PRAGUE

40 NIGHTLIFE
Prague's bar and club scene is as appropriately raucaus
as its infamy suggests. Prices and clientele veer widely
from the tourist-filled Old Town haunts to the sometimes
slightly seedy neighbourhood bars. You will find that beer
is drunk morning, noon and night, and that Czech beers
are among the best and cheapest in the world. Brands to
look out for include Pilsner Urquell, Gambrinus, Staropramen
and Budweiser (Budvar). The average wage for bar
staff is 50Kč an hour, so please, after having your drinks
and your fun, show some appreciation with a decent tip.
Bars
Aloha Wave Lounge E-1, Praha 1, Dušní 11,
MStaroměstská, tel. (+420) 724 05 57 04, www.
alohapraha.cz. Wear a flower in your hair and head downstairs
to Aloha's cocktail lounge, featuring a long bar, Pacific
cocktails at nice prices (try the Chi-Chi, with vodka, pineapple
and coconut), and a dance floor to hula to nightly R&B and
rock music. QOpen 18:00 - 04:00, Mon, Sat, Sun 18:00 -
02:00. PAE
Back Doors Praha 5, Na Bělidle 30/310, MAnděl, tel.
(+420) 257 31 58 24, www.backdoors.cz. This space
is part restaurant, part bar and part club in the cellar of an
old Smíchov house. Massive wooden furniture and forged
iron work complement the brick walls and parquet floor of its
historical setting. Good for their lunch specials and fabulous
for the night time change to music bar with high quality audio
system, where you can hear various styles of music from
famous Czech DJs. QOpen 11:00 - 02:00, Fri 11:00 - 04:00,
Sat 18:00 - 04:00, Sun 18:00 - 23:00. AE
Bar and Books F-2, Praha 1, Týnská 19, MNám. Republiky,
tel. (+420) 224 80 82 50, www.barandbooks.
net. Deep red walls and ceilings, soft leather benches, dark
wood finishing, books filling one complete wall and impeccable
service typify Bar & Books. Cocktails (140Kč) vie with
an astounding array of whiskey, wine and cigars in this classy
setting with cool tunes and Bond on TV. Salmon and club
sandwiches, caviar and chocolate fondue are on the small but
inspired menu. QOpen 14:00 - 04:00, Sat 18:00 - 04:00,
Sun 18:00 - 03:00. (105 - 295Kč). PA
Barock H-3, Praha 1, Pařížská 24, MStaroměstská,
tel. (+420) 222 32 92 21. Not a rock bar at all. Swing
with the smart set in this flash and polished bar/restaurant
with huge windows and chandeliers - all the better to see
the beautiful models sipping and sashaying. The aprons will
come buzzing around you to offer expertly crafted drinks,
succulent sushi, and a reassuringly expensive bill. QOpen
10:00 - 01:00. PAU
Blind Eye K-4, Praha 3, Vlkova 26, MJiřího z Poděbrad,
www.blindeye.cz. You can't keep a Blind Eye down… having
been forced into speakeasy mode following a visit from
the cops, Blind Eye is back on legal street so doors and
windows will be open again to welcome the mixed crowd into
its cellar interior. Friendly folk on both sides of the bar keep
the vibe going late with help from well mixed drinks (try their
signature McFly) and cool tunes. Video rental too. QOpen
19:00 - 04:00. 6E
Bugsy's E-2, Praha 1, Pařížská 10, MStaroměstská,
tel. (+420) 224 81 02 87, www.bugsysbar.cz. Bugsy's
has been around for a fair while now, but it has managed
to keep the 'it' that means it is a place to go if you wanted
everyone who has 'it' to think that you have 'it' too. A trendy
and hip crowd guaranteed then, as is a menu featuring plenty
of decent cocktails. QOpen 19:00 - 02:00. PAE
Casa Havana H-5, Praha 1, Opatovická 28, MNárodní
třída, tel. (+420) 602 32 10 07, www.casahavana.cz.
Cool and stylish, this classic Cuban bar is sure to become a
classic Prague hangout. Dark wood, low lights, smooth Cuban
tunes…oh and nearly 100 different kind of rum; a cocktail
list the length of an island plus tasting menus for a variety of
spirits. QOpen 10:00 - 01:00. PAEBW
Chapeau Rouge F-3, Praha 1, Jakubská 2, MNám.
Republiky, tel. (+420) 222 31 63 28, www.chapeaurouge.cz.
