Prague, Czech Public: The home of traditional cellar bars

The Czech Republic’s capital city is a popular tourist destination for good reason. There are a hundred and one things to do in Prague, one of which is to explore the city’s bar/pub culture. In a city where winter brings rainy dismal weather six months of the year, bright bars were an essential element of overcoming the doldrums. Prague is teeming with Czech Republic’s famed local pubs. And most noticeably, Prague has mastered the art of cellar bars, let’s explore one of the Golden City’s best-cultured features.

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Prague excels at many things. But one of its specialties shines through in the winter: clap your cold, snow-covered mittens together, for this city has mastered the art of the cozy cellar bar. When it’s freezing outside, Prague’s legions of cellar bars are the first line of defence against frozen digits. 

Photograph by @Radiokafka | Shutterstock

These comfortable, subterranean places keep the warmth in with all kinds of bone-warming bevvies and plenty of nooks and crannies in which to sip them. From the local pilsner at Pivovarsk Klub and Ferdinanda to the mulled wine at U Zlatého Tygra’s hallowed halls, these are the greatest cellar bars in Prague to visit the next time you’re in town.

U sedmi Švábů

Photo by @U sedmi Švábů | Facebook

If you’ve somehow missed Prague’s cobblestone alleys and old-school towers, a visit to U Sedmi váb won’t leave you in the dark about the city’s medieval past. Fill up on hearty dumplings and frothy ales by the fire this winter.

U Staré Studny

Photograph by @ustarestudny | Instagram

Though beer is a local favorite – and a source of great competitive pride — it isn’t the only winter warmer available in the city. Wine and cognac are the chosen pours at U Staré Studny, a refined little underground bar in Prague, complemented by prettily flickering candlelight.

Lokál U Bílé Kuželky

Photo by @lokal-ubilekuzelky.ambi.cz

Lokál U Blé Kuelky gives customers some of the best Czech food and drinks at very reasonable rates, including traditional sausages, piping-hot dumplings, and fresh Pilsner. This Lokál branch, which is located near the Charles Bridge and Castle, is regularly crowded. There is, however, plenty of space underground in the cozy cellar, as well as more than enough beer to go around.

Zlý Časy

Photograph by @kiselka14 | Instagram

Lokál U Blé Kuelky serves some of the best Czech food and drinks at extremely inexpensive prices, including classic sausages, steaming dumplings, and cold Pilsner. This Lokál branch, which is close to the Charles Bridge and Castle, is always busy. However, there is plenty of space underground in the comfortable cellar, as well as plenty of beer to go around.

Ferdinanda

Photo by @ferdinanda.cz

Ferdinanda, named for the ill-fated Archduke Franz, has two locations in Prague, albeit its Malá Strana address is usually less crowded. Make like a monk and sip on its house-made light and dark lagers within its arched alcoves. When you’re hungry – and you’ll be after a few pints of local ale – goulash is always a good choice.

Black Angel’s Bar

Photo by @prague.eu

Is it true that cellar bars in Prague are only for beer and wine? Consider it again. When creating their amazing, “extraordinary” cocktails at Black Angel’s Bar, bartenders make use of the space’s sultry ambience, and “extraordinary” is not an exaggeration. Tales of the Cocktail previously named it one of the world’s top cocktail bars. What more could we want?

Vinny Sklep Ujezd 19 Cellar

Photo by @prague-stay.com

Vinny Sklep Ujezd 19 is a small wine bar nestled in a cozy cellar. Its compact size belies its extensive selection of great vintages from throughout the world. The wine list is enormous – and for the inexperienced, bewildering – but the staff is happy to help with a solid Czech recommendation. It’s a welcoming tavern with a local flavor.