QUEERWARSAW
Europejski Hotel [European Hotel]
Europejski Hotel [European Hotel] 13 Krakowskie Przedmieście Street
Europejski Hotel was opened in 1857, but nowadays it is going through hard times, blemishing Krakowskie Przedmieście Street with its run-down facade. The building has a square ground plan whose north side comprises Ossolińskich Street. A popular Przekąski-Zakąski bar is situated on the corner, while a few meters further one can see still see the impressive socialist-realism styled entrance to Kamieniołomy club that used to attract queer clientele. Going down the street one can get to the place that Andrzej Dąbrowski recalled in Kurier Plus:
„„
At the other end of Ossolińskich Street right by the sidewalk café that cuts into Saski Park, one can spot a cocktail bar, from where squiffy figures would go past our windows to taxi cabs or the 24/7 cocktail bar in Bristol Hotel, to ultimately complete the night’s thrills with new companions and immerse in a few hours of nirvana. Some of these figures were Warsaw celebrities, but my parents were discreet and would never reveal to me names of any of them. Sometimes, though, I heard them saying that Broniewski was not only a commie asshole but also a never satisfied drunk. …The sight of Jerzy Andzrejewski passionately sunk into Marek Hłasko’s lips was summed up by my mother as alcoholic folly and that at least they are not fighting as it used to happen. My father reproached her again for being too liberal. … many women were sexually attracted to my father, as well as men who had a liking for grim faces. In this bar he was adored by Wilhelm Mach, who fortunately soon quit his advances when he realized the object of his sighs 41. Europejski Hotel had not read any of his novels.
In its prime the hotel housed a little drink bar, popular among queer guests as well as Polish young male prostitutes and undoubtedly fondly remembered by cultural attaches or consuls. Close to the hotel, an arcade walkway embraces a bar Sklep z Kanapkami [Sandwich Shop] run by Krystian Legierski. The rainbow flag invites to drop by after work and relax with – what a surprise – sandwiches.
73