A local legend. This large, dark red bar continues
to be the place to head for to indulge a multitude of vices. A
deeper and darker cellar room kicks in later in the evening as
a DJ and dance venue, thus giving dedicated nocturnalists
another central venue to frequent. Early on it provides a quiet
alternative for a bit of chilling. QOpen 12:00 - 05:00. AE
Cloud 9 J2, Praha 8, Pobřežní 1, MFlorenc, tel. (+420)
224 84 29 99, info@cloud9.cz, www.cloud9.cz. Nine
floors up, Prague's first sky bar offers stunning views, a cool
interior, smooth sounds and amazing cocktails. A master
bartender mixes up old favorites plus a line of signature Cloud
9-only concoctions. A small grazing menu offers an eclectic
line-up of tastes and weekend DJ's keep the vibe going. Atop
the Hilton Hotel. Highly recommended. QOpen 18:00 - 02:00.
Closed Sun. JAE
Gecko H-5, Praha 1, Mikulandská 2, MNárodní třída,
tel. (+420) 776 11 72 93. Gecko could be mistaken for a
chameleon as it appears to be a fine place for a quiet drink
then suddenly you're having a crazy time in what was the
smallest bar in Prague. A kitchen (good, cheap eats) and
small music club downstairs plus more tables have almost
quadrupled the bar space. The fun factor has not been diluted.
QOpen 11:00 - 03:00.
Hapu Praha 3, Orlická 8, MFlóra, tel. (+420) 222 72
01 58. The owner/barman creates magnificent drinks with
studious care, there's no tossing of shakers here, just mountains
of fresh fruit and shots that would floor an elephant. Get
here early if you want a seat or stand until you hit the deck
because this place is tiny, has sounds the chilly end of cool
and is therefore constantly packed. QOpen 18:00 - 02:00.
Harlequin J-5, Praha 2, Vinohradská 25, MMuzeum,
tel. (+420) 224 21 72 40, www.harlequin.zde.cz. This
combo would probably never happen anywhere else, but when
you feel like having a few beers then shoot some arrows, we
have found the place for you. With pool hall and new roulette
wheel upstairs and laser golf, laser karaoke and archery
down in the black walled cellar, Harlequin will keep the most
dysfunctional group happy. Archery tuition on various bows
for a lot of fun from 19:00 - 24:00 is 200Kč per bow per hour.
Golf 400Kč. Well priced but bottled only beer downstairs,
Krušovice upstairs for 24Kč. An intriguing gem of a place.
QOpen 14:00 - 04:00. K
Harley's E-2, Praha 1, Dlouhá 18, tel. (+420) 227 19 51
95, www.harleys.cz. Interesting mix of bikers, locals and
tourists, this long, long bar has emerged on the scene not
just because of their large US style food, well mixed drinks or
Wild Cats (shot shifting girls) but due to the presence of two
of Dusk till Dawn's barmen. Check it out. Shots around 60Kč
and Jack 80Kč. QOpen 18:00 - 03:00. (120 - 350Kč). A
Hospoda Lucerna I-4, Praha 1, Vodíčkova 39, tel.
(+420) 221 14 63 37, www.hospodalucerna.cz. A long,
loud bar with the rock feel of the music hall opposite and
serves up decent and cheap meals in the belly of the city. A
30 person private dining room is available or join the throng
Prague In Your Pocket prague.inyourpocket.com
in the carved totem pole littered room with alcove tables
and various people eating, drinking and being merry. This
hospoda often hosts bands' post-gig nights. During the day,
enjoy the atmosphere - it's been here since 1908. QOpen
10:00 - 03:00. KW
Kozička E-2, Praha 1, Kozí 1, MStaroměstská, tel.
(+420) 224 81 83 08, www.kozicka.cz. Tagged out front
by the sculpture of an iron goat, Kozička is entered via heavy
red curtains, down the stairs and into the labyrinthine set of
rooms. Good food adds to the late night party vibe and this
is one of the kitchens that'll feed us late into the Prague night
- till 01:45 in fact. QOpen 12:00 - 04:00, Sat 18:00 - 04:00,
Sun 18:00 - 03:00. PAI
La Casa Blů E-1, Praha 1, Kozí 15, MStaroměstská, tel.
(+420) 224 81 82 70, www.lacasablu.cz. A package deal
of generic South Americana sold as the real deal. A pleasing
and soothing spirit pervades the darkened corners, which are
perfect, when a little recuperation is needed, for sprawling in
but at the same time you can perch at the bar and find yourself
in the midst of a mini Mardi Gras. Ay caramba the food is great
too. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Sun 14:00 - 24:00. 6EKW
Le Tram H-1, Praha 7, Šmeralova 12, tel. (+420) 233
370 359. The French owner of this red-lit funky bar has bits
of trams all over the place - from the plastic chairs to the hand
railings. Better yet are the cheap beers and cocktails that
the wizards behind the bar conjure up, and the great French
multi-culti music which is DJed or played live in the rear corner.
