Rotating Tap Bars
Initiated by Pivni Klub, the rotating tap has only really took off the last year, with Zly Casy leading the way and others following. There are now 4 places that stand out with a great range and many others with smaller but still nice offers. The scene is only going to get better, so enjoy. Click on the pic. for the website where you can find hours etc.
Update: Numbers 1,2,5,6,7 on the list are part of the new Beer alliance, this means they swap barrels and the choices there are quite similar.
Update: Numbers 1,2,5,6,7 on the list are part of the new Beer alliance, this means they swap barrels and the choices there are quite similar.
Zly Casy
Čestmírova 5, Prague 4. Booking recommended in the evening.
With only Pivni Klub providing different beers on tap, the owners of Zly Casy ( Hard Times ) decided to ditch the Inbev shit and go it alone. The fact the place is now packed at lunch, in the evening and has installed 24 rotating taps is reward for that brave decision.
As for the beers, i've had some amazing stuff from all over the country and there's guaranteed to be something interesting on, they sometimes have their own beers made by the excellent Chyne brewery. They have 4 fridges full of great beers from Czech inc. a full fridge of Kocour, German and Belgium beers at good prices.
The lunch is excellent and local beer gurus abound. In the evening there is a limited but cheap and tasty menu. English isn't spoken except the odd waitress, but the full beer list is above the bar with prices for small and large beers listed.
Proximity to Basta, Klokocnika and Pivni Tramvaj is also a bonus, enjoy.
Update: The lunch has gone pretty awful, stick with the beers. Staff much improved. Berliner weisse on recently from Chyne recipe.
Mega update: New bottle shop next door has an amazing range of Czech and foreign beers at good prices, do NOT miss it.
Regular beers: Kocour / Matuska / Chyne inc. regular own beers/ Kacov / Chotebor / Tambor / Herold / K brewery beers / Belec / Best chance of the sometimes amazing Rambousek beers.
With only Pivni Klub providing different beers on tap, the owners of Zly Casy ( Hard Times ) decided to ditch the Inbev shit and go it alone. The fact the place is now packed at lunch, in the evening and has installed 24 rotating taps is reward for that brave decision.
As for the beers, i've had some amazing stuff from all over the country and there's guaranteed to be something interesting on, they sometimes have their own beers made by the excellent Chyne brewery. They have 4 fridges full of great beers from Czech inc. a full fridge of Kocour, German and Belgium beers at good prices.
The lunch is excellent and local beer gurus abound. In the evening there is a limited but cheap and tasty menu. English isn't spoken except the odd waitress, but the full beer list is above the bar with prices for small and large beers listed.
Proximity to Basta, Klokocnika and Pivni Tramvaj is also a bonus, enjoy.
Update: The lunch has gone pretty awful, stick with the beers. Staff much improved. Berliner weisse on recently from Chyne recipe.
Mega update: New bottle shop next door has an amazing range of Czech and foreign beers at good prices, do NOT miss it.
Regular beers: Kocour / Matuska / Chyne inc. regular own beers/ Kacov / Chotebor / Tambor / Herold / K brewery beers / Belec / Best chance of the sometimes amazing Rambousek beers.
Kulovy Blesk
Sokolska 13, Prague 2. Booking recommended in the evening and even at lunch!
A recent newcomer, Kulovy Blesk ( ball of lightning ) has become a real top notch place for beer lovers. They usually have 9 beers on rotation, with a similar but smaller selection to Zly Casy and the house regular is the decent beers from Nymburk inc. unfiltered light beer Francin and usually a Primator or two. Kocour is almost certain to be on tap.
Lunch menu is one of the best around, with full size portions and very good service. Evening meals are also great, but more pricey. The decor is nice, with the walls covered in classic Czech films from years gone by.
Evenings are busy, full of young Czechs in small groups, so reservations are unfortunately essential and it's not really a place to enjoy alone.
Hit this place in the daytime and you won't be disappointed. Blog article.
Regular beers: Nymburk with occasional unfiltered / Matuska / Kocour / Opat / Primator / Svijany.
