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Mikołajki & Early December in Kraków | A Down-to-Earth Drinking Guide
No Fancy Introductions—Just Getting Started
Alright, so I’m supposed to start this whole December blog series with a neat little introduction, right? Yeah, that’s not happening. It’s December 6th—Mikołajki—and I’m writing this with a slightly fuzzy head becuase priorities happen, my friend. I know I promised a slick intro, but when you’re knee-deep in shots and everyone’s yelling “Na zdrowie!” it’s hard to remember your to-do list. So, we’re kicking off with Mikołajki. I’ll get to the intro later (or never—nah, I’ll get there, don’t worry).
What the Hell is Mikołajki Anyway?
For those who have no idea, Mikołajki (St. Nicholas Day) falls on December 6th. Kids wake up to small gifts—usually sweets—and adults tend to treat themselves to a few drinks. It’s not New Year’s Eve crazy, but it’s a decent enough excuse to raise a glass. And really, who’s gonna complain about an extra reason to indulge?
The Early December Buzz
By the time Mikołajki rolls around, Kraków starts humming with a certain character. There’s a good feeling out there in the cold streets—people buying gifts, grabbing gingerbread, and sipping mulled wine at the Christmas Market. Even if you’re not scoring any fancy presents today, you still feel that something’s in the air. It’s like the city’s giving you a wink and a nod, telling you the holiday madness is only just warming up.
What to Drink Today
Let’s get into the fun part. On Mikołajki, you’ll see locals dipping into bars, ordering hot mulled wine (grzaniec) or honey mead. If you’re more of a vodka guy, cherry vodka or a quick shot of something stronger works. It all goes down easy when your face is half-frozen. Personally, I like to keep it simple—beer with a shot on the side. This way, I stay warm, and I stay interested.
Getting Into the Crawl
While you’re out there soaking it in, don’t forget the Krakow Party Animals Pub Crawl is always an option. Sure, it might be early in the month, but December’s a long stretch of celebrations. Why not kick it off right? Come join us, and we’ll bounce you through a couple of spots that won’t disappoint. By the end of the night, you’ll know the bars worth returning to when the real holiday chaos comes knocking.
A Softer Start to the Holiday Madness
Think of Mikołajki as a practice run. The bars aren’t nuts yet, and you can actually claim a decent seat. This is your chance to test out the local drinks and meet new people before the crowds triple in size. Trust me, once you know your way around these spots, you’ll be set when mid-December hits and everyone’s shifting into full party mode.
About That Missing Introduction
If you’re wondering where the formal introduction to this blog series is—well, I was busy getting drunk, my friend. That’s the whole point of December in Kraków: you live it first, write about it second. Consider this a teaser. I’ll give you that official intro later, once my head clears. For now, just roll with it, grab a drink, and enjoy the moment.
Embrace the Warm-Up
So here’s the deal: Mikołajki might not be the wildest holiday on the Polish calendar, but it sets the tone. It’s a signal that the real party’s still ahead. You’ve got a whole month of celebrations, traditions, and drinking sessions waiting for you. So raise that beer, knock back that shot, and if you want some solid company, join us on the pub crawl. This is just the warm-up to December’s main event, and trust me, you won’t want to miss a second of it. Cheers!