EBG Rating: 8.8/10

Choice/Quality of Drinks:
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
15+ taps of beer, self-poured from a central terminal, largely from smaller independent Polish brewers. A competent selection of alternatives at the bar itself.

Style/Décor:
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Set just off the central square, there’s a terrace out from and indoors you’re greeted by a large metal terminal dispensing beers. The interior is exposed industrial but has been decorated carefully with some tasteful loungey furnishings that have some style – not just ‘off the rack’ choices. A large side room plays host to concerts and events, but is quite loungey at quieter times too.

Atmosphere/Character:
❤️❤️❤️❤️
At the centre of Gliwice’s nightlife and cultural scene, and it shows.

Amenities/Events:
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Self-service beer, food, snacks, books, live events, outdoor seating

Value For Money:
❤️❤️❤️
Given the quality of wares and the self-pour gimmick, pretty reasonable.

Description:
Setting a high bar for standards on our guide, and insisting on criteria that doesn’t stop simply at the number of drinks on tap has led to a few accusations we here at EBG don’t care about modern bars.

Unfortunately (and we don’t think this isn’t even controversial) the problem with so many craft venues is that everything after their beer selection appears to be an afterthought.

This place, in the attractive and lively city of Gliwice in Katowice’s conurbation is a dazzling example of how that doesn’t need to be the case.

A frankly brilliant bar which has an unusual concept, while also taking care to ensure the small details are looked after too.

IBU references the units of bitterness in beer – yes, it’s a craft beer bar. However, here the beers are tapped by yourself from a big copper module, the centrepiece of the bar as you walk in. Collect a card at the bar and explore the options to your hearts content.

They have even taken care to provide a shelf of glasses to compliment each style you explore.

These beers are mainly from independently owned smaller Polish brewers and really cover a good range of styles.

The gimmick works well, as the taps also act as a focal point for socialising.

It isn’t the only place in Poland to do this but it is very easily the best.

It doesn’t end there though, with the bar carefully lit with a pleasant atmosphere day or night, further space for live events in the large side room, a fully kitted out kitchen, helpful staff and a sense that nothing is being taken for granted.

IBU opened in 2019 and on our visit it still felt vibrant, there was no sense of churn or ‘just another day’.

The ambition of the place is what really grabs you, each element combining to enhance your experience.

It’s fun, it’s practical but it’s also atmospheric and has a clear cultural contribution.

So yes, if modern bars go to this effort, we’ll give them the high praise they deserve!

(Added October 2025)