Prague hipster: where to go for lovers of craft, arthouse and grandmother's sweaters. There is a place to drink craft in the center of Prague: Craft House Prague Craft bar in Prague

We recently opened a bar here, with beer and everything else delicious. They called it Craft House Prague, it is located in the very center of Prague, between Wenceslas and Charles Squares, on Navratilova Street.

The name was chosen to be generally neutral, although we had a lot of interesting and very original options. But we decided to stop at this, neutral and understandable, knowing full well that in each US state there are a dozen bars with that name :) And we also know that a bar does not make a name, a beer bar makes beer (and also clean toilets and lighting, well, on to the points ...)

So about the beer. There are 27 taps in the bar, 25 of them are occupied by beer, one is given for nitro coffee, one for natural cider. On our website www.crafthouse.cz there is an up-to-date tap list with prices and brief characteristics of varieties. Less than half (7-9 taps) will be occupied by the best Czech craft breweries, foreign varieties will dominate, many of which we import ourselves. Currently, there is a strong bias towards Polish and Scandinavian brewing, and we are happy with the situation. Craft Poles are very cool and get cooler every year, while Scandinavians, in addition to their coolness in brewing, almost never appeared in Prague bars. Now they will.

This is what the cranes look like, 21 on the big panel and 6 "Imperials" on the right

And our customers are satisfied with the prices for imported beer, they are really pleasant here. The choice of beer is extremely subjective, according to Semyon's and my tastes, we will have only high-quality beer on taps, which we can drink ourselves with pleasure. And we will try not to repeat ourselves. Fortunately, the choice of varieties in the world is such that we can arrange it :)

The dimensions of the kitchen and the Craft House concept we have chosen do not imply a hot kitchen, we offer cold snacks for beer, but what kind! A long time ago, just starting to think about the topic “what would I have in a bar if I had one”, I came to the conclusion that the perfect solution for a beer bar is the Danish sandwiches smørrebrød (smørrebrød), they have something something from the ideology of sushi or tapas - a variety of ingredients and the ability to eat with your hands. Taking my idea into our concept and multiplying it by Semyon's culinary talent, we got the following set:

Smørrebrod with salmon and avocado, with herring, radish and beet sprouts, with Black Forest smoked ham and apple and I don't remember what else, as well as with pear, dorblu cheese and nuts. Each of the four smurrebrods is designed to be an appetizer for certain beer styles, as it is written on the menu, they will be sold both individually and in a set of four. In addition, starters will include cheese and meat plates + dried dates and other small items that are great for some beer styles. Of the Czech classics, only homemade pickled Camembert was left, which will be made to order by an uncle who won prizes in the Camembert pickling competition (yes, there are such competitions in the Czech Republic). I would like to make burgers, but not yet ... we'll see.

What things we have done or will do in the Craft House in the near future:

1. We made the first imperial bar in the Czech Republic. 6 taps with exceptional beers, strong (from 8% alcohol and above), rich, often several years aged in barrels, mainly brewed in Imperial Stout and Imperial IPA styles. All six types are offered at the same price, the volume depends on the coolness and strength of the beer, 0.2 or 0.3. This idea has already received a lot of positive feedback from the Prague beer bros, many of whom come and taste exclusively its range.
   
   
2. We are the first beer bar in our format to offer tasty, healthy and suitable food for a good beer., not cf. drowned people or defrosted wings with potatoes, standard for Prague. Here, for example, is a smorrebrod made from grain bread, dorblu cheese, sweet pear, walnuts and balsamic cream.
   Everything is fresh, tasty and very inexpensive, about the price of a drowned man - a cold fatty sausage floating in vinegar.
3. Our menu is originally designed to match snacks to certain beer styles, we are the first in Prague to offer on the menu combinations of beer styles and food.
   
   
4. We will have a guest card system, which allows regular guests to receive discounts and other bonuses. Already now, many regular customers have personal discounts.
5. We were the first to supply permanent nitro stout faucet and we will always keep it (in the sense, we will change the tap, stouts, of course). The avalanche effect of beer poured with nitrogen (a la Guinness) is an excellent attraction, before your eyes a glass of white foam turns into a black-black drink.
   Americans living in Prague have already appreciated it, they have it in the order of things, but in continental Europe nitro stout is a rare occurrence.
6. We brew our own delicious and incredibly fragrant cold coffee, the so-called cold brew coffee, and we also pour it through a nitro tap, thanks to which it has such a pleasant velveteen structure. This is how those who love beer prepare and pour coffee!
   
   
7. We will pour through our many taps home-brewed non-alcoholic drinks, for example, homemade lemonades with aromatic hops (good, tasty lemonades made from water and fruits / hops without the addition of sugar and other rubbish, which can be poured for both a child and a diabetic) and home-brewed kvass (kvass has already been bottled, by the way).
8. After a short break, we will again take up the rollers and perforators and finish the third room, it will be a cozy salon with sofas and all those who are.
9. (top secret idea)
10. (a dozen more top secret ideas)
11. Something else from unclassified, but something that I forgot.

In general, there are thousands of ideas, and they will be implemented gradually, but rapidly. We are not going to stop and freeze, everything is just beginning.

And as a conclusion, I would like to give a video from the pre-opening, very good, as for me:

P.S. Once again, many thanks to all the people who helped Semyon and me make Craft House - and we had something to do, in the bar everything was done by our own hands, to the last screw and crane - and, first of all, to our families. Without your support we would not have succeeded!

