Care for a drink, dear chap?

As Benjamin Franklin wisely noted "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy", and if you are the kind of person who likes nothing more than to quaff a few light ales of an evening, then Warsaw is a city that may cater for your particular desires. I've compiled a list of my favourite drinking establishments that will hopefully tickle your fancy, but for God's sake - please drink responsibly!

Klaps - Nowy Świat 22/28, pawilony

This unique little bar is dotted among numerous original drinking dens in the Pavillony area, just behind Nowy Swiat (near the Palm tree). The original decor, atmosphere and quality music make this a must visit destination on the Warsaw drinking map.

At first glance it looks like any other dimly lit bar but upon closer inspection everything is not quite as it seems. One of the walls is adorned with a glowing wall of breasts, a sight that so astounded a Saudi Arabian man who I accompanied there one night, that he spent hours staring at and touching them. Other features that make this place stand out are the Jackson Pollack style paint job down stairs and the replacement of door handles and beer pumps with pink vibrators.

If you are fan of guitar music, particularly any form of rock 'n' roll from Johnny Cash to the White Stripes, then this is the place for you. The concoction of weird surroundings, great music and varied clientele make this a wonderful little place to while away the hours, but be careful, this is the kind of place that can suck you in and not spit you out until the sun comes up.

Bierre Halle - Nowy Świat 64 or Arkadia

The best pint of beer in Warsaw is provided by Bierhalle, a micro-brewery chain that has bars both on Nowt Swiat and in Arkadia shopping centre. The choice of beers includes wheat, dark, Pilsner and Oktoberfestbier, all of which are produced in accordance with the edict Reinheitsgebot (Purity Law) of 1516, according to which the production of beer uses only four resources: water, malt, hops and yeast. Which not only means that the beer tastes wonderful it also reduces the effects the next day, as your own ingesting pure ingredients. Beers come in two sizes - small (a pint), big (1 litre) and there is a good choice of traditional Polish/German cuisine.