Central Europe’s beer hub, Czechia, leads the world in per capita beer consumption at over 188 liters consumed annually in 2022, so it’s no surprise Prague offers an abundance of places that serve alcoholic beverages to a thirsty populace.
For students, affordability and alcohol potency often influence where they enjoy the city’s vibrant nightlife. The following three locations, found underground, offer just that.
Popocafepetl
During the day, some Popocafepetl locations function as a cafe, opening at 2pm. However, the location is better known as a fulcrum for cheap alcoholic drinks like chupitos, cherry liquor shots, for 25 CZK.
The ambiance consists of upbeat music and dim lighting with low ceilings that divide the space into a network of stone-walled rooms, allowing groups to enjoy their drinks in close quarters.
“It’s kind of a cave, almost like a dungeon. But in a good way,” said Sam Nykl, a second-year at AAU.
Students, travelers, and locals enjoy the atmosphere of the basement bar where Czech, English, Spanish, and even Korean are often heard at the various tables dotted across the rooms.
U Sudu Wine Bar
The unassuming top floor of U Sudu Wine Bar looks like a typical bar available anywhere else in the city.
However, a trip around the corner and down the stairs from the cozy first floor reveals a brick-walled game room equipped with foosball. Beyond the game room and down another flight of stairs hides a bar with a doored entrance concealing several more bars that permit indoor smoking. A dance floor, and many more surprises, can be found a few rooms away through a long brick corridor.
The vast web of interconnected bars can be confusing, especially after some strong chupitos.
Students and locals were both heavily represented in “the winding underground space,” as stated by Prague’s official tourism website. Tables are plentiful in the maze-like basement of U Sudu but almost always filled with people of all nationalities. Some recommend designating a person to get there early and save seats for the group. Otherwise, a table will likely open up if the party is willing to dance till a place opens up.
Bar Konvice Havana
For a complete change of pace, Bar Konvice Havana almost transports customers to the streets of Havana, Cuba.
With wooden tables and pastel blue and red walls, the bar’s interior mirrors a Cuban street. The reggaeton music filling the air sets the vibe for a Latin night in Prague.
“I actually felt like I was in Cuba; especially after a few drinks,” said Juan Camilo Duran, a study abroad student from Colombia. “I could even smell puros [Cuban cigars] and the bartender spoke Spanish with me.”
The bar is best enjoyed with a ‘Cuba Libre,’ a rum and coke with lime, and Wine and beer start at 75 CZK each.