In the past five years, craft brewing in the Czech Republic has been gaining more and more popularity, and craft beer can be found not only in specialized beer establishments, but also in bistros, burgers and even top restaurants. For example, the most popular and best (according to ratings) craft beer in the Czech Republic - Matuška (Mother, emphasis on the second syllable!), Is on tap and / or in bottles throughout Prague, but in this beer guide I will talk about specialized beer establishments, which can be called craft bars / breweries, thanks to the presented beer from microbreweries and / or craft breweries (it is worth noting the fact that not all Czech microbreweries call themselves "craft" without trying to abuse the definition, although some of them use the word " craft brewery" or "craft beer" using the exact English translation of "craft"). Those of you who have been reading my beer blog for more than a day know that it only describes beer places that are recommended to visit, so do not be surprised if this beer guide does not contain craft bars advertised on the Internet, but not worth visiting.

I draw the attention of brewers who often complain about the poor selection of craft beer in Prague compared to Moscow, that such a comparison is incorrect - in terms of financial capabilities, the capital of Russia is on the same level with London, New York, Los Angeles and other Klondike, with which it is necessary compare the craft beer scene. Prague, like the Czech Republic, does not contain so many rich people, so the psychological barrier of 100 crowns per glass has not yet been overcome, and tourists come here not for hopped ales, but for classic Czech lagers, which are the best in the world.

This section of the beer guide to craft bars in Prague is dedicated to the large center of Prague (Prague-1, Prague-2, Prague-3). So, where to drink craft beer in the center of Prague?

Kulovy Blesk(Kulovi Blesk - Thunderball, the title of a popular Czech film from 1978).

Without exaggeration, a cult beer establishment that essentially combined the format of a restaurant and a craft bar, which is rare in Europe and is a US invention. At 28 pips, beer from microbreweries from all over the Czech Republic is constantly rotated, and a good assortment of bottled craft beer from the Czech Republic, Europe and the USA is presented in the refrigerators. It is also important that in the daytime you can eat something from a denni napidka (denní nabídka is an analogue of a business lunch), and in the evening in Bleska they cook various dishes from Czech classics. Also, the menu always offers classic Czech beer snacks - germelin, drowned man, topinki, tlachenka, grundle (a small fish, deboned in flour and fried in oil at high temperature) and tatarak (not the best tatarak is served in Blesk, rather 3.5 on a 5-point scale). In general, you definitely won’t leave hungry in Kulovoe Blask, especially since ale varieties from Czech breweries are still far from the standards, so you will have to eat a lot.

The address of the craft bar "Kulový Blesk": Sokolská 13 (metro I.P. Pavlova).

Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 11.00-23.00; Sat-Sun 17.00-23.00.

Maly/Velkybar(Mali/Velki - Small/Large, the owners position the establishment as a "small bar with a large selection of beer").

Your next craft point in the center of Prague will be a new craft beer establishment by Jakub Veselý, the founder and brewer of the Falkon contract brewery, opened instead of the Nota Bene Beerpoint. There are 8 pips with constantly changing beer and a small fridge with bottled craft beer. Despite the small number of taps, Jakub is not afraid to put on expensive beers from Scandinavia, the Netherlands, the USA and Belgium (“Alvinne” and other new wave craft, by the way, and not some pop trappists or dubbels / quadrupels).

Address craft bar Malý/Velký Bar: Mikovcova 4 (metro I.P. Pavlova).

Opening hours: Mon.-Sat. 16.00-02.00.

Nubeerbar(Nubir Bar)

Since there are no more normal craft establishments in the very center of Prague, it's time to go deep into the main beer scene of the metropolis - the Vinohrady district. Over the past couple of years, the Peace Square (Náměstí Míru) has been sprouting with beer establishments, hoping to attract tourists and lure the wealthy immigrant public living in the most prestigious area of ​​​​Prague. However, among all the so-called craft bars, the only place worthy of your attention is the craft bar Nubeer Bar. There are 22 pips featuring craft beers from all over the Czech Republic, which, while not always able to satisfy discerning tastes, will allow you to taste as much local craft as possible. I’m not sure if there are imported craft beers in Nubira, since I haven’t seen it personally, but everything can be.

Address of the craft bar Nubeer Bar: Balbinova 1 (tram/metro Náměstí Míru).

Opening hours: daily 16.00-23.00.

Vinohradsky Burger Bar

Delving into Prague's Vinohrady district, your next crafting spot will be a burger joint from the Prague-based Uhřineves brewery (the brewery is located in the south of Prague, in the village of Uhřineves). Don't let the name confuse you - the Vinogradsky Burger Bar serves excellent food not only with burgers, but also with other meat dishes and even makes the right fish & chips, and the Tatarak is one of the best in Prague. A wood-burning fireplace is heated in the lower hall, which in the cold season creates a special atmosphere of comfort, because what could be more pleasant than beer gatherings near the fire. The edenatka from the Ugrzhineves brewery is one of the best in its category, and in addition to the line of classic loungers and specials, the brewery also brews ale varieties, some of which exactly fit the definition of “craft beer”.

Vinohradský Burger Bar address: Vinohradská 67 (tram Vínohradská tržnice).

Opening hours: daily 11.00-23.00.