A recent newcomer, Kulovy Blesk ( ball of lightning ) has become a real top notch place for beer lovers. They usually have 9 beers on rotation, with a similar but smaller selection to Zly Casy and the house regular is the decent beers from Nymburk inc. unfiltered light beer Francin and usually a Primator or two. Kocour is almost certain to be on tap.
Lunch menu is one of the best around, with full size portions and very good service. Evening meals are also great, but more pricey. The decor is nice, with the walls covered in classic Czech films from years gone by.
Evenings are busy, full of young Czechs in small groups, so reservations are unfortunately essential and it's not really a place to enjoy alone.
Hit this place in the daytime and you won't be disappointed. Blog article.
Regular beers: Nymburk with occasional unfiltered / Matuska / Kocour / Opat / Primator / Svijany.
Zubaty Pes
Petrohradska 3, Prague 10.
Kavarna na Sumave
Sumava 31 , Prague 2.
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Merenda
Husitska 74, Prague 3.
The third uber beer joint in town, Merenda is an interesting place. Out in the pub capital of Zizkov, they have a non-smoking restaurant section and downstairs a classic pub, with both having 4 different beers on rotation.
Staff are random in their beer knowledge and prices and measures ( I hate 0.4l glasses ) are equally random, but great beer and food is usually guaranteed.
Lunch is limited, but cheap and tasty and evening meals are really nice and well priced. The pub can sometimes have live music from local drinkers and football on the big screen. Best of all reservations are not usually needed, making it the best evening drinking choice.
If the staff were more informed and you could order drinks from both sections ( otherwise you have to keep nipping up and down and paying at the bar ) it would be perfect.
Regular beers: Jezek 10 permanent / Primator / Svijany / Kocour / Matuska / Janacek / Permon and other micros
The third uber beer joint in town, Merenda is an interesting place. Out in the pub capital of Zizkov, they have a non-smoking restaurant section and downstairs a classic pub, with both having 4 different beers on rotation.
Staff are random in their beer knowledge and prices and measures ( I hate 0.4l glasses ) are equally random, but great beer and food is usually guaranteed.
Lunch is limited, but cheap and tasty and evening meals are really nice and well priced. The pub can sometimes have live music from local drinkers and football on the big screen. Best of all reservations are not usually needed, making it the best evening drinking choice.
If the staff were more informed and you could order drinks from both sections ( otherwise you have to keep nipping up and down and paying at the bar ) it would be perfect.
Regular beers: Jezek 10 permanent / Primator / Svijany / Kocour / Matuska / Janacek / Permon and other micros
U Prince Miroslava
K Vodojemu 4, Prague 5.
A couple of recent visits has confirmed that we have another top notch venue for beer ( and food ) in Prague. They have about 18 taps on rotation inc. all the beers from Opat, Herold, Primator and Svijany and other occasional rotating beers ( Chyne and Matuska recently spotted ). My lunch was superb and the place has a nice Czech atmosphere.
Beer prices are a touch high and there is a beer list that is not fully updated, but refers to Gambrinus as Euro lager:). A check of the web is a good idea. A top lunch option.
Regular beers: Opat / Herold / Svijany / Primator(Stout, Weiss and Pale Ale) / Rohozec
A couple of recent visits has confirmed that we have another top notch venue for beer ( and food ) in Prague. They have about 18 taps on rotation inc. all the beers from Opat, Herold, Primator and Svijany and other occasional rotating beers ( Chyne and Matuska recently spotted ). My lunch was superb and the place has a nice Czech atmosphere.
Beer prices are a touch high and there is a beer list that is not fully updated, but refers to Gambrinus as Euro lager:). A check of the web is a good idea. A top lunch option.
Regular beers: Opat / Herold / Svijany / Primator(Stout, Weiss and Pale Ale) / Rohozec
Obzerstvi
Jakobiho 327, Prague 10.
A real oddity this one. Stuck out in the real edge of Prague, amongst a sea of high-rise apartment blocks, it's not where you would expect to find a rotating pub. They have recently incresed the offer to 2/3 rotating beers and they are usually excellent, such as the Qasek i had recently and the lunch menu is excellent and the service is fine.
It's not a place to visit in the evening and the atmosphere is lacking, but if you have time, check the website for daily offers and get there for lunch and a couple of beers.
