Bars in Prague

Von barworkz@mac.com | November 11, 2008 um 15:52 | Keine Kommentar | Bars & Menschen | Tags: Bars, Cocktails, Prague

1,2 million people live in Prague, the capital of Czech Republic which is, by the way, the world’s leading per-capita-beer-consumer with 320 pints per year and person.
No wonder if you can get your hands on more than 450 different excellent brews and at pretty much the same amount of different salty sausages at any time of day and night. 

Nonetheless Prague also provides a vibrant bar scene which is still to a certain extent  influenced by American immigrants who went "bohemian" after the fall of the iron curtain.

For thirsty travellers on the lookout for a decent drink, hotel bars have always been a save bet. Whilst the selection of spirits usually includes a matching tipple for everyone, mixed drinks often go rather wrong (and to be honest: they still do in a lot of times).  Something that Cloud 9 Bar at the Hilton Prague clearly wants to proof as lopsided. The bar itself was described to me as “Las Vegas Style“  and that pretty much hits the right spot. Cloud 9 provides a spectacular view over the city of Prague, it is offering an enormous amount of space, the music is loud, the guests rather young, prices are steep, the drinks menu promising though. The only thing that is missing is a certain atmosphere. The bar team, which is led by Roman Uhlir,
is well trained, attentive and works fast as well as efficient. The delivery of the offered cocktails though still needs a bit of fine tuning. My Margarita was drowned in salt and wouldn’t even fill the glass halfway, but since the bar only opened four months ago I’m sure things have changed by the time of my next visit.

 

Tretters Bar is one of the oldest bars in town and welcomed us with a nice buzz, live Jazz and an atmosphere that reminded me of Schumann’s
in Munich. Bartenders in white jackets, attentive but unagitated service and an inspiring bar menu, looking a bit like…well… Schumann’s bar menu. What instantly hits your eye though is the wide array of creative signature cocktails filling up the menu. A combination of Beefeater Gin, fresh juniper berries, St. Germain Elderflower and dry Vermouth proofed to be excellent.
Next on the list: Bugsy’s, another one of the first real cocktail bars in Prague. Just hours ago it won "Best Cocktailbar" at the Czech Bar Awards and I couldn’t agree more. My Manhattan, prepared elegantly by the bartender using a frozen stirring glass and proper booze & bitters was served in a frozen cocktail glass and was simply put: excellent.

 

Two other bars though went straight to my heart: Bar & Books Tynska und Manova just provide everything I am looking for when I enter a bar. 

 

1. A bar needs to be dark, nothing’s better than simple candlelight. Ticking the box.

2. I want to feel welcomed by the bar’s staff and I think it’s great if I get seated. Tick.

3. The music shouldn’t be too loud. It should accompany the guest throughout the evening but only in the background. Jazz? Love it. Tick.

4. The bar is clean, wood and leather dominate the interior design. The back shelf presents a well chosen selection of spirits and is decently lit. Tick.

5. My water-electrolyte-balance is being taken care of by serving nice nibbles and still water throughout the evening. Tick.

6. The bar menu is well selected, incorporating the change of seasons. It provides you with the essentials that you need and the essentials sound tempting. The essentials do not include strawberry margaritas. Tick.

7. The ordered drink will be prepared carefully and skillfully and, last but not least, with love. The drink tastes great and makes you want more. Tick.

8. Staff is well trained and attentive, it can provide interesting conversation that doesn’t sound hollow. Tick.

9. Time and cold reality are not allowed to enter the bar. They don’t matter in bars like these anyways. Tick.

10.
Everything in the bar has its place, everything fits into its place. Nothing counteracts with the atmosphere or the soul of the bar. Tick.

11. Staff accompanies the guest to the door, wishes him a pleasant evening and smiles a honest smile.Tick.

You wouldn’t really believe that these bars are part of a chain of bars but, in fact, they are. You can find five different Bar & Books in New York and Prague and even restaurants are part of Raju Mirchandani‘s little gastronomy empire. The Dubai born entrepeneur and his right hand Martina Pestova really proved talent creating a unique and inviting atmosphere in both of their Prague outlets. The tree other bars, all located in Manhattan are certainly on my To-Do-list, next time I visit the Big Apple.

So I am leaving Prague with the certainty of returning. The friendly, charming people, their welcoming hospitality and last but not least Bar & Books are more than enough reasons to do so.  

 

Links:

www. tretters.cz

www.bugsys.cz

www.cloud9.cz

www.barandbooks.cz

 

Pictures: Bastian Heuser