The Pre-Drink: Prague

If Americans go to Europe for a good time, Europeans go to Prague. Pick any night of the week and you’ll hear rowdy bands of miscreants drunkenly singing in the streets till sunrise. Bachelor parties, weddings, birthdays, graduation celebrations and all orders of debauchery are commonplace in the city. And why not? Don’t let the seemingly astronomical prices in Czech Koruna (aka Crowns) fool you, $1 USD is worth over 20 Kč! That .5L beer you just bought for 45 Kč? Yeah, it only set you back $2.

For the adventurous types, keep in mind that the further you get from tourism, the less you’ll be paying for your drinks. Make it out to a countryside pub (menu won’t necessarily be in english anymore—Google Translate is your best friend) and you might pay 50¢ or less for a domestic draft!

The disclaimer: Even the best bars have dead nights, and an empty bar just isn’t as much fun. If it seems empty and the bar is charging a cover, it might be a good idea to move to the next establishment. Also, Prague is a pretty safe place, but the buddy system and a tight grip on the phone and wallet (especially in Old Town Square) never hurt anyone.

When it comes to Prague bars, you’ve got some serious options. Deciding where to go can be daunting. But don’t worry! We’ve got you covered.

 

Old Town and Old Town Square — Staré Město a Staroměstské náměstí

Old Town is the historic (touristy) center of the city. It has, by far, the most options for grabbing a drink, but beware of the tourist trap! Here’s a hot tip: If it looks like a tourist trap, it’s a tourist trap. No doubt, some of them are a lot of fun…just know you’ll be paying a bit more. Remember! If an establishment offers the choice between paying in USD or Kč, always pay in Kč to avoid being overcharged for the “convenience.”

 

Chapeau Rouge (Recommended on Tuesdays)

Leading off the list is something of a bar/club hybrid. On the street level, Chap Rouge looks like any other bar, but check out the basement levels for a whole different experience. The deeper you go, the sketchier it feels. This place can be some serious fun. Go on a Tuesday to maximize the experience.

 

Beer Museum

If you’re looking for a chill place to pregame with some friends, Beer Museum could be a solid choice. Best suited for weeknights, unless you want to deal with heavier weekend crowds.

 

Harley’s Motorcycle Bar

This bar can be a little more expensive, but pours a strong drink. If you’re in the mood, order an Adios Motherf*cker which tastes amazing for all the booze that gets dumped into the glass. This bar features a very American theme with loud music.

 

Hotel U Prince, Terasa U Prince — Rooftop

It’s a serious stretch to call this a bar, but deserves an entry nonetheless. The rooftop view overlooks Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) to give it a really pleasing atmosphere for drinks. Go here when your family is in town, or if you just want to take in the scene.

 

George and the Dragon

Want some live music? This place is on the touristy side, but can make for a nice alternative to hitting up the clubs. A pretty lucrative place to make some friends, located in Old Town Square.

 

Double Trouble

Dub Trub is a clubby bar featuring dancing and music. This place loves to have a wild time. Heck, they’ll let you dance on the tables if you want. Fun pregame location on Wednesday-Friday.

 

James Dean

This 60s themed bar is a total tourist trap. Not gonna lie, it’s fun anyways—just don’t go when its empty. Be prepared for a ton of Grease music, and be sure to go downstairs.

 

New Town and Wenceslas Square — Nové Město a Václavské náměstí

 Welcome to New Town (Nové Město), est. 1348… Yep, New Town…1348 is new. This side of Prague houses administration and commerce, but is also an important cultural area. The heart of New Town is Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí), around which you can find a number of worthy drinking establishments.

 

U Sudu

This cave bar is an interesting find, and a cool atmosphere. You’ll find a lot of people rolling joints here, and they’ll take the liberty of smoking just about wherever they want. Be warned, this bar can get really packed on a busy night.

 

Nebe Bar

Mojito bowls, dancing, good times—Go Wednesday nights as a pregame for Retro (an EDM club where you’ll want to enter with a BAC responsibly above the legal limit).

 

Beer Factory

 This is not a relaxed establishment. Come here to drink, and drink hard. Tables have their own keg taps, and the object is to outdrink competing groups. Not the cheapest place you’ll find, but a concept that might be worth it for you and some rowdy friends.

 

Bonus Round:

 

Letná Park

 Look across the Vltava River from Old Town and you’ll see a giant metronome overlooking the city. Once upon a time, the Soviets erected a 51ft statue of Joseph Stalin in the same place. It took 5½ years to carve the behemoth from granite, and the Czechs got sick of it about 7 years later. In 1991, Vratislav Novak decided to build the metronome you’ll see there today. But on to the important part!

Take a tram over to the Čechův most stop and hike up the mountain to Letná park. At the Metronome, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful (and free) view of the city, a relaxing place to hang out, and outdoor bars where the drinks are to-go. Walk East and you’ll find the Letná Beer Garden, another cool spot to spend some time inebriated outdoors. The park attracts a younger crowd of foreign exchange students and Czech natives alike. Get the most out of your experience and pack some snacks. There’s no better place in Prague to have a drink, chill with friends, and enjoy a good sunset.