Jozef K

Jozef K is a cocktail bar set off the main tourist streets of Gdansk. The name comes from the central character of Kafka's novel The Trial, and the bar leans into that literary theme. It is known for inventive drinks and a loyal local crowd, which makes it a good alternative to the pricier riverfront spots.

Cocktails are the focus, mixed with some invention rather than a stock menu of the usual names. The list changes, so read what is on offer when you visit. This is a drinking spot rather than a dinner venue, so plan it as an evening stop.

The mood is characterful and a little bohemian, in keeping with the literary name. Its position away from the main drag keeps out much of the passing tourist traffic, so it fills with locals in the evening. Expect a relaxed, conversational room rather than a loud bar.

Good for travellers who want a proper cocktail away from the riverfront prices, and for anyone after an evening with more local character than the main squares offer.

It sits within easy reach of the Main Town, just off the busiest streets. The Long Market and Neptune Fountain are a short walk away, so it pairs well with an evening in the old town. For coffee and wine nearby, see Drukarnia Kawa i Wino. The Gdansk guide has more on the centre.

The room matches the Kafka billing. Expect antique furniture, old books, framed pictures and bits of old scientific kit, the sort of clutter that reads like a professor's study rather than a designed bar. It sits away from the main tourist streets, closer to the railway station side of the city.

Alongside the cocktails, the bar pours beers from Browar Amber, a brewery based just outside Gdańsk, so there is something for beer drinkers as well as the mixed-drinks crowd. The mood tilts from a quiet daytime cafe to a busier evening spot, which is worth bearing in mind when you plan your visit. Check current opening hours through the bar's own channels.