No need to call closing time -- 'We'll stay open until fans stop drinking'
Food and drink
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GOOD news sports fans: pubs in Poland can stay open 24 hours a day.
Unlike Ireland, there is no official closing time and they will keep serving "for as long as people want".
The majority of pubs in both Gdansk and Poznan are located around the main squares.
However, despite the fact that there are a number of Irish pubs in both towns, none are owned or operated by Irish people.
But Maciek Musial, a bartender in The Dubliner bar in Poznan, said they would have an Irish breakfast on their menu. "We're already aware of what kind of crowds will come," he joked. "We probably won't close at all."
They have Guinness on tap but it is twice the price of Lech at 16 zloty (€3.80) a pint. Jameson is also available at 12zl (€2.85) but visitors are recommended to try the local speciality cocktail, called Mad Dog. It consists of a shot of vodka, raspberry syrup and tabasco.
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A trendy micro-brewery and restaurant called Brovaria is located on the main square in Poznan and is worth visiting, while a new bar -- Pijahnia Wodki i Piwa, located just off the square -- is based on a typical 1970s Polish bar.
Local beer in bars cost from €1 to €1.50. The most popular local beer is called Lech Premium -- but travelling Irish fans are warned that Polish beer is considerably stronger than here, with up to 6pc alcohol content.
The most common convenience store, Zabka -- which can be recognised by a sign with a green frog -- sells beer, and many off licences open 24 hours.
Polish food is meat-based, with pork very popular. Typical dishes include dumpings (pierogi), pork cutlets (kotlet schabowy) and a ryemeal and sausage soup called zurek.
However, a chain of vegetarian restaurants called Greenway have opened across Poland. Typical Irish fare will be available at the Irish fan village in Poznan, while small food stalls are located in all train stations and in underground pedestrian crossings.
- Edel Kennedy
Irish Independent