Beergeek Bar

After a hearty lunch at Vinohrady Burg Bar, you can head to the main craft bar in Prague - Birgik, where a wide range of craft beer from the Czech Republic and the entire European Union is offered for 30 pips. Prices in Birgik certainly bite a lot, but the bar focuses on a wealthy expat audience living in Vinohrady and beer tourists who are not ready to travel all over Prague in search of interesting beer, but want to get everything in one place. Another drawback of Birgik is the lack of a kitchen or beer snacks (mediocre chicken wings from a cheap freezer at space prices, do not count), but there is a non-stop Burrito Loco in the next entrance, so you can always go out for a bite to eat the right Mexican street food.

The address of the craft bar Beergeek Bar: Vinohradská 62 (tram/metro Jiřího z Poděbrad).

Opening hours: daily 15.00-02.00.

Pivoteka ZizkOff

A cozy craft bar is a beer club where craft beer lovers from all over Prague gather to chat in a relaxed atmosphere over a glass of beer or sit in a chair to read the beer press and books about beer. The 4 tap beer is in constant rotation, as are the kraft bottles in the fridges, and the prices are more than moderate, making a visit to the brewery a must for any beer geek. For connoisseurs of exotic beer, Zizkoff features bottled craft beers from all over Europe and the US, as well as the best representatives of the Czech craft scene. It is important to note that Pivotéka ŽižkOff is the only brewery in Prague where all beer (both keg and bottled) is stored only in refrigerators. Pivoteka is located a 5-minute tram ride from the center of Prague, right under one of the main Zizkov attractions - the Cathedral of St. Prokop.

Let's continue the notes for good foreign bars - if happy winds bring you to Prague (especially if not for the first time) and you want to drink good and different craft beer there, and not go through the standard tourist program (U Fleků - U Kalicha - Ferdinand - Bredovsky dvur, etc.) with dumplings, sunbeds and knees, then I advise you to look into the bar Craft House Prague(more precisely, even the Multitap Beer Bar & Bottle Shop), which was opened by a Prague resident of Minsk with a friend.

The bar is located in the center (Navratilova 11, Praha 1) on a fairly quiet street, which distinguishes it from other suitable Prague "craft" places, which you have to look for in areas quite remote from the center. I managed to visit there in June and it was good, because there were 27 taps, a refrigerator with a bottle (I heard that they even thought of vintageizing a set of sours), and the inscriptions on the title photo speak for themselves.
The assortment of beer is on the site and it is constantly updated (almost all positions have changed since June, it's a pity that there was no Falkon Kamšot then;). You can take three tasting sets at once (Czech, imported and the most trump card - imperial), or you can taste everything in a row if you have enough health.
The food there is not too extensive, more like snacks, but there is a joker - absolutely amazing Smørrebrød (these are such Danish sandwiches on black bread), which are even tastier than they look, unambiguous wines, if you don’t try, you will regret it for a long time;)

well, if you don’t like it, then on the way there there is another bar, I didn’t go there, though;)

Recently, I rarely wake up to inspiration for graphomania, so until it fades away, I will hastily tell you about the pubs and restaurants in Prague that I visited with my dearest husband this August, many of them more than once, many are familiar to us from past visits. We note with regret that many previously very authentic and cozy establishments have deteriorated under the influx of tourists and good reviews on the Internet, but some, fortunately, still preserve the good traditions of the Old Bohemia.

Unfortunately, I spent all my photo stock on the previous post, so now there will be photos of the establishments described from Google, their quality often leaves much to be desired, because. it was not possible to take a lot from official sites (flash, his mother), and what was possible did not shine. Well, okay, let's assume that the main thing is the essence)
Of beer, I do not list all varieties, but only the most characteristic ones that aroused our interest. Usually, in almost any Prague institution, the Pilsen Prazdroj (Pilzner Urquell) is always canonically present, so I will not mention it once again.

Maximum grade +++, minimum ---

+++ The best we have visited

Baracnick a Rychta(Tržiště 23/555, Praha 1), website http://www.baracnickarychta.cz

I wrote about this institution in detail in the previous post, so I will not repeat myself. Unconditional 1st place in all respects - beer, food, price, hospitality, authenticity.
Beer: Svijansky máz 11° ( 30,- Kč), Svijansky kvasnicak 13° ( 35,- Kč), Svijanský černý karamel 13° (30,- Kč ), Svijanský polotmavý nefiltrovaný Fanda 11° (30,- Kč)

Luta pumpa (Belgicka 11, Prague 2). website http://www.zluta-pumpa.info/

That same court establishment of ours in Vinohrady (I also praised him in the previous post), getting there is quite simple - this place is very close to the Náměstí Míru metro station.
Very Czech, very "shitty". By the way, its bias is Mexican cuisine, but there is also "Česká hospodská klasika". In addition to beer, they mix a lot of cocktails and pour cider, but we did not try it.
Recommended as soon as we can.
Beer: Rychtář 11° Standart (29 Kč), Chlumecký Vít 12° (36 Kč), Svijany ”Kvasničák” (36 Kč).