Regular/recent beers: Anything inc. Qasek, Lipan, Vojkovice and rare Moravian beers
A real oddity this one. Stuck out in the real edge of Prague, amongst a sea of high-rise apartment blocks, it's not where you would expect to find a rotating pub. They have recently incresed the offer to 2/3 rotating beers and they are usually excellent, such as the Qasek i had recently and the lunch menu is excellent and the service is fine.
It's not a place to visit in the evening and the atmosphere is lacking, but if you have time, check the website for daily offers and get there for lunch and a couple of beers.
Regular/recent beers: Anything inc. Qasek, Lipan, Vojkovice and rare Moravian beers
Pivni Klub
Křižíkova 17, Prague 8.
The original and on it's day still one of the best places in Prague. Whilst the prices are higher than elsewhere and the selection isn't what it used to be, the place is pure class and one of the nicest place to drink in town.
They have the classic 6 taps, with number 5 usually the house beer made by sister pub, Pivni Dum. Unfortunately whilst still ok, it's not a patch on the Dum version, it used to be! Tap six is the overpriced weissbeer tap, presumably for the ladies. Other taps are pretty random these days, but there is usually something ok on.
Bottled beer however is where the club excels, almost the whole range of CZ beers is available and plenty of foreign ( quite pricey ) beers also.
Food and service really is excellent, both at lunch and the evening and the whole 2 levels are non-smoking. Tables can usually be found without reservations.
Update: The 'Stepan' is definately NOT authentic, beer fans are a rarity here these days.
Regular beers: Pivni Dum? Stepan light / Primator / Cerna Hora / Opat / Krakonos / Anything
The original and on it's day still one of the best places in Prague. Whilst the prices are higher than elsewhere and the selection isn't what it used to be, the place is pure class and one of the nicest place to drink in town.
They have the classic 6 taps, with number 5 usually the house beer made by sister pub, Pivni Dum. Unfortunately whilst still ok, it's not a patch on the Dum version, it used to be! Tap six is the overpriced weissbeer tap, presumably for the ladies. Other taps are pretty random these days, but there is usually something ok on.
Bottled beer however is where the club excels, almost the whole range of CZ beers is available and plenty of foreign ( quite pricey ) beers also.
Food and service really is excellent, both at lunch and the evening and the whole 2 levels are non-smoking. Tables can usually be found without reservations.
Update: The 'Stepan' is definately NOT authentic, beer fans are a rarity here these days.
Regular beers: Pivni Dum? Stepan light / Primator / Cerna Hora / Opat / Krakonos / Anything
U Vodoucha
Jagellonska 21, Prague 3.
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Pivni Tramvaj
Na Chodovci 1a, Prague 4.
Rotating at least one beer for some time now, the beer tram bar is a unique place to drink good beer. Out in the suburbs, at the end of a tram line, it looks just like part of the depot, but inside it's very cosy, with old tram style seating, rock posters on the wall, good music and usually a good beer on tap, inc. Primator weizen and the two rotating specials, which could be anything.
Update: Now part of the beer alliance, so similar beers to Zly Casy etc.
Note: Open from 2pm. ( no website )
Regular/recent beers: Tramvaj 11( Pivni Dum's beer ), Kocour, Matuska, Rambousek, anything.
Rotating at least one beer for some time now, the beer tram bar is a unique place to drink good beer. Out in the suburbs, at the end of a tram line, it looks just like part of the depot, but inside it's very cosy, with old tram style seating, rock posters on the wall, good music and usually a good beer on tap, inc. Primator weizen and the two rotating specials, which could be anything.
Update: Now part of the beer alliance, so similar beers to Zly Casy etc.
Note: Open from 2pm. ( no website )
Regular/recent beers: Tramvaj 11( Pivni Dum's beer ), Kocour, Matuska, Rambousek, anything.
Svet Piva / U Radnice etc etc.
Havlíčkovo náměstí 7, prague 3.
