Bar opens on Polish trains

From Thursday, travellers will be able to sip a beer while perusing the Polish countryside.

At present, only international services allow customers to order wine or beer on trains.

However, nationwide routes on Polish State Railways (PKP) are now set to open the bar.

A modification of the law was signed in March, allowing restaurants on trains to apply for licenses as of 1 July.

However, the 1980s law has not been entirely overhauled just yet. The sale of alcohol at train stations remains prohibited, although PKP is striving to change that too.

“Poland is the only country in Europe where you cannot drink a glass of wine while eating dinner in a restaurant at a railway station,” said vice-chairman of PKP, Jacek Przesluga, in an interview with the Rzeczpospolita daily.

“This does not apply at airports, seaside ports or riverside ones,” he added.

“We have many beautiful spaces that would be ideal for wine bars or pubs, just like those that exist in Germany and the Czech Republic,” he concluded. (nh)