PRAGUE - Fringe

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FOOD & DRINK IN VINOHRADY & ŽIŽKOV FOOD & DRINK IN VINOHRADY & ŽIŽKOV
Bars
Žlutá pumpa
J-6, Praha 2, Belgická 12, MNám. Míru, tel. 608 18 43
60. The beer is well kept, but best of all, for anyone who
has a big crush on white Russians, this place makes them
as they should be; short and fat with a fistful of ice cubes.
Loud, smoky fun and good value food. Make a reservation
- this place is always full. Burritos are fabulous. QOpen 12:00
- 01:00, Sat, Sun 16:00 - 01:00. K
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 and foosball also. QOpen
19:00 - 04:00. E6
Hapu
Praha 3, Orlická 8, MFlóra, tel. 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. 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
Cheers J-6, Praha 2, Belgická 116, MNám. Míru, tel.
222 51 31 08. The beer-drinking ethos that Cheers epitomises
with its unaffiliated-to-any-brewery full range of beers
is working well with a new generation of Czech and foreign
drinkers. It isn’t the cheapest beer in town (Gambrinus 29Kč,
Pilsner Urquell 36Kč) but the food is good (fish and chips
135Kč) and they now serve a full Englsih breakfast for 355Kč.
QOpen 11:00 - 01:00. A
Medúza J-6, Praha 2, Belgická 17, MNám. Míru, tel.
222 51 51 07, www.meduza.cz. Decked out with myriad
bits and bobs from the twenties and thirties, this is a fine
place to sink in their soft furnishings, enjoy their good wine
list (120 - 260Kč) and relax. The best pierogi in Prague apparently
served with a smile from calm and efficient staff.
QOpen 11:00 - 01:00. PU
Mu Café K-5, Praha 3, Mánesova 87, MJiřího z
Poděbrad. A less than obvious cellar bar that becomes a
gem once found. The vibe is dictated by who is there, chilling
smokers or the Tramix after party. DJs play at weekends and
sometimes people dance. Staff are as relaxed as the patrons,
and conviviality is the name of the game. Salads and hermelin
are the only food groups available, but beer is 19Kč and a
mojito is 85Kč. See you there. QOpen 13:00 - 01:00, Sat,
Sun 13:00 - 04:00. I
Prague In Your Pocket
Popocafepetl J-5, Praha 2, Italská 18, MNám. Míru,
tel. 777 94 46 72, www.popocafepetl.cz. Cheap and
cheerful, this hangout is always busy with the locals, from
the supercool hip to the sometimes grungy. This isn’t a beer
guzzling den; just 0.4 beers are served and their fair selection
of international wines begins at just 260Kč. The food front
is limited to pizzas, toast and hermelin cheese. QOpen
09:00 - 02:00, Sat, Sun 15:30 - 02:00. Also at H-5, Praha
1, Na Struze. AP
Zvonařka J-6, Praha 2, Šafaříkova 1, MI.P. Pavlova, tel.
224 25 19 90. Zvonařka has a tasty menu of grilled items,
all cooked within sight on a BBQ atop their amazing terrace
perched alongside Nusle valley; one of the best spots in the
city to enjoy the weather and sup on cocktails or Budvar
(25kč). Inside ain’t bad either, clean lines and high and low
tables with three rooms, two bars and a big screen for televised
events. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00. ABK
Pubs
Martin’s Irish Pub I-6, Praha 2, Lublaňská 57, MI.P.
Pavlova, tel. 222 51 81 17. This is an Irish bar for locals who
crave the beer and atmosphere of the Emerald Isle without
the English-speakers. The menu lists Czech-style international
dishes and some of the cheapest Guinness in town at 59Kč.
