What it is: Near Poznań’s Old Market Square, this is a pub—no other word for it—appointed by owner Szymon Ruciński to be as warm, inviting, and entertaining as possible. Near the bar, there is a blazing fireplace, above which a tankard nestles among the antlers. Wooden furnishings share the scene with upholstery, framed art, bric-a-brac from Europe’s brewing centers, and shelves full of books and board games. It’s a place to stay awhile.
Why it’s great: It’s hard to outshine the atmosphere, but the beer makes a run at it. The 16 taps feature mainly Polish craft brewers, with local takes on juicy IPAs next to smoked imperial stouts, then perhaps Kriek from Cantillon and always some proper Czech pale lager. The 200-plus bottles allow deeper research into Polish-brewed Baltic porter, grodziskie, and more. Food includes Czech-style hermelin cheese boards and “hot dogs”—thick, hearty, smoked beef sausages loaded with a range of fixings, from chutney and bacon to sriracha and kimchi—plenty to soak up the porter and fuel the conversation.
Details
Hours: 3 p.m.–midnight, Monday–Tuesday; 3 p.m.–1 a.m., Wednesday–Thursday; 3 p.m–2:30 a.m., Friday; 1 p.m.–2:30 a.m., Saturday; 1 p.m.–midnight, Sunday
Address: Szewska 7, Poznań, Poland
Web: piwnastopa.pl