Prague Beer Halls and Breweries: 15 Best Classic and Craft Spots
Prague is one of the world's great beer capitals, and the best beer here isn't poured in tourist bars but in old-fashioned pubs and hospodas where centuries-old traditions still hold. We've rounded up ten of the city's most iconic spots — from the oldest working brewery pouring dark lager to the legendary pub of writer Bohumil Hrabal. Here's what makes each one special, what to order, and who it suits best.
To really understand Prague, you need to spend an evening in a genuine Czech pub — wooden tables, a mug of fresh lager, and a bartender who knows how to pour a thick, creamy head. Below are ten time-tested addresses: some brew their own beer on-site, others are famous for pouring a flawless Pilsner Urquell. Check exact prices and opening hours on each venue's website, but the atmosphere and reputation of these places never change. Further down, five more addresses from the craft side of the scene, from Dva kohouti in Karlín to the Břevnov monastery brewery.
U Fleku
Prague's most famous beer hall and one of Europe's oldest continuously operating breweries — beer has been brewed here without interruption since 1499. The place makes just one beer: its signature dark lager, Flekovský tmavý ležák 13°, deep brown in colour, slightly sweet, with soft notes of roasted malt. The sprawling complex of halls and courtyard sits at Křemencova 11 in the New Town, close to the National Theatre. It's very much on the tourist trail (expect shots of Becherovka brought unbidden to your table, and a cover charge for the show), but the dark lager is worth trying at least once. Spread across eight halls and a courtyard, it can seat over 1,200 guests.
U Zlateho tygra (At the Golden Tiger)
A legendary pub on Husova Street in the Old Town, forever linked to writer Bohumil Hrabal — it was his favourite haunt, and he immortalised the "drinking sessions" at the Tiger in his books. The menu is famously bare: beautifully poured Pilsner Urquell, coffee, wine and soda — people come here for the beer and the atmosphere, not the food. In 1994, presidents Václav Havel and Bill Clinton sat here together over a beer. Tables are few and the place is a cult classic, so arrive early and be ready to squeeze in next to the regulars.
Lokal (on Dlouha Street)
A modern classic from the Ambiente restaurant group, proof that a traditional hospoda can be done to perfection. Here they pour tank unpasteurised Pilsner Urquell — the beer arrives straight from the brewery in refrigerated tanks, noticeably fresher and softer than the kegged version. It comes paired with excellent Czech cooking: goulash, schnitzel, utopenci (pickled sausages). The flagship Lokál Dlouhááá is located at Dlouhá 33 in the Old Town. A perfect first stop for anyone wanting both quality beer and easy, friendly service. It's the very first Lokál and literally the longest, stretching 69.78 metres, with beer poured from 12 tanks and up to 1,300 guests in a single day, so arrive early or book a table in advance. lokal-dlouha.ambi.cz
U Pinkasu
A historic spot near Jungmann Square: this is where, in 1843, Prague's first-ever barrel of Pilsen lager — the very same Pilsner Urquell — was tapped. The pub was founded by a former tailor, Jakub Pinkas, and it's been running non-stop for over 180 years. The original pipe used to pour the first Pilsner is still on display in the cellar. In summer, a lovely garden opens up by the walls of the Franciscan monastery — a great spot to enjoy a beer in the shade right in the city centre.
U Medvidku (At the Little Bears)
An old-school beer house in the Old Town with brewing roots dating back to the 15th century, and today home to a microbrewery on the upper floor that makes X-Beer 33, one of the strongest specialty beers in the world (around 12.7% ABV). Downstairs, in the large hall, they pour Budweiser Budvar alongside their own unfiltered beers — from the pale 1466 to the semi-dark Oldgott. The combination of a spacious classic beer hall and an experimental craft brewery makes this place appealing both to tourists and to fans of unusual beer. Address: Na Perštýně 7. In the last century the former brewery was transformed into Prague's first cabaret and one of the city's largest beer halls. umedvidku.cz
Pivovarsky dum
A cosy brewery on Ječná 14 loved by Praguers themselves for its bold experiments. Alongside the classic pale and dark Štěpán lager, it permanently brews flavoured beers you won't find anywhere else — coffee, cherry, banana, even nettle beer. The setting is relaxed, with copper brewing kettles right in the hall. A great choice for a group wanting to sample several unusual styles in one sitting — the banana beer is worth trying at least out of curiosity. pivo-dum.cz
Klasterni pivovar Strahov (Strahov Monastery Brewery)