Pardubicka pivnice U Jary(Jeronýmova 2, Žižkov Praha 3), website http://www.pivniceujary.cz/

A very Czech brewery in Zizkov with a large assortment from Pardubice. There we met both classic visitors with a big dog, and a romantic couple who drank porter throughout the evening, and not just one mug (!), And people who came just to surf the Internet with a beer.
The atmosphere is extremely soulful. The prices are just ridiculous.
Beer and prices: Pernštejn Vilém(23.50), Kvasňák (nefiltrovaný) (29), Granát (tmavý speciál) (26), Porter (pouze 0.4 l) (33)

Zly casy (Čestmírova 5, Praha 4), website http://www.zlycasy.eu/

This is a very famous craft beer establishment in beer connoisseur circles. We lived from it in relative walking distance, almost next to our hotel we had to go down the long, long stairs Nad Nuslemi (climbing it back is a special pleasure!) And then walk for 15-20 minutes. But having tried to get there for the first time, we did not look for easy ways and constantly turned in the opposite direction at the intersections, respectively, the road took a longer time.
We flooded to try all kinds of IPA, EPA and other Czech craft on Saturday morning, it was hellishly hot, our brains were swimming. When we, supported only by thoughts of cold beer, finally found Zly casy, they just kissed the door, because on weekends this establishment is open from 17.00...... Imagine the extent of our disappointment!
By the way, we must take into account for the future that in the Czech Republic on weekends the pubs open later, and not in the tourist center, and in general in the evening, or they may not work at all.
After such a penetration, in order to return to the center, we had to not go down, but already climb seriously upwards, this physical training in the 30-degree heat did not add any mood at all. I swore that I would not return there again, but in the following days Misha persuaded me, we already knew the way, so we made another attempt, which was crowned with success.
By the way, this establishment is now located on 2 floors, but nothing worked upstairs, you still had to go down to the basement, where, I must say, a wonderful atmosphere reigned.
The drink leaf was quite long, we were not drawn to the hot streets, and we tried a lot of things here, checking with Google what we are drinking. But since my love for Czech craft beer somehow didn’t work out very well, I didn’t remember exactly what we drank.
The assortment of beer in the Evil Hours is constantly changing, so you can check the site before going.

Krčma U sedmi Švabů (Nerudova 31/ Jánský vršek 14, Praha 1 - Malá Strana), website http://www.7svabu.cz/Pages/Main.aspx

Our dearly beloved place on the road from Grad to Mala Strana. This is where the real chivalric traditions are, which do not change over the years.
Medieval music plays in the background. In the evenings (as I understand it, on Fridays and weekends) - entertaining folklore performances.
The cuisine is very interesting and inexpensive (see website)
Beer (for some reason not listed on the site): Krušovice 10, Krušovice 12, Mušketýr, Krušovice Pšeničné (prices 29-36 Kč) Pilsen.

W vedeniya, almost reached the highest mark

Ferdinanda (Politickych veznu 19 / Opletalova 24, Praha 1; Karmelitska 18, Praha 1 -Mala Strana), website www. ferdinanda.cz

There are 2 of these restaurants, but we learned about the one on Karmelitskaya only on our last visit to Prague, while Ferdinand on the corner of Opletalova / Polititsky Vezny was our favorite restaurant on all 3 previous trips. As soon as we arrived in Prague, we first flew there, and beer Ferdinand Sedm Kuli was one of our favorites. This time, on the very first evening, a bummer awaited us - there were no empty seats on Opletalov, we had to break the tradition and look for another place where to stumble. On all other days, if we came around 6 pm and later - the picture was repeated - there were no places.

Apparently, the active advertising of this institution by tourists on the Internet has done its job, and now the place has become much more touristy and less pleasant. We went there anyway often from old memory (in the afternoon), but at lunchtime we often met packed tables. Service, as for me, worsened, became more on duty (once they forgot to bring me beer at all, it’s good that they didn’t include it in the bill). We practice replanting at already occupied tables (if the two of us are sitting at a table designed for 4 people, then someone will be added to us in half an hour). This "chasing for profit" is rather uncomfortable. Yes, and groups of centralized Russian-speaking tourists constantly have lunch / dinner at large tables, which is uncomfortable for such aesthetes like us.
We must pay tribute, the prices, as before, are low (they have changed little since our last visits), but the portions, IMHO, have devalued.

Therefore, "Ferdinanda" on Opletalova street is no longer worthy of 2 ++ in our rating, a maximum of 1+, but there is also a second restaurant of this chain, which we opened for ourselves this summer, on Karmelitskaya, 18, very close to Malostranska Square and the main tourist the Prague trail from the Charles Bridge. But the sign at the entrance is not very noticeable.

There is a more interesting, albeit rather ascetic atmosphere (a kind of monastic basement), more attentive service, more empty seats (strangely, the second restaurant is advertised on the Internet much less than its counterpart).

We sat there in a secluded nook (a separate room for two) and used Sedm Kuli with fried cheese and drowned people, we were very satisfied. True, I don’t know what the situation is like there in the evenings, maybe there are no places either))))
Beer Ferdinand: Ležák světlý 11, Světlý ležák Premium 12, Tmavý ležák 11, Sedm Kulí 13,
Světlé speciální pivo d´Este 15 (however, the latter was stated on the menu, but it was rarely available, we only tried it a couple of times).

U Benedikta ( Benediktská 722/11, Staré Město), website http://www.restauraceubenedikta.cz/

We also visited this restaurant not for the first time, and absolutely nothing has changed there in 4 years, in my opinion, even the prices)))
They are extremely low for such a central institution, just poorly advertised and located a little off the tourist trail. Although, when we tried to go there on Friday evening 4 years ago, a bummer awaited us, we did not find a free place, and the restaurant is rather big (besides the main hall, there is also a basement). But at other times, even in the evening, we were practically the only visitors. Marvelous!
This place is memorable for me because I first tried the Olomouc cheese curds here (a specialty of the South Bohemia, according to legend, they should stink so that the smell reaches the neighbor's windows). This time I did not deviate from the tradition and ate them again (this is a very rare dish for Prague restaurants).
In general, a very attractive establishment with an extensive menu and affordable prices, but beer there is only Bernard- for our taste, it’s very simple, clean food to drink, but not enjoy its taste.
The atmosphere is unpretentious, and even without other visitors it is boring. And so, it's pretty cool. Recommend to "come in for lunch".

