OUR FAVORITE
Cocktail Bars
It's a difficult job, but someone has to do it. Each month, we're searching out the ultimate cocktail bars in Prague and giving you the rundown of the best places to lift your spirits. Have a tip on where we should go next? Email us at editor@pragueresident.com
Bukowski’s Bar
BER.LIN Bar
Named after poet and professional drunk Charles Bukowski, the philosophy of the bar would make him proud with a down-to-earth atmosphere, eclectic decorations and solid drinks. You can find some of the strongest premium cocktails in town here – don’t be surprised if you end up staying until the early morning hours. +420 774 530 680 for Reservations.
berlinbar.cz Located by the chaos of I.P. Pavlova, this new-comer is a hidden oasis serving signature and classic cocktails along with amazing brunch dishes. Enjoy the spacious courtyard terrace throughout the summer months and the lively interior in the winter. +420 775 421 124 for Reservations.
Malkovich
Mánesova 64, Prague 2 and Týnská 19, Prague 1
Bořivojova 86, Prague 3
Bořivojova 100, Prague 3
With wallpaper that looks like your grandmother’s sofa, Malkovich is a comfy Bohemian paradise and beloved by locals. Just a few doors down from Bukowski’s, come for good music, signature cocktails and arguably the best Long Island you’ll ever taste. +420 721 311 021 for Reservations.
Martin’s Bistro
Velehradská 4, Prague 3
The product of a husband and wife team, Martin’s is friendly, low-key and has an excellent weekly food menu on top of its classic cocktail selection. +420 774 100 378 for Reservations.
Bullerbyn
Chodská 17, Prague 2
bullerbyn.cz Inspired by Astrid Lundgren’s Bullerbyn stories, this unique bar takes you on a trip down memory lane. The signature cocktail selection is accompanied by whimsical sketches that remind you of your childhood fairytales. On top of cocktails they serve amazing lunch and dinner dishes, and brunch on the weekends. +420 723 970 761 for Reservations.
Dandy
Anny Letenské 18, Prague 2
dandyprague.com With retro armchairs and sofas that look straight out of the 60s(?), this cozy gay bar has an extensive drink selection, plus amazing coffee and food plates. Hang out with the friendly bartenders while sipping on one of their creative signature cocktails, like the Dirty Daddy or Vegan Grindr. +420 605 827 981 or +420 725 565 401 for Reservations.
Lublaňská 59, Prague 2
Bar and Books
barandbooks.cz Bar & Books is the first overseas extension of the famous New York family of bars, with two locations in Prague (the casual hangout in Mánesova and slightly more formal experience in Týnská). Like its New York counterpart, the bar evokes the feeling of a gentleman’s library. Dim lighting, heavy woods, ornately framed paintings, and of course books (mostly for visual aesthetics). Reservations online.
Café Bar Pilotů
Donská 19, Prague 10
The spacious Café Pilot feels like your grandad’s study with leather upholstery, tables modeled after billiards and floor to ceiling bookshelves. Relax with the sounds of blues and jazz and enjoy heavenly cocktails from the bar’s mixologist – the best Vršovice has to offer. +420 739 765 694 for Reservations.
Elbow Room
Veletržní 40, Prague 7
This unmarked bar is a hidden favorite for a relaxing evening in Letná. With an extensive list of signature cocktails, the subtle Latino music adds to the intimate vibe. From the same owner as the legendary Bukowski’s.
Edison Letná
Šmeralova 5, Prague 7
edisonletna.cz Newcomer to the scene, Edison’s serving up custom cocktails with a full menu of delicious international dishes. +420 223 002 503 for Reservations.
AnonymouS Shrink’s Office Jungmannova 11, Prague 1
shrinksoffice.cz AnonymouS’s smaller, more intimate
sister. This cocktail therapy bar comes in the form of a hidden, calming cellar in-between the bustling Wenceslas Square and Národní třída areas. After ringing a bell to get in, you will be given a Rorschach test which the mixologists will use to prepare your drink. +420 608 911 884 for Reservations.
AnonymouS
Michalská 12, Prague 1
anonymousbar.cz It’s nearly impossible to go into the AnonymouS Bar and not smile, the bar is clever at every turn. You can tell the bartender your likes and they’ll make suggestions, or choose from the secret drink menu printed in UV ink and read with a small blacklight. Reservations are taken only until 9pm. +420 608 280 069 for Reservations.
