There was a time when beer was cheaper than water in the Czech Republic, and that’s how Prague earned a reputation as the beer capital of the world. However, this isn’t all about cheap pitchers; these 8 places to drink in Prague show the love for beer culture: craft brewing, special ways to pour (there are 3 types), and how to fully enjoy your beer like a local.
Czechs drink the most beer per capita in the world, so going to Prague without at least trying a pilsner is an unforgivable offense, at least, in my humble opinion! While exploring Prague, let’s just say I made sure to take advantage of the opportunity.
In addition to sharing the 8 best bars in Prague for Czech-style pilsner, this blog covers the fascinating beer history and culture in Prague. Keep reading until the end, because I’ll also share some cultural advice, like knowing the best way to pour your beer!
“When you go see a Czech opera, and you hear someone sing a libretto in praise of beer, or if you look at a still-life painting with a glass of beer in it, you start to understand that beer is more than just a simple drink. It’s a way of life.” – Evan Rail
The 8 Best Places to Drink in Prague
Welcome to the hospoda (pub), a place where you can pull up a seat next to anyone, strike up a conversation, and learn a thing or two about Czech beer culture. Here are the best breweries, restaurants, and craft beer halls, but you can find a lot more places to drink (and eat! and have fun!) on my Google Maps.
Pilsner Urquell
The OG of pale lager, this internationally loved beer brand is celebrating its 180th birthday this year. You can find their massive brewery and pub right next to Wenceslas Square in downtown Prague. If you opt for a $20 tour, you’ll have an audio guide about their brewing process with two beers included.
Bar No. 7
A hole-in-the-wall hidden gem of Prague with surprisingly nice service. The waitstaff generally greets you with a smile (not the most common way to enter a bar, to be honest). You’ll find lots of locals and a nice variety of craft beers on tap.
U Kunštátů
Right around the corner from the Beer Museum in Prague’s old town, this option is a little touristy but great for an introduction to Czech beer.
I suggest coming here on your first day in Prague and choosing five samples for a flight. As you move on to other Prague beer options, you’ll find less-touristy options in the city.
Vinohradský pivovar
Located in the super fun, hipster neighborhood of Prague, Vinohradský pivovar is a taproom, brewery, and restaurant wrapped into one.
Their unfiltered craft Pilsner rewrites the old rules of Czech-style pils and has made a class of its own. Both locals and visitors love this spot equally.
Pivovarský klub
Located at the left toe of the Karlin district, this joint is technically a Czech-fare eatery, but has an impressive list of microbrews always on rotation. It’s a quaint spot to experience low-key beer culture.
BeerGeek Bar
As the name suggests, a couple of beer geeks operate this place. They have 32 different taps and the country’s widest selection of domestic and imported beer. The place is a little more hip and laser-focused on beer quality.
U Zlatého Tygra
This place is a little too famous for its own good. Bill Clinton came here during his presidency with the first post-communist Czech president, Havel. No,w a lot of tourists go to visit, but the beer is still pretty fantastic.
Dva kohouti
A brewery and taproom opened by Adam Matuska, one of the Czech Republic’s most beloved and famous craft beer makers. It’s hard to miss because you’ll find lots of beer garden-style tables outside with an inevitable crowd.
There are no reservations, so just take any free seat you find.
How Beer Culture Shaped Prague
When I spent five days in Prague, I visited with one of my European friends who had never been to the city. We were thoroughly in love, having spent the extent of our days ogling at ornate buildings and eating some of the most delicious and ethnically diverse cuisines in central Europe.
As we concluded our stay and discussed the highlights, that friend admitted they were surprised and impressed by the capital. When pressed further about what they meant, the friend explained, “Well, it’s a party city. I just didn’t think it would be that nice.”
I began to realize that Prague’s love of beer preceded the craft and turned into a bit of a reputation. Known as Europe’s party city, Prague comes alive during the weekend with university students visiting from neighboring countries. Pub crawls that consist of two hundred or more participants stumble from one bar to the next. Notably, a 15th-century building converted into what is now Karlovy Lazne, the largest nightclub in central Europe.
A Brief History of Beer in Prague
The Czech Republic grew to be the world’s largest consumer of beer per capita and the most prolific beer culture. What’s the origin story behind such a huge impact in a relatively small country? The first beer brewery recorded in this area came from Bévnov Monastery in 993 AD. Czech beer stood out in its earlier years because it contained hops, though adding this ingredient wouldn’t be popularized in other regions for another few hundred years.
Brewers called the first Czech beer bile pivo or “white beer.” It wasn’t until the mid-19th century that dark pilsner styles came in from neighboring countries. Thanks to improved transportation methods, Germany’s Pilsner style of beer picked up traction in the Czech Republic as well. It was around this time that Pilsner Urquell, undoubtedly the most famous Czech-style pilsner, was born.
Given that extensive, millennia-long history, is beer as important to Czechs as we think? Evan Rail, award-winning writer for the New York Times, says it’s precisely the history that makes beer an essential part of Czech life.
“When you go see a Czech opera, and you hear someone sing a libretto in praise of beer, or if you look at a still-life painting with a glass of beer in it, you start to understand that beer is more than just a simple drink. It’s a way of life.”
Why is Beer Important in Prague?
Beer in the Czech Republic is like wine in Italy. There is a particular level of care and craft to the point that I’d call it a form of art. It’s not all rowdy parties the way some suggest, though Czechs do know how to have a good time.
Like all crafted libations, from Champagne to Chianti, a center of craftsmanship turns beer into an art in Prague. So, rest assured you’ll find great quality beer, whether you go to one of the best bars in Prague, loved by travelers, or a local hole-in-the-wall.
But let’s not get carried away. Beer doesn’t have to be pretentious with all that artistic fluff for it to be enjoyable. You can walk into any restaurant in Prague and they’ll like to have a good and cheap house beer from a local brewer.
Rail added, “My main philosophy about beer is that it is and should be democratic, meaning that everyone can have a valid opinion about what makes a good beer. That, in itself, is part of its power.”
3 Types of Czech Beer Pours
Impress your barstool neighbors next time you check out one of these places for Prague beer. There are three types of beer pours common in the Czech Republic. Beer enthusiasts can ask for one by name.
The typical three styles of beer pours in the Czech Republic are:
- Hladinka: A standard style pour that you’ll most likely get without asking. It’s 3/4 beer and about a quarter of foam at the top.
- mlíko: A very old-school style of pour that means the majority of your glass will be foam, with a tiny bit of beer settled at the bottom. The bartender likely will charge you less for this.
- Šnyt: A pour style that you can measure with a single hand: Two fingers of beer with three fingers of foam and leaving about a 1/2 inch of free space at the top of the glass.
Note: Czech beer tends to be served extra foamy
If you love a beer as soon as it’s in the glass, you might be shocked when you get your first Czech pour. The “Czech pour” consists of a lot of foam, at least one inch to be precise.
You have to wait a while until you can drink, which may result in less beer in the glass. However, this is an essential part of beer culture and one you’ll quickly get familiar with.
According to Pilsner Urquell, having a large head of foam locks in freshness and is easier on your stomach. So it does pay to exercise some patience.