Hlucna samota ( Záhřebská 534/14, Praha 2), website http://www.hlucna-samota.cz/
This restaurant is located a stone's throw from our beloved Yellow Pumpa, and we, returning from the center, went there 2 times when there were no places in Pumpa.

We liked the range of beer and food, the interior is very decent (in the second photo, by the way, it’s not Lenin hanging on the wall, as it might seem at first glance, but some local hero, I don’t remember who for the life of me), very polite and fast service (served by such colorful men in long aprons, in the classic traditions of the Old Bohemia). There is a small separate room for a large company.
Of the minuses that do not allow us to give the highest rating: not the lowest prices for a place located not quite in the tourist center, plus we were cheated on the second evening (we were in good condition and, of course, did not immediately discover this, but we did not go there anymore) . Most of all, in such cases, it saddens me that we even gave these bad people very generous tips, without understanding. It's a shame! Over there in the Yellow Pumpa, despite the constant fumes of revelry and general confusion, we were never deceived.
Beer: Staropramenovskie varieties (including Granat and Hoegarden), prices 35-45 koruna.

Merenda(Husitska 74 , Praha 3-Žižkov), website http://www.merenda.cz/cs/

One of the well-known Žižkovo pubs with craft beer, the range of which changes frequently, as in all other similar establishments.
There is also a pub and a restaurant. We came at 4 o'clock on a weekday, there were no visitors at all.
I already wrote about Merenda in a previous post - everything is not bad there, the beer is tasty, varied, not very expensive (and craft beer, in principle, is not cheap, most of it is not 30 korun), only the ribs were hefty bony, there was almost nothing to eat)) ))
Here they are from the menu: 400g Veprová žebírka na medu a chilli, česneková bageta 159.00 CZK
But if you are in Zizkov, do not pass by.

+ Establishments "medium"

Branicky Sklipek ( Vodickova 2, Prague 1)

Located near Vaclavak at the beginning of the street. Vodichkova, which is literally crammed with taverns.
The institution is not new, in its formanka (waiting room with a bar near the bartender) we first tried Pilsner Urquel on our first trip to Prague. Prices back then were quite reasonable.
The place is popular; tables were vacated sporadically and immediately occupied again.
The decor of a classic Czech pub is very simple. Serves only men.
We decided to shake off the old days and, like classic tourists, eat our knees, which is "liver vepsheve", the price tag was quite humane.
Well, since we were hungry, in addition to the knee, they also ordered a car of beer snacks - both drowned people, and hermelin and beer cheese were applied, which greatly amused the waiter, he kept asking if we really wanted to eat all this. For some reason, they also ordered a cover (side dish) to the knee
Naturally, we ate from the belly, barely mastered everything.

The beer menu was Branik- a very simple beer, a standard Czech lager. But the prices for it were not observed anywhere on the menu, and in the hall on the signs too. Prices for food did not go off scale, and we relaxed, we ate beer notably. A Russian-speaking couple was sitting next to us, who, having received the bill, were unpleasantly surprised, and the lady asked again, so how much is their beer. It turned out that as many as 48 korunas each (this is a lot even for the center, especially such a simple Pivchansky one).
In general, in the end, our bill was also rather big, the tax was also calculated separately for 130 korunas (!).
We shrugged our shoulders and paid, but left the bare minimum for tea.
Still, it’s wrong to cheat like that, it doesn’t add reputation. The institution did not make much of an impression, although everything was delicious, only the feferons in drowned men seemed weak to Misha)))

Karavella (Michalska 438/15, Praha 1)

A restaurant in the very heart of the tourist heart of Prague, there is absolutely no interior inside, we went there only because we wanted to try the products of a rare brewer Cherna Hora, which was well represented there (Černý Granát, Velen (wheat), Ležák, prices about 45 korun)
Despite the Friday evening, there was no influx of visitors.
We sewed ourselves into a dark nook, tasting beer and climbing the Internet. We didn't try the food.
In general, it’s rather boring, a purely touristic, expensive place, but you can stop by to try Cherna Gora.

Kavarna Lucerna ( Vodičkova 36, ​​Praha 1), website www.restaurace-monarchie.cz/kavarna-luce rna

Located in the famous passage Lucerna on the street. Vodichkova right next to the upside down horse.
This coffee house is interesting not only for coffee, but, oddly enough (although it’s not strange in the Czechs) for beer, and the set of beer there is non-standard.
The institution is even considered a cult one, but we were not particularly impressed, although we tried a couple of varieties of different rare beers, incl. and from the fashionable nonce brewer Matuska.

U Tří růží (Husova 10, Praha 1), website http://www.u3r.cz/ru/

Restaurant-brewery located in the very center, on the street where Lenin (who is actually Freud) hangs.
The brewhouse is located on the ground floor of the restaurant.
The interior is quite interesting - all the walls are painted with pictures on the beer theme in a peculiar style.

