It's one year on since Poland joined the EU and Warsaw is emerging as the hot new east European weekend break destination with nightlife to match. The old town with its cobbled streets and pastel coloured houses has never looked finer and a futuristic skyline is being created in the new town by the likes of Richard Rogers and Daniel Libeskind. Kick-start your night with shots of vodka in the many bars that stack up along ulica Mazowiecka, before heading to one of the clubs. Most places are walkable or around £3 in a taxi.
Liquid
A cool crowd hangs out early evenings at Paparazzi, ulica Mazowiecka 12, where an industrial design is complemented by big-screen fashion projections and one of the biggest bars in town. Live DJs play old skool disco and funk across the road at LABO, ulica Mazowiecka 11a, which has a small dance floor that gets busy towards midnight. Warsaw's answer to the Buddha Bar is Nobo, ulica Wilcza 58a, a darkly lit exposed brick and red velvet venue with Eastern influences.
Refuelling
For a treat, try Polska Tradycja, ulica Bwlwederska 18a (00 48 22 840 0901) a flower-filled restored villa near Lazienkowski Park, serving delicious traditional dishes, around £45 per head. Get beyond the dubious menu headings such as Foreplay, Hard Core and Happy Endings at Sense, ulica Novy Swiat 19 (+22 826 65 70) and enjoy excellent Thai and Malay cuisine, approx £20 per head. Folk Gospoda, ulica Walicow 13, a rustic-themed eaterie with live folk music from 7.30pm. About £12 per head.
Go native
The Grand Theatre (teatrwielki.pl) dates back to 1825 and is one of the world's biggest opera houses, but with tickets from just £3.20 it is a more affordable option than Covent Garden.
Party
Classic clubbing is found at Organza, ulica Sienkiewicza 4, which doubles as a cafe during the day. The dance floor gets packed by 10pm. Jazz Club Tygmont, ulica Mazowiecka 6-8, hosts live jazz during the week and plays house, latin and salsa at weekends. At Utopia, ulica Jasa 1, you must dress to impress to get past the bouncers - definitely no trainers. For hardcore afterhours, head to Le Madame, ulica Kozla 12 and chill-out on the many daybeds.
Munchies
Kebab Bar, ulica Marszalkowska 138 is always crammed with party people wolfing down falafels, doners and hotdogs.
Chill
Visit the Palace on the Water in Lazienkowski Park or head out to Wilanow Palace, Poland's Versailles.
Rest your head
The swankiest address in town is the art nouveau Le Royal Meridien Bristol (00800 2888882, lhw.com); doubles from £149. The new Oki Doki Hostel (+22 826 51 12, okidoki.pl) is central, chic and cheap as chips; doubles from £30.
Bring it home
Zubrowka vodka, flavoured with bison grass, costs around £5 a bottle. High street stores from Diesel to Zara, with lower prices than at home, in Galeria Centrum, ulica Marszalkowska.
Getting there
easyJet (0905 821 0905, easyjet.com) flies Luton-Warsaw from £31 rtn, inc taxes.
Further information
Warsaw Tourist Office: warsawtour.pl.