Staropolskie Trunki Regionalne

For those struggling with the name, it roughly translates as 'traditional Polish regional drinks'. It's pretty well known that Poland produces vodka in all manner of flavours and potencies; what is less well known is that there are plenty of other drinks worth exploring. Indeed, if it grows, someone somewhere has probably tried making an alcoholic drink out of it. Many of these don't make it outside their own localities, which has prompted the establishment of a shop-cum-bar specialising in, er, traditional Polish regional drinks.

Located about halfway up Florianska Street, the open storefront leads straight into a long bar down one side, with an upright piano on the other. Everywhere you look there are bottles in an amazing array of styles and colours. It goes without saying that there are loads of different vodkas, including boutique brands in fancy bottles that would make the ideal gift for someone you really want to impress.

Aside from vodka, probably the next best-known Polish drinks are sliwowica - plum brandy, often known as slivovitz - and miod pitny (mead) a liqueur made from honey. These themselves come in a variety of flavours, and one nice gift idea Staropolskie Trunki Regionalne offers is a selection box of six different flavoured miniatures.

There is a lot to choose from here, but fortunately, friendly and helpful staff are on hand to give information, advice and recommendations. If you want a gift to take back that doesn't look like it was bought at the last minute in the airport duty-free, and that provides some insight into the vast diversity of Polish regional drinks, Staropolskie Trunki Regionalne is an excellent place to visit.