Purely a tourist establishment, but we were interested to try what kind of beer they have.
We were pleasantly surprised by the assortment, here it is described http://www.u3r.cz/ru/brewery/kinds-of-beer
But in stock, of course, there were significantly fewer varieties.
We liked the most American Wheat Weiss.
By the way, a lyrical digression about wheat - by experience, we found out that in the Czech Republic they now brew quite a lot of wheat beer with our favorite "German" taste. While in Lithuania, under the name "wheat", exclusively Belgian white is brewed everywhere and served with a slice of lemon in a glass (we are not connoisseurs of a clear lemon flavor in beer). Once in Alaus Namai I asked the waitress not to put a lemon in my glass, she pretended to understand me, but brought a beer with two (!!!) slices of lemon....

Prices in the restaurant At the three roses, of course, did not please - beer for 50-60 korun, we did not even look at the food. A visit only makes sense to broaden your beer horizons.

Pink Floyd Caffe(Americká 16, Praha 2, Vinohrady), website http://www.pinkfloydcaffe.wz.cz/

Another establishment "on the way home", located on the way to our hotel near Peace Square.
We went there, because Misha is a big fan of this group, and I wanted to see how everything is organized there, and maybe even listen to wonderful music.
The interior in my mind was more interesting than it turned out in reality - everything is more than simple, a kind of small family institution. There were few visitors, and almost all of them were acquaintances of the bartender.
The only reminders of belonging to Pink Floyd were photographs of the band members and albums in a uniform, hung on the walls. In the large hall, the interior was decorated with a large picture-portrait of Pink Floyd.
There is also a barrier (summer terrace), but we did not reach it.
From beer, classic Pilsner and Gambrinus were offered and something else, previously unknown to us, they drank it, classic lager (unfortunately, I didn’t remember the name, and only classics are on the menu on the site).
We were expecting at least music to match the title, which would allow us to sing along, but it was something neutrally rocky. It's a pity. It would be possible to create a very interesting fan atmosphere. Apparently, Misha will have to implement it on his own)))))))))
Although I wish this little place to get a better spin and acquire more recognizable features associated with Pink Floyd.

Italian trattoria on the street. Stepanska(one of the branches from Vaclavak, the second exit of the passage of Lucerne), I don’t remember the number of the house, it is located directly opposite the church of St. Stepan.
Pretty nice, but not a colorful place not with Czech, but with Italian cuisine (I love it no less than Czech, but somehow I didn’t have a chance to try it in Prague). We came here to drink beer. Lobkowicz ( 10, 11, 12, prices 35-40 korun ) and a little rest between cultural and shopping runs. They have such a nice veranda opposite the church - it's very romantic to sit there in the evening, I tell you.
The service is fast, unobtrusive and polite, only girls work.

The following establishments are rated with us with a minus sign.
Let's conditionally divide them into "none" and "very bad" (it's sad that this year we have a personal blacklist in Prague).
Among " none"- a lot of establishments, I would say, the vast majority in the tourist center)))))
They are usually decorated in the classic Czech style, served by men in aprons, the only beer there is Pilsner Urkvel and Cerny Kozel, the food is expensive (I don’t know about the quality, I haven’t tried it). Prices for banal beer - about 50-55 korun.
I think that the standard exploitation of the old Czech stereotypes is already boring and uncompetitive, but these restaurants make a good living due to their very good location on the hiking trails and paying commissions to guides and travel agencies for attracting organized tour groups, which make the cash desk, believing that they explore the real Czech Republic.
They can be listed endlessly, we personally went to Trilobit, V Kolkovne, Nad Viktorkou(the latter seems to be an art pub on Zizkov, but we didn’t see anything interesting there ) and something like that with the aim of taking a break, hiding from the heat and quenching your thirst.

Also to no can be attributed, to my deep regret, those institutions that were very good in our past visits. They have deteriorated from advertising on the Internet and due to the strong influx of tourists.
For example, this famous Tlusta Koala, it is expensive there, small portions, unfriendly staff, but at least the beer is good (besides the old Pramenov varieties, new, less common varieties have appeared). Well, I really liked the interior there.
We went by old memory, missed a couple of glasses, but we will purposefully not return again, unless we are very tired nearby, and we want, for example, Velvet.

We also write here Havelska Koruna, a self-service cafe near the Havel market, a kind of canteen a la Ukrainian Pot-bellied Hut. In past years, we often dined there on a very budgetary basis, this time we went in the afternoon, when there was practically nothing in the assortment (although they always had this drawback, the place was designed purely for lunch). But the prices no longer struck us with their cheapness compared to more comfortable establishments, so we most likely will not return there again.

During a trip to IKEA in Zliczyn, we went to Metropol shopping center bowling restaurant, it was not remarkable except for one thing - they served rare and tasty beer Starobrno. In the hope of this, this time we went there after shopping, the situation there has not changed at all, but Starobrna, alas, is no longer there, now there is a standard Staropramenovsky assortment. Accordingly, we also cross out this institution from the list of something remarkable.

Well, for a snack there were establishments from the black list - bad and sooooo bad.

Malostranska Pivnice. This institution has always been purely touristic, but before (at the very, very dawn of our Prague travels) it was still at least a little sincere (or maybe we were just inexperienced), now it’s completely random, solid Schweik stamps in the interior, price tags for beer they don’t go off scale, although they are quite touristy, but the food is very expensive. Crowded, poor service. We won't be returning again.

