The 7 Best Pubs for Pints of Beer in Prague

If your journeys are taking you around the world in search of the best beer, the Czech Republic is definitely giving Germany and Ireland a run for their money. The country produces several locally brewed beers, called "pivo" in Czech, and even claims dibs on the original "Budweiser" beer. According to them, the town of Ceské Budejovice (Budweis in German) was producing Budweiser Budvar before the U.S. brewer, but didn't register copyright on the name. (In the U.S., this brewery's beer is labeled Czechvar). Tough break.

While the Czechs may not be able to forget or forgive a raw business move, they have moved on to produce some outstanding brands of beer; namely Pilsner Urquell, from a city in the Czech Republic called Plzen; Gambrinus another pilsner brewed by Plzensky Prazdroj, a. s. ; Staropramen, made in Smíchov, Prague since 1869; Krušovice, established by Rudolf II; and my one of personal favorites: Velkopopovický Kozel; made in Velké Popovice (just outside Prague). The word "kozel" translates to "goat," which also happens to be the mascot on the beer's label. And, these are only a few.

Now that you know some of the Czech Republic's most popular pivo, it's time to know the best places in Prague to sit and enjoy them. Though an eclectic mix, the 7 restaurants and pubs on this list offer something for everyone.

1. For the sight see-er…Stop by the U Prince Hotel in the heart of Staré Mesto (Old Town) and take the elevators all the way to the rooftop terrace. From this vantage point one can see the entire square, as well as Prague Castle and Malá Strana (Lesser Town). It is particularly magical at dusk when all the buildings are lit up. In cooler months the roof has gas lamps to warm guests enjoying a beer and the view.

2. For the beer aficionado… Pivovarský Dum is a micro brewery accessible from tram stop Štepanska. While it offers its own specialty beers, flavors are in unusual varieties including, coffee, nettle, banana, cherry, wheat, and Champagne beer. Try a sampler platter, or order 1 huge glass (called a Giráfe), which is equal to 8 pints and comes fully equipped with its own tap.

3. For the expat…The Konvikt, which is across the way from the former headquarters of the Communist secret Police, now serves as a quaint pub gathering for expatriates, English teachers and city locals alike. This brick-encased watering hole has long wooden benches where strangers and friends sit side by side and take in a pint after a long day's work. Konvict also serves food if you prefer a "polévka" (soup) with your pivo.

4. For the Bohemian… If you are looking for the metal heads, the Rasta's, and everything in between, come to the Akropolis in �i�chov. This underground club venue often has live music performances from all genres and attracts a motley crew of patrons.

In the summer, these same people can be seen in Régrovy Sady, a park in the Vinohrady district, where Bohemians bring there dogs and their hacky sack, and just chill out on a bench or blanket under the sun with a cold beer and good conversation with friends. Beer tents and sausage vendors are set up in the summer months, and give life to a park bustling with activity.

5. For the hungry… U Vejvodu located at Jilska, 4, in Old Town, offers a wide array of Czech dishes (primarily consisting of variations of pork and dumplings) but the food is delicious. It is a common dining spot for tourists partly because of the food, and partly because of the location and atmosphere. Positioned right in the center of historic buildings, cathedrals and boutique shops, this "restaurace" is two levels-with the bar being on the street level. Often Brits and locals can be found here watching (soccer) football games on the TV's overhead and sipping on the frothy head of a stout.

6. For the dancing queen… Be sure to stop by Lucerna-a dance club which plays the best of the 80's and 90's hits on a huge movie theatre screen above a massive dance floor and theatre stage. Here, on Friday or Saturday nights, you will be able to combine the joys of a cold pivo and the embarrassment of reliving your glory years in front of thousands of locals and tourists alike. What beer isn't tasty when accompanied by the sounds of Queen, Europe, or UB40?

7. For the shady…Not for the faint of heart but certainly a lot of fun can be a night at a Herna. These 24-hour havens for topless dancing and gambling are what we in the U.S. would call a seedy dive bar. Yet, if you are looking for a true Czech immersion experience, it may be worth your while to pop in. Guaranteed you will find the cheapest beer prices in town! Some Hernas are worse than others. In fact, some of them are quite clean and harmless. You can find one on just about every corner of the street, so shop around and find the best one for your taste. But, don't expect many in there to speak English. This is where the tourists don't hang out.

During the month of June, the Czech Republic has it's annual Trutnovsky pivofest, located in the city of Trutnov, where sponsors and beer vendors from all over the country have booths set up. There are usually different musical cover bands as well. Typically the entrance fee is 50 ck per person. Information can be found at the website, http://www.beers.cz/pivofest, but you may need someone to help translate the info for you.

If you interested in seeing the process of how Czech beers are made, almost all of them conduct tours of their breweries and would make an interesting addition to any travel itinerary. (So long as you aren't driving.) For more information visit: