Alchemia on Ulica Estery in Kazimierz is the bar that most shaped the neighbourhood's reputation as the best place to drink in Krakow. When it opened in 1997, the area around it was a mix of traditional Jewish quarter and post-communist neglect; Alchemia helped bring the first generation of artists, students, and young Krakovians who gradually transformed Kazimierz into what it is today. The bar itself looks much as it did at the beginning — mismatched wooden furniture, art on the walls, candles on every surface, old Czech beer posters, and a garden at the back.
The drinks list is comprehensive, the music tends toward the thoughtful, and the crowd is international without being tourist-dominated. Live music events, literary evenings, and occasional DJ nights use the back room. It gets very full on weekends; come earlier in the evening or on a weekday for a quieter experience. The bar stays open until at least 2am most nights, later on weekends.