Zakopane Nightlife

On the one hand Zakopane is a relatively small provincial town, on the other it’s Poland’s premier mountain resort. As such you can find the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to exploring Zakopane’s nightlife. Take a wrong turn and you could end up in a dive bar listening to commercial tracks blasting out of inadequate speakers - and studiously avoiding the gaze of heavies in tight tops; take a right turn and you could end up in one of Poland’s best clubs listening to tunes mixed by an international giant of the decks and fighting off the attention of supermodels (hey, we’re a pretty good-looking bunch at Zakopane Life!).

Krupowki street makes an obvious start to any night out in Zako. It is the heart of the town, full of vendors, hawkers, clothes shops, restaurants and yes, bars and clubs. Most of them fall into the irredeemably naff category, however the dimunitive Nietota is a good bet for beer, whilst Café Piano is arguably the coolest watering hole in town and Jagoda spacious and well-designed. Very slightly off the beaten track, on Generala Galicy, the Zakopane branch of Paparazzi offers a more upbeat, party atmosphere, with DJs entering the fray at weekends.

When it comes to clubs, Zakopane can’t claim to spoil you for choice – but it can claim to spoil you. Ampstrong is not only the best club in Zakopane but amongst the best in the whole of Poland. There’s almost always something going on here, from the White Nights festival when they throw a party everyday in the time between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, to nu-jazz extravaganzas, ragga concerts and the regular bookings of quality house, breaks and drum’n’bass DJs from around the world. This eclectic programme brings people from as far as way as Warsaw (really!) and nearby Krakow to mash it up on the dancefloor, or to take it easy in the Arabian nights themed backrooms, where cushions and shisha pipes are the order of the day. If you’re in town just keep an eye out for posters with the famous fish logo to be sure of turning up to a quality night.

However good it might be, Ampstrong’s status as Zakopane’s only credible club was thankfully broken in late 2005 by the arrival of new player Va Va Voom. A smart looking venue on two floors the management have already managed to attract some big names to the decks, such as Aquasky, Slope and Glyn “Bigga” Bush. Definitely worth a gander if you’re an alternative dance boffin, Va Va Voom is a very welcome threat to Ampstrong’s hegemony of Zakopane’s nightlife!

And the best of the rest? Well Rockus represents a surprisingly good night out for those who hate dance music, and organises occasional live concerts too; whilst meat markets Morskie Oko (on Krupowki street) and Genesis (Plac Niepodleglosci) have all the lasers and girls in short skirts a lagerboy could wish for...

One last thing to bear in mind about partying in Zako is the choice of venue isn’t the only factor that will affect your night: Zakopane’s nightlife is, like the life of the town in general, based on the seasons. Winter is peak tourist time as Poles and foreigners alike descend in their thousands for a spot of skiing and snowboarding. Come early Spring and the town quietens down, until May when the summer crowds arrive for some fresh mountain air. Similarly the Autumn can be pretty quiet as the academic year begins and the wait for snow begins. During the high season expect throngs of holidaymakers to pack out the pubs and clubs - but during the low seasons you might find yourself partying with the locals alone!

add your comments

Hello, maybe you are advising people and tourists to visit the nightclub/disco gogo name Club Cocomo , located at the top of the main street Krupowki, next to a big sport shop.In my opinion , there is no Cocabana/copacabana disco club in Zakopane.However, like everywhere, that kind of club is trying to get the most of people who get in with the little or bad service provided inside.So, the best would be to stay in normal restaurant/bar/disco/ nightclub with some friends unless you want to risk a lot.

reviewed by Adamek from Poland on Jan.17.2012

Beware of Cocabana - a go-go bar located right on the main strip. Girls in orange jackets will be out at night passing fliers out to drunk groups of males. They host the same scam as many go-go spots in Poland, prepare to pay 200 zl. to buy the girls a water, and 100 zl. for a private session. Had a friend get taken by this scam, but bought his way out of it. Doorman was fairly aggressive about checking coats, and overall avoid this place if possible.

reviewed by Zach from United States on Jan.14.2012

Bylem w Polsce jedenastej raz or eleven times. Moja zona i ja lubimy Pod Hale, ale especially Zakopane. The Gorale or Highlander music is so unique, similar to that of all the mountain people of Moravia, Slowakia, even extending over to southern Ukraine and even a bit of Romania. The glue is the arc shaped Tatras or Carpathian Mountians. Within say a twenty mile range on each side of this arc from the Czech Republic to Romania, one will find similar music. Do a search on the Highlander music of the Tatras. To me, it is one of the best kept secrets in Europe. In fact, tune into www.RadioAlex.plin Zakopane to taste this musical genre. It is one genre and area of Poland that has not been totally Westernized so to speak. Poland has a wonderful folk music heritage , but it is so sad to see this dying. I can hear all the hip hop and rap crap I want in the States. Also, the skiing is not too bad. It is not Lake Tahoe or Colorado,but I found it to be fun and even challenging on certian slopes. Also, cycling is a joy. There are so many road, trails, country paths to investigate, and Poland seems to be a bicycle friendly country and no dogs chase a bicylist, at least in my experience.