QOpen 20:00 - 06:00.
Lokalblok Praha 5, nám. 14. října 10, MAnděl, tel.
(+420) 777 24 24 76, www.lokalblok.cz. A climbing bar
in Anděl, with air conditioned walls, claiming to be the third
largest in Europe. With good overhangs and some tough
lines, the wall will create a thirst that is easily and cheaply
quenched in the popular bar upstairs, where the prime sport is
vertical flirting. A weird foosball table downstairs too. QOpen
11:00 - 24:00. Climbing wall open 09:00 - 22:00; Sat & Sun
12:00 - 22:00. 60Kč per day. PB
Mad Bar Plaská 5, MMalostranská, tel. (+420) 775
12 22 56/(+420) 257 21 98 55, madbar@madbar.cz,
www.madbar.cz. Fun, clean joint that doesn't really life up
to its “mad” moniker. All the more reason to go - they have
a small, but varied menu and the prices are reasonable for
the area. Plus a happy hour from 16:00-19:00 means 25%
of food and drink. Go mad. QOpen 11:00 - 21:00, Sat, Sun
15:00 - 21:00.
Molotow Cocktail Bar H-5, Praha 2, Karlovo nám.
31, MKarlovo nám., tel. (+420) 222 23 33 34, www.
molotow.cz. Requisite black marble, zoot suit silver trappings
in the bathroom and pretty folk on mobiles sipping at the
bar. However, Molotow transcends the cliché and provides
a wicked although somewhat expensive night out. Mojitos
et al. are 125Kč, but, as ever, sit at the bar, make friends
with the talented staff and see if they'll give you a Dragon's
Breath, which even if you pay for it, is worth the spectacle. And
the hangover… QOpen 18:00 - 04:00. Closed Sun. PA
Papas D-4, Praha 1, Betlémské nám. 8, MNárodní
třída, tel. (+420) 222 22 22 29, www.papasbar.cz.
It's all louche and lazy at Papas. Red walls, yellow leather
banquettes and smoky glass give an upmarket feel. The
Mediterranean menu is the usual, yet tasty, mix of salads,
pasta and fish. Why does everyone insist on scrawling
cocktail specials in neon pen across perfect people-watching
windows? QOpen 11:00 - 01:00. A
prague.inyourpocket.com
NIGHTLIFE
Pekelnej Bar Praha 5, Na Bělidle 38, MAnděl,
tel. (+420) 257 32 24 10, www.pekelnejbar.cz.
Anděl might mean angel in Czech, but this part of town
is acquiring a devilish reputation. Pekelnej, meaning
Hellish, is heavy on chains, red drapery and attitude.
DJs spin nightly although the lack of dance floor means
you have to jostle with one another. Excellent Bloody
Mary for just 80Kč and Czech wine from 160Kč a bottle.
QOpen 17:00 - 03:00.
Repete F-2, Praha 1, Rybná 17, MNám. Republiky, tel.
(+420) 224 81 40 62. A long, many-roomed bar tucked
behind Kotva and appealing to the Old Town crowd looking
for a cheaper, calmer place to sup some drinks. Friendly staff
and happy drinkers provide a decadent atmosphere later,
while wine-sipping shoppers fill the tables during the day.
Pilsner 35Kč. QOpen 13:00 - 01:00, Fri 15:00 - 02:00, Sat
17:00 - 02:00, Sun 17:00 - 23:30.
Ridgeback H-5, Praha 1, Karlovo nám. 288/17, MKarlovo
nám., tel. (+420) 721 44 88 76. Religious iconography
abounds with hand painted murals in this world and rhythm
live and DJ music venue and bar. Confusing for those who
know the (Žitná) Ridgeback of late, this is actaully a completely
new venue, although some similar faces make appearances
in this two-room spot, and the vibe is dictated by the music
and the crowd it attracts. Q Open 14:00 - 02:00. Fri & Sat
17:00 - 05:00, Sun 17:00 - 24:00. E
St. Nicholas Café A-2, Praha 1, Tržiště 10, MMalostranská.
Purportedly a wine bar, St. Nick's has been attracting
drinkers of all vogues for years and his allure hasn't waned.
Dedicated drinkers keep the vibe going late and jazzy live
music adds to the cellar ambience. Snacks available. QOpen
12:00 - 01:00, Sat, Sun 16:00 - 01:00.
December 2009 - January 2010
41