Milk bars

Although its name might be somewhat misleading, you shouldn’t expect to be able to order alcoholic drinks in a Polish “milk bar” ("bar mleczny"). In fact, a “milk bar” (at least in Poland) is actually a low priced cafeteria selling traditional dairy-based Polish food.

The Polish milk bar finds its origins in the early postwar era as a centralized solution by the Communist authorities to feed the masses of workers. The Communist Party’s concept was simple: to provide cheap, dairy-based meals to the masses, even including visits to the local milk bar in a worker’s salary. Yet poverty was so acute at the time that many milk bars chained the cutlery to the table to deter rampant thievery.

Check the below fragment of Polish cult movie Miś to get an idea.

This is how it goes:

1. Decide what you want 

2. Wait in line

3. Order your food

4. You will get a receipt, keep it.

5. When you get to the window, give your receipt to the worker. 

6. Soups and drinks will be served immediately but there may be some wait time for some of the dishes. Take your first items to your table and start eating (if you want) while you wait for the rest of your food.

7. The worker will announce (shout) whenever something is ready…pay attention. Bring your receipt and give it to him/her. Once you have been served all your food, you will not get your receipt back.

8. Enjoy your food and return your dishes when you’re done eating. 

Fantastic that this concept still exists, old school! A good meal for a low price, Polish cult!