PUBS

Having fun is such an important part of the mentality here in Wroclaw that even the beautifully-restored Market Place (or "Rynek") seems at times less of a important cultural centre and more of an enormous shrine to drinking . You might try Casa de la Musica, Bernard Pub, or Pod Papugami. But the Market Square isn't about bars alone. As day fades into night, armies of girls in short skirts and boob tubes suddenly appear . If this is your idea of heaven then Klub 54, Club 9 Brama, and Novocaina Club, will definitely float your boat.

 Just five minutes walk west of the Rynek is Pasaz Nepoda - an open courtyard is a favourite assembly point for Wroclaw's young hedonists. Perhaps what makes this place a little more special than the Costa Del Sol's finest is the sheer variety of the venues on offer, with classic student bars like Niebo, parked alongside lively music-pubs such as Kamfora, or Wlodowicza 21. The clubs vary too, from the ultra-commercial dance and techno-fest of Metropolis to the more underground Bezsennosc. The city also does have one or two very viable options for the more discerning nightlife critic. Foremost is surely the ultra-hip and yet totally unpretentious Café Manana or Gusto Club. The party never stops here and you won't find a friendlier crowd anywhere in Poland. 

BEER

Beer (Polish: piwo) beats vodka as the country's most popular alcoholic beverage. Most Polish beers resemble German lager. Good ones to try include Zywiec, Okocim, EB, Lech and Lezajsk.