Prague Beer Museum (PUB), Dlouha 46, Prague 1
A wide range of rare and craft beers is presented here, but the price tag is impressive, it’s cheaper and more pleasant to go to Evil clock, Toothed dog, Merendu, and indeed now there are enough such establishments in Prague.
However, the advantage of this institution is that it is located in the very center (Josefov), but accordingly, it is full of standard tourist vices: a lot of tourists - it is difficult to find a free place, high prices, you have to wait a long time for service, the waitresses are inattentive, and even under the curtain did not bring us back there. Moreover, our waitress scurried back and forth past us, but completely ignored.
All these factors created a very negative impression. Therefore, I cannot recommend this pub.

But the most unpleasant memory we have left one of a series of restaurants Staropramen Potrefena Gusa. In general, this entire network is of no interest - the interior is standard high-tech, beer is expensive (the most premium varieties are as much as 60 corunas, unheard of!), food is expensive and without color. We went to Gusu once on Narodni Trida, but we drank a glass of Velvet and immediately retired. It amazes me that anyone seriously dine there.
Once, on our first visit, we went to the restaurant "On the verandas" on Andel, at the factory itself, it was organized with some pathos and was then specifically packed with visitors. In those days, it was the only place in Prague where you could try the entire factory line in one bottle - Granat, Velvet, and Kelt (now the factory has stopped brewing this variety). Yes, and the prices then did not go off scale, they were average-tourist.
We have not been on the verandas for a long time, but the network around the city, as for my taste, is very UG.

But the most egregious incident happened to us in one of these restaurants, located near the waterfront in the Old Place area. I didn’t remember the address, but after looking at the site, I came to the conclusion that this is a restaurant on Platneřská 88/9(both the location and the photos seem to converge). We went there in the evening to relax a bit, Misha ordered a glass of our favorite Velvet. What was our disappointment ... The noble drink turned out to be sour, there even the foam fell instantly, although usually it keeps on Velvet even when the glass is already empty .... There are no words ...
Sour beer in Prague - we've never encountered anything like this before, it's a shame! Yes, even in a tavern belonging to the factory network .... The attitude of the staff was also appropriate. When Misha indignantly called the waiter and told him the whole horror of the fall, he shrugged his shoulders, took the beer and left. There was no apology, just no one paid any attention to us anymore. We sat at the table for a while, not quite understanding how to proceed further, but then we realized that we were being ignored and left.
Now we don’t go to the taverns of this network, and we don’t advise anyone.

Here is such a very lengthy atchotets I got. Pivnyaks are quite famous, but maybe this will help someone to navigate in the beer world of my favorite city. Well, at the same time we pronostalgic)

The Czech Republic has always been a beer country in the understanding of the average Russian tourist. "Classic" beer country. However, this winter I spent a few days of my vacation in Prague with a different goal: to get acquainted with the Czech “new wave” brewing and run around the craft establishments of the Czech capital. By no means does this post pretend to be a “guide” to beer places in Prague (there are much more competent specialized blogs). Rather, just my travel notes, which may be useful to someone who plans to visit Prague and get acquainted with local and not only craft.

The craft revolution in the Czech Republic began around the same time as ours. However, in my very subjective opinion, the Russian scene is developing faster and looks more interesting. And I’ll also note one important point - almost the entire Prague craft movement revolves around people from Russia and the former Soviet republics. But more on that later. Well, let's go!

I will put everything in chronological order, as far as my memory allows. Having arrived in Prague late in the evening by train from Warsaw, having caught a cold, tired and hungry, I decided to do without visiting pubs, called a taxi and went to an old friend who kindly agreed to shelter me in her apartment during my stay in Prague (thanks Dasha!).

The next morning, purely for show, I went to the Old Town Square, drank a glass of Pilsner Urquell and ate a hot dog, once again convinced that I don’t like popular tourist places, made a circle around the square for the sake of decency and went away from the crowds of tourists towards the Praha Florenc bus station. The Pivovarský Klub bar is located there, which, fortunately, was open from 11.00.

Pivovarsky Club Křižíkova 272/17, Prague 8

A rather spacious bar with high ceilings, large windows, simple wooden furniture is located away from the old center in Prague 8. A couple of long high tables for 8-10 people. Several small cozy tables by the windows for 2-3 people. Despite the early time, the bar was already full of people. All locals and mostly older people. Therefore, my appearance with a camera, a backpack and an English speech made the locals frown literally for a second, and then immediately forget about my existence, again indulging in quiet conversations over a glass of beer. The owner understood me with difficulty, but nevertheless fed me, and told me a little about beer.

The bar has 6 taps, on which only local beer from small private breweries. Among them was an American pale ale. Zborena ovca» from the brewery Valasek, which I decided to start with: nothing special, an average malt-caramel apa with fruity hints in the aroma.

The bottle assortment is much larger. Three refrigerators with imported beer (a lot of Belgium, Germany, England, several items from Sierra Nevada And Brew Dog). Next to the refrigerator is an even larger stainless steel container, in which the most “traveling positions” are cooled. On the opposite wall from the bar counter there are still shelves with bottles. A lot of local, all the same Belgium, Germany. Nothing super rare.

Decided to take a local "craft" - BernardIPA from Rodinny pivovar Bernard, which was advertised at every turn (on billboards, in magazines, in the subway). As expected - sweet, with grassy hints of hops, vaguely similar to Ipa.

