City councillors in Prague have announced a ban on night-time pub crawls organized by travel agencies, aiming to attract “more cultured” tourists.
The Czech capital, with a population of 1.3 million, has been a favored destination for loud stag parties and pub enthusiasts for years.
However, the city’s deputy mayor, Zdenek Hrib, stated to reporters yesterday that these organized night-time pub crawls will be prohibited.
“Guided tours between 10pm and 6am will no longer be allowed,” he remarked.
Foreign beer enthusiasts have contributed significantly to the Czech Republic’s reputation as the world’s beer-loving nation.
In 2023, the average Czech citizen, including infants, consumed an impressive 128 litres of beer, maintaining a top position globally, despite a gradual decline since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
In some restaurants, beer remains cheaper than water, and numerous pubs in the UNESCO-listed historic center offer the renowned local lager for under €3 a pint.
Vaclav Starek, leader of the Czech Association of Hotels and Restaurants, praised the decision made by the city hall.
“Beer-seeking trips to the center have been problematic for both locals and other tourists,” he commented.
“I don’t believe this will negatively impact our sales. While no one will be prohibited from visiting a pub, these organized night-time crawls are not something we need.”
