Pod Jaszczurami (Under the Lizards)

Pod Jaszczurami, meaning Under the Lizards, is a long-established student club in the cellars of a townhouse at Rynek Główny 8 on Kraków's Main Market Square in Lesser Poland. The venue is a labyrinth of vaulted brick rooms below one of the most famous squares in Europe, and it has historically been a meeting place for students and young locals as well as visitors. The crowd is predominantly in their late teens to thirties, the dress code is casual and sportswear is generally tolerated, and the mood is lively and informal, with a student feel rather than an upscale one. Programming is mixed. Evenings may feature concerts, jazz sessions and themed dance nights, with club nights running until about 04:00, and the venue works both as a live-music space and as a dance club depending on the evening. Drinks are inexpensive by Main Square standards: beer is typically about 14-20 PLN, roughly 3.7-5.3 USD, and there are shots, mixed drinks and simple cocktails. The club opens daily from the afternoon, with the main crowds arriving after about 21:00 or 22:00 and the busiest nights being Thursday to Saturday. A weekend cover charge of about 10-30 PLN, roughly 2.6-7.9 USD, may apply, while some weekday events can be free; the amount varies with the event. Reservations are not typical for general entry, though groups wanting a table at a concert may enquire in advance. Bottle service is not a core part of the offering. The door is usually relaxed, but heavily intoxicated guests may be refused. Its position directly on the Main Square makes it very easy to reach on foot from any Old Town hotel, and the surrounding area is busy and noisy late into the night. Visitors should check the event listing for the evening, because the atmosphere changes noticeably between a jazz night and a dance night.