Polish Happy Hour: It’s not about polka and pirogis

The first event will be Thursday at a downtown watering hole.

The Vindicator

YOUNGSTOWN — What do you get when you take a bunch of Polish-Americans and put them in a bar?

The inaugural Polish Happy Hour.

Those who want to sip a cold Polish beer will soon be able to do so a lot closer to home than Warsaw. Local Poles, Polish-Americans and those with an interest in the former Eastern Bloc nation have been invited to the first gathering of the national Polish networking organization at Imbibe, 124 W. Federal St., Downtown, from 5-9 p.m. Thursday.

“There are young Polish migr s and Polish-Americans here that have strong ties to Poland and its language,” said Darek Chomczyk, the 32-year-old local chapter head who emigrated from Katowice in his teens. “ But we are tired of people thinking it’s always about polkas and pirogi.”

Chomczyk, former partner in Barley’s bar and restaurant, downtown, heard about Polish Happy Hours from a cousin living in Washington, D.C., so he contacted the organization. Like chapters in other cities, the group is intended for people — those of Polish heritage and those who merely have an interest — to network and meet friends, dates or simply someone with whom they can secretly enjoy those pierogies.

Gregory Witczak, a 30-something who emigrated from Poland as a young child, started Polish Happy Hour (www.polishhappyhour.com) in Washington, D.C., eight years ago because he found the only way young Poles and Polish-Americans were connecting was through stuffy events at the embassy.

“It’s the same for us here in Youngstown,” said Chomczyk, noting he bartended at last month’s Polish Day activities, but would never own a polka CD. “The Polish Arts Club of Youngstown does good work, but everything they do is aimed at the older generation. I envision our gatherings being a place where people can learn about the modern, hipper part of their Polish culture.”

Thursday’s gathering will be the first of three planned events that the group will host on the second Thursday of every month in downtown locations this year. Each time the event will respond to the venue by changing the selection of beer, vodka special and music selection.

Since it is at a martini bar, the week’s event will feature Zabrowka, green grass vodka served with apple juice as its signature drink. The food will be a variety of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres as you would enjoy at an extended Polish drinking party. The music will feature Polish techno and disco artists that one would hear in a club in Krakow. For examples, go to http://www.poloniasiebawi.com/music.htm.

The group will host its next event at Barley’s, 21 W. Federal St., on Nov. 13. It will feature a vodka tasting, polish sandwich platters and rock music.

On Dec. 11, Rosetta Stone, 110 W. Federal St., will host guests under this banner. Traditional holiday selections are planned for the food, Krupnik, honey vodka and other flavored vodkas will be the drinks. As often is the case, jazz will be on the menu at this location but this time with a Polish flair. Go to www.polishjazz.com for more info.