Page 208 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Prague

206  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Pubs, Beer Halls and Bars Chilean, Peruvian, Mexican
and Czech staff create a
Prague has somewhere to suit practically everyone’s taste, from carnival-type atmosphere.
sophisticated cocktail bars to traditional Czech cellar pubs. One
particular breed of pub, the themed Irish, English or sports bar, Bohemian Hangouts
caters mainly to the large number of young English men who
travel to Prague on stag weekends. The real charm of drinking Not only in the geographical
heart of Bohemia, these bars
in Prague is that it’s possible to stroll around the Old Town and also represent the uncon-
find places to meet and drink with Czechs and expatriates ventional side of Prague city-
alike. If you sit at an empty table, don’t be surprised if others life. Al Capone’s is one of
join you. In some traditional Czech pubs, a waiter will automat­ the most famous, not to say
ically bring more beer as soon as you appear close to finishing, notorious, drinking dens in
unless you indicate otherwise. It pays to expect the unexpected the Old Town, host to a parade
of visitors and locals. Chapeau
in Prague – in some supposedly upmarket places, the waiters’ Rouge is a rowdy college joint
attitude can be surly and unhelpful, while in the humblest that is a guaranteed all-nighter,
pub, you may find service to be efficient and courteous. with a street-level bar that’s loads
of fun and a downstairs club
that’s hopping most of the night.
Traditional Pubs there are some that stand out. Over the Vltava in the Castle
and Beer Halls
On Pařížská, Prague’s Fifth Avenue, district, you’ll find U Malého
Traditionally, Czech pubs either you’ll find Bugsy’s. This bar has Glena, which translates roughly
serve food or are large beer even printed their own cocktail to “at Little Glen’s”, and is one of
halls dedicated to the mass bible, though towards the end the longest surviving expatriate
consumption of beer. The words of the week, it does become bars in the city. Not far away
hostinec and hospoda used to somewhat overtaken by burly is Jo’s Bar & Garáž, which has
indicate a pub with food, men in long coats. Among the also stood the test of time as
whereas a pivnice served least expensive bars in Prague an expat hangout. It’s a small,
only beer, but over time the are Bar Konvice (Kettle) and cavernous pub, Mexican eatery
distinctions have faded. nearby Propaganda. For and disco, and becomes
Recommended for the brave, drinks with a view, head quickly packed.
The Golden Tiger (U Zlatého to the highest bar in town,
Tygra) is a loud Czech literati Oblaca in Žižkov TV Tower. Sports Bars
pub, wall-to-wall with mostly In Beer Factory, you can
male regulars. (This is where tap your own beer, sample Sports bars have taken off in
the Czech president, Vaclav cocktails or just listen or Prague, with places like Lion
Havel took Bill Clinton to show dance to music. & Ball or The PUB, with its
him local beer culture.) U Fleků deck of TV screens. Another
has brewed its unique beer, Irish Pubs and popular sports bar further
Flekovské, since 1499. For from the city centre is Club
authenticity, and Budvar, try Theme Bars Velbloud in Žižkov.
U Medvídků which is not far Prague now has theme bars in
away from the National Theatre all shapes and sizes, with still Café Society
(see pp156–7) and the Old Town the most common being the
Square. U Vejvodů is a former ubiquitous Irish pub. Caffreys is The city is embedded in
traditional Czech pub which one of Prague’s most popular – café society, ranging from
has embraced tourism, with and pricier – Irish bars, located old-fashioned smoky joints
large tables and waiters who off the Old Town Square. Rocky to cafés within bookstores,
understand English. You lose O’Reilly’s is the biggest Irish boutiques and billiard halls.
something in authenticity but pub in town, and a rowdy Some are restaurants, others
the beer is good, the food place, packed to the rafters focus on drinking, but all serve
decent and there’s usually a if there is a big football match alcohol. Located inside the
place to sit. The traditional on the television. Jáma is a Cubist House of the Black
hospoda scarcely comes more lively pub with great bar food Madonna (see p67) is Grand
so than U Pinkasů, hidden that serves Prague’s best Café Orient. Other places to
behind Wenceslas Square in burger, among other attributes. see and be seen are Ebel in the
a quaint courtyard. Just a stone’s throw away Old Town and Slavia, by the
from Charles Bridge is possibly river opposite the National
the only Irish-Cuban hybrid Theatre. For a perfect meeting
Cocktail Bars pub anywhere, the noisy and place, try the Grand Café Praha
Prague now has almost more fun O’Che’s. oppo site the Old Town Square’s
cocktail bars than you could La Casa Blu is an atmospheric Astronomical Clock, or the light-
shake a swizzle stick at, but South American bar where the filled EMA Espresso Bar.

206-207_EW_Prague.indd 206 20/03/17 11:29 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.5)
Date 5th November 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm