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Nightlife |
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Prague,
Nightlife In the Czech Republic, however classy, ‘nightclubs’ means a table dancing club, usually with a proper strip show and often even with a sauna and Jacuzzi. Clubs that feature live music are generally known as ‘music clubs’ or ‘jazz clubs’, while establishments that offer dancing are known as ‘discos’ or ‘dance clubs’. Dress codes and admission prices do not feature strongly in Prague’s nightlife. The minimum drinking age in the Czech Republic is 18 years and drinks are inexpensive at Kè30 for half a litre of beer or Kè70–100 for imported beers and Kè15–60 for liquors (depending on the drink – vodka is cheaper than whisky, for instance). Weekly listing (in English) of music events can be found in the Prague Post and the racier fortnightly Prague Pill. Do mìsta gives monthly nightlife listings in Czech. Bars: Currently popular are Kozièka, Kozí 4, Prague 1, and the grill bar Belle Epoque, Køižovnická 8, Prague 1. Bugsy’s, Paøížská 10, Prague 1 (), with over 200 cocktails, attracts the business account set. Currently popular with younger Czechs are Scandals, Dlouhá 7/992, Prague 1, Studio A. Rubin, Malostranské námìstí 9, Prague 1, which has a dancefloor, Marquis de Sade, Templová 18, Prague 1, and Akropolis, Palác Akropolis, Kubelíkova 27, Prague 3 (), with three bars (no cover charge), a concert space and the trendy Kaaba Café. Casinos: Gambling plays an important part in the lives of many Czechs and is big business in Prague, with new casinos opening all the time. Most casinos present a sophisticated but relaxed atmosphere, with bets ranging from a minimum Kè20–25 to a maximum of Kè5000 (in a few cases like the Jalta, Kè10,000). The minimum age for gaming is 18 years and a passport or ID is required. Entrance fees are as high as Kè500 in some establishments. Casinos can be found in many of the luxury hotels, where evening dress is essential for admission. Most of the best casinos are found on Na pøikopì and Václavské námìstí. Recommended venues include Casino Admiral Praha, Palace of Culture, 5 Kvetna 65, Prague 4, the 24‐hour Casino Jalta Happy Days, Václavské námìstí 35, Prague 1, the VIP Club Casino, Hotel Ambassador, Václavské námìstí 7, Prague 1, and Casino Palais Savarin, Na pøikopì 10. Clubs: Prague has more than its fair share of trashy discos but a welcome alternative is the world music that continues to attract great attention in both clubs and live venues in the city. Best for world music is Akropolis, Kubelíkova 27, Prague 3 (), a complex of concert spaces, bars and a café. Latino clubs include La Habana, Mí&unknown;eòská 12, Prague 1, and Mánes, Masarykovo nábøeži 250, Prague 1, a 1930s functionalist gallery, which is only open on Friday and Saturday. Roxy, Dlouhá 33, Prague 1, caters to the dance crowd and features a hidden tea house. Radost/FX, Bìlehradská 120, Prague 2 (), is one of the few clubs to survive the early post‐Revolution period and offers up a glamorous mix of house and techno music. It also includes a vegetarian restaurant and art gallery. Industry 55, Vinohradská 40, Prague 2, stays open very late for a youngish crowd, playing techno, house, trance and other dance music. Klub Lávka, Novotného Lávka (by the Charles Bridge), is a popular top‐40 club with good food and a wonderful riverside terrace. Karlove Lázné, also located at Novotného Lávka, claims to be the largest club in central Europe. The four floors all feature different music styles, with synth techno on the fourth floor, retro on the third, radio pop occupying the second and hip hop and funk blasting out on the first floor, complete with MCM café. Live music: For Czech folk music, see the Music section in Culture. Otherwise, Malostranské beseda, Malostranské námìstí, Prague 1, features everything from 1920s jazz to contemporary rock. The Lucerna Music Bar, Vodièkova 36, Prague 1 (), serves up a rich blend of excellent jazz, rock and 80s nights, with plenty of space to dance. Jazz has been popular in Prague since the 1920s and even though the scene has contracted with the growth of rock music, there are still excellent venues for an evening of jazz and blues. AghaRTA, Krakovská 5, Prague 1, is undoubtedly the city’s best venue (). The Jazz & Blues Café, Na pøikopì 23, Prague 1, has good programming and sound reproduction that more than make up for the terrible decor. The best local musicians often meet up for late‐night jam sessions at U staré paní, Michalská 9, Prague 1. U Malého Glen, Karmelitská 23, Prague 1, is one of the oldest jazz bars in Malá Strana, with good food and a comfortable, friendly atmosphere. Reduta, Národní tøída 20, Prague 1, remains infamous as the club where President Clinton attempted to establish a cool image by playing the sax for President Havel but is very touristy. The image of the cowboy has been inexplicably popular in the Czech Republic since the 1920s. První Prag Country Saloon Amerika, Korunní 101, Prague 3, is only open until 2300 but can provide a wild evening of country and western music – dress the part and mosey on down. |