Summing up: the food is delicious, the beer on taps is from local microbreweries, the assortment of bottles is large, but there are no rarities. The price tag is moderate.

Ate, drank, took a bottle with him for the evening My Antonia– Italian collab Birra Del Borgo and Americans dogfish head

It is located in the Zizkov district (or Prague 3) - a youth and party area - covered in graffiti, hostels, barbershops, skate shops and bars are everywhere.

It looks a little unkempt and dirty, but I really liked it.

U Slovanske Lipy Tachovské namestí 288/6, Praha 3 - Žižkov

The interior of a classic Czech beer restaurant: a spacious room, simple massive wooden furniture. During the day it was mostly locals. Didn't see any tourists.

There are retro posters and framed collections of beer and other alcohol labels on the walls.

At the entrance there is a spacious hall with taps. There are 12 of them. All local small breweries. Styles are well defined. There are lagers, and wheat, and some "craft" positions. There are no bottles. Prices are quite democratic - 120 -130 rubles for 0.5.

Drank here Weizen from Pivovar Kocour Varnsdorf- not the most balanced wheat, but you can drink it. Gash Černá svině- dark lager from the brewery Snajdr- by the way, not bad. I was full, so I can’t say anything about the kitchen. But it is there, and judging by the reviews on the flamp, it is quite decent.

I left U Slovanské Lípy and, at dusk in Prague, went to the area of ​​the old TV tower, where two Beergeeks were very conveniently located.

However, here it is worth breaking the chronological order of the narrative in order to say a few words about an excellent institution that is located just next to the "birgiki"

U Vodoucha Jagellonská 2426/21, Praha 3

Another classic Czech beer restaurant that I liked more than others, excellent cuisine, affordable prices and a simple and cozy atmosphere.

Two halls (smoking! and non-smoking), simple wooden furniture, old photographs and posters on the walls and authentic Czech cuisine.

Everything that the Czech Republic is so famous for: boar knee, garlic soup, goulash, dumplings, roast duck and much more - all this is very tasty and is offered to visitors in large volumes. Fast food, huge portions. Also a selection of a dozen decent local beers.

I came here several times to eat, and at the same time drink something local, always with an unpronounceable name.

BeerGeek Beer Shop Slavikova 1047/10, Praha 3 - Zizkov

Best bottleshop in Prague according to reitbeer. Compact shop, two small rooms and a bar counter between them. They say that both “birgiks” were opened by Russian guys.

The assortment is really decent, even though I was in it just before the holidays and the shelves were “empty”.

Lots of Belgian beer. Moreover, both well-known and publicly available, and quite rare for Russia, such as Cantillon, 3 Founteinen, Chimay Grande Reserve, Alvinne and so on. English Siren Craft Brew And Moor Beer Co.. There was German and Italian craft.

Quite a bit of De Molen. Good range BrewDog, some Americans. There was even a shelf with Jaws, however, the seller said that the Czechs treat Russian craft "with a squint" and the washerwoman is not particularly popular with the Prague beergiks.

Of course there is local craft ( Pivovar Matuska, Raven, Sebeeria) to which, by the way, they allocated a small refrigerator, while the rest of the "Europeans" stand on ordinary wooden shelves. Prices are not the lowest, but by the standards of Russian bars and bottleshops, they are quite reasonable.

The bar counter more often serves as a counter, but there are still three chairs in front of it, on one of which I settled down and started a conversation with my neighbors, an American and a Swede, about beer, holidays (it was Christmas Eve in the yard) and the national characteristics of each of the countries, while drinking local craft.

Drank a bottle sugar daddy from Czech Pivovar Raven And Pivovar Pivecka- Belgian ipa, sweeter than it should be, but with a catchy Belgian character and a bright aroma of American hops.

I chose a few bottles to take home, among which was Expedition Stout from the Americans Bells Brewery, Apollo Galaxy from the legend of Czech brewing Matuska, barleywine from Czech Sibeeria, something christmas from Mikkeller and sour from Siren. Drank a glass of Imperial IP EScape from Sibeeria, said goodbye to "companions" and staggered through a small park in front of the Church of the Sacred Heart of the Lord in BeerGeek Bar.

Beer Geek Bar Vinohradska 988/62, Prague 3 - Zizkov

Modern and ascetic designed bar in the basement. Everything is hipster-ish, black walls, instead of an LCD board, all dishes from Spiegelau (I can’t even imagine how often they break their glasses). At the same time, it is quite comfortable.

The logo shows a sad bearded dude in a hat and glasses.

It looks like he is at the counter too.

30 taps. Three quarters of them are local craft, the rest are other European craft breweries. The price tag for Czech beer is about 200 rubles for 0.5. Import is a little more expensive.

The fridge is mostly local craft and some Belgium and Germany.

It is possible to take a tasting set from any five draft positions. They say that even food happens, but by 20.00 only meat and cheese plates and other snacks remained.

Notably "tasted" here. Sibeerian Raven Kiwi- berliner weisse with kiwi collab Sibeeria And Raven, DIPA Autonomy Lost from Italians White Pony Microbrewer y, christmas burly Santa's Little Helper from Mikkeller and surprisingly good IP Hoptopod from a Serbian brewery unknown to me Dogma Brewery- that's all that was worth attention and at least somehow remembered.

After such a serious tasting, I went home to fly to Belgium at 6 am the next day with a heavy head and a light heart for 4 days. On this I will finish the already long first part, and all the other institutions visited upon returning to Prague will be in the second part.