Parlour
Krakovská 15, Prague 1
parlour.cz Maybe Parlour doesn’t want to be found – and that’s fine with us. The tiny little bar at the top of Wenceslas Square near the National Museum has a delightful speakeasy vibe to it, though it’s quickly becoming a popular secret. If you should luck out and discover the nearly unmarked entry, inside you’ll find an intimate, dimly lit bar with old jazz and R&B records playing and amazing craft cocktails served in antique glassware. +420 777 200 015 for Reservations.
Crazy Daisy
Václavské náměstí 4, Prague 1
crazydaisy.cz Somewhat hidden at the bottom of Wenceslas Square, this one of our favourite almost a club, not quite a club hotspots. First Republic style interior, bar staff dressed the part and videomapping on the walls that pushes reality - it feels like you're in The Great Gatsby. +420 273 130 486 for Reservations.
Bugsy’s
Pařížská 10, Prague 1
bugsysbar.cz Bugsy’s is another bar with a great history, popping up just after the Velvet Revolution. Their one constant has been attention to detail and passion for good cocktails. Bugsy’s also loves their bubbly, and boasts over 130 brands of champagne and prosecco, as well as
over 90 single malt whiskeys and 100 types of rum. +420 224 810 287 for Reservations.
Tretter’s
V kolkovně 3, Prague 1
tretters.cz The Tretter family has been in the bar business for more than 90 years, so it’s no wonder this place feels like walking into a 1930’s Paris or New York cocktail bar. With soft lighting, classic decor and bartenders dressed the part in vintage cocktail jackets, the bar has become an institution. +420 224 811 165 for Reservations.
L’Fleur
V kolkovně 5, Prague 1
lfleur.cz L’Fleur is just a few doors down from Tretter’s. Even before our first drink, we fell in love with the 1920’s feel of the interior, complete with a Muchainspired stained glass window towards the back of the bar. The signature drinks all come with their own history, which the bartender is always happy to explain. If you’re feeling a bit more bubbly, try a selection from L’Fleur’s expansive champagne list. +420 734 255 665 for Reservations
Hemingway Bar
Karolíny Světlé 26, Prague 1
hemingwaybar.cz Chances are, if you’ve asked around, Hemingway's Bar has already been recommended. The Old Town hotspot just made the “World’s Top 50 Bars” for the third time, and with good reason. The bar’s philosophy is that every customer must have a seat, so you won’t feel overcrowded here. Reservations are highly recommended. +420 773 974 764 for Reservations.
Cash Only Bar Liliová 3, Prague 1
cashonlybar.cz Just around the corner from its older sibling Hemingway’s, this little gem is making its own name with cocktails like Pin-Up Martini, made with passion fruit, vanilla and champagne. It’s an intimate bar, and they don’t take reservations. There’s also no smoking and, you guessed it—the bar doesn’t take credit cards. Oh, and by the way, they do serve amazing hot dogs.
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." - Dean Martin
Alchemist Bar
Provaznická 1, Prague 1 thealchemistbar.cz A relative newcomer on the scene, Alchemist is turning out quality prohibition style drinks in their ornate classically decorated location at the bottom of Wenceslas Square. +420 251 510 940 for Reservations.
La Bodeguita del Medio Kaprova 5, Prague 1
labodeguitadelmedio.cz With it's colonial-style interior straight from Old Havana, La Bodeguita is on point. In addition to great food, bar staff have perfected their craft with regional drinks, from the Cuba Libre to the Mojito. And if you're looking to go full Cuban, it happens to be located underneath Cohiba Atmosphere cigar bar. +420 224 813 922 for Reservations.
Schody Home Bar
Zámecké schody 8, Prague 1
Recently opened bespoke cocktail bar and sister to one of our favorite cocktail places, Parlour. Located right on the stairs (schody) leading to the Prague Castle, like Parlour it's also hard to find but well worth the search. Once you're inside, tell the mixologist what flavors you like and he'll fix up your dream cocktail. No website, no number - it's a cozy hidden secret and they're trying to keep it that way.
JANUARY 2019 | PRAGUE RESIDENT
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