It’s probably also the only pub of its genre to offer Kung Pao
pork and only one TV. Odd, yet refreshing. QOpen 11:30
- 24:00, Sat, Sun 12:00 - 24:00. BKP
Merlin J-6, Praha 2, Bělehradská 68a, MI.P. Pavlova,
tel. 222 52 20 54, http://merlin-pub.hyperlink.cz. Merlin
the magician shares brick wall space with Guinness posters
and other emblems of Irishness, intermingled with antique
agricultural contraptions. The long bar resembles that of an
authentic pub and the sofas add to the laid-back feel. The
lower level houses the restaurant, which serves the usual
options with more than a dash of a varied Mexican menu.
QOpen 11:30 - 24:00, Sat, Sun 15:00 - 24:00. K
U Sadu K-5, Praha 3, Škroupovo nám., MJiřího z
Poděbrad, tel. 222 72 70 72. A very Czech pub with cool
ice hockey game, pool downstairs, terrible toilets, spotty
service, amazing collection of objets, or trash depending on
your state of mind, and a pretty good kitchen. U Sadu is a
local legend for all the above plus the fact they serve beer
till dawn and food till 04:00. Love it. QOpen 10:00 - 06:00.
(60 - 300Kč). BK
U Vystřeleného oka K-3, Praha 3, U Božích
bojovníků 3, tel. 222 54 04 65. Named for one-eyed
hero Jan Žižka, whose statue dominates the skyline of
Žižkov. The walls of this place ooze a childish sense of
humour, covered as they are in nonsense and art by
illustrator Martin Velísek. They look after you (if you’re in
the gents), by providing large padded headrests above
the urinals. Trams N°5,9,26,55,58 to Husinecká. QOpen
16:30 - 01:00. Closed Sun. BE
Clubs
7 Vlků K-4, Praha 3, Vlkova 7, MJiřího z Poděbrad, tel.
222 71 17 25, www.sedmvlku.cz. Cucumber-like and
bustling with a young Czech crowd, this combination of café,
bar and club has been set up as the epitome of a relaxed
night-spot for those that can’t be bothered to glam it up. Local
artists have their work on display upstairs accompanied
by smooth beats, whilst down in the cellar, the brickwork is
the backdrop for giant angels, ragga and drum ‘n’ bass DJs.
QOpen 17:00 - 03:00. Closed Sun. E
Akropolis K-4, Praha 3, Kubelíkova 27, MJiřího z
Poděbrad, tel. 296 33 09 11, www.palacakropolis.
cz. Akropolis goes a long way to saving the world on those
humdrum nights in the winter. A sprawling den of scruffy
delights with great and often unusual live music and DJs.
There are two bars, an adjoining café, plus the excellent
gig space offering some of the most intriguing music in
Prague on offer. Gigs have to finish at 22:00 so start times
here are punctual. QOpen 16:00 - 04:00. Admission 30
- 400Kč. EKW
Bordo Praha 2, Vinohradská 40, MMuzeum, tel. 774
03 99 91, www.bordo.cz. A new club making waves on the
scene by booking varied acts to keep the youthful audience
on their toes. This second floor venue hosts reggae, live
punk and underground acts, crunk dance-offs and anything
else in between, plus DJs spinning discs when no bands play.
Admission depends on the gig. Q Open 17:00 - 02:00, Fri &
Sat 17:00 - 04:00, Sun 18:00 - 02:00. P
NEW
Bunkr Parukářka Praha 3, Prokopova ul., tel. 776
36 64 10, www.parukarka.cz. The pub on the hill here
has been keeping the resident homeless (work that out)
awake for years, but with the opening of the nuclear bunker
under the hill as a venue, silence will descend as we all
descend down the 100 foot spiral staircase to join the fun
in a place where fun was presumably not ever supposed
to occur. Q Open for events only - check the website for
details. E
Infinity Praha 3, Chrudimská 2a, MFlóra, tel. 272 17
65 80, www.infinitybar.cz. Infinity is a long time, and
that’s usually how long lovely locals and leering expats
linger in the cellar music bar/club. This is an unsophisticated
hedonists’ den - descend and enjoy with everyone else. A
decent restaurant of the same name sits on ground level
and serves till midnight. QOpen 18:00 - 03:00, Sun 18:00
- 01:00. PA
Kain Praha 3, Husitská 1, MFlorenc, www.kain.cz.
