Hot topic: Prague is still partying—should the city do more to sober up?

Prague has long been a hotspot for stag and hen parties, attracting revelers from across Europe, particularly the UK. But the city has long aimed to change its reputation from a destination for so-called alcotourism, and in recent years has taken actions from promoting sustainable tourism to banning pub crawls.

But have these efforts seen success? A recent study reveals the Czech capital remains at the top of the list for stag parties. Analyzing factors such as drink prices, accommodation costs, and nightlife offerings, Prague remains the number one destination for a stag do in Europe.

The study, conducted by VegasOddsOnline, assessed 45 cities across Europe, looking at various factors to determine the best destinations for stag and hen parties. Key metrics included the cost of a pint, cocktail prices, accommodation, and the availability of nightlife and activities.

The findings revealed that Prague stood out for its affordability and vibrant atmosphere, with the Czech capital ranking as the top destination for stag and hen parties. Prague was followed by Budapest, Madrid, Istanbul, and Barcelona.

According to cost of living data sourced from Numbeo, the average price for a pint of beer in Prague was just £2 (CZK 60) by the end of last year, with cocktails costing around £6 (CZK 180). While both these numbers have risen significantly in recent years, the beer in Prague was still the least expensive among the top 10 cities in the study, and cocktails were only cheaper in Budapest.

Accommodation in the Czech capital, meanwhile, ranked toward the middle of the pack, with the average cost for an Airbnb at £112 (about CZK 3,400) per night. Among the top 10 cities for stag parties, Madrid, Istanbul, Berlin, and Naples all boasted cheaper Airbnb rates.

Prague boasts 544 pubs and clubs, providing more options for partygoers than any city in the study except London. Additionally, Prague offers 167 activities, giving visitors plenty to do both during the day and at night.

Looking at Google searches for "stag do" or "hen do", Prague sees more traffic yearly than any city outside of the UK apart from Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Budapest. Full details of the study, and methodology that continues to rank Prague as Europe's top destination for stag parties, can be found here.

Prague’s popularity as a party destination has not been without controversy. In recent years, the city has faced growing concerns over both the amount of tourists the city sees and the type of tourists. The influx of intoxicated tourists has often been cited as a major disruption for those who live in the city center.

The Prague 1 district, the area most affected by noisy, drunken tourists, has been particularly vocal in calling for stricter regulations to mitigate overcrowding and disturbances in the city center.

In response, the city has taken measures to manage this issue. Last October, the city approved a ban on organized pub crawls. Driven by Prague 1's struggles with intoxicated tourists disrupting the peace at night, these types of activities are now prohibited after 10 p.m.

"[An] unreasonable consumption of alcohol and disruptive behavior associated with pub crawls can create the impression of a lack of sophistication in the community, reduce the feeling of safety, and [causes people to] avoid certain locations," the city's legislation reads.

Through 2027, international advertising campaigns have ae promoting the Czech capital as a destination for culture, monuments, and history rather than cheap alcohol and late-night partying.

Despite these efforts, the data suggests that Prague’s vibrant nightlife continues to attract stag parties in large numbers. Will the city's efforts see results in the coming years? Or will the Czech capital hold onto its position as Europe's number one destination for stag parties?