What to say about this place, except bizarre. It's had at least 5 names in 2 years and changed it's house brew as many times, with Konrad now the choice at nice prices and a Kvasnicove house beer ( brewed by i don't know who )
Just changed names from Beer club 300 and formerly a Sparta Prague fan's pub,it's now making more of an effort to attract beer connesiours, although many still shun the place for their strange attitude ( the owners a bit weird )
Last time i went there were 18 beers on the go, with some unbelivable finds I have never seen anywhere else in town. The full range of monk made classics from Zeliv on tap ( almost unheard of ) were some of the best beers i've ever had, Purkmistr's great beers from Plzen and a cheapo Konrad for the locals ( although a cranberry one! ).
Staff seem not so knowledgable about beer ( or English ) and seem a bit rough at times, so just check the board or website and be sure of what you want and it could be a good session. Lunch specials also.
Update: They now have a smaller pub in a cellar with cheaper regionals and have gone none smoking, small beers are back on the menu at outrageous prices, to be honest this place is becoming a joke. Blog article.
Regular beers: Konrad / Purkmistr / Zvikov / Zeliv / Richard / Avar? / Almost anything.
What to say about this place, except bizarre. It's had at least 5 names in 2 years and changed it's house brew as many times, with Konrad now the choice at nice prices and a Kvasnicove house beer ( brewed by i don't know who )
Just changed names from Beer club 300 and formerly a Sparta Prague fan's pub,it's now making more of an effort to attract beer connesiours, although many still shun the place for their strange attitude ( the owners a bit weird )
Last time i went there were 18 beers on the go, with some unbelivable finds I have never seen anywhere else in town. The full range of monk made classics from Zeliv on tap ( almost unheard of ) were some of the best beers i've ever had, Purkmistr's great beers from Plzen and a cheapo Konrad for the locals ( although a cranberry one! ).
Staff seem not so knowledgable about beer ( or English ) and seem a bit rough at times, so just check the board or website and be sure of what you want and it could be a good session. Lunch specials also.
Update: They now have a smaller pub in a cellar with cheaper regionals and have gone none smoking, small beers are back on the menu at outrageous prices, to be honest this place is becoming a joke. Blog article.
Regular beers: Konrad / Purkmistr / Zvikov / Zeliv / Richard / Avar? / Almost anything.
Prague Beer Museum
Dlouha 46, Prague 1.
A new venture from an American Expat. There are 30 beers on tap, great central location and a nice atmosphere and beer garden at the back. It's not really one for the local beer gurus, but if your around the old town, it's worth popping in. Prices are high as you might expect.
Regular beers: Kladno, Matuska, Kocour, Rebel, K-Brewery, anything.
A new venture from an American Expat. There are 30 beers on tap, great central location and a nice atmosphere and beer garden at the back. It's not really one for the local beer gurus, but if your around the old town, it's worth popping in. Prices are high as you might expect.
Regular beers: Kladno, Matuska, Kocour, Rebel, K-Brewery, anything.
Klasterni Pivnice ( Sumavan )
Ovenecka 15, Prague 7.
An old classic Czech pub, with appropriate clientele, you won't get much more authentic than this. The fact they rotate all K brewery with occasional others such as Herold, Bakalar and even Chotebor or other rarities is a bonus. Prices are cheap.
Regular beers: All K brewery / Herold / Bakalar ( no website )
An old classic Czech pub, with appropriate clientele, you won't get much more authentic than this. The fact they rotate all K brewery with occasional others such as Herold, Bakalar and even Chotebor or other rarities is a bonus. Prices are cheap.
Regular beers: All K brewery / Herold / Bakalar ( no website )
Jama
V Jame 7, Prague 1 + ?
What used to be a yuppy, expat American bar, has bizzarely gone down the rotating route. Mainly all the beers from K Brewery on the go, but also seen Matuska and Kocour on regularly. The prices are out of my budget, but for some it could be a good pitstop in the centre.
Update: A sister pub has also opened in the centre with similar beers.
Regular beers: All K brewery / Kocour / Matuska
What used to be a yuppy, expat American bar, has bizzarely gone down the rotating route. Mainly all the beers from K Brewery on the go, but also seen Matuska and Kocour on regularly. The prices are out of my budget, but for some it could be a good pitstop in the centre.
Update: A sister pub has also opened in the centre with similar beers.