Loud and rough with a good line up of live music and DJs
from international acts to the favourites of local revival bands.
QOpen 17:00 - 05:00, Sun 17:00 - 24:00. E
Le Clan J-5, Praha 2, Balbínova 23, MNám. Míru, tel.
222 25 12 26. The shape-throwing in-crowd of Prague ebb
and flow here on the weekend, depending on what’s happening
at the larger clubs in town. Anything goes in this place,
and usually does. Chill out on the numerous sofas, chat at
the bar, or do the dance downstairs if it’s open. QOpen
22:00 - 03:00, Sat 22:00 - 06:00. Closed Mon. 100Kč
admission for men.
Le Mirage I-6, Praha 2, Lublaňská 48, MI.P. Pavlova,
tel. 222 51 11 86. Hopping spot full of local bright and
beautiful young things. The youth of the average punter is
illustrated by the drunken mess visible by the end of the
night but it is always busy and always an interesting night
out. Champion foosball players congregate here. QOpen
17:00 - 02:00.
Matrix Praha 3, Koněvova 13, MFlorenc, tel. 608 70
67 91, www.matrixklub.cz. Very cool club in Žižkov which
has the characteristics of a young Akropolis. A large space is
utilised by varied bands (a recent punk night had a three hour
mosh session) and good equipment ensures the volume that
their soundproofing requires. Cheap drinks, good crowd and
excellent playlist. Check it out by taking a tram to Olšanská.
QOpen 20:00 - 04:00. Closed Sun. E
Meli-Melo Music Club I-5, Praha 2, Žitná 41, MI.P.
Pavlova, www.meli-melo.ic.cz. A new name, face-lift and
line-up for the old African/United Nations bar known as
Ridgeback. Deep beats and dnb is often spun by DJs, but
there is still regular Afro rhythms, ethno and live music keeping
the faith. Admission up to 70Kč for live music. QOpen
16:00 - 04:00. EX
RadostFX I-5, Praha 2, Bělehradská 120, MI.P. Pavlova,
tel. 603 18 15 00, www.radostfx.cz. Unquestionably
the glitziest club in town, RadostFX seems to be attempting
to be more of a brand name entertainment centre, for those
seeking an experience, than merely a club. Downstairs in
the large housey club, the beautiful people of Prague mingle,
entertained by a troupe of innovatively and often provocatively
presented dancers. Glam it up with the roster of well
known local and international guest DJs. Q Café open 11:00
- 04:00. Closed Mon. Lounge open 11:00 - 04:00; club 22:00
- 06:00. EP
Retro Music Hall J-6, Praha 2, Franzouzská 4, MNám.
Míru, tel. 603 47 67 47, www.retropraha.cz. A new
and rising star of a club of the same name as the adjacent
restaurant and music bar. The club has a good and varied
roster of local and international bands and DJs rocking the
decent floor, balcony and stage space. Open for gigs only and
closing time depends on the band/after party. Admission 30
- 500Kč depending on the band. Q Open Thu - Sat 17:00
- 05:00. EP
NEW
XT3 Praha 3, Rokycanova 29, MFlóra, tel. 222 78 34
63, www.xt3cz. A short walk from Flóra or JzP, this fabulous
cavern space of a club in Žižkov has become the new home of
XT3 (it was, and will always be to many, Guru). Come early or
be lucky, but get one of the balcony booths. Live music and/or
DJs plus foosball, flippery (pinball),and a café upstairs with cool
sofas. The eclectic crowd accompanies the talent. QOpen
19:00 - 05:00. Admission from 30Kč for live acts. E
April - May 2007
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