Browary Warszawskie (Warsaw Breweries) is one of the capital’s most exciting urban renewal achievements - a 4.5-hectare area in the heart of Wola that has been phenomenally transformed from a forgotten industrial plot into a vibrant microcosm of culture, gastronomy and nightlife!
And the list of things to do here — from events like live music, to cuisines from around the world, to a stunning outdoor garden (accented by painted steps and lush plants in the summer), to bars serving up excellent cocktails – is endless.
But before we dive into that, let’s look at how this stunning spot turned from a forgotten former industrial space to the bustling heart of one of Warsaw’s most prominent and glistening districts: Wola.
A Breath of New Life
Formerly the site of the Haberbusch & Schiele Brewery, Browary Warszawskie spent years as a neglected industrial site. The former brewery itself was established in 1846 as the largest brewery in Poland and one of the most prominent around Europe. But after World War II devastated the city – and the brewery with it – the owners turned to producing Coca-cola instead. But don’t worry – the brewery eventually returned in full force in the 21st century (more on that below).
However after decades of communism in the 20th century, the space fell into neglect. That is until 2017 when Echo Investment, with a team of architects, looked at ways to revitalize the space. Over the course of seven years they turned it into a bustling hub within the capital city – albeit without losing its history. Today parts of the former brewery – the Malthouse Lab and the 170-year-old cellars – still exist here, giving it both a modern and vintage charm.
The modern touches come from everything else. Today’s revamped Browary complex beautifully mixes bold modern architecture with historic brick buildings, industrial-chic interiors with green commons, and commercial spaces with residential comforts. In the summer, lounge out on chairs in the open garden space. In the colder months, seek refuge inside the restaurants or the brick-clad food hall, featuring plenty of gathering space, warm lighting and of course, a whole host of dining options.
Special events, happenings, and activities for all ages take place here throughout the year, making this unique spot in the Wola district a popular meeting place, day and night.
Food, Drink and Fun!
Enter Browary Warszawskie’s campus and you’ll be hit with a host of delightful smells, from fresh-baked bread to warm roasted coffee, to the sweet smell of pastries and the savory scent of cooking meat. That’s because this spot offers food and drink from around northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and east Asia. At the apex is Food Hall Browary - a casual indoor food market with 13 contemporary food concepts from around the world plus the Central Bar for drinks, the ideal spot for an evening out with friends without the diplomacy of choosing a restaurant.
Next door - at the very heart of the complex’s historical legacy and modern revival - Browar Warszawski (The Warsaw Brewery) offers a super batch of 19 varieties of craft beer brewed in plain view, including the legendary Grodziskie and Porter from the early days of the brewery. Plus a full card of food, from juicy pork knuckle to fresh seafood - again, perfect for big groups. We’re a big fan of this brewery for a simple reason – it’s a connection to the past. The former brewery from the early 20th century whose operations were interrupted nearly 100 years ago, is once again alive and well!
In fact, you can see for yourself how thriving this brewery is with tours that are organized regularly – just contact the brewery for more!
Hungry folks may actually be on the look out for somewhere to catch the game on the big screen, in which case their destination should be the 'fan zone' NINE’s Restaurant & Sports Bar. Named after the player number of Polish footballer and co-owner, Robert Lewandowski, the restaurant section of this establishment has an international menu developed around the Polish captain’s proclivity for a healthy lifestyle, which may be a key word for more serious diners.
Executive Lounge perfectly balances class with a sophisticated menu of cocktails, and tapas, whilst making itself an incredibly attractive option for private events. Additionally, Baila Show & Dining delivers an exclusive ‘dinner and a show’ in the form of delicious Latin American dishes with eye-catching entertainment! A hop, skip and jump through the rest of the Browary lineup reveals more of the diverse smorgasbord and quality of what’s on offer here.
Enjoy excellent food and service at Mediterranean places like Mykonos (Greek dishes done exquisitely), Sobremesa Tapas Bar (Spanish tapas that will delight and leave you wanting more), Munja and Alma (both offering Balkan food to warm the belly) and amazing Olivos (with all of its authentic Greek flair). Plus, Wyraj, with authentic Slavic food and Bombaj Masala Wola (Indian food that’s seriously out of this world) are both a must. In addition to proper meals, there are several gourmet delicatessens, bakeries, cafes and sweet shops, namely: Crazy Butcher, Piccola Italia deli, Good Lood ice cream (the best in PL). Meanwhile Dobro & Dobro, Vita Cafe, and Etno all serve up some incredible coffee (with delicate sandwiches and sweets, while Deseo Patisserie & Chocolaterie, and the excellent Bakery Browary Warszawskie offer artisanal bread and amazing pastries (that’s a ‘proper meal’ to us). Don’t skip on incredible fresh bread from BAKEN either!
Perhaps the coolest thing about Browary’s bounty of gastronomy points is not just their relative proximity to each other, but the way they often work as a cooperative. Since the complex first opened, gastro tenants here have regularly participated in special projects and promotions ranging from themed menus and culinary competitions to food festivals and other collective events that bring them together in the neighborhood’s shared spaces!
Constant Fun at Browary!
The one-off gastro events and informal dining space that is shared is just the tip of the iceberg, as Browary is continuing to keep things super cool with attractions and activities for kids, teens, parents, and seniors, all seven days of the week. In the summer, of course you’ll find tons of options from live food to interactive events, DJs, comedy sets and more.
But Browary is one of those unique places that doesn’t just stop with summer happenings. In fact, they have year-round activities.
From February 3 to 16 you can check out free educational art workshops for children, including creative and culinary classes. Also don’t miss their ice skating lessons with an instructor, held right at the Browary space!
For sports fans, Nines has you covered with a major super bowl party on Feb. 9 featuring tons of screens to watch the game, cold drinks and lip-smacking snacks! A true super bowl party for the ages.
There are plenty more things to check out this season on their website and facebook page – and keep them in mind for the warmer months, too, as you’ll find all kinds of live outdoor events hosted here.
Browary Warszawskie is more than just the beating heart of Wola – it’s one of Warsaw’s best hubs for food, entertainment, architecture and things to do. Seriously this one is a do-not-miss!
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