a giraffe and a miniature pony named James, seeing every Vermeer in person, and finally completing her first novel.