A remarkable gesture is taking root in Warsaw: many cafés are letting Warsaw Uprising veterans enjoy their coffee for free. See which venues have joined the campaign.
The Warsaw tradition "Uprising Veterans Don't Pay" – origins and rules
This welcome initiative means that participants of the Warsaw Uprising who visit selected cafés, bars or ice cream parlours receive drinks and small treats for free. The organisers want every veteran to feel appreciated – not only on holidays, but every day. If you spot a poster for the campaign “U nas Powstańcy nie płacą” (“Uprising Veterans Don’t Pay Here”) in a café, you can be sure the venue is part of the programme.
How can venues join?
- Collect the “U nas Powstańcy nie płacą” poster at the Afera bar, 3 Szpitalna Street
- Hang it in a visible place in the venue
- Spread the word among guests and the local community
The list of participating venues is growing rapidly and includes, among others, cafés, ice cream parlours and bars across various parts of Warsaw.
Sample places where Uprising veterans don't pay
| Venue name | Address |
|---|---|
| Afera na Szpitalnej | Szpitalna 3 |
| Być Może | Bagatela 14; Dobra 22/24; Lwowska 17 |
| Gringo Bar | Odolańska 15 |
| Lody Jednorożec | Narbutta 38 |
| Lupo Pasta Fresca | Chmielna 132/134 |
| Gruby Josek | Jana Pawła II 27 |
| Letnia bar | Madalińskiego 10/16 |
| Groole | Śniadeckich 8 |
These are only selected examples, and the full list is available locally and regularly updated by the campaign organisers.
Broader context – support for Uprising veterans in Warsaw
The Warsaw tradition is just one form of recognition. The city has for years provided Uprising veterans with additional forms of support, including:
- Annual one-off financial awards (in 2025 amounting to as much as PLN 20,000).
- The option to use free taxi rides – up to 20 rides a month within city limits for holders of an appropriate card.
- Medical and social facilities in special centres and during key historical anniversaries.
Cafés are not the only ones taking part in similar initiatives. Similar gestures of recognition appear in ice cream parlours, restaurants and at cultural events, such as the Warsaw Coffee Festival, where an atmosphere of respect and local community integration can be felt at every turn.
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