Irish Pubs in Prague

J.J. Murphy’s at Tržiště 4 (Tel: +420 257 535 575) is around the corner from Malostranské náměstí. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, so it seems an ideal place to kick off an evening or just the spot for a quiet drink. They have Guinness, Kilkenny and Stowford Press Cider on tap as well as Staropramen and Stella Artois. Their website includes a menu with pub food and Irish styled fare. You can take a seat at a table or plonk yourself on a stool at a high table or the bar. The non-smoking section operates only from 10am to 3pm.

Located right in the Old Town on the corner of Old Town Square and Dlouhá street is Caffrey’s (Tel: +420 224 828 031). This pub has the most immediate sense of authenticity, or authenticity before they banned smoking pubs in Ireland. Those who hanker for those hazy days will feel at home here. The place seems to attract travelers and regulars, and there is a real Irishman at the bar (at least on the day I went), who made sure everyone was well cared for. Guinness and Kilkenny share the bar with Strongbow and locals Pilsner, Gambrinus, Kozel Dark and extra strength Master. They also have a very comprehensive menu, vegetarians catered for. Remember, it is on the Old Town Square so you are paying for the real estate a little with each order.

After a five year absence, the James Joyce Pub has returned to Prague and is located at the former address of Molly Malone’s, U Obecního dvora 1. The pub is quite small and charming, much like its owner Frank Houghton, who was only to keen to offer advice to people in the bar on how to make their visit more comfortable. There is table seating in both the smoking section at the front or non-smoking at the back. Or pull up a stool at the bar and have a Guinness, Kilkenny, Pilsner or Gambrinus, plus a range of food. In the winter there’s a wood fire to keep you toasty and which only adds to the atmosphere. The friendly intimate atmosphere of this pub might make it hard to leave.

The crowd in Rocky O’Reilly’s at Štěpanská 32 (Tel: +420-222-231-060) always seems pretty merry. While it doesn’t have the intimacy of the other places, it does pull the weekender and backpacker crowd, so you’re bound to make friends pretty quick. Plus the staff was willing to dish out advice along with the beers. On tap they have Guinness, Kilkenny, Stowford and Strongbow Ciders, Fosters, Heineken, Budvar and Velvet. They also offer a range of pub and Irish meals, the descriptions of which may raise a smile. Depending on your mood, the front non-smoking part is ideal for a chat by the fire, or if you want to mingle or watch sport head to the back bar.