Regular beers: All K brewery / Kocour / Matuska
Kovadlina U Lazni
Veverkova 2, Prague 7.
A classic locals pub, not far from the similar Sumavan above. Good lunch menu, permanent Breznak and now a new beer each Monday, that may well run out by Tuesday. It could be anything, but good prices, so worth the risk. ( no website )
Regular beers: Matuska, anything.
A classic locals pub, not far from the similar Sumavan above. Good lunch menu, permanent Breznak and now a new beer each Monday, that may well run out by Tuesday. It could be anything, but good prices, so worth the risk. ( no website )
Regular beers: Matuska, anything.
U Sadu
Skroupovo Namesti 5, Prague 3.
A fascinating pub in the suburb of Zizkov, that's recently gone down the rotating tap route. During the day, chill upstairs with local eccentrics and dodgy waiters. At night, head downstairs to a hub of local youth, better service, decent food and an increasing awareness of good beer.
Permanent Primator weizen, Svijany 11 and now it seems the pretty nice Strakonice Klostermann all for 33kc. Their is one decent beer on rotation every week and they seems to be trying to rotate 18 degree dark beers, of which they're ain't many in CZ, but has seen the amazing Kout 18 dark on tap the last few weeks. Who knows what's next.
Oh, it's open until 4am:) A few drunk/drugged types around, be careful with your drunkeness.
Update: Now gone down the K-Brewery route and therefore quite boring choices.
Regular beers: Strakonice Klostermann / Primator weizen / Svijany 11 / Kout 18 dark? / Herold / Poutnik
A fascinating pub in the suburb of Zizkov, that's recently gone down the rotating tap route. During the day, chill upstairs with local eccentrics and dodgy waiters. At night, head downstairs to a hub of local youth, better service, decent food and an increasing awareness of good beer.
Permanent Primator weizen, Svijany 11 and now it seems the pretty nice Strakonice Klostermann all for 33kc. Their is one decent beer on rotation every week and they seems to be trying to rotate 18 degree dark beers, of which they're ain't many in CZ, but has seen the amazing Kout 18 dark on tap the last few weeks. Who knows what's next.
Oh, it's open until 4am:) A few drunk/drugged types around, be careful with your drunkeness.
Update: Now gone down the K-Brewery route and therefore quite boring choices.
Regular beers: Strakonice Klostermann / Primator weizen / Svijany 11 / Kout 18 dark? / Herold / Poutnik
Pivni Galerie
U Pruhonu 9, Prague 7.
A former favourite, this place is now only really useful for picking up some good bottled stuff, of which almost all Czech beers are available.
There are 2 daily changing beers in the back with a very local bunch and staff that won't give a shit. Still it's a curiosity, the decor is pretty amazing and there are some good pubs nearby to make it worthwhile.
Update: With the new bottle shop of Zly Casy it's not really worth coming here for bottled beers.
Note: Very limited opening hours, check the website.
A former favourite, this place is now only really useful for picking up some good bottled stuff, of which almost all Czech beers are available.
There are 2 daily changing beers in the back with a very local bunch and staff that won't give a shit. Still it's a curiosity, the decor is pretty amazing and there are some good pubs nearby to make it worthwhile.
Update: With the new bottle shop of Zly Casy it's not really worth coming here for bottled beers.
Note: Very limited opening hours, check the website.
Minirest
Havlickova 6, Prague 1
Formerly selling the excellent Zvikov Rarasek beer, this place now seems to rotate 1or 2 beers a week, especially Cerna Hora's excellent wheatbeer, Velen. So anything may turn up. It's a nice little stop in the centre, close to the main sights and train stations, so worth a try.
Update:Gone down the K-Brewery route, bloody hell, no more rotating.
Regular beers: Cerna Hora Velen/ Rychtar Natur( no website )
Formerly selling the excellent Zvikov Rarasek beer, this place now seems to rotate 1or 2 beers a week, especially Cerna Hora's excellent wheatbeer, Velen. So anything may turn up. It's a nice little stop in the centre, close to the main sights and train stations, so worth a try.
Update:Gone down the K-Brewery route, bloody hell, no more rotating.
Regular beers: Cerna Hora Velen/ Rychtar Natur( no website )