Being a beer aficionado is basically the Czech national sport—they take their hops, brews, and foam very seriously. But the best way to take this seriously awesome tradition as chill as possible is to rub elbows with the locals and go out for a drink at one of the Prague beer gardens.
Found all over the city, from the top of Letna to the Vltava River, there’s absolutely nowhere else that has quite the same laidback, devil-may-care vibe that comes with sipping a Pilsner in the CR.
So grab your sunnies and a friend; these watering holes are best experienced together!
Best Prague Beer Gardens
Enjoy some of the best beers in Prague at these great Prague beer gardens – it’s one of the best things to do in Prague!
1. Letna Park
Sporting one of the most incredible panoramic views in Prague, Letna Park is a great place even if you’re not a fan of beer; picnics and checking out the giant metronome at the top of the hill are also popular things to do here.
But if you don’t grab a Kingswood Cider from the beer garden and park it on one of benches next to the railing in the beer garden, you really are missing out.
Open until midnight, this beer garden is for taking your entire travel group and sitting around regaling stories about getting lost in Berlin, and Amsterdam, and Paris…
“Leten” was originally called “summer camp” or “sunbathing place”. It’s the perfect place to chill, to get a cold beer and to enjoy the sunset while overlooking the city.
2. Naplavka
Down by the riverside, isn’t that how the song goes? Just like the tune, the beer starts flowing down by the river past the Palackheho Most (the bridge right next to the Dancing House) in late spring and stays open late for those balmy summer nights that beg for a sweet breeze from the river.
Deejay stages and live bands are constantly playing along the river and you can hop from a beer under an umbrella to a cocktail and dinner on a boat seamlessly. It’s a great way to start the evening, or if you get the feeling, finish it.
3. Vysehrad
Once a military fortress, Vysehrad is another one of those places that boasts an incredible view; a walk along the ramparts shows you just how much of Prague you walked on that city tour a few days ago.
But not just a picture paradise, Vysehrad is also home to a beautiful cathedral and a creepy cemetery that you should definitely check out before parking it in their beer garden.
Outfitted with an excellent grill, act like a local and grab a Pilsner, a veggie and beef kabob, and grilled Hermelin for a great lunch out in the sun. This beer garden is full of dogs and children as well, so don’t be surprised to see people out drinking at noon!
This place looks a bit dusty on arrival, but it’s actually a really popular beer garden. It is located right on the Vyšehrad walls.
There are plenty of tables under umbrellas and along the perimeter of the walls, so that this makes it a nice break on a sunny day.
The benches by the walls are especially popular for the unusual views of Prague and the impressive panorama of the New Town with the Nusel Bridge.
Expect some typical Balkan food (chops and lamb sausages) from the grill. They also have some vegetarian specialities. If you shouldn’t get a free table, just take a seat on the grass. And if you are lucky, there will be some live music.l
And bring cash, as they don’t accept any cards.
4. Strelecky Island
Sitting in the middle of the Vltava and having a beer is like having a slice of heaven; you get a delicious pint and also a spectacular view, mostly of other people running into one another in swan paddle boats, but you get the drift.
You can either grab a beer and sort yourself into one of the boats yourself or just have fun mocking their sailor skills from the comfort of dry land. Another perk? From the middle of the river there’s an unforgettable chance to get a really great shot of the St. Charles Bridge.
5. Lucerna Rooftop
From the Lucerna Passage you can take the Paternoster lift to the top. There you will find a really cool location. Enjoy a drink while overlooking the roofs of Prague. There are several terraces, which gives it a very unique flair. Maybe you are lucky and one of the guests will play the piano, which just waits to get played. There are also regular lectures, movies projections and live concerts.
Just make sure to check their opening hours, as it could otherwise happen that you pay the CZK150 (~EUR6) entrance fee, buy a drink to watch the sunset, only to then be kicked out. But apart from that, it’s totally worth heading there.
And that’s your complete list on where to eat in Prague along with where to drink.
6. Burza #4 (Prague Market)
Part of the Prague Market Hall, this was a former slaughterhouse exchange, which now turned into a funky community space with an abandoned garden restaurant.
Expect live events like live music, theaters, musical events, workshops and even a program for kids.
This is a great place to sit and to relax from the city. It’s a little oasis of peace.
Around the corner you will also find a few food trucks, cafes, galleries, little shops and warehouse stores.
7. Riegerovky Sady
Don’t be surprised to find lots of ex-pats and tourists here, it’s in Vinohrady, one of the prettiest parts of Prague.
But don’t let that dissuade you from grabbing a glass because on game day, Riegrovy Sady is also full of locals hoping to get a view of the projector screen. Its got room for over 1000 people, has 3 beers on tap, cocktails, wine and a grill, and is pup friendly, so whether you’re just looking for a place to chill after a heavy day of touring or wanting to catch the AC Sparta vs. Bohemians game, head to this hill for a great time.
While this list is nowhere near exhaustive (you’d be here reading for a week if it were), it’s 5 of my favorite Prague beer gardens and hangouts to grab an ice-cold beer when visiting the Golden City so get out and get to drinking!
8. Manifesto Market Smichov
This is a hip place to enjoy some good food and drinks, served out of containers while you dip your toes into a little pool.
The concept is to transform forgotten locations into unique places with sophisticated design where families, colleagues, neighbours and visitors to Prague can meet.
Manifesto intertwines carefully selected culinary concepts with a cultural program. So you can taste authentic cuisines from the Mediterranean, Asia and America, which you pair with beers from local breweries or wines from the Czech Republic.
Note: Bring your bank card, as you have to pay completely cashless.
9. Kayak Beach Bar
Now it’s up to you… Would you like to go kayaking, hop on a SUP (Stand-Up-Paddle), play some volleyball or simply relax and have a drink?
The Kayak Beach Bar is a multifunctional floating bar with a volleyball court. And at the back you’ll find the kayaks and SUP boards. Not to forget the sitting area where you get some good food and drinks. I don’t think that there is another place which provides all this on a river.
I decided to get onto a kayak, which was fun. I paddled first to the Jiráskovo náměstí bridge, which is where you’ll have to stop, unless you go through the lock. You’ll past Náplavka (see beneath).
After that I headed in the other direction and made my way to the Yacht Club. When you reach that area, you will feel like you are in another place and not in the capital of the Czech Republic anymore. Here you will also spot the muskrats.
10. Žižkov BeerGarden
This beer garden is a little bit outside of town, which makes it a great escape from city life (check out some of these day trips from Prague). Here they serve Pilsner, but also craft beer from smaller breweries.
It’s pretty big with lots of seats, which makes it also popular to watch sporting events on a huge screen.
Prague beer tours
Another great experience to enjoy in Prague is to join in on one of the many Prague beer tours around the city. There’s some really fun beer-related tours in the city, including ones with unlimited tastings (winning!), tours of popular taverns, beer bike tours, and beer culture tours.