Museum of Polish Vodka

You hear Poland, you think... vodka?? during my encounters with foreigners vodka was often one of the first things that came to their mind. I wasn't always sure how to interpret it, whether the association could be positive...

From now on, though, it will surely be! Somebody has finally decided to present the alcohol as a part of culture, as something varied, with its own history and as a part of our traditions. Welcome to the Museum of Polish Vodka!

It opened its gates in June 2018. It's located in an old rectification pavilion in the former factory vodka - to be found in the district of Praga, on the right-hand side of the Vistula river.

The museum is a walk through the history of vodka, in particular the history of the beverage on the Polish soil; through development of the indcustry; customs around vodka-drinking and how it's present in our traditions.
You will find out about its origins...

 ...you will learn about the iron rules of the production needed to obtain the real thing...
...you will verify your knowledge regarding alcohol consumption and its effect on your body...

...you'll see for yourself the machines and containers used in the production process...

 ... you'll see a collection of vodka bottles...

 ...finally you will taste three types of vodka - degustation is included in the ticket.

At the same time you walk around a historic building, where all the production details you are learning about did take place. Most of the rooms have beeen adapted to needs of the museum, but there are some moments when you find yourself in a truly historical environment.
This post-industral ambiance can be felt more in the neihbouring Zoni cafe / resto.

The place is surely going to be an attraction which will attract tourists to this part of the city. The museum occupies only a part of the old factory; other parts will  be used as offices, shops, apartments... The complex is still under construction, but partially it's already in use.

A number of cultural events have already taken place here this year. I suppose this is the idea behind it, to make it a lively place which will be attracting both visiters and Warsaw inhabitants.