The food is exceptional (try zurek or golanka, etc.) and the Polish beers are a delight.Poland needs a better PR program. Jescze Polska nie zginila!! Poland forever.
Please read this country's rich but tragic history. Jestem Polakiem na Pol which means I am half Polish only, but I am proud of my nawisko or last name. However , jestem Amerykaninem or an American, but part of moja serce or heart will always be in Poland.

Jerry Halkoski
Oconomowoc, WI Stanow

reviewed by Jerry from United States on May.16.2011

Hello, for your information, all discotheques/nightclubs/bar clubs in Zakopane are located in the High Street (Krupowki)or nearby within walking distance.There are many Clubs listed above and more: Ampstrong, Va Va Voom, Rockus, Prestige, Finlandia, Genesis, Morskie Oko, Paparazzi, Watra.All clubs have their own style , ambience and music atmosphere.So,the best for you is to walk in each one and check if you like the atmosphere, decoration, music.Hope it helps.

reviewed by Ogrodygorskie from Poland on May.11.2011

I'm going there in July what are the best places to go to?

reviewed by Mateusz from New Zealand on May.11.2011

Looks like there's fun to be had! CUthere!

reviewed by Sam from United Kingdom on Mar.30.2010

Looking forward to checkin out some of these clubs!

reviewed by Stan from United States on Feb.26.2010

If anyone would like clubing in Zakopane must go to "Finlandia", that's the best place i have been in January, new bartenders are serving the best drinks, have fun

reviewed by Margaret from United Kingdom on Feb.11.2010

Looking forward to partying with the lads in Zakopane. We're on our way!

reviewed by Steve from United Kingdom on Jan.27.2010

Will be there with the lads for some mash up. Are we ravin' or behavin'? What do you thionk?!

reviewed by Gary from United Kingdom on Jul.27.2009

Am lookin forward to checkin out the clubs in Zakopane! I heard the girls are cute

reviewed by Stan from United States on May.27.2009

when l was in zakopane my 2 year old son daniel hasnt stopped saying zakopane. l loved it l am going again l am proud to have the zakopane blood from my dad and grandad

reviewed by karl schiele from United Kingdom on Feb.27.2009

i didnt like it very much

reviewed by nuno from Slovak Republic on Feb.18.2009

l was in zakopane l got to see my grandads tadeusz schiele grave. and he is buried along with his father kazimierz. l never meet him as he died when l was young. l am glad that l got to see where he lived in zakopane. zakopane is the most beautiful countrys in the world.

reviewed by karl schiele from United Kingdom on Jan.30.2009

thank you aneta. l enjoyed it.it was beautiful there l am going back again.

reviewed by karl schiele from United Kingdom on Dec.04.2008

enjoj!!!!!

reviewed by Aneta from United Kingdom on Oct.02.2008

sorry l live in london not in amercia

reviewed by karl schiele from United Kingdom on Jun.13.2008

l am going to zakopane in augest look forward to it as its my first time.

reviewed by karl schiele from United Kingdom on Jun.13.2008

l am going to zakopane in augest look forward to it as its my first time.

reviewed by from United Kingdom on Jun.13.2008

zakopane is home of my father and grandfather

reviewed by karl schiele from United Kingdom on Jun.13.2008

Sorry my last comments. Have too much hash.

reviewed by KARL SCHIELE from United States on May.06.2008

Introduced to Zakopane by my wife. She grew up in a nearby town before moving to Canada. Myself, I lived near Banff, Alberta,one of Canada's premier resort towns and Zakopane is always the highlight of our annual trip throughout Europe.A definite must see!

reviewed by Blaine H from Canada on Jan.27.2008

WELL MY FATHER AND MY GRANDFATHER WHERE BORN IN ZAKOPANE. THERES A MOUNTAIN NAMED AFTER MY GRANDFATHER TADEUSZ SCHIELE IN ZAKOPANE. ZAKOPANE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE THERE . THE SCENERY THERE IS THE MOST AMAZING THING AND I AM SO GLAD THAT I AM APART OF ZAKOPANE BLOOD. MANT THANKS KARL SCHIELE.

reviewed by KARL SCHIELE from United Kingdom on Dec.06.2007

WELL MY FATHER AND MY GRANDFATHER WHERE BORN IN ZAKOPANE. THERES A MOUNTAIN NAMED AFTER MY GRANDFATHER TADEUSZ SCHIELE IN ZAKOPANE. ZAKOPANE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE THERE . THE SCENERY THERE IS THE MOST AMAZING THING AND I AM SO GLAD THAT I AM APART OF ZAKOPANE BLOOD. MANT THANKS KARL SCHIELE.

reviewed by KARL SCHIELE from United States on Dec.06.2007

My god, I'm just reading about Zakopane after my Polish friend recommended it and I'm just bursting to get there. Is it far from the airport and what about being child friendly. Have a five year old who shares his mothers desire to have a go at skiing. Bring it on! By the way, wonderful site.

reviewed by Avila from United Kingdom on Jan.24.2007

Ampstrong seems to be the place where it is all happening, as far as I could see. Check out the posters around town. Lots of smaller clubs and pubs on Krupowki as well (the main street) so no need to go too far for some serious apres-ski or party action!

reviewed by Keith Evans from United Kingdom on Dec.29.2006