A brewery attached to Strahov Monastery, just steps from Prague Castle, with brewing records dating back to around 1400 and revived in the 2000s. There are always three varieties of the house beer Sv. Norbert on tap — amber (semi-dark), dark, and IPA. The address is Strahovské nádvoří 10; the easiest way to get there is by tram 22 or 23 to the Pohořelec stop. Come on a nice day for the courtyard tables with a view over the city — this is one of Prague's most atmospheric beer spots. Open 10:00–22:00; for a bite, try the beer soup or beer-flavoured ice cream. klasterni-pivovar.cz
Novomestsky pivovar
A maze of cellar halls in the New Town, where unfiltered pale and dark beer is brewed right on the premises. The brewery occupies historic buildings near Wenceslas Square and specialises in hearty Czech fare — pork knee, ham hock and beer cheese all pair perfectly with the beer. Given its size and labyrinthine layout, the place is popular with large groups and tourists, so it's best to book a table ahead. A solid choice for a filling dinner with house-made beer. npivovar.cz
Vinohradsky pivovar
A revived brewery in the upscale Vinohrady district, carrying on the tradition of a municipal brewery first founded here back in 1893. The modern brewery reopened in 2014 on the historic site and brews quality Czech lager and pilsner in spacious vaulted cellars that house both a restaurant and a concert hall. This is more of a local haunt than a tourist spot — worth the trip if you want to see where Praguers themselves drink, away from the Old Town crowds. vinohradskypivovar.cz
Prague Beer Museum (craft beer pubs)
Despite the name, this isn't a museum but a chain of bars with an impressive selection of Czech craft beer — usually around 30 taps from independent breweries across the country. For anyone wanting to venture beyond Pilsner Urquell and try IPAs, semi-dark specials and seasonal brews from small breweries, this is the place. Locations can be found on popular streets like Dlouhá in the Old Town. Order a tasting flight of several small glasses to sample the range of modern Czech brewing in one evening. praguebeermuseum.com
Craft Bars and Breweries Beyond the Classics: 5 More Places
Dva kohouti, Karlín, Prague 8
A modern brewery with its own bar in Karlín. Full address: Sokolovská 81/55, 186 00 Prague 8. The venue combines two crafts under one roof — brewing and pouring: Lokal Lager is brewed here in the morning inside the "U Města Hamburku" building, and by afternoon that same beer flows from the bar's taps. Beer is brewed on-site in a former car repair shop, letting guests watch the entire production process; the flagship product is a twelve-degree Pilsner-style lager with seasonal special releases. In summer, the cosy courtyard comes alive with DJ sets.
Břevnovský klášterní pivovar sv. Vojtěcha, Prague 6
A brewery within Břevnov Monastery, one of the oldest in the Czech Republic. Located on the monastery grounds, it's the ideal spot for a peaceful visit away from the city bustle. You can take a short brewery tour, sample excellent craft beers — especially the Benedict and Imperial lines — and enjoy dinner at the restaurant with fair prices and friendly staff. It's a bit farther out than the central beer halls, but the calm monastery courtyard is well worth the short trip.
The Beer Spot, Malá Strana, Prague 5
A craft gastropub with the largest beer garden in the neighbourhood. Address: Plaská 5, Malá Strana, Prague 5, hours: Mon–Fri 11:30–23:30, Sat 14:00–23:30. This premium craft restaurant and beer-garden courtyard sits in Malá Strana at the foot of Petřín Hill, specialising in independent Czech microbreweries — 10 rotating taps and more than 100 bottled craft beers. A great spot to compare several small Czech breweries in one evening.
Craft House Prague, Nové Město, Prague 1
A craft beer bar with no fancy decor but a serious beer list. Address: Navrátilova 1421/11, 110 00 Nové Město. The bar offers 27 taps plus a wide selection of canned and bottled beer — all of it Czech, including breweries like Sibeeria and Raven. It also doubles as a bottle shop, so you can take your favourite cans home with you.
U Kunštátů, Staré Město, Prague 1
One of the pioneers of Prague's craft beer scene, tucked away in a dead-end lane near Old Town Square. The bar offers around 100 craft beers from small independent producers and was one of the first craft beer bars in the country. It's about a five-minute walk from the Astronomical Clock, but keep an eye out — the bar sits in a cul-de-sac. The focus here is on tastings — guests can build their own sampler flight or join the daily tasting session, and before leaving, it's worth peeking into the building's historic cellar.
Bottom line: Prague has something for every taste — from ancient breweries with a single signature beer to craft bars with dozens of taps. For a first taste, head to Lokál and U Pinkasu; for history and atmosphere, go to U Fleku and U Zlateho tygra; and for experimentation, try Pivovarsky dum and the craft beer pubs. The golden rule of a Prague pub is simple: order a fresh lager with a thick head, take your time, and watch the world go by. Na zdraví!
Photo: martavasco (Flickr) — Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Comments (0)
Please be polite. Spam and insults will be removed.